AXIS only members

blade4sell

blade4sell

Joined
Dec 11, 2012
Messages
2,010
Hey members....I started off with Kershaw...liner lock. Then got the Spyderco ball bearing lock....then of course the BM AXIS lock...oh boy...once I got my hand on a AXIS lock...I found all my Kershaws & Spyderco sitting in my drawer. My previous 5 purchases was all BM Axis lock....now I don't even want anything else. No matter how nice a knife may be, when its liner lock, I'm out....

So I admit I am a Benchmade guy....manual AXIS
 
My very first quality knife was a BM with the AXIS lock, bought when I knew nothing about knives. I still love that knife, even though I have since found some great Spydercos. Now I'm feeling a real lack of AXIS locks in my carry rotation. I'm thinking about adding a small, walnut grip Bone Collector soon.
 
I must say that I am a big fan of the AXIS for the ease of one handed opening and closing. Perfect for a work knife.
 
IMO, the best lock mechanism. Not due to strength--it's plenty strong enough, but then again all of the standard lock types are strong enough if executed properly. I think it's the best because for ease of use, it can't be beat. If the pivot tightness on an axis lock knife is set to the the sweet spot, I'm not sure how anything could lock up solidly and be easier to open and close than an Axis lock. I will always have a 940 and a 710, regardless of whatever other knives I own.

I say this as someone who will likely only be carrying Spyderco frame lock knives for the foreseeable future.
 
I just got my first two axis locks this month. I have to say it is pretty amazing. Prior to it my favorite lock was Spyderco's compression lock. The only complaint I have about the axis is the lack of a detent. I like having one, but it is super easy to open an axis because of that also a heavy detent isn't really needed. I find the axis' blade retention is just fine and it is fun to flick it open without touching the lock or the blade :D. So I think i can live without a detent.
 
I was exactly the same way until I had the spring in my mini-grip break after a few years of use. I was on an out-of-state trip and it was inconvenient to have the blade flopping around loose. Benchmade fixed it fast and I've never had any other issues in many years. Axis locks are still a favorite, but I gained some appreciation for simpler mechanisms. I'm still a huge axis fan, just tempered it down a little.
 
I have one of the first Axis knives, not the first but IIRC the second one, the BM 730 Ares, I've had and carried this knife since its release in 2000 and I have the original black and purple handled one.
 
Yeah the Axis is probably the best balance of security and ease of use there is. I just happen to like a lot of knife designs not offered by Benchmade, so my only Axis lock is an old beater 710 at the moment.
 
I've been carrying an axis lock for around seven years and can't imagine carrying a knife without that lock mechanism. Recently I replaced my EDC 921 that I (hopefully temporarily) lost with a LE Grip and I love this knife.

I have never understood liner locks. Why would you want to put your finger or thumb in front of a blade when closing it? Never could understand that. Just my .02 as a lot of people buy/carry them.

I like nice knives and even look for custom makers that use the axis lock.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
I have one of the first Axis knives, not the first but IIRC the second one, the BM 730 Ares, I've had and carried this knife since its release in 2000 and I have the original black and purple handled one.
Click to expand...

Can I have it?
:)
 
AXIS of BM is surely amazing but the design of the knife profile is not so functional as Spyderco , even some Coldsteel ( like Tufflite) or Kabar (Dozier).

Thats y AXIS is the favourite lock I ever owned but I have no Benchmade among my 10 locking blades .
 
T. Erdelyi said:
I have one of the first Axis knives, not the first but IIRC the second one, the BM 730 Ares, I've had and carried this knife since its release in 2000 and I have the original black and purple handled one.
Click to expand...

Same here -- the original 730 Ares. I rarely carry anything different, even when in business attire. I just drop the knife into my pocket rather than clip it.

I'm a lefty, and also not such a big fan of liner locks or frame locks. I bought the Ares after hyping myself up for a Sebenza. There's no question that the Sebenza is an awesome knife and a great example of design and craftsmanship, but it just didn't feel right for me when I handled one (lefty Sebenza).

The Ares knife just works. My son carries a 705 bought around the same time and gifted to him when he was old enough to appreciate, respect and NOT LOSE the knive.

I looked at some of the Axis Assist folders and wasn't a fan. Give me a plain Axis folder with G-10 scales any day. I keep looking on eBay thinking I should pick up another 730 or maybe 806 in case I ever lose the Ares.

Benchmade and the McHenry & Williams guys really hit it out of the park.
 
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I finally got my hands on my first Benchmade with an AXIS lock (a Rift 950) this past Christmas and have been nothing but impressed with how solid the lockup is and how useful the whole design is. It may be my first Benchmade but it certainly won't be the last.
 
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