Axis Lock Versus Liner Lock

Hi Joe,
I have some axis locks. I really like them.
One of the many reasoms that I carry a knife is for weapons retention.
In my case this requires left hand,
Actually I have gone with a fixed blade. Why introduce complications?
If something can go wrong it will.









Joe Talmadge said:
Ya, seemingly another case of CS borrowing others' IP, though this time they had to pay, by all reports. It's basically an axis lock, but with the pin riding in a slot in the blade rather than on top of the tang. Still, CS's folders with this lock are easily a notch below Benchmade's in quality. No reason not to stick with Benchmade.

SOG's Arclock is a bit more complex than the axis but works on the same principle. Seems well done from the one sample I have (a Vision)
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I had a near scare with a Liner lock at one time, and after that, I am exclusively with Arc/Axis or Frame lock.

The only Axis I have at this time is a Ti SOG Vision, and I've used it hard with never a whince of thinking it would fail. - So Buttery smooth too, and on an additional note - so quiet. How many other locks can lock that securely but with less noise?

After I was given the Vision, I got my brother one of the lower end SOGs, and that Guy sees no difference between a knive and a crow bar - really, REALLY uses them hard, cutting, throwing, opening paint cans, whatever.
His Arc lock has never flinched either - and that says a lot for the reliability, especially considering the only time it has probably had oil on it since he's had it is if he were punching through an oil can.

On that note, How intense would corrosion have to be to get the spring to fail on those?
 
I've been very impressed with the action, smoothness and authority of the Arc-Lock on my SOG Vision and PE.

Initially, I was a doubter but not any longer.

I still feel more confident with the Axis though, and I don't think that will change.
 
i started out collecting and using knives with liner locks and slowing i upgraded to the "new age" locks like the axis and the compression locks. although i know for sure that they are VERY strong and reliable, i found myself going back to liner/frame locks. i like them because they are so simple and dont need many different parts to work like the axis and the compression. if you buy liner/framelocks from respectable companies then they can be just as good as these new locks.
 
The Axis lock is a truly great design. For me the best point is the ability of the user to close the blade one handed w/o placing any part of the finger in the way of the blade as it is closed.

I have on occasion nicked myself with a liner lock blade when I started closing the knife before getting my thumb out of the way.

For most of my uses, the Benchmade Axis knives will serve those purposes well. The only situation I could see where the Axis lock would not do well would be in an excessively sandy or muddy conditions where there wouldn't be an ample supply of water available to clean out the lock mechanism if it got gunked up.

A liner lock or frame lock would be easier to clean.
 
I currently edc a BM 610 Rukus with axis lock. This is the largest folding knife that BM currently makes and they decided to lock it up via the axis. I think that speaks volumes for BM's faith in this lock. I've had some of the other axis's and everyone of them has exhibited great lockup with no horizontal or vertical blade play.

I've had linerlocks that had thick liners but still had the lock slip off the blade tang. I just can't see the axis lock failing!
 
P239 said:
I currently edc a BM 610 Rukus with axis lock. This is the largest folding knife that BM currently makes and they decided to lock it up via the axis. I

The Skirmish is the same size, if not slightly larger. They used a frame lock on it, called Monolock. Kinda like a liner lock, with no handle slabs. I have one. It is an excellent knife. Rukus has 4.25 blade, Skirmish has 4.3 blade. I carry my Skirmish every day. Doubt it will ever fail. Never had a liner lock fail on me yet, after 14 years of carrying and using them. I am gonna get a Rukus soon, just to see what all the bruehaha is about.

CBXer55
Oklahoma City
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The Axis lock and its copies rely on pins and springs. I wonder about the lock's reliability in field conditions. What happens when a little mud gets inside? I'm not saying that the locks will fail or get stuck in a locked position, I'm asking if that's possible. With liner locks, you can look at the knife and see the mechanism. You can see if the lock is properly engaged. Drop it in the mud and it still works. Get it completely stuffed full of crud and it's easily washed out. Is this true of Axis locks?
 
Hasn't been a problem with any of my axis locks. They go out in the desert and mud with me frequently. They get gritty to operate, but clean out well.

Phil
 
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