How do you open a knife with a Axis Lock?

L

lowtech#3

Joined
Nov 30, 2000
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21
I am looking at gettting one of the Benckmade 550's with the Axis lock. My question is do you have to work the lock to open the blade, just like you would to close it? If so why is there a thumb hole or stud?

Thanks
 
NO. To open the ignore the lock and use the thumb stud. To close the knife pull back on the lock then use whatever method you want to close the blade.
 
I agree with what DaveH said.

Also, people will tell you to pull the axis lock and fling it open. That may be OK here and there but I would not do it all the time. I think it will short live the axis lock if you fling it open hard all the time.

There is a way to fling it open and then let the lock go right before it hits the stop pin and it opens nice and soft. Same with closing it. If you can master this I don't think it has any effect on the life of the lock.

:D

Peace,
FoM
 
For starters it's best to just open the blade with the thumb studs. The AXIS knives will open very smoothly this way and will lock up instantly and securly. If you want to play around you can pull the AXIS lock back and flip the blade open, but you have to release the AXIS lock at the right time to catch and lock the blade. This simply takes practice, and you must be careful while learning. I've seen people try this and the knife goes flying across the room because they were using a poor grip. Some people got it, some don't. :)

To close: Again, when first handling an AXIS lock you will want to hold the blade in one hand and release the AXIS lock and fold it close while watching to make sure your fingers are clear of the closing blade. Just like closing any other folding knife. If you want to get more trickey you can pull back the AXIS lock and flip the knife close, but you must use extreme caution when learning to make sure you have a secure grip and have all your fingers clear of the closing blade. Visually check your grip before flipping it closed this way. With practice it will become second nature and you'll be able to flip the knife open and closed all day long without looking.

I flipped a BM710HSSR open and closed this way for about 4 years and had no ill effects. It locks up as solidly as the day I bought it. If anything the action is smoother than when it was new. AXIS knives seem to improve with age. :)
 
However you might need to clean and put a very ,small drop of high,quality lubricating,oil(Mil-Tech,Break-Free,Hoppe's Gun-oil ,etc)and work/smooth the action dozens of times-especially while doing something mindless like watching T.V.And of course be careful in keeping any fingers out of the way.For me :I open with the thumb studs and close simply by pulling back on the Axis lock buttons (blade edge down and the blade simply drops and closes nearly by weight/inertia of blade.Hope this helps. :)
 
Fisher of Men said:
I agree with what DaveH said.

Also, people will tell you to pull the axis lock and fling it open. That may be OK here and there but I would not do it all the time. I think it will short live the axis lock if you fling it open hard all the time.

There is a way to fling it open and then let the lock go right before it hits the stop pin and it opens nice and soft. Same with closing it. If you can master this I don't think it has any effect on the life of the lock.

:D

Peace,
FoM
Click to expand...

Then if it wears out, you have warrenty.
 
Fisher of Men said:
I agree with what DaveH said.

Also, people will tell you to pull the axis lock and fling it open. That may be OK here and there but I would not do it all the time. I think it will short live the axis lock if you fling it open hard all the time.

There is a way to fling it open and then let the lock go right before it hits the stop pin and it opens nice and soft. Same with closing it. If you can master this I don't think it has any effect on the life of the lock.

:D

Peace,
FoM
Click to expand...
I would also suggest that having the pivot screw adjusted so that this may be done easily may well leave you open to charges of having a "gravity knife." Remember, in the words of Jeff Cooper, "Paranoia is merely a heightened awareness of reality." :)
 
Just to make clear here: the Axis lock does not lock the knife shut, only open.
 
Actually, while the lock does not lock the blade shut, retracting the operating slides on the sides of the scales will inactivate whatever it is that holds the blade closed.
 
The AXIS lock doesn't lock the blade shut, but it holds it closed. If you release it the blade will fall open if the pivot is loose enough and properly lubed.
 
i opened it once by pulling the lock and that was the last time. it just doesnt fell right. i just open it with the thumb stud then turn the knife like 45degrees and pull the lock and then let it go and it is shut.

the axis lock is the best
 
When I open my BM710, I just hold it upside down and pull the axis lock back. This makes for an easy, smooth opening that doesn't hurt the lock.
 
My mini grip has a hole rather than a stud, (which I much prefer), and I can, after some practice, ease back the lock and with just the slightest flick open the blade and have it lock in place relatively gently. Closing is the same, pull back the lock, gently flick and it closes. Easy and fast. Just needs some practice. Having said that, I often open it with the hole too, almost as easy and fast.
 
Well, I'm a flipper. I hardly touch the thumb studs anymore.

Like everyone said, practice. Its nice to have something extra to do while you're here. :D
 
john.thomas. said:
When I open my BM710, I just hold it upside down and pull the axis lock back. This makes for an easy, smooth opening that doesn't hurt the lock.
Click to expand...
Just don't let an LEO ever see you doing that.
 
Oops! BM720, not BM710.

P.S. Fuller, I have opened in front of a cop before, and all he did was pull out out his BM722 and tell me "nice knife" :D

But of course, Florida has the best laws of any state regarding knives. Basically you can't have ballistic knives and that's it.
 
I wanted to thank everyone for there input, and to say that I like the axis lock for sure. I just received a RSK -1/551 and really like it.

Thanks
 
fast and hard is the way to go. either with thumb stud or w/ axis switch. typically at work i use thumb stud... when i'm feeling "saucy" it's all axis baby!
 
They are among the smoothest opening one handers from the various Axis models I've owned.
 
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