Axis Lock Folders: I like my 710. Are there other brands too or only BM?

MTHall720

MTHall720

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Sep 21, 2010
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I was looking online but am wondering if there are any other brands with the Axis lock or is this only found on Benchmades?
 
MTHall720 said:
I was looking online but am wondering if there are any other brands with the Axis lock or is this only found on Benchmades?
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The actual AXIS lock is a BM exclusive, IIRC. Other brands such as SOG and Spyderco (and maybe others) have a lock that functions in a somewhat similar manner... but different enough to avoid legal entanglements.
 
Thanks Dale
BTW I agree 100% with the quote on Dogs. Wouldn't be Heaven without my dog.
 
I think that chinese manufacturer Sanrenmu has some models with the axis lock but i can't speak to whether they're in the same league as BM. Lots of folks seemed jazzed by the cheap prices though.

Side note but wonder if Spyderco is planning a Sage model with the Axis lock... that seems like a tough sell to convince BM for a license to do it but maybe they'd go for it. Didn't BM license the spidey hole from Spyderco?... i digress a bit.
 
SplittinHairs said:
I think that chinese manufacturer Sanrenmu has some models with the axis lock but i can't speak to whether they're in the same league as BM. Lots of folks seemed jazzed by the cheap prices though.
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The Chinese copies of the axis lock are definitely not in the same league. Of the three different models I've handled, they are not nearly as smooth and require pulling back on both sides of the lockbar to disengage the lock.
 
I think SOG pays Benchmade a royalty to make their Arc-lock knives which is very similar and actually I feel smoother to use than the Benchmades.
 
Search the online knives Shirogorov
Maybe it is not legally correct.
But the knives are very deserving.
;)
 
Spyderco's Ball Bearing Lock is manipulated basically the same found on the Manix 2 model, Its definitely stiffer though, but you can still open and close with one hand, and the more you use it the smoother it gets, it also has less moving parts/larger springs, haven't heard of a BBL spring breaking where as I have heard of BM Omega springs breaking (though they'll replace it if it does). The SOG Arc lock is basically the same thing but only on one side not ambidextrous (at least on my Flash 1) and just as smooth, haven't really looked into its reliability, though I will say that my Flash 1 has blade play where as none of my BBL or AXIS lock knives do. Then yes there are always the Chinese AXIS lock copies, I had one when I was in cub scouts I got at a gun show (not sanrenmu, but chinese with mystery steel) it was a $5 copy of a Microtech Kestrel but with an AXIS lock and not auto. Worked fine, of course there was plenty of blade play and the steel was useless.
 
michaelm466 said:
The SOG Arc lock is basically the same thing but only on one side not ambidextrous (at least on my Flash 1) and just as smooth, haven't really looked into its reliability, though I will say that my Flash 1 has blade play where as none of my BBL or AXIS lock knives do.
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The SOG Flash looks like it has an arc lock, but doesn't. Additionally, if I recall correctly, the Flash doesn't have metal liners, its all FRN, which is likely responsible for some blade play.

The Arc Lock is exactly the same as the Axis lock, except that the Axis pin is hinged about a pivot, and therefore travels in an arc, rather than a straight line. I'll add a diagram once I find it online.

Found:
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/8694/arclockwh2.jpg
So it ahs the same omega springs, the same pin moving through slots in the liner, theres now just that piece that it pivots around that is in the same plane as the blade (ie between the liners)
 
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