1. One version of the two production versions ever made theoretically never needs cleaning.
2. I would like to see empirical evidence that indicates that the Ram is faster than an axis. When I hold back my axis lock and flip it open with my wrist it goes from closed to open faster than my eyes can determine. Also when I wedge my thumb between the thumb stud and snap it open it just becomes open. I dont see the Ram being any quicker.
Also this gentleman had a good point:
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4. But can YOU make a coil spring that will work in the Hawk in a pinch out of anything other than a replacement KAI coil spring? Im thinking of this in terms of an end of the world kind of scenario, or if the companies went out of business. I have heard of the guitar string trick and piano wire, and other springs being used to replace and subsequently function in an Axis knife.
5. Again, the Axis is identical on either side for either a left or right hand user. You can try to say that "symmetry" is somehow different than "ambidextrous" in this setting, but I would argue that its not. Surely a left handed user can get used to using a Hawk lock, but not necessarily is every left handed user "nearly ambidextrous" like you. They dont get to use their thumb on the Hawk lock like it appears to have been intended. At this point you are arguing semantics with me.
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7. To me it looks like the Hawk lock would have to be in the middle. But I am making this assumption based on the video where someone has taken it apart to show how its used. It appears that if it was moved any where else that it would function entirely differently from the Hawk on the Ram and Mudd.
I would also think that coil springs would outlast an omega spring, but Im no expert on springs. But I think the Axis still wins the longevity issue based on the fact that its so easy to come up with your own fix or replacement should one or both break.
It's true that only one version of the two never needs cleaning, but both will need cleaning less often, and the hawk-lock design is inherently advantageous to sealed designs, compared to the axis lock.
2: I'll be happy to provide that evidence. I own many axis locks and now have had three hawk locks. The MUDD is slower (but not by much) than an axis due to the friction of the seals on the pivot, but the RAM is much faster. And requires 0 wrist movement to achieve a superior speed. I will provide a video later this week that proves it. I understand your skepticism--the axis lock was the fastest manual out for the longest time and I was also blown away by the speed. But the RAM is just head and shoulders superior in terms of speed and action.
4: No, I can't, but then, I rather doubt you'd have guitar strings on you in the field either. Nonetheless, I'll concede this point--the axis lock, in two ways, is superior for impromptu fixes: there's a variety of things that can be converted into omega springs and you can jam a twig into the lock to make it fixed. And both without tools.
5: It's not an issue of semantics. All locks are just as easy to open left handed as right handed. The fact that a left handed person might be less ambidextrous than I am is of no concern because the average left handed person will still possess superior dexterity in their left hand--so if the quasi-ambidextrous me can open it easily in my left hand, surely the fully left handed would have no trouble.
It's not symmetrical, which I take to be an aesthetic point (and aesthetics count), but yes, left handed people have no more trouble opening and closing it than they would an axis lock.
7: I started this post before I received my MUDD, so some assumptions can be corrected here. In fact, the G&GH team can move the hawklock to an easier position and the lock's position on the MUDD is absolutely perfect for my hands. However, although it's slightly harder to reach (by an opponent) than the axis lock, its repositioning does make it available for an attacker . The RAM's positioning is inferior, but the lock is obscured by your fingers so it should be much safer.
Nonetheless, this tactical advantage, I concede, is minor--I suspect very few armed confrontations both end up in a clinch/struggle AND the opponent is knowledgeable/lucky enough to think to disengage the lock on your fingers.
I think your longevity arguments/field repair arguments are reasonable and the ultimate conclusion is just going to have to come from years of experience with both locks. You're certainly correct that field repair is easier on the axis, although it appears we agree (to some degree) that the hawk lock is less likely to need repair due to its debris-resistant nature and coil spring design.
Someone brought up strength comparisons earlier. While I think both are so strong as to be irrelevant, it's certainly a factor (probably the most obvious factor) in deciding which one is superior. I haven't made up my mind on which would be stronger yet. The axis is always placed against bilateral steel liners PLUS whatever the handle is made out of. The hawk is placed against a thin steel liner-like thing, but its supported on both sides by entire centimeters of aluminum handle.
They both seem like they'd be damn near invincible in straight up strength testing.
