Benchmade 530 Pardue Axis Lock Jamming

G

GreatSyxsuke

Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
69
I picked up a 530 today and am very happy about my purchase except for one thing: I have found that if I flip it open via the Axis Lock like I do with my 551 Grip, 9 times out of 10 it gets stuck and I have to pull harder than usual to release it. If I use the studs and slowly open, this nevers happens. Did I get a lemon or does the lock just need time to break in?
 
I recently bought a 531 and when I flicked it open real hard the axis lock would stick also. It has became less sticky with use.
 
That isn't unusual with newer AXIS locks (and many other locking types which show that same trait). Even when not new, if one flicks the knife open super hard, the amount of force generated/applied is different than an opening using less force. The final position of the AXIS bar is going to travel ever so slightly further forwards upon lockup and it is going to require more force to disengage the lock. (Like with most locking systems, the latter method of super forcefully flicking is not advised for frequent usage given it can result in accelerated wear and, in some rarer cases, damage.)

You can put graphite on the contact areas, or a good fluoropolymer grease to help it along the way.
 
I wasn't even flicking it that hard, just disengaging the Axis and giving a slight wrist movement to open it fully. My Griptillian never did this so I wasn't sure that it was normal. Thank you both for your responses. I probably won't flick it much anyways since the thumbstuds aren't too difficult to use as openers for me.
 
New it's pretty standard to get the little bit of stick. I figured you weren't flicking it hard-hard but noted just to be positive. It has to be a flick more on the scale of almost being violent to be a problem...and I mean like hammer dropping that thing with the full wrist action causing it to open so fast the blade bounces off of the stop pin before the actual locking mechanism can lock.

Just rubbing a pencil on the top of the blade where contact is made with the AXIS bar should make operation a little more smoother (plus you don't have to buy anything!)
 
Squirt some Break-Free CLP on it. Will help smooth it out and provides excellent corrosion prevention, especially in those hard to reach places.
 
Same thing here with new Benchmades, it breaks in over time and goes away. I flick all my axis locks, never even use the studs no issues.
 
As everyone has already said, this happens. I have about 50% of mine do it and it doesn't do it anymore after about a week of use.
 
It's been a few days now and the jamming has stopped completely. Thanks for the responses, I appreciate your comments.
 
Let's get some pictures of the guts.
All my axis locks have taken some playing around to break in though. It's nice to have an excuse to play around :)
 
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