Axis Lock Owners (does the lock have tendency to stay closed since no detent?)

A

AfterDark

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Apr 9, 2007
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After having a bad experience with emerson framelocks, I switched to spyderco lockbacks. I am considering purchasing my first benchmade and I was wondering if the axis lock has a tendency to stay in the closed position? How does it compare to lockbacks in terms of staying closed when closed? I plan to carry tip down in waistband and I don't want any surprise openings when I reach for it. Thanks.
 
I've never had one accidentally open up on me. I feel that lock backs have a lot better detent but I have never worried about an axis lock opening while in my pocket
 
I've never had a problem with surprise openings but I also carry all my folders tip up so that the blade is against the side of my pocket.
 
You're safe to buy one!!
I own 2 (an 710 and a 940) and bith are a safe pleasure to use!

The tension on the axis lock is more then sufficient to keep the blade closed when needed IMO.
They are also a pleasure to use!

So..... Go get yourself one, I'ld suggest ;-)
 
no problems from any of my axis locks. i have heard they can gum up in heavy dust and sand, but i have never had a single issue with any of mine.
 
I agree that there is sufficient tension to keep the blade closed. When you do close the blade you can feel the "pull" of the blade wanting to go to the closed position. I carry my 275BK Adamas tip up, but not against anything and have had no problems with that heavy blade opening on it's own.
 
They are biased open and closed.

It's a very nice mechanism.


I also think tip down is also saver than tip up
 
Never had a problem with the few I own. I usually rock tip up in my right hand pocket, so the blade is safely nestled against the side of the pocket anyways. I have noticed the detent on lockbacks to be a bit stronger but this is just my impression of the few I own. My delica has been cycled LOTS and its detent is no better than my axis locks.

The lock has been around for over a decade. Its safe to say that it works well. Good luck :thumbup:
 
From a legal perspective, it's absolutely Kosher for CA. You can notice this by trying to lift the blade out of the handle just a skosh, and it will pull back inside the handle. Thus, even though it's easily opened with one hand, it can not be considered a switch blade.
 
Another thing I do is that I tighten my pivot a little tighter than a lot of people like it to be. As the knife arrives, you can simply use your wrist to open and close it, talking about the 275, but I like it tighter. Once I get it where I want it, I am good to go no matter where it's at in my pocket.

But tip down carry is inherently safer if you are not going to tighten the pivot a bit.

"biased open and closed" I like that! A word I would not have thought to use, but one that explains it to a t! Good one 12345678910.
 
AfterDark said:
After having a bad experience with emerson framelocks, I switched to spyderco lockbacks. I am considering purchasing my first benchmade and I was wondering if the axis lock has a tendency to stay in the closed position? How does it compare to lockbacks in terms of staying closed when closed? I plan to carry tip down in waistband and I don't want any surprise openings when I reach for it. Thanks.
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I am currently carrying my Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585S which has the axis-lock and an A/O coil-spring. Even with the safety off, that knife stays closed unless I actively force it open and engage the A/O mechanism - have dropped it on more than one occasion without incident. If an axis-assist knife has such detent, I think a non-assist will be fine as well. The 2 omega-springs on the axis-bar hold it solidly against the groove in the blade's tang, and the groove (on the 585 at least) is a deep fit, it's not going anywhere without the deliberate application of force against the omega-springs. My $0.02
 
As an aside, I don't think any Axis lock knives are tip down. Every one I have seen has been tip up only. A tip down pocket clip would get in the way of the Axis mechanism.
 
Yeah the lock mechanism is under tension in both the open and the closed position. The Omega spring ensures this. It doesn't need a ball/detent in order to work. I don't care for frame/liner locks either and much prefer a lockback or AXIS lock (or a fixed blade to be honest) to them.
 
I've owned my BM 940 for 12 or so years. Had been my EDC for at least 5-6 years and still gets used in my rotation. I've carried it IWB under my belt and in front pocket. Never had it open on me, even partially.
 
bobusx said:
As an aside, I don't think any Axis lock knives are tip down. Every one I have seen has been tip up only. A tip down pocket clip would get in the way of the Axis mechanism.
Click to expand...

I have a Pardue BM (720 I think) that is axis and tip down. One of the first few BMs with the axis.
 
if you want a tip down knife then your barking up the wrong tree...... i dont recall a single axis knife that is tip down. there all tip up because of where the lock is located
 
The AFCK has both up & down clip hole positio IIRC.

Not BM, but all my axis type knives have the 'pull' when coming to close position like lockback, only it's not as strong, but sufficient to prevent accidental opening.
Enlan EL02 and SRM763
 
I have at least a half dozen AXIS locks from 3 710s, to a 610. Never had a problem of any kind with them.:thumbup::thumbup:
 
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