Axis Lock vertical blade play...

Fire Beard

Fire Beard

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Okay. I debated starting a thread about this because I LOVE this knife. I’m not trying to cast shade on BM or start a thread that hates on them. The knife in question is a new model, the Mini Crooked River. It’s my “modern knife” EDC. It’s beautiful, sharp, smooth and perfectly centered. I carry it daily, use it for everything, and will continue to do so. This isn’t a deal-breaker as much as an inquiry as to the experience of others. I had a BM Rift in the past without this issue. My stepdad carries a Mini Grip that’s rock solid. But my $200 Mini Crooked River has a tiny bit of up/down vertical play. It’s very minimal, but if you grab the tip and the butt of the handle and add pressure, you can feel and hear it. It’s so slight—like a half millimeter, but it’s there. And I don’t understand why. I have a Chinese Kershaw liner lock. Rock solid. Several Spydercos of various locks. Rock solid. The Cold Steel Tri-ad (my favorite lock). Beyond rock solid. But this gorgeous, smooth, amazing Benchmade with the Axis Lock? A tiny bit of up/down wiggle. I know Derrick at KSF says this is normal. I know BM claims this is normal. My question is...why? None of my other locking knives do this. Less expensive or more expensive. I love this knife. Honestly. But why do they get a pass for this when it’s considered such a “great” lock? Discuss?
 
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Fire Beard said:
Okay. I debated starting a thread about this because I LOVE this knife. I’m not trying to cast shade on BM or start a thread that hates on them. The knife in question is a new model, the Mini Crooked River. It’s my “modern knife” EDC. It’s beautiful, sharp, smooth and perfectly centered. I carry it daily, use it for everything, and will continue to do so. This isn’t a deal-breaker as much as an inquiry as to the experience of others. I had a BM Rift in the past without this issue. My stepdad carries a Mini Grip that’s rock solid. But my $200 Mini Crooked River has a tiny bit of up/down vertical play. It’s very minimal, but if you grab the tip and the butt of the handle and add pressure, you can feel and hear it. It’s so slight—like a half millimeter, but it’s there. And I don’t understand why. I have a Chinese Kershaw liner lock. Rock solid. Several Spydercos of various locks. Rock solid. The Cold Steel Tri-ad (my favorite lock). Beyond rock solid. But this gorgeous, smooth, amazing Benchmade with the Axis Lock? A tiny bit of up/down wiggle. I know Derrick at KSF says this is normal. I know BM claims this is normal. My question is...why? None of my other locking knives do this. Less expensive or more expensive. I love this knife. Honestly. But why do they get a pass for this when it’s considered such a “great” lock? Discuss?
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My Presidio 2 does this if opened lightly. Hard openings don’t have it. It’s not nearly enough to be concerned about considering the lock has a bar physically in the way of it closing.
 
I don't consider this normal behavior; it's minor as far as things go, but let's call it common, and not normal by any means. I've owned a few of this description that could not be adjusted from home. In each case it required a trip to the factory, and that's my suggestion here with yours. It may not get any worse, and sometimes the Axis lock will break in. Rattles, squeaks; anything that drives concern should be addressed by them if you have any concern at all. Hope that helps!
 
Not sure who is telling you this is normal. I do not find vertical play in most of my axis locks. The ones that do get a trip to the factory and are fixed usually by blade replacement. Send it in and they will fix it. Somethings likely a little off with the blade tang.
 
jkarp_53 said:
I don't consider this normal behavior; it's minor as far as things go, but let's call it common, and not normal by any means. I've owned a few of this description that could not be adjusted from home. In each case it required a trip to the factory, and that's my suggestion here with yours. It may not get any worse, and sometimes the Axis lock will break in. Rattles, squeaks; anything that drives concern should be addressed by them if you have any concern at all. Hope that helps!
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I agree with Joe. (FWIW, I don't recall ever disagreeing with him, though I must have at some point...) I have owned Axis locks going back to Year 1, probably Month1, and have owned scores. I have never had one display any vertical play. If it did, it would go back to Oregon ASAP, which is what I suggest you do.
 
JNewell said:
I agree with Joe. (FWIW, I don't recall ever disagreeing with him, though I must have at some point...) I have owned Axis locks going back to Year 1, probably Month1, and have owned scores. I have never had one display any vertical play. If it did, it would go back to Oregon ASAP, which is what I suggest you do.
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I’ve thought about that but I’d really hate to send it in when I’ve only had it for a month. I’d be curious to hear what Benchmade Benchmade would say about this slight amount of play.
 
Fire Beard said:
I’ve thought about that but I’d really hate to send it in when I’ve only had it for a month. I’d be curious to hear what Benchmade Benchmade would say about this slight amount of play.
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Hey Fire Beard, sorry to hear about this. This seems pretty odd as the manual axis lock should have zero blade play up and down. If it is as bad as you are saying I would send it in for repair/replacement.
 
Benchmade said:
Hey Fire Beard, sorry to hear about this. This seems pretty odd as the manual axis lock should have zero blade play up and down. If it is as bad as you are saying I would send it in for repair/replacement.
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Noted. Thank you for the reply!
 
I own several benchmade axis lock knives that display some amount of vertical play, most notably an Adamas 275 :( It seems to be due to loose tolerances in the pivot barrel, which will allow for play even if the axis bar is doing its job. Try partially opening the blade and attempting to force the blade towards/away from the pivot. If it has any play or movement at all, then you've found the source of the problem.

I'm not sure if this is a QC issue or if that's just within tolerance spec from Benchmade, but it's maddening because it's the only high end brand I've ever seen with consistent problems in this area.
 
All of my Axis locks are perfect. No blade play in any direction. I have not encountered one with blade play. Sorry to hear about yours. I would send it in. Their CS is great!
 
I have had a number of BM knives over the years and never had vertical play. SEND IT BACK TO BENCHMADE.
 
I had a 710 and a mini Barrage with a tiny bit of vertical play, the barrage needed the stop pin screw tightening and the 710 bedded in after a very short time.
 
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