Axis lock or compression lock. which do you guys like better?

singularity35 said:
I'd really love to see vids of that.
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If you didn't do video I would still like to see still pix of the failed knives. It would be fascinating to see how/where they failed. I only care about the compression and Axis locks----the Tri-Ad doesn't mean anything to me because I don't like any of Cold Steel's designs.
 
elkins45 said:
If you didn't do video I would still like to see still pix of the failed knives. It would be fascinating to see how/where they failed. I only care about the compression and Axis locks----the Tri-Ad doesn't mean anything to me because I don't like any of Cold Steel's designs.
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Yeh, pics of the failed knives would work for me.
 
They are both awfully nice locks, and stronger than I'll ever need. I prefer both to the Triad only because they are easy to unlock one-handed. Axis wins for ambidexterity, but compression wins for simplicity/reliability. Other factors will end up determining which knife I purchase, since either lock is excellent. We are fortunate to have access to these relatively recent designs that allow unlocking without placing flesh in the path of the closing blade.
 
So here's the thing with comparing locks... it's stupid. The tiny little axis lock in my 770 is clearly no where near as strong as the supersized axis lock in my adamas. And all my other axis locks fit in between. Not every benchmade has the same size axis lock components. Not every benchmade has the same thickness of liners. Not every knife has the same size pivot. Not every blade is the same length to apply the same amount of leverage on the lock. I have to assume that you'd find the same situation in different compression lock knives. So really, you have to compare one specific knife to another specific knife. So until I start seeing a guy hooking up winches and force gauges to knives, cranking them until they fail, and then recording the data, it's all a pretty pointless argument. And when that person does this... and one lock fails at 1000 inch pounds and the other one fails at 1060 inch pounds... are you really concerned with it? Are you really going to be putting that kind of force on a knife... in the opposite of the cutting direction?

As for my preference, axis lock more than anything else is why I buy benchmades. I love them. Also, I've never once had an omega spring break... I didn't even know people where actually concerned with such a thing.
 
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raym0016@gmail.com said:
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.
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I didn't see bashing till this point, just arguing. Ironically, after that point bashing began. :rolleyes:
They are both great companies who make great knives. Each has their own pros and cons. I like the Axis, because it is easier to use. I know that if I am in danger of breaking the lock, I should be using a fixed blade.
 
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I've run extensive tests and my knife is way better than everyone else's in this thread.

Also, I've got a super-hot girlfriend but she's not from around here and I don't have any pics but she's totally real...


I seriously can't believe this thread went there. I don't know what good it does to perform destructive knife tests and not publish the results, yet refer to them when discussing a subject as silly as which lock will break on a folding knife first.

I thought this thread was about which knife we'd rather have, not which one is stronger (which is absolutely silly - both are well stronger than anything you could possibly do to break them when cutting stuff).
 
Let's not forget the Axis lock is ambidextrous but a compression lock, like a liner lock, has to be designed left- or right-handed.

What is interesting is I think the Benchmade Axis patent will run out near the end of this decade, so we should see lots of knives from other manufacturers making use of the Axis lock.
 
drbobguy said:
Let's not forget the Axis lock is ambidextrous but a compression lock, like a liner lock, has to be designed left- or right-handed.
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I definitely like the ambidextrous aspect of the axis lock. I like the thought of anyone, be it right or left handed, can enjoy the awesome knives which employ axis locks. I couldn't imagine having to pass up on so many great knives that weren't designed for my body's dexterous preference.
 
Agreed that the Axis is a bit friendlier for lefties, although I can pinch the locking tab of my Para 2 with my thumb and forefinger and close it with only my left hand.

One thing I like about the Axis for long term usefulness is that even if both springs broke you could always find a stick or something and wedge it behind the locking bar.
 
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