axis-lock tension adjustment?

J

Jon3

Joined
Apr 4, 2000
Messages
10
hi,

I have a benchmade elishewitz axis-lock, which I really like, but is just a tad longer than I want (and not tanto shaped), so I picked up the mel pardue axis lock that has the right shape and length for me.

However, I find that the tension on the mel pardue is much much stiffer, and I can't flick it open with a wrist snap, the way I could with the elishewitz.

Is there any way I can lower the tension so that I can snap it out the same way on the mel p that I do on the elish?



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-Jon
http://www.22world.com
 
Please clarify. Do you mean that the pivot is too tight on the one? If so, back the pivot screw out a tiny bit.

Or do you mean the spring tension in the axis lock itself? It this is the case, there is not much easily done without violating the warranty. The spring tension may "wear" in some with repeated cycling. Or you can just pull back on the axis bar a bit and flick when you open it to give the blade some momentum. That would be the easiest. Many open their Axis knives this way all the time.

There are more drastic measures you can take depending on your mechanical aptitude and risk tolerance in messing with the omega springs directly, perhaps just switching springs between the two units which is warranty violation. I don't know how workable this is.

Also beware that you may endanger yourself with tip up carry with reduced power springs to keep the knife closed.

Modify at your own risk.

Phil
 
Perhaps the newer Axis locks are intentionally set up to be resistant to flicking in the wake of the recent CRKT customs fiasco. I know that Axis lock knives are harder to find in shops up here in Canada because shipments have been stopped at the border as "gravity knives." (Which are prohibited up here and apparently in certain US states as well.)

PM
 
If it is a matter of pivot tension, it is easily adjustable at the pivot screw. Beyond that, I don't think there's much you can do. It would be a matter of the relative handle size and weight vs. blade length and weight, which are things you can't alter.
 

It isn't the pivot tension, the plates they put between the housing and the blade do a great job of making the opening smooth.

It is the spring tension itself. When you hold both knivs in hand, without doing any opening, just pull down on the axis release, you feel much more tension on the new one.

I tried leaving it for 2 weeks with the spring at it's most-compressed point, to see if it would take a set, but it didn't seem to affect it.

I don't mind voiding the warranty or going custom, and I understand there is a risk associated with tip up carry, but I've had the elish for god knows how long, and never run into that problem.

Does benchmade do custom work?..


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-Jon
http://www.22world.com
 
The aluminum handled BM Pardue (stainless frame below) I had you could change it from tip up or tip DOWN for a righty, and tip up for a lefty. Not sure how the new ones are, or if you have the G-10 version.

The spring in it was firmer, BUT the other reason it doesn't pop open so easy any more is that there is a 'flat'/hump on the back of the blade where it contacts the floating stop pin. Open the blade slowly and you will feel it catch on that section of the blade.

Other alternative (which u may, or may not know), is to pull on the axis lock w/ your thumb to release the tension on the spring then slight wrist movement to swing out the blade and then you let go of the axis lock. I use this method on the REKAT rolling locks as well - works for me.
smile.gif
Takes a little practice, so be careful!

Some of the guys here do custom work on folders. If you are going to leave it tip UP, don't mess with it IMHO.

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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
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