Benchmade 530 Axis Lock, is it supposed to be this hard?

bobusx

bobusx

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Sep 29, 2009
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I recently picked up a Benchmade 530, and I love how light it is for the blade length. It also has a nice techie look that I like. Problem is, the Axis lock seems designed differently than my other Benchmades, most notable the Mini-Grip (which is similar in size, but not weight). The Handles(?) on the Axis lock on the 530 are almost flush with the handle, and they seem to take a lot more force to pull back to unlock the knife. Not only that, but the recessed design seems to dig into my finger tips alot more just to get a grip to pull on em.

Opening it isn't really an issue, but it causes a decent amount of pain in my fingers to pull back the lock and close. This makes it not a fun knife to play with at all, since after I open and close it maybe 5 times I need to take a break to let my fingertips cool off...:(

So my question is, is this normal, and if so, will this loosen up more as I use it, or do I need to either toughen up my fingers, or possibly return the knife? Any mods I can make to the lock to make it just a little less uncomfortable? Thanks for the help.
 
You could sand down the rough parts on the Axis lock. You could put something on it so it extends out a little bit over the handle so it's easier to grab.
 
The omega springs should be about the same strength as all the other springs on other knives and I don't have the issue on any so it sounds like something might be wrong with it. Not being able to get a good grip shouldn't make the lock hard to pull back.

Just out of curiosity how tight is the blade? Does it move easily?
 
I'm sure it'll break in after a while. Also you'll learn how to approach it differently so it doesn't become irritating. I've had mine for going on 5 years now, and it started off a bit difficult for me to close, but I got used to it quickly. Stick with it! :)
 
I have several Axis lock models (710, 960, griptilian, 530) and I have noticed what you're talking about with the 530. The axis lock on the 530 has a different stud to it that's indented and kind of hard to pull back. If I am opening/closing it a lot I try to use the edge of my thumbnail to get a grip on the Axis stud. Hope this helps.
 
I love the 530...you can even "wave it" stock. The thumbstud opening is faster than an auto. It's a really nice knife.
 
The axis lock on the 530 has a different stud to it that's indented and kind of hard to pull back. If I am opening/closing it a lot I try to use the edge of my thumbnail to get a grip on the Axis stud. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
swimmerdude got it right. Its the studs not the springs. They don't stick out as much as on other axis locks.
 
I put the pommel in my palm and pinch/pull back on both sides of the axis lock at the same time with thumb and forefinger.

I agree that my 530 is not nearly as smooth as my mini-grip. 530's blade is lighter, so not as much mass to flip it open/closed. Studs are recessed to keep the knife as thin and flat as possible. The 530's role is as an extremely thin, light folding dagger, and it does this very well.
 
The 530 has a built-in detent that utilizes the axis bar--that's part of the reason why it feels a little stiffer. You'll notice that if you pull back firmly on the lock while it's in the shut position the blade will spring open slightly since the bar pushes the blade. :)
 
I really wanted to like the 530 for its ultralight weight and slim profile. However, with those flush thumbstuds, I felt like I was getting AXIS Lite.
 
Does anyone know if the liners have the cutout in the liners to slide the lock bar through when assembling?

The 710 does not and only has a slot that the lock bar travels when in use. The lock bar has to be unscrewed to slide into the slot and then the end screwed back on.

On newer knives there is the slot that the lockbar travels in when in use but then at the back there is a large circular cutout that connects to the channel. This allows the lockbar to slide through the hole and into the slot without having to take apart the lock bar.

I hope that makes since because I can't find a picture. Anyways, if that is how it is it should be pretty easy to put a new slightly longer lock bar in the knife.

If anyone is interested in trying it out shoot me an email and we will get it fixed up so there is a good grip. I sold mine but might have to get another one now.

Thanks,

Ryan
 
Alrighty, thanks for the tips, gonna give it a couple of weeks and see if I can break it in/get used to the smaller handles on the axis lock.
 
Normal. I just purchased one of these too and noticed the same thing. After a week of playing with it it loosened up a bit. But if I flick out the blade really hard the studs lock like you are describing. If I ease it into place using the thumb studs the lock pops back easily. It seems like if you flick it hard it will always be hard to unlock due to the design. Hope that helps....
 
The 530 is the ultra-light 3in boot dagger, amirite? I found no issues with unlocking when I handled it, really, but all I compared it to was a Rift.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The 530 has a built-in detent that utilizes the axis bar--that's part of the reason why it feels a little stiffer. You'll notice that if you pull back firmly on the lock while it's in the shut position the blade will spring open slightly since the bar pushes the blade. :)
Click to expand...
Dude, you just blew my mind. :eek:
I have always wondered why the blade moved a bit when Axis depressed in closed position. Thanks.

The Axis “Stud” is flush with the scales. The whole point of this knife is THIN. The last thing Benchmade wanted was the Axis lock catching on stuff. The scales are flat. If the Axis studs protruded (as they do on most other models) this would cause a lot of snagging. The extra small Axis studs have less leverage and surface area to engage. So, it feels tight even when in perfect operating condition. The Axis studs do pinch my fingers.

To unlock I use booth thumb and pointer finger and pull booth studs at the same time. Try it.
 
Doc Pringles said:
Dude, you just blew my mind. :eek:
I have always wondered why the blade moved a bit when Axis depressed in closed position. Thanks.

The Axis “Stud” is flush with the scales. The whole point of this knife is THIN. The last thing Benchmade wanted was the Axis lock catching on stuff. The scales are flat. If the Axis studs protruded (as they do on most other models) this would cause a lot of snagging. The extra small Axis studs have less leverage and surface area to engage. So, it feels tight even when in perfect operating condition. The Axis studs do pinch my fingers.

To unlock I use booth thumb and pointer finger and pull booth studs at the same time. Try it.
Click to expand...

I have always used my thumb and middle finger to open axis locks. I think I was just used to my mini-grips axis lock, and the amount of extra force it takes to get a grip on the lock might be what got my fingers aching. I did notice that if I used to hands to close it (index and thumb on lock, other hand to push in blade), I needed less force to close it. Of course, that takes away one of the main things I liked about the axis lock, being the super smooth one hand closing, without needing to put my fingers in the blade path at all.
 
Doc Pringles said:
Dude, you just blew my mind. :eek:
I have always wondered why the blade moved a bit when Axis depressed in closed position. Thanks.

The Axis “Stud” is flush with the scales. The whole point of this knife is THIN. The last thing Benchmade wanted was the Axis lock catching on stuff. The scales are flat. If the Axis studs protruded (as they do on most other models) this would cause a lot of snagging. The extra small Axis studs have less leverage and surface area to engage. So, it feels tight even when in perfect operating condition. The Axis studs do pinch my fingers.

To unlock I use booth thumb and pointer finger and pull booth studs at the same time. Try it.
Click to expand...

I do that and put my pointer finger on the back of the blade and put some pressure on it. So when you put down the Axis is snaps closed.
 
I just pull back on the lock with my thumb and forefinger and flick it closed with a flick of the wrist. Due to the nature of the detent, you do need to get used to when to let go of the lock though. :)
 
manowar669 said:
I put the pommel in my palm and pinch/pull back on both sides of the axis lock at the same time with thumb and forefinger.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I do, pinch the lock stud un both sides between thumb and forefinger. With a sligh flick of the wrist the blade flashes shut.

I love this knife. I took the clip off for pocket carry and it's hardly even there. It's a truly great light carry knife with a good amount of blade. The first time I picked one up in a shop I put it right back down as it seemed flimsy. I'm glad that I went back to look at it again as it is right there with my Skyline as two of the great knives for light EDC carry.

This is an easy BM to overlook but one that most anyone should consider.
 
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