Does the term "Axis" as in "Axis Lock" bear negative connotations for you?

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FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
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Perhaps it is just a generational thing, but I was born in 1942 and raised in the aftermath of World War II. Whenever I see the term "Axis" capitalized as it is when used with BenchMade's "Axis Lock" system, it brings to mind the WWII Axis Powers, Germany, Italy, and Japan. These were the guys that we fought and beat. I don't know if I am odd this way or not or if it really is something generational, but it definitely does exist where I am concerned. I do not hold this against BenchMade, I own four or five BM knives, all of which use the Axis Lock and I think that it is certainly one of the better systems out there. It is only the name that initially disconcerts me.
 
my washer & dryer are the bosch "axxis series"
it feels a bit odd at 1st, but it doesnt bother me now.
if it were called the zyklon b or vichy france washer and dryer / lock,
it would bother me .
 
chucklehead said:
if it were called the zyklon b or vichy france washer and dryer / lock,
it would bother me .
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LOL, I was thinking the same thing.
 
FullerH said:
Perhaps it is just a generational thing, but I was born in 1942 and raised in the aftermath of World War II. Whenever I see the term "Axis" capitalized as it is when used with BenchMade's "Axis Lock" system, it brings to mind the WWII Axis Powers, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
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There were not "Axis powers" during WWII any more than there is an "Axis of evil" today. These are simply terms coined by US progagandists to demonize their opponents (who, at times, did not need much demonization anyway - being pretty repugnant in reality) and stir up militaristic/patriotic frenzy (remember Orwell's "1984" and the "minute of hate"?). Propaganda is probably an inevitable side-effect of any war, but I think that thinking people should not give up perfectly legitimate words to propagandists. In fact, I think we should RECLAIM such perfectly good words as "comrade", "fellow-traveller", "holocaust" and even "brother", "mullah" or "heretic" as none of them carry any negative connotation by themselves.

Long live the AXIS! ;)
 
While I don't own an axis lock, I never associated them with the Axis Powers or Nazism. It's a common English word. I never thought of Nazis during Geometry class.
 
"Does the term "Axis" as in "Axis Lock" bear negative connotations for you?"

Yes, it does, ... in a reverse, double PC sort of way. On the other hand, I guess it doesn't bear negative connotations. I own three of them.

But keep in mind I still call "freedom fries" by the old term of "french fries".
 
tnozh, The european "power axis" was not an American propaganda invention. It was an idea that Mussolini capitalized on to associate his fascist state with the rising power of Germany. He wanted to be known as part of the new order that would control Europe. Roosevelt found it a convenient term to cover the GIP alliance. It avoids having to rank the members and it reflects the difficulties in dealing with them as a group.
http://www.janda.org/politxts/State of Union Addresses/2001-2004 Bush/AxisofEvil.htm

I don't associate Axis by itself with Nazism or Fascism.
 
Nope. I own a Krupps coffee maker. I didn't know about their involvement in the Nazi war effort until after I'd purchased it. That was a different time. It would be different if I found out that my dollars were supporting something that I vehemently opposed.

My new Benchmade 520 Presidio is now my favorite EDC. The best part is the Axis Lock :D . This is the smartest thing I've seen in a long time. I want more knives with this locking mechanism. I just wish I could work it like WadeF :D :cool:.
 
No offense , but I think that is plain silly.
It is only the name that initially disconcerts me
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The Earth has an axis as does anything else that is round , axis is just a word.
To copy a previous poster , if BM had a "Benchmade Communist" or a "Benchmade Gestapo" , then I might raise an eyebrow. :)
Sounds like you've got the PC flu , drink some OJ and listen to some Michael Savage , you'll be right as rain in no time.
 
Just an interesting note. I understand why you might find 'axis' to give you a mental second thought.

The swastika is widely known because of it's use by the Nazis. With my Baptist youth group I visited the Jewish Temple in Atlanta, Georgia years ago and noticed the carvings along the wall. There were swastikas among them. I asked the Rabbi what they were doing on the wall and he explained that they were symbols of power dating back over 3000 years and that the temple here had been built before WWI. So the use of a symbol or word like 'axis' when associated with totally negative things, like nazis, can change the original meaning if we fail to learn the 'history' of things.

The Original Meaning

The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix.

Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck.

Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations. For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II.

There's lots of info on the net if you do a search.
 
Jeff Clark said:
tnozh, The european "power axis" was not an American propaganda invention. It was an idea that Mussolini capitalized on to associate his fascist state with the rising power of Germany
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Neat! I really did not know that. Well then - I suppose Mussolini just got what he deserved when the term was taken-up by US propagandists. Anyway - thanks for the info!

I guess I got influenced by what happended to the "Warsaw Pact". As I kid, I really used to believe that this is what it was called until I met a Polish diplomat who corrected me and said that it should be called "Warsaw Treaty" and that nobody speaks of the "North Atlantic Pact". I must say I felt rather silly. I still do today :footinmou

Again - thanks for correcting me and for the interesting link!

TN

PS: was not Hitler the first politician to seak of a New World Order?
 
Look up axis in a dictionary and you'll see Benchmade probably named their lock after what the word "axis" more commonly represents. When I hear the word axis, I think of math class.
 
ax·is
n. pl. ax·es

1. A straight line about which a body or geometric object rotates or may be conceived to rotate.
2. Mathematics.
2a. An unlimited line, half-line, or line segment serving to orient a space or a geometric object, especially a line about which the object is symmetric.
2b. A reference line from which distances or angles are measured in a coordinate system.
3. A center line to which parts of a structure or body may be referred.
4. An imaginary line to which elements of a work of art, such as a picture, are referred for measurement or symmetry.
5. Anatomy.
5a. The second cervical vertebra on which the head turns.
5b. Any of various central structures, such as the spinal column, or standard abstract lines used as a positional referent.
6. Botany. The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged.
7. One of three mutually perpendicular lines that define the orientation of an aircraft, with one being along its direction of travel and the other two being perpendicular to the direction of travel.
8. A line through the optical center of a lens that is perpendicular to both its surfaces.
9. One of three or four imaginary lines used to define the faces of a crystal and the position of its atoms.
10.
10a. An alliance of powers, such as nations, to promote mutual interests and policies.
10b. Axis The alliance of Germany and Italy in 1936, later including Japan and other nations, that opposed the Allies in World War II.

10th one down, nope no negative connotations at all. Don't be silly.
 
No, the "axis" thing never crossed my mind, and for good reason, it's silly.

Interesting bits on the swastica, if anyone's interested. Aside from being a common Roman symbol, it was also used by Native Americans, often with the arms' directions reversed. In New Mexico there was the Swastica Coal Company and the associated town of Swastica, New Mexico. During WWII they changed the name of the town to New Brilliant ('old' Brilliant was an abandoned coal town nearby). The historic Swastica Hotel in Raton, New Mexico is now a bank, and the swastica symbols still adorn the upper building.

-Bob
 
Darn commie knives :(.

No, I do not associate axis lock with the three countries that were obsessed with taking over the world 60 years ago.
 
Lately, when I hear "axis", it's usually from this Russian girl I work with who oddly speaks like a redneck. Instead of saying "ask", she says "axe" (and also calles carbonated beverages "soderrrrs"). Thus, half the time she opens her mouth and "axis" me a question, I get images of Griptillians and 710s in my head.

I never think of Nazis though. The fact that this girl is Russian is purely incedental.

The only knife that has a negative connotation in my brain is the Lone Wolf brand. Nothing against these knives, but if you hang out in W&C, you'd know what I'm talking about.
 
Planterz said:
[...] The only knife that has a negative connotation in my brain is the Lone Wolf brand. Nothing against these knives, but if you hang out in W&C, you'd know what I'm talking about.
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Yep I know exactly what you mean there (...and I haven't even been here that long). :mad: :p
 
W&C is Whine and Cheese. Basically a free-for-all section of the site to be nutty in. Lone Wolf is the name of a rather interesting young fellow that posted there often.

Re: Axis lock. I'm an engineer, so when I hear "Axis" I think of a line in 3-dimensional space, around which contents are oriented radially.
 
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