Clarification of AXIS lock in Benchmade Doug Ritter RSK Mk1

[thjk]

Hi,

I am new to folding knife and jut bought Dough Ritter RSK Mk1 with AXIS lock.
I do not sure about using of the AXIS lock and search this forum for a while.
Below is my understanding. If anyone can help me confirm or correct it, is should be very appreciated and helpful.

1. AXIS is mainly for locking not opening. Therefore, usually we open the RSK Mk1 by using our thumb push the knob on the blade for opening and while closing we use our thumb push thumbstud and close the blade.

At first, I understand that for AXIS system when I push the thumbstud, the
blade will swing open (at least on some degree) but that thinking is wrong, doesn't it? We will have to manually open the blade with our hand.

2. Someone open by pushing thumbstud and flicking their wrist to open and close but I think the method in 1. is standard.

3. The blade pivot tension is used to adjust the tension of the balde only.
such as if you want to use your wrist, you shoud loosen it more than
normal. Thefore, if we loosen too much, we may risk the blade falling ??

In conclusion, in order to use the RSK, I should open by using my thumb to
push the knob on the blade to open and use thumbstud to help closing the blade. With this concept, I adjust the blade pivot tension rather tight in order to make the blade secure when closed as much as possible.

Am I right about my thinking above?

Anyway, what shapener is most suitable for RSK?

Thanks in advance
JK

 

[krazichinaman]

You made a great choice on your folder! I have the mini Ritter grip and I'm loving it. The blade shape is amazing and the steel is awesome!

Now as far as your questions go, I will try to answer them how I see fit.

1) The axis lock is a lock. It is used to keep the knife in the open as well as the closed position. It allows the blade to be opend/closed in a smooth and efficient manor.

You can use the thumb stud to open it Ie pushing it upwards until the blade locks open. You can also do the infamous "wrist snap" but many people will tell you that it isn't good for the locking mechanism. I tend to do a "thumb flick" where you place the thumb right under the blade stud and flick my THUMB up to cause the blade to go towards the open position. It has much less power than the "wrist flip or snap" method.

3) You can tighten the the screw as much as you see fit. I personally like to keep it to where the blade is locked in open position, that when you disengage the axis, the blade will not fall on its own. You only need to give it a small nudge with ur wrist to close the knife on its own.

Others like the axis loose, but I dont recomend it because having it so lose can cause mis-openings.

Look on youtube and type in "benchmade" there are many videos that people have that show them using their axis lock. It will help explain what I have mention in my post. Also, look up "krazichinaman" on youtube, I have a video that I posted that shows the first method I talked about opening Ie using your tumb all the way to open the blade.


Finally, many people would suggest that you get some DMT products to help with sharpening our S30V. I personally use the sharpmaker system. I've had to resharpen mine several times but the lowest I went was with the stock medium rods. I have the diamond rods, but saw no reason to use them. I will tell you that it does take a bit longer to sharpen S30V compared to say 154CM.


When you decided to get adventureous with your ritter, check out the TOOL shed section and look for the thread "Waved BM 556 and Bm 558 "
I just waved my Ritter mini grip for fun!

Hope this helps you some
~Brian