AXIS lock or ULTRA lock ?..

S

Steel Dragon

Joined
Oct 6, 2008
Messages
50
Don't know if one is better than the other ?Any thoughts.Or are they the same.
I prefer to carry the stronger of the two knives.Just traded for these yesterday.

Not sure about the BM model#.

Cold Steel RECON 1 -ULTRA lock
Benchmade 710(ATS 34 steel) -AXIS lock
Recon1702S.jpg
 
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Cold Steel had to state on their previous packaging that their ultra lock was based on the Axis. I think the Axis is better IMO.
 
Axis.

Ultra lock is a rip-off of the Axis IMO. The Axis lock also tends to be smoother, and just feels better. Every Ultra lock I've used has felt sticky and slow. Even on some of the knives my friends have carried for years. Overall, I'd carry the 710. The steel is better and the ergo's are great!

But, in reality, carry both for a few days and see which fits you. Just because someone says something is better, doesn't mean it is for you.

Thanks,
Greg
 
personally, i prefer the axis lock. the ultra lock is uncomfortable and sometimes a pain to use. the axis lock as always been smooth and nice feeling for me.
 
I played around with both in the garage. Axis seems a little smoother,but the Cold Steel Recon 1 with Ultra lock is beefy just the same.
I'm carrying the Recon 1 because it fit's my hand better & is just a sharp. Really i'm a Cold Steel loyal buyer & prefer a Cold Steel over many other brands.
Thanks for the input guys.
*Added a photo to my first post!
 
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Another vote for the Axis lock. Many copies and variants, but the real thing beats all comers. I'd take the ATS-34 710 any day.
 
amroc said:
Ultra lock is a rip-off of the Axis IMO.
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+1. And isnt the CS lock rated at like 200lbs before it breaks? I thought the Axis was around 800lbs. I could be wrong though.

Another very strong lock you should include is the Caged Ball Lock from Spyderco.
 
I have never had an axis lock but my recon1 tanto ultra lock has did amazing through alot of use and abuse.
 
Jake Bauer said:
+1. And isnt the CS lock rated at like 200lbs before it breaks? I thought the Axis was around 800lbs. I could be wrong though.

Another very strong lock you should include is the Caged Ball Lock from Spyderco.
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I have never ever seen a weight rating before the Axis lock. The CS lock rating is with all that weight at the farthest point back on the handle.

My CS ultra lock is one of the older ones with the round locking bars. I have heard that the newer ones have a d shaped pin, which causes binding etc.

I think that the axis feels smoother, but the Ultra feels stronger and beefier. The blade and handles are thicker as well. Just my 2 cents.

here is my old work horse.
IMG_1062.jpg


Use both and keep the one you like better.

also,

this thread needs pics.

I think that the Benchmade's are going to feel more refined to you, but typically cost more (depending on model).

You won't ever feel "under knifed" with the CS. It is really a strong, heavy duty knife, much stronger than many I have owned in the same class and price range from other makers.
 
I would rather buy a Benchmade axis lock knife,over any cold steel knife with the ultra lock.Didn't cold steel rip off the design from Benchmade, then change it just enough that they didn't have to pay Benchmade to use it?
 
The axis lock is superior IMO. However, CS did NOT rip off the axis lock, they are paying royalties to use it. If you consider that ripping someone off, then you'd have to say that Spyderco rips off Emerson for using the wave feature. That's just ridiculous
 
Kaizen1 said:
The axis lock is superior IMO. However, CS did NOT rip off the axis lock, they are paying royalties to use it. If you consider that ripping someone off, then you'd have to say that Spyderco rips off Emerson for using the wave feature. That's just ridiculous
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Well then, if what you are saying is true, If they are indeed paying Benchmade royalties to use it,then theres nothing wrong with that.Thank you for answering my question.Spyderco comes right out and tells you that it's the Emerson wave. They don't hide the fact that they use it.They give credit where credit it due.
Does cold steel do this in the description of there ultra lock?
 
the only thing i dont like about the ultralock is if its not opened with enough force,it can come back towards the handle,whereas an axis lock would just stay wherever it stops....
 
I'd think the locks are about equivalent in strength, so that is not an issue to me.

I'm a 710 fan - you can hold the two knives and observe that the 710 is a pretty un-obtrusive EDC for the blade length.

And the 710 is a "classic" of knife design, right up there with the Buck 110 and Spyderco Military.

I'd carry the 710 as an EDC.
 
frontline29 said:
Well then, if what you are saying is true, If they are indeed paying Benchmade royalties to use it,then theres nothing wrong with that.Thank you for answering my question.Spyderco comes right out and tells you that it's the Emerson wave. They don't hide the fact that they use it.They give credit where credit it due.
Does cold steel do this in the description of there ultra lock?
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I don't believe that they are open about it, but SOG is also paying BM for their use of the Arc lock and they're not open about it either. In all honesty, I don't consider it that bad. I just think Spyderco's ethos is that great that they go above and beyond the minimum.
 
Kaizen1 said:
The axis lock is superior IMO. However, CS did NOT rip off the axis lock, they are paying royalties to use it. If you consider that ripping someone off, then you'd have to say that Spyderco rips off Emerson for using the wave feature. That's just ridiculous
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Do you have any reliable sources that says they are in fact paying royalties for the lock?

CS rips off the Emerson wave and they definitely don't pay for that like Spyderco does.

And yea, Axis is amazing.
 
100eyes said:
Do you have any reliable sources that says they are in fact paying royalties for the lock?

CS rips off the Emerson wave and they definitely don't pay for that like Spyderco does.

And yea, Axis is amazing.
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It's pretty widely known on these forums. I don't have the search function so I don't want to look around for the links, but I'm sure someone else can find them. I'm not saying anything that'll surprise many of the regulars.
 
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