Axis lock problem on 551 Griptilian

M

Marty_E

Joined
Jun 7, 2016
Messages
59
I recently bought a 551 Griptilian. Whenever I use a little wrist action to fully deploy the blade the axis lock binds to where I have to wiggle both the blade and lock for it to free up and unlock. I tried using a little Blue Lube in hopes that would cure the problem, but it did not. Is this common on a new axis lock knife or do I need to send it in under warranty?
 
Wrist flicking will open it with more force than just a thumb push or flick. With the more force, it will lock up a little bit tighter. Kind of similar to when you do that with a frame or liner lock and the lock bar travels over a touch further.

How is it when you open it with just your thumb?

Personally I wouldn't worry about it but would also keep the wrist flicking to a minimum, as fun as it is.
 
Hi Marty, greetings to San Jose, I'm a former Bay Area guy. Can you open the blade successfully without flicking it? Most every one I've owned has some to a little break-in time. You might try adjusting the pivot with a T-10 Torx driver. Finding that sweet spot isn't hard. I usually tighten the pivot all the way to the right, and then back it off to my liking. Try that first - Sure Benchmade can fix your problem. Try adjusting things first before sending it up.
 
Opening with just the thumb studs works fine and no binding of the axis lock. I don't generally flick my wrist, but when I did I noticed the binding and tried it several times since only to repeat the binding. I'll stick to just using the thumb studs as there is no real need for rapid deployment for my needs.

jkarp_53, how long has it been since you left? Lived here all my life.
 
The joy of the Axis lock is you never need to engage your wrist. No more wrist Marty!!!
Enjoy that bad boy!!
Joe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Marty, I grew up in Berkeley, lived in Walnut Creek for 14 years. Left for Virginia in 2014. Now...since you can open the knife without problems (I rarely flick my Axis models.) the knife probably just needs breaking in. Flicking can jam the tang against the stop pin; that's very common. On a good day I would rather have a knife that needs breaking in than any other condition. :rolleyes: Good luck and know Benchmade is there if you need their support.

Cheers,

Joe
 
I've had/have a few that when slung open, the axis bar will wedge itself a bit.
Once the metal surfaces between the bar and tang get burnished, the sticking should settle out.
If you want to accelerate the process, take it apart and polish said surfaces.
 
...Or if not inclined to take the knife apart, grab a lead pencil and coat the tang and surrounding surfaces. The knife Will wear in with use, the graphite will help in the meantime.
 
jkarp_53 said:
...Or if not inclined to take the knife apart, grab a lead pencil and coat the tang and surrounding surfaces. The knife Will wear in with use, the graphite will help in the meantime.
Click to expand...

That's easy enough. I'll give that a go.
 
I've had a couple which would stick slightly if deployed hard when new. They broke in over time so that they did not stick (though I avoid opening knives super hard, as a general rule).

Enjoy that Grip :thumbup:
 
I've owned Axis-lock knives literally since they were introduced and I think most of the ones I've owned would stick if opened with a good wrist flick. I think it's more or less inherent in the design.
 
I have several new ones that stick. Sounds weird but I like it. All of mine have worn in, except the half dozen or so still BNIB because I buy more knives than I use. I am sure I am the only one around here guilty of that.:D

I used to work in San Fran, San Leandro, San Jose, while living in Tracy for awhile. Loved Yosemite and hated the laws.
 
seroiusly said:
I have several new ones that stick. Sounds weird but I like it. All of mine have worn in, except the half dozen or so still BNIB because I buy more knives than I use. I am sure I am the only one around here guilty of that.:D

I used to work in San Fran, San Leandro, San Jose, while living in Tracy for awhile. Loved Yosemite and hated the laws.
Click to expand...

Yes, it was the laws and expense of living in the Bay Area. I know all your mentioned locales quite well. On knives; I went through that period of flux, buying everything I could. Now on the other side, have replaced the models traded or sold, (and which was in the hundreds...) Retiring (or semi in my case...) it's one way to appreciate what's in the safe, and now I entertain many more in my collection as daily user EDC's.

I love Yosemite; there's nothing like it in Virginia, but the local knife laws are much more to my liking here at the same time.

Cheers,
Joe
 
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