deciding on new axis lock

H

HamAve

Joined
Jul 16, 2005
Messages
17
hi everyone;

im in the market for a new axis-lock from Benchmade and very recently during some welld deserved PTO i had the chance to play with a cs recon 1 folder with "ultra-lock". i felt it would be a good way to sample the axis er..um ultra-lock! i'd have to say the "ultra" lock felt odd. on numerous occassions or 90% of of time, as i tried to close the folder the lock bar would stick in the open position, thus requiring significant pressure to pull it backwards using both the index finger and the thumb simultaneously. if that didn't work i'd discreetly use a table edge to pussh it back (i hope they don't notice those dents). now of course i made sure i wasn't applying closing pressure on the blade itself as i pulled on the lockbar which would cause the lock bar to stick and i also did not flick the blade open.

i gotta ask the axis owners out there is it normal to have topull on both sides of the lock bar to disengage it, since BM is touts this ambidextrous feature of axis locks or do you think this is simply a instance where the axis hasn't been broken in yet or a poor execution?

i have my heart set on an BM 14205 with the axis lock for some time now and with its recent availability at my fav online shop i just gotta seal the deal with a blessing from Bforums :) any have this one yet?
 
i've noticed also that i have to pull on both sides of the lock bar to disengage the lock.
 
I use two fingers to disengage the blade of my Mini-Rukus, but one works, too. Seems more natural with two tho'.
 
The only BM I have with an axis lock is a 960, and I use it with one finger (one handed open and close) and have never had a problem with it. I wouldn't judge a BM based on a CS product.
 
My axis on the 710 is the easiest thing in the world. 1 fingered closing and opening is cake.
 
i have and a BM 705 and i have only ever used my thumb on one side to open and close....... i also say go for the bm
 
Using two fingers to open and close the the Axis lock will put even pressure on both Omega springs extending the serviceable life of the springs, you can use one button or both I've had my BM Ares since they first came out, carried it as EDC for 2 years straight and so long as you kept the spring and surrounding area dry and lubed I see no reason for failure.

I believe most broken spring issues were from rust, weakening/fatiguing the Omega spring or there was a batch of bad heat treated springs early on in their inception that were too brittle.
 
I bought a BM 940 a couple of weeks ago and had it one day before I noticed a chip in the blade. (perhaps from me flicking it closed).

I must have opened and closed that thing a couple hundred times in that first day. My finger tip got real sore, but not from difficulty opperating the lock. I just loved the nearly effortless action and I couldn't stop opening and closing it. The lock wasn't difficult, and I could operate the knife with just a very quick tug on it. I can't speak for the other knives, but I know for sure that the 940 blade is balanced perfect for the axis lock and it is fun to play with.

A quick tug on the lock, and a little flip of the wrist and it was closed. Another tug and little flip and it was open...fast. Or you could flip it a little harder and it would open without any finger action. You have to make sure you are gripping your knife with the clip or you are going to get a finger. All I can say is I love it, but I wanted to try a Spyderco with ZDP. If I can smoosh my wife, I'm certainly dropping another buck forty for a 940. It's just my opinion, but I believe this knife is a lot faster than an automatic. I could open it and close it about six times in five seconds. And that's pulling the lock each time. I tried a 960 for another day before I decided I was going with the Endura, and it didn't quite work as well. I think the longer 940 blade was just better for flipping the knife open and closed.

I don't know about the other knives, but the 940 I had my hands on was a feat of engineering, and that's not being sarcasstic.
 
everyone thank you for the great reply!

this has really solidified my choice in the axis-lock. by next week 14205 will be mine. frame-locks and lockbacks await their new axis sibling.

aw dammit...
i just realized fourth of july is next week and will most likely delay brown deliveries . oh well, at least its gonna be holiday pay for me:thumbup: .
 
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