Axis reliabilty

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powercut

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I know it has been discussed here often, but.

1.
I am maybe planning on buying an a axis locking knife from Benchmade, How reliable is locking mechanism?
The only drawback from what a I have read on these forums, that in the past
incidentaly an omega spring broke. Is this common?

2.
Is the axis locking mechanism easy to clean.
How susceptable is it to collecting dirt or lint in the lock lets say compared to a lockback in relation to lock dissengaging or not proparly locking?
(I know that every lock needs to be cleaned and greased once and a while)
but that aside.
 
I find the Axis lock to be very reliable. I have heard of Omega springs breaking, but it's an uncommon occurrance, and there are two springs. So if one breaks, you still have a backup. The Axis lock is easy enough to clean. You won't get it sparkling clean, but clean enough for government work.

The only big downside that I see, is the fact that the lock can be accidentally disengaged, when used in a hammer grip or a reverse ice pick style grip. But the lock rocks for the basic sabre style grip that most people use.
 
Buzzbait said:
and there are two springs. So if one breaks, you still have a backup.

That sounds like driving down the road in your car with 2 brakes instead of four.:foot:
Click to expand...
 
powercut said:
and there are two springs. So if one breaks, you still have a backup.......


That sounds like driving down the road in your car with 2 brakes instead of four.:foot:
Click to expand...

Which is better than none in an emergency situation, AND with the Axis, this type of redundancy is unmatched by just about any other locking mechanism.

No one would say "break a spring, and keep using it like nothing happened", but you STILL get some peace of mind, in the unlikely event that it should happen.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I agree Kohai999.

So I can count on axis being a good locking system, allright.
OK thank you guys:thumbup:
 
I think the Axis lock is the best there is right now. It is hard to clean, so if you’re going to be getting plastered from head to toe in mud all the time then the Compression lock might be more suitable. Other than that, I wish every knife used it.
 
Of the current production knife locks, I favor the axis lock.

Very user friendly, generally reliable, and more than strong enough for normal heavy use.


As for cleaning, I did find it a pain to clean after a hunt (lent a 710 to a friend for a deer - but then again, if the lock on any knife were so dirtied up, it would be a similiar pain). Normal dirt and other crude ain't so bad, though.
 
Buzzbait said:
The only big downside that I see, is the fact that the lock can be accidentally disengaged, when used in a hammer grip or a reverse ice pick style grip. But the lock rocks for the basic sabre style grip that most people use.
Click to expand...
I am a little confused. Wouldnt this position push the axis lock forward when hitting something? This would not disengage it. Or am I missing something?

I guess if you stuck it in something and then pulled it out you might disengage the lock if you have really bad luck.

Just wondering.

Ryan
 
I personally think that the AXIS lock is very reliable.

And very fun to play with also :D
 
The lock can disengage when something, or someone, pushes back on the bar while you push forward.

Had this happen when digging in some mud on the bottom of a creek/river (choose your definition). Nasty little cut, though

Violated the simple rule of keeping an eye on what your cutting and what is about. .
 
The axis lock is arguably the best lock out there. I might not go that far personally, but I wouldn't disagree with that statement if someone brought it up.

It has several advantages:
It's easy to open and close! You can axis flick it either way...fun and efficient
It doesn't wear as quickly as liner and framelocks do, in most cases
It's very strong
It's very consistent
It has spring redundancy

As several have pointed out, a single spring failure isn't an invitation to keep using the knife. Instead, it's just an added level of protection. If you were to notice the spring breaking (which is very rare, thus far in our experience) you would be wise to send it in to Benchmade before using it again. However, had this happened with some other locks (linerlock or lockback, for instance), the blade might have closed on you without this warning...

It's good design is echoed throughout the knife industry. There are at least three different companies (excluding Benchmade) that use variations on the axis lock (Spyderco, Cold Steel, SOG). That really says something, to me.

The axis lock isn't perfect, but it may be as close as we get for certain uses.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I am a little confused. Wouldnt this position push the axis lock forward when hitting something? This would not disengage it. Or am I missing something?

I guess if you stuck it in something and then pulled it out you might disengage the lock if you have really bad luck.

Just wondering.

Ryan
Click to expand...

The lock can disengage, under certain circumstances. Imagine cutting cardboard with a hammer grip, where your hand makes contact with the lock. Now imagine the blade getting hung up on something, causing your hand to slip backward on the handle. The same with the ice pick grip. These are unusual cases, and don't happen with every knife. I can't make my 710 disengage, but can easily make my Griptilian disengage.
 
Axis locks are the best. They are very reliable, and some knives with the Axis are as fast or faster than an automatic (if you know what you are doing and have it adjusted right) - And they are legal, probably safer too, because there's no tensioned spring inside that wants to pop it open. I have never come close to accidentally disengaging the lock. I don't think it's an issue with the way I hold and use my knives. I've never had a lock failure with an Axis, and I have & use 6 different Axis models. Been carrying them happily for years. I HAVE had several lock failures with liner locks, so there you go.

Is Axis better than a compression lock? In terms of strength, maybe. In terms of safety, probably about the same. I think I might accidentally disengage a compression lock by twisting, maybe, somehow. Coolness? Axis is way cooler. Ergonomically? Axis wins again. Much easier on the thumb, and more ambidextrous.

The guys I know who are afraid of accidentally disengaging the Axis are all really big, with huge paws, so unless you're a giant I wouldn't worry about it. Just use common sense while using any folder and you'll be fine. Everybody should have at least one Axis locked knife. The little aluminum handled Osborne knives are fantastic- so smooth! I think they're underrated- the'yre so pretty and well finished, but essentially they're legal, sturdy switchblade straight-razors (without the spring :D ). The best of the best is the 710, followed closely by the 806. Skip the Griptilians, the Axis doesn't work right on those I've tried, I think the lawyers have tampered with them so you can't flick them open and closed super fast.
 
moonwilson said:
Skip the Griptilians, the Axis doesn't work right on those I've tried, I think the lawyers have tampered with them so you can't flick them open and closed super fast.
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Huh? My Griptilians open much smoother and just as fast as my 710.
 
i truly love the axis lock and regualarly edc 4 models (770/920/960/710) and have a strong preference for fully ambidextrous one hand operating folders. never had an accidently release. i play with all constantly and thouroughly enjoy it!

although minimized by others i find having to clean them a decent sized pain. no issues with edc situations but when i carry one in the yard almost non stop, cut open bags with lots of particulates (mulch/peet/garden soil), and use it after petting my doberman the gunk really does build up. never makes the knife even vaguely close to unusable, just gritty/sticky to use. all locks require cleaning but access for cleaning is the issue here (keeping in mind dissasembly voids the warranty). if things are really messy it may take 2-3 mini sessions to get debris as it works it's way out... the 920 prefers to be exceptionally clean and i don't take it into the yard much anymore.

lastly, and i hate to say this as it might be repeated by BM hating groupies from various other makers, i have actually had 2/4 "fail". first was my 710hssr, was just flicking it after a cleaning session and the spring came useated from the bar. it was not usable and i was barely able to close it. fixed my BM without issue, but with a large turn around time, and requested explanation for failure not addressed. on my 920 the left axis spring is either unseated internally or broken. although briefly gritty it transitioned to being smoother than butter and i actually prefer it's current "feal". still passes moderate spine wack. havn't sent it in yet becasue of BM's large turn-around time but will be doing so soon. again, one spring not working but no observed affect on function. this is obviously not a knife that will see large loads placed on it.

again, i love the axis lock and will undoubtedly own more, i do hope the buttons could be made marginally larger, access for cleaning slightly better, and that my failure rate is an utter anomaly as is attested to by the lack of similar reports from others.
ryan
 
Lent my 921 to a friend going on vacation, and she carried it in a lint-filled purse, in a sand-filled beach bag, got it fruit-juiced up and generally abused the hell out of it for a month and a half. Never cleaned during that period.

When it came home to me, it was a mess, it was gritty, it was dirty and ugly, and it locked up solid. The axis bar "sweeps" debris out of the way when it engages on the tang, and it refuses to bind up to dirt there.

I ripped it all apart (much less easy than most axis knives... the additional backspring on the 921 adds a lot of complexity) and cleaned it up. Took maybe a half hour to do it right... full overhaul.

Now it's silky smooth again. Love that knife.
 
imho the axis is probably the best lock going right now, it does have 2 omega springs and will continue to lock if 1 breaks, IIRC i havent ever heard of both breaking.

it enables the knife to open/close smoothly and easily with one hand, opens almost like an auto imho.

if ya are worried about disengaging the lock with your grip take a dremel and grind the lock down flush with the handle and thats the end of that, simply use the tip of your finger to dis-engage.

imho the axis, spyderco compression and the frame lock are the top 3 locks avalable today, closely followed by a spyderco lockback.

i am fixing to get a BM rukus & plan to carry it some, i havent packed a axis BM in a while,
 
My favorite locking system is the frame lock. However, the Axis lock is excellent, too. It's certainly strong and reliable, and is not really that difficult to clean. A spritz of WD40, followed by a dab of decent lubricant, will clear out most of whatever collects in there. And if you seriously gunk up the lock, it's really not that hard to disassemble for more a thorough cleaning.
 
Buzzbait said:
Huh? My Griptilians open much smoother and just as fast as my 710.
Click to expand...

I enjoy your avatar!:thumbup: But i am bored with the same old based on opinions discussion as usual.

There was one question:

Is it common, that omega springs break? We can easily agree, that it is not common.

There was a second question considering the lock and dirt compared to Lockbacks and we can easily agree, that in that comparision the axis knives are not that way collecting dirt in a locking notch.

Luckily we see some additional first hand informations, some in a comparing manner some not, and i like to add mine:

After years of Lockback using and years of axis edc-ing there never was a problem with dirt disengaging the blade or affecting the locking procedere.

I had usual or common problems with my old lockback. But, i count this mainly on the fact, that the axis knife has a clip instead of my old Lockback.

I have spinewhacked my 550 and my old Lockback with five repeated whacks. The 550 is fine like there was nothing while i still miss the hammer of the lock bar, which suddenly blow away and left a totally destroyed folder.
 
moonwilson said:
Axis locks are the best. They are very reliable, and some knives with the Axis are as fast or faster than an automatic (if you know what you are doing and have it adjusted right) - And they are legal, probably safer too, because there's no tensioned spring inside that wants to pop it open.
Click to expand...
And they are legal, ... well, one of these days, someone is going to notice that pulling back on the axis, and letting the blade spin out, makes it a..gravity..knife.
 
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