Axis lock opinion?

I carry an axis lock everyday for EDC. I rotate several in this role:

Presidio 520
Bone Collector
Mini Bone Collector
Osbourne 943

My current favorite is the Mini Bone Collector. It seems to have the right combination of blade size, folded size, thickness, ergonomics, and blade shape and performance for my everyday requirements.

It is my knife action of choice for my uses. YMMV

I've never broke an Omega spring. I've never had one fail. I also don't beat on or abuse my knives. I do use them for cutting.
 
Blop said:
Who tells you, the liner might have not slipped out under that pressure? That would have been the next. What is safe about this lock after 100 pounds of pressure, regarding a lock, that will withstand a lot more force? BM has had advertised 800 pounds. OK, i don´t know, how to take that information right, but it may be a bit more that 100?

Considering the axis lock: It doesn´t have to be right anled. Who says that? It is just important, that the bar travels a bit more than 1 mm up the tang. I have had a failing 520 and have noticed the difference to my 806 and 550. If the bar has traveled that far enough, you may spine whack that thing as hard as you want but wouldn´t make that lock fail. Maybe the knife or blade will break.
Click to expand...

I can't really tell what you're trying to say there, so I can't address that but I will expand a bit on what I wrote.

The axis lock is stronger as long as it works, I was talking specifically about what happens when they fail. Regardless of how much weight a lock can take, static load or dynamic load doesn't matter I'm only talking about once they fail. Once an axis lock fails assuming the frame doesn't break and something has gone amok with the lock, the lock will want to disengage allowing the blade to close, where as a well made liner or frame lock will engage more and essentially block the blade open.

Look at that picture, that liner didn't some how slip out of the frame and off the tang just to wind up right back where it would be if it failed, just doesn't make sense. :confused:

All that aside, assuming both are working right which they almost always are, the axis is much stronger. Personally I can't stand frame locks because I don't find them any stronger than some liner locks and you lose the scale material on the locking side, so as someone who prefers what a lot of people think is the worst lock ever made, feel free to disregard my opinion.:D

My only issues with it are:
-They are more complicated,
-If they fail they can close up on you.
-Never liked the hand placement when closing them, for me that ones not a big deal

axis +'s:
-Very strong
-Great speed in use
-gadget factor is high


Frame/Liner locks negatives:
-Most are not well executed
-They wear out faster
-Can be rough on your thumb to disengage them

Frame/Liner lock +'s:
-Easy to engage and disengage
-Allows for a pretty slick movement
-Fails "Safe" if well made
 
Boozoo Chavis said:
Good design, but sooner or later the axis springs will break. Usually later, unless you're OCD like me and you flick the blade constantly while sitting at your computer. I managed to break both springs in about 6 mos. :D
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My 1999 ATS-34 710, which has been flicked a gazillion times by this OCD person ;) and is still on its original set of springs, says "you're wrong!" :p :cool: Not sure how you broke both inside six months. :eek:
 
JNewell said:
My 1999 ATS-34 710, which has been flicked a gazillion times by this OCD person ;) and is still on its original set of springs, says "you're wrong!" :p :cool: Not sure how you broke both inside six months. :eek:
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Yeah, I've heard similar stories from other owners of older Benchmade knives. Makes me think that it's newer material in the springs they're using because I've seen enough people mention them breaking within the first year or half-year they owned it. Happened to me too.
 
Another reason Axis lock is not high on my list is , since it's inception and my first zxis lock knife , I have always envisioned the lock accidently being disenaged during certain... uses.
I guess I'll come right out and say it. Say for whatever reason the knife is all you have on you at the time ( this is important for the inevitable folks who will respond "that's what my .45 is for..) and God forbid it ever happens to any of us , say you have to use your axis style lock knife -regardless of brand- to defend yourself or your spouse , it could be a loose pitbull attack or a junkie , maybe even an eco-terrorist ( bear with me I'm just tossing out scenarios here ) :D and during this terrible encounter your hand slips forward , thus releasing the lock and making you a couple fingers short of a ten pack.

There you go. :)

Tostig
 
@JNewell,

Yes, the liner is substantial, yet the cutout is quite close :), see the dismantled image (can't pull up one now, on my mobile)

@Tostig,
If the spring is as stiff as EL02, 'certain uses' that I can envision is pulling the knife back, accidentally pulling the axis back, will not happen. I'm still having sore thumb & index pad as it's so strong (the spring) pushing the lockbar forward ;)
 
Tostig said:
Another reason Axis lock is not high on my list is , since it's inception and my first zxis lock knife , I have always envisioned the lock accidently being disenaged during certain... uses.
I guess I'll come right out and say it. Say for whatever reason the knife is all you have on you at the time ( this is important for the inevitable folks who will respond "that's what my .45 is for..) and God forbid it ever happens to any of us , say you have to use your axis style lock knife -regardless of brand- to defend yourself or your spouse , it could be a loose pitbull attack or a junkie , maybe even an eco-terrorist ( bear with me I'm just tossing out scenarios here ) :D and during this terrible encounter your hand slips forward , thus releasing the lock and making you a couple fingers short of a ten pack.

There you go. :)

Tostig
Click to expand...


Wouldn't your hand have to slip backwards to disengage?
 
Tostig said:
Another reason Axis lock is not high on my list is , since it's inception and my first zxis lock knife , I have always envisioned the lock accidently being disenaged during certain... uses.
I guess I'll come right out and say it. Say for whatever reason the knife is all you have on you at the time ( this is important for the inevitable folks who will respond "that's what my .45 is for..) and God forbid it ever happens to any of us , say you have to use your axis style lock knife -regardless of brand- to defend yourself or your spouse , it could be a loose pitbull attack or a junkie , maybe even an eco-terrorist ( bear with me I'm just tossing out scenarios here ) :D and during this terrible encounter your hand slips forward , thus releasing the lock and making you a couple fingers short of a ten pack.

There you go. :)

Tostig
Click to expand...

Have you used/owned an Axis lock before?
 
Tostig said:
Another reason Axis lock is not high on my list is , since it's inception and my first zxis lock knife , I have always envisioned the lock accidently being disenaged during certain... uses.
I guess I'll come right out and say it. Say for whatever reason the knife is all you have on you at the time ( this is important for the inevitable folks who will respond "that's what my .45 is for..) and God forbid it ever happens to any of us , say you have to use your axis style lock knife -regardless of brand- to defend yourself or your spouse , it could be a loose pitbull attack or a junkie , maybe even an eco-terrorist ( bear with me I'm just tossing out scenarios here ) :D and during this terrible encounter your hand slips forward , thus releasing the lock and making you a couple fingers short of a ten pack.

There you go. :)

Tostig
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If your hand slips forward, it will not loosen the lock.

:rolleyes:
 
I think the Axis lock is the best lock for everyday carry knives. It opens easy, closes easy, hold the blade closed well, holds up over time and wears well, is very reliable and strong, very consistant, ect., ect., ect..
I'd also have more faith in it during a shtf situation than the majority of other locks. While it is possible to accidentally release the Axis under vigorous activity, I think it's pretty unlikely. If anything, I'd be more worried about hitting the Axis on something (or somebody) during an emergancy.
Compared to most other popular types of locks, you'd actually have to shift your hand to even be in contact with the Axis. With Back, Liner, and Frame locks, your hand is constantly in contact with the lock, which can cause issues, especially when gripped very hard. (Of course, this can be a benifit with a Frame lock). Not to mention some of the other reliability/strength issues you may find with other locks (perticularly Liner) when under strain.
Also, I've yet to have any serrious issues with an Axis (such as broken springs) in more than 10 years. I'm sure it happens, but I'm not overly worried about it.
 
wowo I just got my mini bone collector and this is my new favorite knife.. the axis lock on mine is almost like a blade assister when you open with the axis.. I am really impressed by the build of this knife, top quality and is leaps and bounds ahead of the regular griptilian as far as materials and quality.
 
Tostig said:
Another reason Axis lock is not high on my list is , since it's inception and my first zxis lock knife , I have always envisioned the lock accidently being disenaged during certain... uses.
I guess I'll come right out and say it. Say for whatever reason the knife is all you have on you at the time ( this is important for the inevitable folks who will respond "that's what my .45 is for..) and God forbid it ever happens to any of us , say you have to use your axis style lock knife -regardless of brand- to defend yourself or your spouse , it could be a loose pitbull attack or a junkie , maybe even an eco-terrorist ( bear with me I'm just tossing out scenarios here ) :D and during this terrible encounter your hand slips forward , thus releasing the lock and making you a couple fingers short of a ten pack.

There you go. :)

Tostig
Click to expand...
You are not knowing how the axis works.

Your scenario of an accidantial closing of an axis knife could only start after you have stabbed the dog, the junky or whoever, wedged the blade in the body and, in order to get the knife back, pull the knife back with force, slip a bit back on the handle and by that pull back the axis bar with one finger or the thump. Than, because you have used to much force, the knife slips out of the bloody wound, your arm swings backward with the knife in hand, stops like a whip and then, only then, the axis bar, still accidantly pushed back by your finger or thump, would make the loose blade slap back on your fingers, like a whips tail snapping.

Yes, i can imagine that.

So avoid stabbing, better slash the opponent into the face, its much more secure considering an accidental closing of an axis lock knife.


:D:D:D:D
 
I dont mind it, but I dont think it's some holy grail lock like a lot would make it out to be.
 
Blop said:
You are not knowing how the axis works.

Your scenario of an accidantial closing of an axis knife could only start after you have stabbed the dog, the junky or whoever, wedged the blade in the body and, in order to get the knife back, pull the knife back with force, slip a bit back on the handle and by that pull back the axis bar with one finger or the thump. Than, because you have used to much force, the knife slips out of the bloody wound, your arm swings backward with the knife in hand, stops like a whip and then, only then, the axis bar, still accidantly pushed back by your finger or thump, would make the loose blade slap back on your fingers, like a whips tail snapping.

Yes, i can imagine that.

So avoid stabbing, better slash the opponent into the face, its much more secure considering an accidental closing of an axis lock knife.


:D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

Or the knife handle could shift backward in the person's hand on the first stab, positioning the locking bar under neath the thumb, and depending on if they tightening the grip up again they could disengage the lock, folding it close on their next stab.

There's lots of ways it could happen depending on how the person grips the knife. I've heard that when cleaning out game there's a lot of reaching far up into the carcass with the knife and it can occasionally get stuck, so I wouldn't put it outside the possibility that someone would reposition their grip up higher on the pivot and accidentally pull the lock.

I think the point is still valid that the same is about as likely to happen for a frame/liner lock or a back-lock.
 
I am baffled about the story about breaking the springs. I haven't managed that, and I'm very bad about flicking mine. That being said, I get my nails stuck in the springs every once in a while. Lets me know its time to use that knife and do a bit of a trim, I guess. I can see the kind of debris a firefighter would encounter causing some issues. Haven't had any problems even in very sandy environments though with cleaning mine, and it's seen a lot of crap. Heck, I even dropped it in a lake once, and it had all kinds of scum on it. Rinsed off nicely.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
I am baffled about the story about breaking the springs. I haven't managed that, and I'm very bad about flicking mine. That being said, I get my nails stuck in the springs every once in a while. Lets me know its time to use that knife and do a bit of a trim, I guess. I can see the kind of debris a firefighter would encounter causing some issues. Haven't had any problems even in very sandy environments though with cleaning mine, and it's seen a lot of crap. Heck, I even dropped it in a lake once, and it had all kinds of scum on it. Rinsed off nicely.
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People like to talk about broken Omega springs all the time but I think it is mainly that-- talk.

I did a search a while back and only found about 90 something threads that mention broken omega springs going back as far as the search goes (10+ years ?). Most of those were talking about the possibility of an Omega spring breaking. I also only found about 30 people who actually had a spring break.

It has also been mentioned the possibility of certain models having the Omega spring get pinched if the knife is taken apart and not put back together correctly. I believe they require the AXIS bar to be pulled back when the knife is tightened back up or else the spring gets pinched. This could maybe account for the people who have had springs break one after the other? Or maybe when one spring breaks it puts extra strain on the other spring if the broken one is not immediately replaced? Regardless, I don't think it is as big as an issue as people like to make it out to be. Plus even if both break you can still wedge something behind the lock bar, like a stick, to lock the knife open and use it in an emergency. To me it is a non issue and I will be glad when the patent expires and any company can use it.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I did a search a while back and only found about 90 something threads that mention broken omega springs going back as far as the search goes (10+ years ?). Most of those were talking about the possibility of an Omega spring breaking. I also only found about 30 people who actually had a spring break.
Click to expand...
How many times have you heard of a quality lockback failing? (In an equivalent quality knife to a BM axis lock knife)
 
Ultimate said:
How many times have you heard of a quality lockback failing? (In an equivalent quality knife to a BM axis lock knife)
Click to expand...

Not often at all; really only when the knife in question was worn out entirely (someones Spyderco Salt comes to mind) or experienced "destruction testing".

However, we hear about lockbacks failing to engage because of sand, dirt or even lint in the notch in the blade all the time.

Pros and cons to everything...
 
Axis lock opinion?

One of my all time favorites!

Have gravitated to blade steels & different styles of locks in my collection.

Never had an Axis fail. Have had debris stick lock backs and liner locks.

My favorites are probably super quality liner locks........

Just another opinion to add to the mix.

(I looked down and have a CF ZDP 189 Stretch in my pocket today)

I trust all quality made locks. And do not trust any cheaply made knifes)
 
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