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Axis lock or compression lock. which do you guys like better?
- Thread starter JackAColeman
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People seem to overlook this design feature in the compression lock... People will toot their horn over the tri-ad but then cast down the comp lock. The "liner lock" of the comp lock is in contact with the tang and the stop pin, so any pressure on the spine of the blade is transferred into the stop pin... just like the tri-ad
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- Jun 17, 2006
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It's a good question because you have singled out my two favorite lock types for comparison. My answer is that I prefer an Axis lock when I'm buying a Benchmade and a compression lock when buying a Spyderco
My office EDC is either a Para 2 or a BM943 so I suppose I have chosen both. In terms of pure strength they both far exceed any reasonable level of need, but I suppose the edge goes to the compression lock in terms of pure simplicity.You are basing this pronouncement on what objective data? Certainly none I've ever seen published. The mode of failure is relatively the same for both, so to describe the comparison as "not even close" tells me that you really like the Axis lock for some reason and haven't thought about the engineering principles involved in this comparison. You may well be correct about durability (in terms of number of cycles) but I am VERY skeptical of your opinion of the relative strength of the two.
The compression lock is usable and functional with none.
The correct answer is that if you manage to break either then you've done something really wrong.
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When all is said and done, my favorite lock is whichever one is on my favorite folder at the time. I don't think either is prone to failing at all and it comes down to what you are comfortable using. I can go either way as long as the rest of the knife is to my standards.
Axis lock. Definetly the best in terms of smoothness and having a general quality feel. I love the almost silent yet solid click when the blade locks open.
The compression lock seems stout, but mine feels crude in operation compared to the axis. Mainly due to the stickiness when disengaging (PM2). Also it's awkward to disengage and close with one hand- you have to readjust your grip to free your index finger to push the lock bar aside, then let the blade fall a bit, then readjust your grip again to fully close the blade. It's possible to let the blade fall all the way closed but you have to time it just right, because if you hold the lock bar in too long your finger will stop the blade, and if you let it out too early the lock bar will rub on the tang and stop the blade.
With the axis you just move your thumb up to the post and pull it back, then snap your wrist.
Despite this I still prefer my PM2 over my mini-grip, but it's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison.
The compression lock seems stout, but mine feels crude in operation compared to the axis. Mainly due to the stickiness when disengaging (PM2). Also it's awkward to disengage and close with one hand- you have to readjust your grip to free your index finger to push the lock bar aside, then let the blade fall a bit, then readjust your grip again to fully close the blade. It's possible to let the blade fall all the way closed but you have to time it just right, because if you hold the lock bar in too long your finger will stop the blade, and if you let it out too early the lock bar will rub on the tang and stop the blade.
With the axis you just move your thumb up to the post and pull it back, then snap your wrist.
Despite this I still prefer my PM2 over my mini-grip, but it's not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison.
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I think there is a lot of speculation going on. Both should be very strong though I think the AXIS will be more durable when subjected to hard use. The thin liner of the.compression will peen and deform with heavy use. This shouldn't.cause the lock to fail, but will introduce vertical blade play.
Also, being the tab is so short in the compression lock, and forces transfer through it in a straight line, there should not be much tendency for the lock to slip like a liner/ frame lock like one member suggested. Also, another member suggested an AXIS lock could have multiple stopping points by altering the profile of the blade tang. This is also not true because the blade has to be in contact with the stop pin to lock up, and that can only happen once while opening the blade.
I find the AXIS to be a little easier to use, smoother, ambidexterous, and IMO more durable (even with the dreaded omega springs). The compression lock on the PM2 is close behind it though.
Also, being the tab is so short in the compression lock, and forces transfer through it in a straight line, there should not be much tendency for the lock to slip like a liner/ frame lock like one member suggested. Also, another member suggested an AXIS lock could have multiple stopping points by altering the profile of the blade tang. This is also not true because the blade has to be in contact with the stop pin to lock up, and that can only happen once while opening the blade.
I find the AXIS to be a little easier to use, smoother, ambidexterous, and IMO more durable (even with the dreaded omega springs). The compression lock on the PM2 is close behind it though.
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Although an AXIS lock has a theoretical weakness in the spring, I have never had one fail on me. The compression lock is certainly simpler, but in practice the AXIS lock has been flawless for me. Still, my favorite knife is my Para-Military 2. If it had an AXIS-type lock, it would be perfect.
Compression. The compression lock is smooth and incredibly easy to operate one-handed. I can flip it open and closed in less than a second as easily as an axis lock. I have five compression lock knives and not a one has been sticky. Which one is stronger? I don't know. It's probably a close call but I'd give the compression the edge on simplicity given that it doesn't have a spring that can fail.
It seems like some here think the compression is an upside down liner lock and that couldn't be farther from the truth.
It seems like some here think the compression is an upside down liner lock and that couldn't be farther from the truth.
I am 100% in this camp too. Compression lock. Don't know why more knives don't use it really.
The question in the OP is now moot, as now it is a "Benchmade vs. Spyderco" thread:grumpy:.
That was kinda inevitable since both locks are proprietary designs of their respective companies. Maybe I should read the thread again but I don't see people bashing either.
I based what I said on facts , facts I gathered from knives which I destroyed during extensive lock testing , and I destroyed quite a few of them .
Some people on this forum love to test super steels and their edge retentions like maniacs , I'm the exact opposite , I don't care about super steels and extreme edge retentions , but I love testing locks to their limits .
I have a series of different test I'm doing on each lock , and in the case of the Compression lock , it failed miserably comparing to the AXIS and Tri-ad .
Compression lock is not even close to the AXIS or the Tri-Ad , in fact , during shock tests the Compression Lock failed even more then some of the liner and frame locks I tested .
The AXIS lock and the Tri-Ad lock on the other hand are extremely strong locks , in fact they are so strong that it is almost impossible to make these two locks fail as the blades and pivots will almost always fail first , and needless to say they passed the shock tests easily .
I really don't care that you or other Spyderco koolaid drinkers in this thread are "VERY skeptical", I'm just calling it like it is .
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Which models of compression lock and Axis lock did you test, and what was the method you used for your shock testing? I would love to see the video of your testing. Can you post some of it to YouTube?
Spyderco president Sal Gleser himself, owner of sophisticated testing equipment, said that frame locks always fail before compression locks. And he sells both.
Koolaid comes in more than one flavor.
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The thread was so civil up until your post. Why'd you go and do that?
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In terms of ease/pleasure of use, for me, Axis wins. It's just so smooth.
Psychologically, the compression lock inspires more confidence because I can see what it's doing. I like that I can clean and maintain it myself. It's not terribly comfortable to close it though, and it tends to pinch my hand fat when locking open.
In terms of real-world safety both are probably as safe as I could ever conceivably need them to be. In the end I like both a lot.
Psychologically, the compression lock inspires more confidence because I can see what it's doing. I like that I can clean and maintain it myself. It's not terribly comfortable to close it though, and it tends to pinch my hand fat when locking open.
In terms of real-world safety both are probably as safe as I could ever conceivably need them to be. In the end I like both a lot.
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I'd really love to see vids of that.
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- Joined
- Feb 3, 2001
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I'd take the Axis Lock for strength, I've never had a compression lock but I've tried 'em, havin' been a mechanic all my life the design of the Axis Lock seems less likely to fail.
Add to that the fact that the Compression locl is way more complex than the Axis Lock and in my experience simplicity of design adds to dependability.
Here's a link for the compression lock:
http://faq.customtacticals.com/locking/lock_compression.php
And one for the Axis Lock, courtesy of Custom Tacticals dot com:
http://faq.customtacticals.com/locking/lock_axis.php
Hope this helps.
Add to that the fact that the Compression locl is way more complex than the Axis Lock and in my experience simplicity of design adds to dependability.
Here's a link for the compression lock:
http://faq.customtacticals.com/locking/lock_compression.php
And one for the Axis Lock, courtesy of Custom Tacticals dot com:
http://faq.customtacticals.com/locking/lock_axis.php
Hope this helps.
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- Dec 15, 2011
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From benchmade tests preformed and results published i know the axis lock can withstand 800lbs of force on the blade, that force going into the spine of the blade. I'm not too sure a compression lock will handle 800lbs on the spine, but i have also seen no such test preformed or documented on the pm2 under similar conditions
but in the end i would trust a life to either lock type.