Ball or Compression Lock vs Axix

Nosetotail · Sep 15, 2007

So I bought and returned a couple of BM's with Axis lock before I decided to order an Endura. I hadn't used a Spyderco before this and I was going out on a limb to try the ZDP. Little did I know that I would fall in love with the knife.

However I held the BM's for a couple of days and I am highly impressed with the functionability of the axis lock. So my question is, how does the ball bearing lock compare to the Axis lock? It seems from the photo's that it is the same basic function, with a slightly different design using a central spring and a ball, but I wonder how it actually performs. Is the blade completely free with the ball compressed? How easy is it to grip the ball with your fingertip? The Axis stud has pretty sharp concentric edges that offers a lot of grip potential.

The second part of my question is concerning the compression lock. I think I saw in a thread that the compression lock was spydercos innovative equivalent to the axis, although I may be getting confused with another lock. How well does the compression lock function compared to the axis lock? For ease of opening which of the three works best?

lambertiana · Sep 15, 2007

I can't comment on the ball bearing lock because I don't have any. I have a couple BM knives with the axis lock, and I have a Para with compression lock. In my opinion, the compression lock is better set up for ease of opening and closing. My Para is easier for me to open and close one-handed than any other locking mechanism I have tried. Part of that is the design of the Para, with the large opening hole positioned just right for me. But I really like it. With the axis lock, I have to move the lockbar back and push the blade closed. With my Para, all I have to do is hold the knife horizontally, edge down, and release the lock. As gravity takes over, I rotate the knife so that is snaps into the fully closed position. I don't have to get my fingers anywhere near the edge, as I do with the axis lock. I find the axis lock to be a little awkward to release one-handed.

Vivi · Sep 16, 2007

They're all good locks, some of the best IMO assuming time shows them to be reliable.

The axis lock is the easiest for opening and closing. The Ball Lock and Compression lock IMO seem to be stronger and much, much more difficult to accidently unlock. The new version of the ball lock featured on the Pikal makes it essentially just as easy to work as the Axis lock, with the additional reliability of the ball lock.

The Deacon · Sep 16, 2007

When the ball is full retracted, the blade on a ball lock swings as easily as pivot screw tension allows. You can have it swinging very freely if that's the way you like it, or adjust the action to be fairly stiff if that's your preference.

The ball itself presents a smooth rounded surface that is pretty much flush with the handle scale. so it's not terribly easy to grip, my major complaint with it. On the other hand, that would make it far less prone to accidental release than the raised and ridged buttons on the axis, which seemed to lie right in a spot where my thumb "wanted" to push back on one for purchase. For me, that put it into the "accident waiting to happen" category and kept me from ever purchasing an axis lock knife, even "back in the day" when I would have considered purchasing a Benchmade product.

The comparison lock is an excellent lock in terms of strength and reliability. It's easy to close if you're right handed (or left handed and more "adaptive" than I am). If by ease of opening, you mean ease of "flicking", can't help you, since I don't subscribe to that method. Opening using the hole is very smooth and easy.

Paul

My Personal Website - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam

Sharpy_swe · Sep 16, 2007

I have no experience with the Axis lock but I can say that the Ball lock works perfectly, it locks very solid and is really easy to use. I trust it 100%!

flipe8 · Sep 16, 2007

I can only add that I agree %100 with Deacon's take on the locks mentioned. I happened to accidentally unlock a BM Mini Grip exactly how it was described by Deacon and that left me with a feeling of concern. I don't question the Axis in terms of strength at all, but the ease of accidentally unlocking is what keeps me away. I found the D'Allara to be very resistant the same unlocking concern.

Kaizen1 · Sep 16, 2007

I've played with all of the lock and they all work great. The axis is very easy to open and close one handed. I'm curious how people can have such a difficult time with it. All of the locks are fun to play with, reliable and easy to use IMO, including the mid lock. I would be more concerned about the overall design of the knife that appeals to you.

Nosetotail · Sep 16, 2007

lambertiana said:
I can't comment on the ball bearing lock because I don't have any. I have a couple BM knives with the axis lock, and I have a Para with compression lock. In my opinion, the compression lock is better set up for ease of opening and closing. My Para is easier for me to open and close one-handed than any other locking mechanism I have tried. Part of that is the design of the Para, with the large opening hole positioned just right for me. But I really like it. With the axis lock, I have to move the lockbar back and push the blade closed. With my Para, all I have to do is hold the knife horizontally, edge down, and release the lock. As gravity takes over, I rotate the knife so that is snaps into the fully closed position. I don't have to get my fingers anywhere near the edge, as I do with the axis lock. I find the axis lock to be a little awkward to release one-handed.

I'm a little uncertain as to what method you use to open your Para. You mentioned the hole, and that leaves me wondering if you activate the compression lock to open it, or just use the hole. My BM had a hole as do the two Spydies I have now(obviously), and I open and close them quite easily. However I am intrigued by the novelty of the locks in question, and will be shopping for one or more offerings in these locks shortly. I have to admit that I don't know how you operate the compression lock other than that you squeeze. Beyond that, I wonder if the blade becomes completely free, or do you have to overcome some spring tension to open or close.

On a side note, I am surprised you have to push your blade closed on the axis lock. The blades on the two that I played with were nearly free moving with the axis bar engaged(apart from pivot tension).

Edit to add: I am quite fond of just slowly sliding my knives open with the Spydy hole, however I still would like to operate an innovative lock to its fullest ability even if just for the kicks of it, so I am wondering just how quickly and easily the compression lock performs.

Nosetotail · Sep 16, 2007

The Deacon said:
When the ball is full retracted, the blade on a ball lock swings as easily as pivot screw tension allows. You can have it swinging very freely if that's the way you like it, or adjust the action to be fairly stiff if that's your preference.

The ball itself presents a smooth rounded surface that is pretty much flush with the handle scale. so it's not terribly easy to grip, my major complaint with it. On the other hand, that would make it far less prone to accidental release than the raised and ridged buttons on the axis, which seemed to lie right in a spot where my thumb "wanted" to push back on one for purchase. For me, that put it into the "accident waiting to happen" category and kept me from ever purchasing an axis lock knife, even "back in the day" when I would have considered purchasing a Benchmade product.

The comparison lock is an excellent lock in terms of strength and reliability. It's easy to close if you're right handed (or left handed and more "adaptive" than I am). If by ease of opening, you mean ease of "flicking", can't help you, since I don't subscribe to that method. Opening using the hole is very smooth and easy.

Paul

My Personal Website - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam

Funny, I never even considered accidentally operating the lock bar, but then again, I didn't actually edc the knives. I just played with the locks for a couple of days. I have to agree that after the novelty wears off, what is important is the reliability.

lambertiana · Sep 16, 2007

Nosetotail - I just use my thumb in the hole to open my Para. The only time I need to touch the lock is when I want to unlock it.

I have yet to see an axis lock knife that will swing freely unless you are compressing the axis bar completely, which is a bit awkward, if you ask me. Even then, unless you have the pivot tension so loose that the blade rattles, it still won't close without a little help. My Para is the only one that I have that will close by gravity alone when I press the lock, and yet has no blade play. I had to fiddle with it for a while to find this sweet spot, and I used Loctite on the pivot once I found it.

Nosetotail · Sep 17, 2007

lambertiana said:
Nosetotail - I just use my thumb in the hole to open my Para. The only time I need to touch the lock is when I want to unlock it.

I have yet to see an axis lock knife that will swing freely unless you are compressing the axis bar completely, which is a bit awkward, if you ask me. Even then, unless you have the pivot tension so loose that the blade rattles, it still won't close without a little help. My Para is the only one that I have that will close by gravity alone when I press the lock, and yet has no blade play. I had to fiddle with it for a while to find this sweet spot, and I used Loctite on the pivot once I found it.

Compressing the bar is what I was talking about. I also meant that the blade was only as free as the pivot tension allowed. The BM 940 I had was very effective at opening and closing with the bar compressed and a quick but surprising light flick of the wrist. By quick, I don't mean I had to move quickly, I just mean a small light flick quickly after I compressed the bar(pretty much one motion). I do admit that the shorter and lighter blade of the 960 wasn't quite as effective at overcoming the pivot tension and I had to flick a little harder than I did with the 940. I experiemented a little with loosening the tension, but didn't loosen it to the point of having any play. This didn't seem to effect the action any, as they were already about as loose as the tension would allow without introducing some slop.

I geuss what I am wondering is this: is it easy or effective to draw your knife from your pocket compressing the lock and lightly flicking the blade open?(all in one move if you get what I'm saying), Or does the compression lock present some barrier that makes this a little more inconvenient...say it is a little harder to press than I am imagining? I am wondering the same thing about the smooth ball lock.

lambertiana · Sep 17, 2007

I have never gotten into the habit of flicking my knives open, so I may not be the best person to answer that question. I do know that if you push down the lock on the Para, the blade will flop around like a limp fish. So if you can adjust to the ergonomics of the lock position, it would most certainly be easy to flick open. You would have to play with one to see if the position of the lock is easy for you to access when you pull it out of your pocket.

SIFU1A · Sep 18, 2007

all ya have to do is draw the knife and inertia open it (flick it) there is no need to fool with the lock on a compression lock knife.

redneckone · Sep 19, 2007

I have all three of the locks. I think the ball lock is the strongest. I have 2 Dodos, a Poliwog, & a P'kal and have not had a problem with any of them, solid lockup, zero blade play, easy to deploy. I trust the ball lock!!

Nosetotail · Sep 19, 2007

lambertiana said:
I have never gotten into the habit of flicking my knives open, so I may not be the best person to answer that question. I do know that if you push down the lock on the Para, the blade will flop around like a limp fish. So if you can adjust to the ergonomics of the lock position, it would most certainly be easy to flick open. You would have to play with one to see if the position of the lock is easy for you to access when you pull it out of your pocket.

Yeah, since I got my Endura, which had a bit smoother opening than my BM 801, I've gotten much more comfortable with just sliding my blade open. My 801 came pretty tight out of the box so I had to learn to flick it open with my thumb. I didn't know I could adjust the tension at the time. I haven't touched my Endura's screw as I havn't needed to.

Nosetotail · Sep 19, 2007

redneckone said:
I have all three of the locks. I think the ball lock is the strongest. I have 2 Dodos, a Poliwog, & a P'kal and have not had a problem with any of them, solid lockup, zero blade play, easy to deploy. I trust the ball lock!!

Unfortunately I havn't found the first Spyderco dealer, and I live in the largest city in America(landwise of course). At least it used to be. I could check a couple of stores that I know of, but they are thirty to forty five minutes away.

redneckone · Sep 19, 2007

Nosetotail call or email Spyderco, they will help you find a dealer in your area. You could visit newgraham.com and buy a Poliwog or a P'kal. If you are interested in a knife with a strong lock, you will be very pleased.