Crossbar (Axis) Lock Folders

I own plenty of knives with the Crossbar lock, and if I'm being honest, it's one of my favorite locks. Some of the best feeling examples I have though, shame none of 'em are Benchmades.

Some quick examples are:

- Kizer Drop Bear (this one, you can actually tune to your preference, very neat concept)
- Flytanium The BEEF
- Tactile Maverick
- Kershaw BelAir

Several others I'm forgetting to recall at the moment. I'm just glad more companies are using it.
 
Quiet said:
I own plenty of knives with the Crossbar lock, and if I'm being honest, it's one of my favorite locks. Some of the best feeling examples I have though, shame none of 'em are Benchmades.

Some quick examples are:

- Kizer Drop Bear (this one, you can actually tune to your preference, very neat concept)
- Flytanium The BEEF
- Tactile Maverick
- Kershaw BelAir

Several others I'm forgetting to recall at the moment. I'm just glad more companies are using it.
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The more I mess with the Mini Mystic, the more I am digging what Kizer is doing with the concept. I haven't felt the need to adjust it, but it tends to have a bit more "grab" when you open or close the blade one handed. It took me awhile to get used to it maybe not being as free spinning as one of my Adamas knives, but I think that has to do with how lightweight the Mini Mystic's blade is. I had to kind of give it a bit more snap and ride the lock a bit. Now, it feels pretty damn good.

I was given the knife for free to review, but honestly, it's really grown on me. It doesn't blow me away like some of the Kizers that crack the $100 mark do, but for sub-$80, I think what they are doing with their version of the Axis is pretty solid...but for those who care (I don't), it's not a contender for a Spine-Whack survivor. It slips it's lock pretty easily in that regard...but that is a silly test for an for a lightweight edc, anyway. Oddly enough, of all of the people who have had issues with their Mini Adamas slipping the lock due to a spine whack, I wasn't one of them. Solid lock up on all 4 of my Adamas samples.

So basically, the Kizer excels at really "grabbing" the blade and pulling it shut with a good feeling snap. The Benchmades probably have more rebound risk if you are whipping them open/closed, but the bar rides up higher on the tang and is a bit more secure. The Kizer wins on feel and office uss, but I remain an unapologetic Adamas Fanboi :P
 
Steely_Gunz said:
The more I mess with the Mini Mystic, the more I am digging what Kizer is doing with the concept. I haven't felt the need to adjust it, but it tends to have a bit more "grab" when you open or close the blade one handed. It took me awhile to get used to it maybe not being as free spinning as one of my Adamas knives, but I think that has to do with how lightweight the Mini Mystic's blade is. I had to kind of give it a bit more snap and ride the lock a bit. Now, it feels pretty damn good.

I was given the knife for free to review, but honestly, it's really grown on me. It doesn't blow me away like some of the Kizers that crack the $100 mark do, but for sub-$80, I think what they are doing with their version of the Axis is pretty solid...but for those who care (I don't), it's not a contender for a Spine-Whack survivor. It slips it's lock pretty easily in that regard...but that is a silly test for an for a lightweight edc, anyway. Oddly enough, of all of the people who have had issues with their Mini Adamas slipping the lock due to a spine whack, I wasn't one of them. Solid lock up on all 4 of my Adamas samples.

So basically, the Kizer excels at really "grabbing" the blade and pulling it shut with a good feeling snap. The Benchmades probably have more rebound risk if you are whipping them open/closed, but the bar rides up higher on the tang and is a bit more secure. The Kizer wins on feel and office uss, but I remain an unapologetic Adamas Fanboi :P
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I'm in the same boat with having zero issues with any of my Adamas knives, as we've discussed before*, and haven't had any issues with any other of the probably twenty or more Benchmades I've had over the years. But there's definitely something different with how Kizer is tuning theirs. This Drop Bear is my only example, but it's smooth AND snappy in way that none of my 940s have ever been, that being the closest in size and overall similarity to the Drop Bear, so I can say they're doing good things with their crossbar locks for sure.

I haven't carried any my Adamas' in a minute, might need to dig one out and do a more direct inhand comparison.




* Usually in threads with people taking one example they found someone ranting about online, and using it as a cudgel to claim the entire line is trash :rolleyes:
 
Still in love with the Adamas. Not sure if the Axis lock on it has beefier omega springs than other BM’s due to it being a bigger , heavier knife. But it works flawlessly and feels great. IMG_9910.jpeg
 
Quiet said:
Wow, that 791 Ranger Elite will be joining my collection for sure.
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I already have a "Notify Me When Available" request in. ETA sometime around the beginning of Summer according to Buck. Price around $220, which may sound pricey, but considering what other mfrs want for Magnacut knives, I don't think it's all that bad.
 
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Quiet said:
I own plenty of knives with the Crossbar lock, and if I'm being honest, it's one of my favorite locks. Some of the best feeling examples I have though, shame none of 'em are Benchmades.

Some quick examples are:

- Kizer Drop Bear (this one, you can actually tune to your preference, very neat concept)
- Flytanium The BEEF
- Tactile Maverick
- Kershaw BelAir

Several others I'm forgetting to recall at the moment. I'm just glad more companies are using it.
Click to expand...
I've have the Bel-Air in my pocket since its debut. Was initially skeptical of the alum handles, but the Magnacut holds and edge forever and has a nice fidget factor.
 
The Tactile Maverick is one of the best cross bar locks I’ve owned. This knife is one of my favorites. I’d put it in my top 3 “all time” knives!


The BelAir is similar to the Iridium. Both nice offer.


IMG_7867.jpeg
 
Ironbut said:
I already have a "Notify Me When Available" request in. ETA sometime around the beginning of Summer according to Buck. Price around $220, which may sound pricey, but considering what other mfrs want for Magnacut knives, I don't think it's all that bad.
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I mean, American made (from a company I really like and respect!) and looking entirely like a useful tool and not trying to lean into any "tactical" puffery, it's going to be great. And if I'm being honest, it's a lot nicer than the couple of knives Case (another American company I love) did. I forget which BLADE it was, Case did a run of Marillas in Magnacut, and it was right when MagnaCut had come out, and it was a SMKW exclusive, if I'm remembering right. It was the cheapest MC knife at the show! But it wasn't a great knife, admittedly. Anyway, off topic, as that knife didn't have a crossbar lock. LOL

But seriously, you and I both have that notification request in!
 
Knafs Lander 2 for me- clutch lock (made by Kizer IIRC). Never going back to liner locks now. Fast one handed opening and closing. Since I'm knife-lefthanded no fumbling with a liner lock made for a righty.

Am I unique with knife (and handwriting) left handedness? I shoot and throw right handed, however.
 
Has anyone given the Asher Nomad a test drive?
www.asherknives.com

The Asher Nomad

The Asher Nomad Drop Point and Wharnecliffe are two new versions of an old favorite. Dressed in milled aluminum with full steel liners, these versions are built for tough use everyday. The sharp S90V blade will provide a long lasting cutting edge, and the slim profile disappears in your pocket...
www.asherknives.com
 
My new Kizer Drop Bear has the best crossbar lock action I've tried yet, and I haven't even tried adjusting it yet, just left it in the stock location. The pivot action is awesome, but that one is on bearings, my others are on washers. After that, my Benchmade and Hogue knives with crossbar locks are about equal, as far as crossbar lock and pivot action. Though Hogue currently wins out because they offer higher quality materials for a lower price.
 

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I will also give an honorable mention to the Ozark Trail Wugout. I prefer everything about this design over the Bugout, the thicker handles, smoother and more protruding axis lock studs and thumb studs, the free swinging action, the colors. The full liners are stronger than a partial liner, but they are heavier, so that's one trade off I wouldn't have made. Like I said, I prefer this design over the Bugout, but I do question the durability, as the hardware is going to be lower quality overall. Still a knife worthy of the hype for $10 or less.IMG_20250125_095848479.jpg
 
Added a new small Crossbar Lock folder: WE Bougie Banter. It’s my first Crossbar folder from WE and it’s one of the best in Art Deco style. Scales are titanium and blade steel is S45VN. Dealer price is $219.00. My pictures beside my other favorite Crossbar folder: Benchmade 945 which has aluminum scales, S30V steel and a dealer price of $230.00.

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RamZar said:
Added a new small Crossbar Lock folder: WE Bougie Banter. It’s my first Crossbar folder from WE and it’s one of the best in Art Deco style. Scales are titanium and blade steel is S45VN. Dealer price is $219.00. My pictures beside my other favorite Crossbar folder: Benchmade 945 which has aluminum scales, S30V steel and a dealer price of $230.00.

h5IrL9T.jpeg
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weknife-bougie-banter-thumb-stud-crossbar-lock-knife-titanium-handle-291-cpm-s45vn-blade-we24009-2-378524_1024x.jpg
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Great size and specs -- thanks, Ram.
 
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