Axis lock/Blade wobble?

K

KILLAFORNIA

Joined
Mar 4, 2006
Messages
293
"As with all Axis lock knives there is some blade play, but it is minimal"

I just read this statement on someones blog on a review of the Rukus, I've heard comments on it ,(axis knives in general) not being a good SD knife for various reasons before, none which would of stopped me from owning one, just wondered if the blade play was the general consensus of Axis lock owners, I've never handled with one.
 
If the type of blade play you are referring to is lateral (side to side) its probably a simple matter of tightening the pivot screw.

If vertical (up and/or down play) then I'd suggest checking for debris in the lock area, cleaning off the contact if gunk has built up or it had something in it there and if not maybe consider sending it in to them to look over for you as to why its developed this play up and down.

If you bought the knife used it may be that the original owner loosened the pivot some to make it smoother and easier to open or flick open perhaps. I've seen this a lot but more with Emerson Waved folders than anything else really.

STR
 
I've never had a problem. Sounds like a pivot screw tightening is needed. A defective knife could cause a problem too; I've personally seen one liner-lock Benchmade which was faulty(blade scraping handle). On an axis-lock maybe that sort of mis-alighnment could be wobbly.

But Benchmade is usually pretty good, so the pivot screw sounds like the most likely explanation(as it usually is).
 
I have a few axis knives and I have never had a "blade play issue" that ajusting the pivot diden't fix.
 
like others have said adjusting the pivot should fix any blade play

However its been my experience (grip, 705,710) in order to be able to pull back the axis lock and whip the blade open the pivot needs to be loosened to the point that there is "some" blade play but not anything too major
 
I use Axis locks almost exclusively. One of the reasons that I like them so much is that they have zero blade play.

I recently bought a 732BK that had a little side-to-side play. When I tightened the pivot the play was gone, but the knife was a little stiff to open and close.

I removed the blade, gave the tang and washers a good coating of Militec-1 and reassembled. With a little Loctite 243 (red tube, blue product) on the threads of the pivot screw I found the sweet spot where the blade moves freely when thumbed, but won't quite move on its own by gravity alone.

The end result is a knife that gliiides open and locks up like a vault!

 
KILLAFORNIA said:
"As with all Axis lock knives there is some blade play, but it is minimal"

I just read this statement on someones blog on a review of the Rukus, I've heard comments on it ,(axis knives in general) not being a good SD knife for various reasons before, none which would of stopped me from owning one, just wondered if the blade play was the general consensus of Axis lock owners, I've never handled with one.
Click to expand...
You might answer someone to check up his knife and stop writing BS.
 
Same here. No bladeplay in any of the axis locks I've owned or now own. My Rukus is probably the most solid knife I have as far as lockup is concerned.
Not only does someone need to tighten the pivot screw, but also a screw or two in their head when they make a statement like "As with all axis lock knives there is some blade play, but it is minimal"
 
I have owned many Benchmade Axis locks and never had one with up and down play. I have had a two with side play and fixed them with Loctite when I tightened the pivot screw. I think the Axis lock is the best lock on the market. I have had many liner locks come open on me and thank goodness I had only minor cuts. These were high quality liner locks and not junk. Aside , I have just used Benchmade's blue lube and cleaner. This is the best I have used. I think it may be better than Mil-tec.
RKH
 
KILLAFORNIA said:
"As with all Axis lock knives there is some blade play, but it is minimal"

I just read this statement on someones blog on a review of the Rukus, I've heard comments on it ,(axis knives in general) not being a good SD knife for various reasons before, none which would of stopped me from owning one, just wondered if the blade play was the general consensus of Axis lock owners, I've never handled with one.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I was trying to decide which was better, the Axis lock or the Auto-LAWKS.
 
Killafornia,

I've owned several axis locks in the past and currently own one and I've never had an issue with noticable blade play.

Grey Mullet,

I think you'll find that the general consensus on these forums is in favor of the Axis lock significantly over the Auto LAWKS.
 
My 710 develops some lateral blade play after using it for a few weeks.

Or even if I just open & close it several times in a row.

I've lubed it, tightened the pivot screw so there's no play at all...
and sure enough, after a while the play returns.

So I'm either going to send it to Benchmade or LocTite the pivot screw.

(Actually, I think I'm going to send it to Benchmade because when they send it back I intend to sell it.)
 
My Bm 551 had very little blade play, but after about half a year it started to get loose on me but all you need is the little blue box and your ready to go.
 
rifon2 said:
So I'm either going to send it to Benchmade or LocTite the pivot screw.

(Actually, I think I'm going to send it to Benchmade because when they send it back I intend to sell it.)
Click to expand...

No need to send it in to Benchmade. Just a drop of blue Loctite and she'll be ready to sell.
 
MY EDC for the last several years is a BM 710 D-2 with axis lack.

The ONLY way I've ever opened it is with the "wrist flick."

I've NEVER had any play in the blade whatsoever. IMHO, the axis lock is as close to perfect as is available today.

I just wish that all of the other QUALITY knifemakers would "license" the axis lock from BM and offer their knives with the axis.

Imagine the top of the Spyderco and Kershaw line with axis locks! Wouldn't that be great?? :):D:)

Ben
 
The way the Axis is designed seems to be optimal for minimizing vertical blade play.
 
Ben Dover said:
I just wish that all of the other QUALITY knifemakers would "license" the axis lock from BM and offer their knives with the axis.

Ben
Click to expand...

It's a great lock, but I think there's still a place for liner locks, back locks, and frame locks.

Plus whatever else innovative designers have on the drawing board.
 
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