Axis Lock vs. Frame Lock

J.Mattson

J.Mattson

Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
2,518
I’m looking to give a gift to a friend who has done more for me then virtually anyone in the world and as such I really want it to be a good knife.

He, in his day to day activities will use the knife quite hard on a regular basis. And I would like this knife to be able to stand up to hard use for a long time.

He likes knives but isn’t really a knife collector (he rarely has more then one or two knives at a time). He does however appreciate the “coolness factor” of many of my knives and seems particularly impressed by my knives with axis locks and frame locks.

I’ve got two knives in mind one has an axis lock (ya it’s a Benchmade…) the other has a frame lock. I’m not gonna name the two knives cause I really don’t wanna overcomplicate the thread or the question I’, asking. However both knives are in a similar price point (the Benchmade seems to be a little cheaper however some places have the frame lock being cheaper so like I said its basically a draw) , depending on your point of view you might place them at the top of the midrange or the bottom of high end. Both have similar weight and blade leant. And both use excellent blade steel, if I named them I know simply from reading threads that about half of you would prefer one and half the other. And like I said I don’t really want to complicate the question more then I need to.

What I really am looking for here is your opinions based on what I said above of which one you would choose and why. Like I said both knifes with the exception of the locks are very evenly matched. And I would really like some informed experience based opinions to go on other then my own.

This is after all a lot of money for me (more then I really feel comfortable spending right now in fact), and I think that because of all my friend has done for me he deserves the best for his Birthday.
 
IMO, any lock is good if done properly. Likewise, any lock can be junk if not done properly.
 
I would prefer the simpler design of the frame lock, I know that the Axis lock is a reliable, well made, and respected lock mechanism, it just has more *potential* failure points than a framelock

you have the two Omega springs (potentially breakable point) pushing a cylindrical lock bar forward into the lock channel, remove the springs and the lockbar would move freely fore and aft, there's no bias to stay open or stay closed, it relies fully on the Omega springs, and there are more moving parts in an Axis lock, two springs and the lock bar

a framelock has a pre-stressed part of the handle scale that snaps into place behind the blade, the framelock has a narural bias towards closed, if you removed the scales from the knife, the lock would spring to the closed position, it's a simpler design with only one moving part, the lock itself....

the Axis is definitely *cooler* and more gadget-y, the framelock is simpler
 
I like framelocks because they are inherently more simple, but the only real failure point on an Axis knife is the omega spring. Were the springs to fail in some situation where you couldn't wait for a replacement then you could always just jam a small twig behind the lock bar to hold it in place until you could get it fixed.

If a framelock wears to the point that there is bladeplay then it could be a bit messy to adjust. The axis is self-adjusting. I don't know how many years of constant use that would take before it became an issue (many, I'm guessing) but it is one theoretical thing to consider.
 
i agree that the framelock is simpler and that BOTH locks are going to give you solid lockup when functioning properly.

i also agree that if both omega spring break then the axis will fail.

however, the chances of BOTH omega springs failing are probably extremely low (i still have a 10-year-old BM710 and both omega springs still function as they should...)

the other important point about the omega springs is that hard use of the knife does NOT add stress the springs. the srpings simply hold the axis bar in place--that steel bar is what takes the beating (along with the liners), not the springs.

framelocks, on the other hand, DO directly counter the stress of hard use and the positive engagement of the frame lock could be compromised over time. i don't know how likely this is, but i have seen liner locks that have caved in under heavy use.

the other feature of the axis lock that i appreciate is the quick open and close, and the fact that neither operation requires you to place a finger in the path of the closing blade.
 
I would go with the knife that is less likely to failure. Yes, that means the Framelock. An Axis lock, while strong it may be, there are more points of which it can fail at. A framelock really only has on are where it could fail. However, I would get whichever knife you think he would like more. As previously stated, if the lock is done right, it shouldn't fail on you. And Benchmade definately does the Axis lock right.
 
There are many factors that make a knife suited to its task, the lock being only one. Just comparing the locks is meaningless. However, in this case I'd say the locks are evenly matched, for the reasons written above.
 
I like Axis locks better.
One thing about the Axis that I like - To close the blade, your finger doesn't have to get in the path of the blade like a liner or frame lock.
 
fudo said:
There are many factors that make a knife suited to its task, the lock being only one. Just comparing the locks is meaningless. However, in this case I'd say the locks are evenly matched, for the reasons written above.
Click to expand...

Like I said in my OP other then some minor details the two knives are very similar if not matching such as: price, weight, blade steel, blade length, fit and finish. Other then the lock the only other differences between them are the handle scales and pocket clips, nether of which is gonna make much of a difference.

I am simply looking for honest opinions of what you think is better, or to put it another way; what you prefer given how my friend uses his knives.

The question isn’t meaningless, it just has a very specific meaning.

BTW thanks for all the above responses since the knife is a lot of money for me right now I didn’t want to rely on nothing more then my own experiences.
 
Both are great IMO, but i prefer the Axis for the smooth opening and closing. Since the frame lock is always pushing aginst the blade from the closed position and while opening there is extra resistance. Even a Sebbie doesn't open near as smooth as my $60 mini-grip.
 
I prefer the simplicity and the rock solid lock up of a frame lock. I never worry that a knife will close on me when I'm holding a frame lock. I've never had an Axis lock fail on me, but I just feel more safe with the frame lock.
 
Both are great and will go the distance :)

Personally, I give the edge to the Axis, for speed of opening and closing.
 
I think there is too much room for error when making a frame lock. I.E. angle of lock, angle of tang, radius of tang. Read Bob Terzoula's book I think he spends 10 pages on makinga lock to work properly. Also frame locks stick from time to time. I think K.I.S.S. works for the Axis in this case when you think about all the work put into a frame lock to make it right.
 
Both locks are quite strong and failure wouldn't play much of a part in my decision because I think it would take a real bad stroke of luck for that to happen. And both locks are susceptible to that.

My decision would mostly be based on how functional it is and I find the AXIS takes the edge there. It is just so easy to flick open and it closes quickly and easily. I find having an AXIS lock knife to just be more enjoyable.

Knives are a tool and a hobby. For me the AXIS makes for a great tool and it also has a certain enjoyment factor that pleases the hobby part of owning a knife. Just my .02
 
I prefer the AXIS lock because it's easy to (flip) closed and you don't put any part of your hand in the path of the blade when closing.
 
I admit I am a biased judge.
My main edc's are a BM Mini Grip 555 w 154 steel and a small Classic Sebenza S30V. I use the Mini Grip harder than the Sebbie. Reason - The Mini Grip cost me about $50 and the Sebbie cost around $300 plus.
The axis lock will hold up well. With the frame lock I am always worried that over time it will wear. This worry is probably needless.
Sorry its a tie for me.
 
In terms of locking strongly and securely, I'd have to say that these two locks are effectively equals. So in terms of the hard use that you expect your friend will put the knife to, chances are either knife will serve him equally well.

The one thing I would add, however, is that if you think his "hard use" will include tasks where the knife's pivot/handle/etc. are immersed in dirt/debris/sand/etc., the frame lock will be much easier to clean out than the Axis lock. Cleaning an Axis lock isn't impossible, but it sure is a lot harder to get debris out of the omega spring area than any part of a frame lock.

That said, my personal preference between the two (all other factors being equal) is the Axis lock. The fast opening and closing is just far more worthwhile to me (whether during use, or even just fiddling with the knife) than the ease of cleaning the frame lock.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top