Axis Lock question...defective?

tweible · Jan 26, 2000

I got my first axis lock a couple days ago.
If I open the knife with a hard wrist flick, locking it back "hard", it is very difficult to release the lock. If I just open it slow, it is easier. In my experience, unlocking a folder should be the same regardless of how hard you open it. Even more strange is that when I do this, it is easier to unlock from one side than it is from the other.

This ever happen to you? Is my knife defective?

Thank you,
Todd

nifrand · Jan 26, 2000

Ficking it open hard,like you said ,is not good for any knife.The Benchmade Axis lock is no exception.Try a little lube on the blade where it contacts thelock.May do the trick.

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have a"knife"day

leroys_45 · Jan 26, 2000

first of all, don't "wrist flick" your knives open!!! it has been discussed many times since i've joined and while it does look and feel cool, it amounts to abuse. if you want to flick, get a cheap copy and destroy it.

it is especially not necessary on the axis. they open nicely with a push on the thumb stud. i never had the problem myself, since i stopped flicking over a year ago. many liner locks will lock up tighter when you wrist flick them, so the situation is not only with axis locks.

don't flick and your "problem" should disappear.

tweible · Jan 26, 2000

Thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I already knew that flicking was damaging. I get the same effect if I open the blade, and then with the blade open, pull down on the release fully and let go. When I do this it is very hard to unlock from one side, but easy from the other.

obviously I can avoid doing this and avoid flicking open and save myself a thumb blister, was just wondering if I should be concerned about it.

Thanks again!
todd

stjames · Jan 26, 2000

Originally posted by tweible:
Even more strange is that when I do this, it is easier to unlock from one side than it is from the other.

You might have broken one of the omega shaped springs that actuate the locking mechanism while playing with your knife. If the problem persists, you should send the knife to Benchmade for factory inspection and possible repair. Got to the Benchmade Website for contact information.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA

UW Mitch · Jan 26, 2000

Also, when you wrist flick the blade, the axis lock bar is being jammed into the tang (I think that's what it's called) due to the inertia of the blade, causing the lock bar to be stuck. I've recently been enlightened that I should not flick my knives...I've cut back substantially.

~Mitch

HJK · Jan 26, 2000

Members much more learned than I in the ways of the blade will, no doubt, correct me if I err, but I have several liner lockers from good makers that will lock very tight indeed if the blades are flicked forcefully, and I don't think they're defective. Ya, ya, ya, you're never supposed to do that, and I'm sure noone except us idiots ever do it, right? This characteristic of the locks can be useful, but the liner will eventually wear. If you flick too often, you will do damage, not to mention look like an idiot, hyuk, hyuk.

Joe Talmadge · Jan 27, 2000

There are a number of lock types that will lock harder when flicked open hard. Liner locks are the prime example. When I flick my axis lock, it does lock a *little* harder, but not tons harder. I can still unlock it easily with one hand. In theory, the stop pin should put a limit on how hard the lock can jam. My guess would be that the stop pin on your knife is just a fraction back further than the stop pin on mine, so when flicked open hard it's locking just a bit tighter.

Joe

Kevin Miller · Jan 26, 2000

Does anyone know if you can order spare omega springs for the axis lock?

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Kevin Miller
http://www3.sympatico.ca/kevinandtrish/index.html
kevinandtrish@sympatico.ca
Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always.

sniperboy · Jan 26, 2000

Sometimes the answer might be more obvious than what we may think.. sorry if my suggestion sounds dumb.. but for your axis lock, do you use only your thumb to disengage it?

I learned from releasing magazines on HK pistols that it is smoother if you use both your thumb and index finger on the opposite side to disengage the lock...

then again my logic is dumb cause even if i use just my thumb I get no problem.

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<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]

Snoopy · Jan 26, 2000

Even a little lube does not change the locking characteristics much, at least not on mine. Flicking the blade seems to engage the lock more abruptly and it wedges in there tighter. I have found that by bringing back the axis bar while holding the blade open and then letting it fly shut it will lock up extremely tight. Yea, I am sure this is not good practice, but I was just watching tv and "experimenting". I do believe the axis lock is going to hold up to flicking better than other designs such as a liner lock. I like opening mine with a thumb-stud assisted gentle flick, sometimes compulsively

No sign of wear, just seems to be polishing the blade tang where the bar meets. As for the Omega springs, Benchmade will not sale or provide any spare parts, you have to send the knife in for service

.
David

JoHnYKwSt · Jan 26, 2000

Todd,

I seriously think your lock is defective. At first I did not think so but after reading your second post it seems it is. Flicking an Axis lock open should make it noticably harder to unlock, but it should not be a bear to unlock.

One button unlocking easier than the other sounds like the ramp where the bar meets the blade is uneven, (left side may be higher than right side for example). Which can also cause it to be harder to unlock. Just send your knife back to Benchmade and you will get taken care of.

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Johnny
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Axis Lock question...defective?

tweible

nifrand

Custom Knife Forum Mod

leroys_45

tweible

stjames

Sebenzanista

UW Mitch

HJK

Joe Talmadge

Kevin Miller

sniperboy

Snoopy

JoHnYKwSt