Axis lock question

N

Nursie

Joined
Sep 28, 2005
Messages
98
Hi All
I'm very new to Benchmade and I've never had an Axis lock before
I'm really happy with it
One question though, does flicking the blade open cause damage to the lock?
Will flicking it in this way cause blade play
I've seen 2 ways of opening it quickly, one using the thumbstud, the other holding the lock open slightly
Would I be risking damage doing either of these maneuvers?
Thanks for your advice
take care
Graham
 
I think your good either way. I've used both methods with multiple Axis locks and haven't experienced any issues.
 
The Axis lock is very robust. I've flicked my Griptilian probably over a thousand times with no issues. However I did break an Omega spring in my Mini Griptilian around 6-700 openings. It still worked because the other spring still worked, but the lock was much easier. I sent it back to Benchmade and they fixed it for me.
Though I was a little irritated because it was only 3 weeks old. But in all fairness I did probably 500 flickings in a week. Maybe the repetitive nature of my flicking weakened the spring. Though it is addictive.
 
JustinC25 said:
The Axis lock is very robust. I've flicked my Griptilian probably over a thousand times with no issues. However I did break an Omega spring in my Mini Griptilian around 6-700 openings. It still worked because the other spring still worked, but the lock was much easier. I sent it back to Benchmade and they fixed it for me.
Though I was a little irritated because it was only 3 weeks old. But in all fairness I did probably 500 flickings in a week. Maybe the repetitive nature of my flicking weakened the spring. Though it is addictive.
Click to expand...

Oh heck!
That's all I need, another addictive hobby
Don't think I'll be flicking as often as that, Mrs Nursie will probably get irritated if I do it whilst watching TV

thanks for the advice
Take care
Graham
 
The weak spot, if there is one are the two Omega springs used in the mechanism. While these knives beg to be flipped it places undue wear on the springs. Otherwise, as the Axis mechanism wears in, the lock is self-adjusting and is an amazing design. Good news is: even if the springs break, and only rarely in pairs, another valued safety feature, they're fully covered under Benchmade's no questions asked warranty. :thumbup:
 
I usually open my Benchmade Kulgera several times a day, including flicking. One of my Omega springs broke after 3 years of normal use. Two weeks later, the other one broke. I sent it in to Benchmade and they returned it in around 10 days.
 
Considering there are quite a few assisted opening knives with AXIS locks. I doubt flicking a non AO knife will hurt anything.
 
While flicking or repetitive actuating is likely not "good" for any locking mech, the Axis, among a very few others (Triad lock to some extent, button locks, ball bearing lock), has the distinction of "wearing in" by virtue of its design. In general, as long as there is room for travel along the Axis bar cutouts in the stainless liners, with no deformation, you'll have far more life expectancy than with locking mechs that eventually wear out with repeated actuating (generally, liner and framelocks).
 
I've posted (boasted) before of my first axis lock knife, a Benchmade 722 that conservatively had 15,000 to 18,000 openings with no failures, including who knows how many flickings. On the high end 22,000 to 24,000 cycles.

I'm not saying you should expect that level of perfection, but under several thousand flicks and experiencing a failure is definitely a warranty issue.
 
In my opinion, the Axis lock is sheer genius. It is probably THE strongest lock in a folder. The Achilles heel of the Axis is the Omega springs, HOWEVER, the redundancy of having two still makes the knife and the lock very safe. I say flick away man. IF a spring breaks, send it in and get new ones. :-)
 
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