Axis lock concerns and Ares fears

[fulloflead]

I have been talking with my new coworker recently, and the subject of Benchmade just keeps coming up. He doesn't like them, but then he doesn't have to. Frankly, he thinks they are designed by hillbillies. But this is not the problem.
He doubts the axis lock, saying that it locks at the softest part of the blade. He believes that it will not be as reliable as, say, a liner lock.

HILLBILLIES? SOFTER? Man, that was ONE STRANGE post. Tell your friend to stop drinking the bong water.

 

[thombrogan]

Knifeclerk,

You need to have your coworker join here so that he may be added to the Pirate's Cove PT list.

The soft part of the Ares' blade is just as hard as the hard part. BKC probably said they were discontinuing the 730 and 735 versions due to poor sales, but were secretly sparing the feelings of those knives from idiots.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Never had a failure of the Axis lock on my 730 Ares in 2+ years of some pretty hard everyday use and abuse.

Still one of the #1 BMs out there in my book.

 

[fulloflead]

BKC probably said they were discontinuing the 730 and 735 versions due to poor sales, but were secretly sparing the feelings of those knives from idiots.

HEY, I resemble that remark! :grumpy: The Ares is my favorite Benchmade and got me hooked on quality knives to begin with and I'm DEFINATELY not an idiot!

 

[thunderjacket]

The 730CFHS was a limited edition of 500. They're rather hard to find at this point.

There was also a 732HS released, but there were only about 40 of them made.

Thanks for the info Patryn...I have the 732HS with M2 that you speak of. I got it off of Ebay and it was advertised as a regular old 154CM Ares, but when it arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find it was M2. And now you tell me that it is rare as well, the goodtimes just keep on rolling <knock on wood>. Do you know why only 40 made?

 

[cdf]

If I had to bet my fingers , I'd always pick the Axis over any liner . For a bunch of hillbillies they sure know their knives . Whats wrong with hillbillies anyway ?

 

[Patryn]

I wonder how Neil, Warren, Mel, and the others feel about being called "hillbillies"? I'd like to see Neil's reaction most of all I think.

Thunderjacket: Story goes that they were being made as a special run for someone (dealer/distrib/etc) and the order got cancelled part way through. The ones that were made were given to the reps to sell off.

 

[wallgrenj]

I must admit that I don't have any Benchmade knife, but still little bit surprised that when you discuss lock reliability- the springs was never discussed....

Personally I don't trust knife locks which rely on springs to lock up the blade. As I mentioned, I have never own a Benchmade- so my comments are not directly directed to them. But I have experienced this problem before. Once with A Cold Steel Recon 1 folder which uses 2 springs to lock the blade and with a SOG Pentagon Elite- also 2 springs.

Both times I was lucky to realize the springs cracked. And in the case of the CS Recon folder- after I replaced the cracked spring, the other spring broke 1 week later. So if I hadn’t realized the spring problem- I would end up with a knife without a lock and maybe some serious cut….

Jorgen

 

[WadeF]

I must admit that I don't have any Benchmade knife, but still little bit surprised that when you discuss lock reliability- the springs was never discussed....

The spring issue always comes up, and occasionally you hear of a spring breaking, but I never have heard of both springs breaking and the knife being useless. It can still lock fine with 1 working spring. I have carried a BM710HSSR for like 4 years now, almost everyday of those 4 years. I flick it open and closed several times a day. I have never had an issue with the springs or the lock up. I have 3 other Axis Locks and I have never had issues with them as well.

 

[Quy4n8]

The springs in the Axis lock engage the lock, they don't keep it in place. The angle between the tang and the slot in the liners is what is critical. Although I haven't tried it yet, if you took out the springs, open the blade and engage the lock manually, then put constant pressure on the spine of the blade, the lock won't fail. Without springs, the lock will fail, if you rattle the knife or do spine whacks, but not with constant pressure. I believe the spring failing issue is simply overrated. ALL locking folders have a spring of some sort, (besides the Opinel) therefore they ALL can fail.
Richard

 

[allenC]

The best answer I can give you is to have your co-worker actually carry and use an Axis-lock Benchmade for about one week--I'm sure he will "see the light".

There are thousands of Axis-lock Benchmade users out there and I have'nt heard negative feedback except the rare spring failure, and those were in the early Axis-lock models.
With forums like Bladeforums, I'm sure we would have heard about common failures by now.

As for trusting the springs:

Ask your co-worker what firearm he would trust to protect his family from harm.

S&W revolver?
Ruger?
Glock?
Colt 1911?
M16?
AK-47?
12 ga. shotgun?

They all rely upon metal springs to function properly.

Good luck,
Allen.

 

[phred]

I have had a 942 as my EDC for about three years. It looks beat up but is still solid as if new. I am now shopping for a 960D2 as a back-up.

 

[JD Mandrell]

I just bought a 735 Ares at a show today, and if the lock on this thing fails I would be shocked to say the least! It's built like a tank.

 

[jayharley]

I have been talking with my new coworker recently, and the subject of Benchmade just keeps coming up. He doesn't like them, but then he doesn't have to. Frankly, he thinks they are designed by hillbillies. But this is not the problem.
He doubts the axis lock, saying that it locks at the softest part of the blade. He believes that it will not be as reliable as, say, a liner lock.
-KC

I own modern folders with various types of locks. My wife now carries my Axis Benchmade 710. It has never failed (or showed any wear) so far. I must admit that I have a tendency to like locks which I can easily see the wear (like a liner lock or integral lock) as opposed to "hidden" mechanisms (like the 710). On the other hand our 710 seems to be as trouble free as all of our other folders. The ones which have the most frequent lock wear, and in need of more adjustments, are the Emerson Commanders. Most of the others (including the 710) are trouble free.

Tell your friend that you are really only interested in actual reports from people who have used various types of locks, as opposed to his baseless opinions. Sounds like your friend is just a bit "ignorant".

 

[migo]

ALL locking folders have a spring of some sort, (besides the Opinel) therefore they ALL can fail.

Yes, the Opinels do have a great, simple design. I wouldn't mind seeing one with a thumb stud.