Axis lock question

[CauseforAlarm]

I am a very happy owner of a BM 732, and the axis is by far the best locking mechanism I've had in a knife. Its pretty well broken in now, and opens smooth as butter by the upward thumb push/hand snap I've always used to open my knives. I started playing with the Axis opening, using both thumb and forefinger to pull the lock back. A few days ago I noticed an inability to pull the axis back in this manner initially. I have to open the knife by thumbstud first, then after that its all good for axis flicking. An hour later, problem starts all over again. I'm toying with reasons for this problem. I used Rem Oil on the moving parts, and figured this was safe as its teflon based and has served my firearms well. I also noticed that the holes on the metal of the axis lock studs do not face the same direction, but are facing opposite directions. The bar of the axis lock seems to drag on the notch it sits on. Any solutions or experiences are greatly appreciated.

 

[Luckylefty01]

You could try coating the area where it's dragging on the blade with graphite from a pencil, to reduce friction, but I've never really had this problem myself before.

 

[Blop]

You mean, you can´t pull back the axis bar?

Thats quite usual on mine and i am glad, cause that tells me, it will keep the blade closed in the pocket.

Don´t know what it is, but wouldn´t try to change it.

 

[allenC]

It sounds like something you might want Benchmade to look at, or you could disassemble it yourself.

I have four Benchmade Axis-lock knives and none of them have that problem.
I can pull back the axis bar and disengage the blade with ease, open or closed.

Allen.

 

[Codeman]

From what you're describing, it sounds like it's just gunked up. After you "break the seal" using the thumb stud, it works until you let it sit for a while, right?

Did you completely clean it before you applied Rem oil the first time? It's possible that two lubes might not like each other, so to speak, and become sticky.

I'd suggest cleaning it thoroughly (hot water and then use compressed air to dry it, if possible) and then only lube the pivot. I've had Axis Locks since 1999 (1 is used almost daily), and I never lube anything except the pivot. Adding a wet lube to the axis bar is simply going to attract junk. It is not necessary to lube the bar nor the spring.

If the holes you are referring to are the tiny ones on the bar, those are used during manufacture to assemble the bar. I'd be surprised if they did line up.

By the way - I also suggest using a lube that dries, such as Militec-1. Once the carrier is dried, it is far less likely to attract dirt. This is the lube that BM recommends/uses.