axis lock/compression lock...?

[faxanadu]

I've never handled any knives with these types of locks, and would like to know how they work. Does anyone know where I can find any pictures or diagrams? Which do you think is stronger? More secure?

 

[C. Marlowe]

Cant really comment on the strength of the locks, though Ive heard good things. If you want more info, I would contact the respective companies and ask for product information. -- Charles

 

[HotSwat]

The axis lock is great. Becnchmade uses it and it has many attributes that make it one of the best ways to lock a knife. It is just a small bar power by a spring, that wedges in place to keep your knife open, but one of the best things about the axis lock is that it keeps your knife closed. Axis locks hold the blade in the handle, but once the blade is push past a certain point enertia takes over and the knife is free to fly into the open postion, then the axis lock locks into place making it safe to perform all kinds of tasks. Lockbacks and linerlocks put constant pressure on the blade. The same pressure that keep your blade close make it it harder to open. Axis is the way to go. SOG has a simular lock called the arc-lock and syderco has a copy with a ball bearing. I highly recomend this style of lock, because of it's speed, strength,safty,and popularity.

 

[KBR]

"The basic principle is that the compression lock places a bar between the tang and stop pin -- it is this which locks the blade in the open position. Pressure on the blade would need to crush the steel bar to make it fail. Personally I think that simpler one-piece locks (like the compression lock) are a better way to go than the more complicated mechanical locks like the Axis."
This quote is from Carlos, Spyderco Forum Moderator, from a thread on the forum at the Spyderco website.

Pic courtesy of ThinkOfTheChildren.

If you'd like more info on the Compression Lock, check out this thread HERE.

Just my .02

 

[faxanadu]

Thanks for the picture! So the compression lock is basically a reversed linerlock which engages the back of the blade rather than the bottom?

 

[martin j]

Originally posted by faxanadu
Thanks for the picture! So the compression lock is basically a reversed linerlock which engages the back of the blade rather than the bottom?

I asked this same question a few months ago, actually it is superior to a liner lock I am convinced. In the tradition "Walker style liner lock" the blade pressure pushes BACK agaist the locking liner. It is this pressure which is of concern sometimes because significant pressure placed against a poorly made or poorly functioning liner lock can cause the liner to "pop out" from behind the blade tang, or to lesser degree it may wear away and move " all the way to the right" and maybe lead to up-down blade play.
In compression lock if you pay attention to its design you will realize that the blade pressure does not push BACK against the liner spring but instead it pushes UP, thereby "compressing" the liner between the blade tang and the stop pin, KBR's excellent picture shows this well. The pressure there fore is NOT applied in a direction that could force the liner to move laterally (side -to-side ), unlike in traditional Walker style liner lock.
This design also means you don't have to place your fingers in the blade's path when closing, this is not big feature for me actually but it is nice. More important, I think compression lock requires less absolute precision to function well since once it moves over the blade tang, the lock pressure should actually keep it from moving back into "unlock" position, since it is "compressed" against the stop pin. Very simple and smart invention!
Martin

 

[roshi]

I would rate the strength of both to be excellent based on my experience with BM 710's and 940's and Spyderco's Lil Temperance and Salsa's. I do find the compression lock to be more difficult to close one handed. The compression lock is also like the liner lock, less than friendly to lefties.

I'd prefer an Axis lock or even a good liner lock on my Lil Temperance.

I don't think you can beat the Axis lock for ambidextrous ergonomics. Framelocks are likely stronger but they are not truly ambidextrous.

 

[AlphalphaPB]

My understanding is that both of these work by throwing a large piece of metal counterclockwise to the lower inside portion of the blade (when blade tip points left). It then acts as a reverse stop pin of sorts. Have I got this right?

Very elegant and simple design on the Compression Lock, I might just have to get one. My AFCK is already on its way.