Can We Get Axis Locks On Everything Please?

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BigWillie

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I want a PM2 with an axis lock

I'm sure many of you have knives you would prefer in axis.

It's time to start asking manufacturers why they're giving us sub par locks when we could have much better engineered ones on many models.

Why would I want a compression, liner, or frame lock over an axis lock? Just look at the lock ups, they're not strong. All the testing I've ever seen backs that up too. Not that again it isn't obvious to every maker and me before any testing.

Here is a test from blade HQ on Spyderco knives at an attempt for consistency -

The CBBL is nice but you're not fitting that thing into most knife profiles. An axis like lock is much more adaptable to various profiles. Same with the bolt action, not gonna fit in nearly as many knives because it requires more specific positioning in the handle. .

Long story short. The lock up on your knife probably sucks if it has no springs involved. And you should be wondering why your favorite knife isn't offered with an axis lock or something based on similar principles.

Pride? Marketing? It's definitely not about giving the consumer the best product. It's not 1990. I want a proper lock up

I'm staring straight at the PM2. What knife would you like to see in an axis lock? And if for whatever reason you don't want a superior lock to the one you have? Share that too

Let the makers know what we want. And for me anyway. It's not outdated locks with no lock up strength


edit - ohhhh i can edit after it's locked

I'm sure this will come up again. We'll discuss this next year
 
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No thanks. About half of the axis locks I’ve handled had blade play, and the axis lock kinda sucks for flippers.

I’ll take a button, frame, liner, back, RAM, compression, or CBB lock over an axis lock every day of the week. Also, the inherent capacity for omega spring failure is a big strike against them.

Cool that you like them, though.
 
Any lock on the market today is more than adequate for day to day use as long as it's executed properly. While the axis lock is nice, I sure wouldn't want it on every knife I own. There's many reasons manufacturers use different locks such as cost, ease of manufacturing, what the design will allow/work best with, etc. Any of the locks you mentioned there are plenty strong. If you want the strongest lock, why not put a Triad lock or Deadbolt lock in everything?
 
Comeuppance said:
No thanks. About half of the axis locks I’ve handled had blade play, and the axis lock kinda sucks for flippers.

I’ll take a button, frame, liner, back, RAM, compression, or CBB lock over an axis lock every day of the week. Also, the inherent capacity for omega spring failure is a big strike against them.

Cool that you like them, though.
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I hear this argument all the time

Thats just bad tolerances from the maker

Not a flaw in the axis lock. Blade play lol

Yea if you've worn away the stainless steel you will get blade play. Just like if you wear away any part of any lock you'll get blade play.

CBB, bolt action, axis lock. All same thing

It's a spring and a much more robust piece of metal used as the the weakest point relative to a tab.

Saying you like CBB but don't like axis is insanity, lol
 
I'll stick with the tried and true locks I have already. Nothing wrong with an axis style lock, but it's not for everyone and is not the end-all of lock evolution.

But hey, if you want to start some online petition to outlaw other lock types because it's safer for the children or whatever, you go right ahead.
 
unwisefool said:
What exactly are you doing that a good frame lock it backlock won't work for you?
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It's more about what I'm willing to do with it and general principle

I don't want to think about how my knife might fail if *knock on wood* ever have to use it to cut flesh. Or any other hard use task that I may at the spur of the moment need.

If there was some huge cost to the extra strength of the axis or other spring based locks. I could imagine saying "nah i'll pass"

But there is no cost it's almost all benefit in my eyes. Beyond the RnD/trial and error by the makers that would be required to get a perfect spring based lock for this or that profile.
 
Buck 110 and 112 locks have worked fine for me for over thirty years. The Mercator locks up enough for me. Even the Opinel leaves me feeling plenty secure. And then there are all the slipjoints I have used since my first SAK in 1976.

To be fair, I've never even seen an axis lock in person, let alone handled one, so what do I know? But I'm old. I still prefer revolvers.

Zieg
 
BigWillie said:
I'm sure many of you have knives you would prefer in axis.

Why would I want a compression, liner, or frame lock over an axis lock? Just look at the lock ups, they're not strong. All the testing I've ever seen backs that up too. Not that again it isn't obvious to every maker and me before any testing.
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Welcome. Glad you like Axis locks.

I do not prefer ANY folding knife I have to have an Axis lock. So you swung and missed on that one.

Its always a bad idea to kick the door open and barge into a place and tell everyone in it what you think they think.

Why would you want another lock? Because they work. Despite what is "obvious" to you.

Its always a bad idea, also, to tell knife makers that what you think is right and what they think is wrong. I'm going to go out on a limb and say, for example, Sal Glesser knows more about knives than you do. He sure knows more than I do!

Glad you like them, glad you think they are obviously better, etc etc etc.

But none of us individually drives the choices of the knife industry.
 
unwisefool said:
I'll stick with the tried and true locks I have already. Nothing wrong with an axis style lock, but it's not for everyone and is not the end-all of lock evolution.
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I don't know about the end

But spring based locks are objectively superior in just about every way to the alternatives.
 
BigWillie said:
I hear this argument all the time

Thats just bad tolerances from the maker

Not a flaw in the axis lock. Blade play lol

Yea if you've worn away the stainless steel you will get blade play. Just like if you wear away any part of any lock you'll get blade play.

CBB, bolt action, axis lock. All same thing

It's a spring and a much more robust piece of metal used as the the weakest point relative to a tab.

Saying you like CBB but don't like axis is insanity, lol
Click to expand...

The BB lock is NOTHING like the Axis lock. The knives with Axis lock develop up/down blade play, if not out of the box. The BB lock is solid and you can't get any blade movement, even if you try and muscle it. Dual omega spring breakage vs a single unbreakable coil spring. To each their own, but no thanks to the Axis locks on all my folders.
 
marcinek said:
1) Cutting flesh isn't "hard use." It cuts easily.
2) If there was only some kind of knife that didn't fold.....
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Not being a surgeno and 200 pounds if i try it I think that i might hit more than flesh

lol

Seriously why are we discussing this. Obvious why you want a strong lock up. If you wanna discuss the finer points of fileting a man take it somewhere else
 
91bravo said:
The BB lock is NOTHING like the Axis lock. The knives with Axis lock develop up/down blade play, if not out of the box. The BB lock is solid and you can't get any blade movement, even if you try and muscle it. Dual omega spring breakage vs a single unbreakable coil spring. To each their own, but no thanks to the Axis locks on all my folders.
Click to expand...

yes it is

It trades adaptability on frame for better durability and long term lock up.

It's not the same in a vacuum.

It's still the same relative to a liner, compression, and frame lock

Again, relative

They're teh same. If the CBBL was as adaptable as the axis lock. There would already be a PM2 with a CBBL and this would not be a discussion. Or Bar lock

They are fine locks, but they have the big flaw of again not being as nearly as adaptable to this or that profile* as an axis lock.
 
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