• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Clash of the Titans!

You know, I'm new to the axis lock and I've heard nothing but how reliable and strong it is, and I don't doubt that at all. I do however find myself a little suspicious of it, for two reasons:

1) Unlike my lockbacks, framelocks, and better linerlocks the axis doesn't engage with a loud and reassuring "click" or even better, "thunk". The lock pin just kind of eases itself into place without announcing it to the world.

2) I'm no physicist, but I simply don't get why a modicum of pressure on the back of the blade doesn't just force the pin down and allow the blade to close. I know it takes something like two thousand pounds of pressure to make this happen, but I just don't understand why. As far as I can tell the difference between the pin engaging and disengaging is about two millimeters. I realize it just must be very finely tuned, but if the pin travelled further up the back of the tang I think I'd be more comfortable. Maybe if it did that it would also go "click!" and that would be good too.

Obviously I'm being tongue in cheek here. I love my HK-34 and trust it completely. However, that doesn't mean the backs of my fingers don't tingle when I put a lot of pressure on it.

I don't have a Manix, but I have to say I trust a lockback more for purely unscientific and empirically groundless reasons.
 
I had 2 Manixes, and sold them. I have a 710HS, which I carry and use often, and recently bought a backup after Benchmade discontinued the HS.

Both the Manix and 710 are excellent knives. The 710HS won out, however, because the Manix did not carry comfortably for me. Just too big in the pocket. If a knife is uncomfortable to carry, I don't carry it, and it doesn't get used. YMMV.

Here are some other thoughts:

Both locks are stronger than most of us will ever need. But there's more to lock performance than sheer strength -- there's also reliability. Lockbacks can fail as a result of junk getting into the lock recess. I don't think Axis locks are as vulnerable in this regard. So, I'd give the edge to the Axis on the lock.

The Manix has an ergonomic "finger choil." Some find this advantageous. Nonetheless, it results in a large folder with a cutting edge of only 3 and 1/4", according to the Spyderco site. The 710, with its slight recurve, has at least a 4" cutting edge.

I favor the M2 steel over S30V -- just a subjective impression after fairly extensive use of knives with both steels. I'd think the new D2 version of the 710 should hold its compared with S30V aside from corrosion resistance.
 
bk400 said:
I admitted an honest mistake and thought the moderator was a bit more brusque than necessary. Courtesy should run both ways.
Click to expand...

When it comes to people not following the rules of the Community Forum I am abrupt and I do not apologize. Like I said earlier...if you had read the announcement at the top of the Community Forum we wouldn't be having this conversation. It is there to help you. Most members don't take the time to read everything before they post. I move more threads out of Community than I care to admit all because some people are too friggin' lazy to read.
 
Sticking to the subject: I think I would trust the Axis lock over the lock back.

Getting off the subject: I trust the compression lock the most BY FAR. There is just something about looking at the spine of the knife and actually seeing a thick piece of metal firmly holding the tang. You can't see the lockback holding, and the Axis lock dosn't provide has much visual reassurance. I couldn't concieve of the compression lock getting fouled up by dirt and lint, and there are no little springs to break or wear out. When I open my Para and look at the open spine I KNOW that the blade is secure and my fingers are safe.
 
I just picked up a Manix the other day.Very solid and heavy duty knife.Love it.It is like my Chinook 1 brother.Reunited and it feels so good.
 
Neither..all locks need to be looked after. I mean they are strong, but if you're doing something that needs that much strength, keep an eye on the lock
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top