Benchmade AXIS lock

A

alexhadj1

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
34
Hello there guys !!!

Any experience on axis lock mechanism, any problems you can refer or special notices(interested for BM Presidio 520). Any information is helpful !

Thank you !!!
 
Some people have had the Omega springs break. I haven't had any break in 5 years and I carry and use one everyday.

Other than that IMO it's the best lock you can buy.
 
I believe it is one of the safest locks out there and give it props for that. That being said every one I have ever handled has had very slight blade play side to side. Now it is barely there and only a snob like me would pick up on it but it is enough to bug me. I am not trying to be a hater and admit I love a lot of benchmade's designs, a bit pricy but nice knives.
 
After years of using mine (710 M2), I am reluctant to buy any other type.
Love the axis lock.

There are people that hate it, so its just a matter of preference.
 
I've used the Axis Lock on a few different models of Benchmades, and I like it a lot. Some have reported the omega springs will wear out and break. I haven't experienced that though, but my oldest Benchmade is only about a year old. That would probably be my biggest concern, as without the tension from the springs, the knife won't stay open or closed (free-swinging blade). Unfortunately, that's also one of the parts Benchmade doesn't ship out replacements for if they break, so if that does happen to you, you'll have to ship the knife back to their warranty department to fix.
 
The plus side of sending it in to replace springs is while its there they will replace the clip sharpen the blade and most likely install a new screw set all for free!!!!! It really is hard to beat that these days.
 
I have only had my axis-lock 707 for several week, so haven't really had it long enough to discuss reliability. I will say after the first couple days of using I really became a huge fan of the axis-lock. It made me wish I would have bought a Benchmade a long time ago. My knife does have a very small amount of blade play as mentioned in another post. It is very minimal, and only present if you apply force side to side at the tip of the blade. I'm sure I could tighten the pivot, but then you would loose the super smooth action of the axis-lock, which is the best part. My brother also has a griptilian that is the same way, although people claim to have no blade play. For me it is not a big deal, it would be great if it didn't have play, but I honestly think in order for the axis-lock to run as smooth as the do, the pivot just can't be to tight.
 
I admit I'm a Benchmade fan boy. Been carrying a Griptillian for the last 5 or so years. No problems. Had a 720 about 15 years ago that I wish they still made, but gave it to a friend. Never a problem with it either. I think the axis lock is the best you can buy.
 
520 is awesome! Buy one! But in all seriousness the springs in my 520 are still going strong after 6 years. I have 5 other axis knives and have not had any problems with the locks. Regarding the blade play it's just like any other knife that has a pivot. If you like a really easy free swinging blade than you will probably have a slight amount of play. I keep mine a little on the tight side just because I like to fully open the blade with my thumb on the stud. It is still very smooth and I can still flick it open really fast if I want, I just don't do it that way generally.
 
Brilliant design, one of the best ever. No problem with my 710 or Mini-Rukus after several years of extensive use.
 
My axis knives have no play. My old 710 did but I mailed it in and they fixed it. I think it needed a new stop pin.
 
My axis lock knives have no blade play and have never failed me with a broken spring or anything else. I would not hesitate to buy another.
 
It's a very well designed lock. Very smooth, solid, and reliable. The only problem I ever had with one is when I got alot of dirt in it. It was very hard to slide and the blade was locked closed until I cleaned it. But other than that no issues.
 
My 940 is about 12 years old and I've never had any problems with the lock nor spring.
 
My office EDC is a Benchmade Kulgera. I love the Axis lock. It hasn't been flawless, however. One of the Omega springs broke after about 3 years of use. The other Omega spring broke 3 weeks later. I sent it in to Benchmade and they replaced it within 2 weeks.
 
I have quite a few, carry BM every day, never had any issue whatsoever. Brilliant design.
 
Before the haters get in and tell you that the springs all break, I'll tell you that no one here has owned an Axis knife more than a few days longer than I have, and I've never had that one (still have my 1998? very early production 710) or any of the many others develop any problems. Great lock, lots of knives to choose from.
 
canook said:
520 is awesome! Buy one! But in all seriousness the springs in my 520 are still going strong after 6 years. I have 5 other axis knives and have not had any problems with the locks. Regarding the blade play it's just like any other knife that has a pivot. If you like a really easy free swinging blade than you will probably have a slight amount of play. I keep mine a little on the tight side just because I like to fully open the blade with my thumb on the stud. It is still very smooth and I can still flick it open really fast if I want, I just don't do it that way generally.
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I have very little experience, but I believe what he says about blade play to be true. Yes they can have some play (very very little in my knives case) but only when setup to allow the blade to swing open and closed freely via gravity. A slight twist of the pivot screw fixes that entirely on my 950, but then it requires a *slight* bit of inertia in order to flip it. It's really the same with any knife, its just that the lock itself makes it kind of fun to leave the pivot a tad loose.

The lock adjusts for wear over time too if I understand the design correctly.

One last thing. After polishing the pivot area and brass washers then applying a tiny bit of rem oil this is easily the smoothest opening knife I've ever come across. I've messed with a lot of knives too, and it's no exaggeration. This all coming from a Spyderco nut. It really is a great design.
 
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