How's the axis lock on the enlan el02?

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Boscov

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I was looking into getting a cheap large axis folder. This one looks the nicest and I can't find too much about the lock.
Has anyone tried it out?
 
It's not an Axis lock, because it is not a Benchmade. It's a copy of an Axis lock. Just wanted to clarify for you.
 
its not bad, nothing like the actual BM axis which is much smoother. but of the few ive tried (Ganzo G704, Enlan EL-02/02b, BM111 dive folder) its decent, it has a bit stronger spring I believe

Edit- I added some JB weld into the button areas of the axis style lock as it cut into my thumb and pointer finger quite a bit
 
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I have owned 2 SRM 763s (one of their few original designs!) that has an axis lock on it. Its fine, but the spring that holds the lock bar rusts easy (given though it was during some humps, and also was thrown with me into the ocean). I like this knife for the little handy cutter that it is, however if there's one thing I do not trust it's a knockoff axis lock. I give this knife no hard use, its simply a very cutty tool to cut with and it does that well.
 
I've got an EL02B. I think the handles are the only difference between the two (G10 vs. micarta). The lock spring is very stiff and difficult to operate with one finger. I find myself having to use two fingers (thumb and index) to pinch and pull the lock down to overcome the stiff spring.

As for lock strength, it seems to be fine. I haven't used the knife much for actual EDC, but I did try a spine whack test against an old piece of 2x4 when I got it. It made good dents in the wood (maybe 2-3mm deep), and the lock didn't fail. I didn't have my safety gloves with me at the time, so that was as hard as I was willing to try then.
 
flarp said:
I've got an EL02B. I think the handles are the only difference between the two (G10 vs. micarta). The lock spring is very stiff and difficult to operate with one finger. I find myself having to use two fingers (thumb and index) to pinch and pull the lock down to overcome the stiff spring.
Click to expand...

the EL-02 also has a satin blade finish, 02b has stonewashed or at least my pair is set this way
 
The lock works great and is very solid. But, as was mentioned above, the spring is very strong and requires much more effort to release it. I've been using the ones I have fairly often, and they're still as stiff as the day I got them. The locks are cut pretty sharp though, and after a while my fingertips got sore. I just used some 320 grit sandpaper to round off the sharp edges a bit. Still stiff though.
 
Boscov said:
I was looking into getting a cheap large axis folder. This one looks the nicest and I can't find too much about the lock.
Has anyone tried it out?
Click to expand...

Like Rev said, it is just a copy, and as such, it works but not as well as a real Axis. I picked one up to check it out and though it's acceptable, I probably would have been better off putting the money i spent on it toward a Large Griptilian.
 
jbmonkey said:
It works.
Click to expand...
It does work! But my finders are sore! maybe I will get some serious callouses from opening/closing it. I am really impressed with how robust this knife is. Reminds my of those hk benchmade axis knifes where the hanfle was half rubber and half aluminum. I used to have one of those. Anyways, I got 2 of them on "the bay" for $25 and they were sold by a california shipper. Cool knife for $12.50
 
It comes with very sharp edges on the axis lock buttons that will tear up your fingers. I had to dremel it down to make it smoother.
 
I have a SRM 763(or 764, can't remember the aluminum model) and it is buttery smooth like an axis BUT there is one massive difference. The springs are nearly twice as strong as a new axis lock, making it rather hard to disengage with one hand. It would not be a terrible idea to take it apart and remove one of the springs to make it closer to an axis lock (then you also have a backup spring in case of failure).

The knife is also pretty hard to flick open, a combo of both stiff springs and zero stud purchase. It snaps closed a little worryingly hard (can definitely bite the inattentive user). I love the hell out of that knife for the paltry $15 I paid for it, though. Steel works better than any 8Cr I have used before.
 
Pardon my late response jac but I gather from no responses to your question...that no one has broken the springs on their Axis Locks by Enlan or Ganzo.I own an Enlan EL-02 and picture the Axis Lock(from either manufacturer) overall as nothing more than being an equivalent to a full-spanning lockback but comfortable/one-handed in it's function.I've bumped my blade spine in hard cutting and it didn't fail though...but wouldn't split wood with it,it's not a real fixed blade.I've handled a 940 Osborne by Benchmade and I think people try to be very hush-hush about the spring tension of Enlan's design on the theory of if Enlan's design improves the rigidness of the lock-up action against Benchmade's design.Also because Enlan's tension setting makes it less smooth for people to flip the blade like a gravity knife.

Call it a fake axis lock or whatever but in that regard...let's dig up the first liner locking modern knife ever made and pit it against what's been put out there.I'm sure you'll see better liner locks that top the first one ever put on a knife.People don't like to see themselves spend $180 on an Axis Lock knife by Benchmade and then a $20 imported knife bearing good quality and a competitively similar design burns their money right in their face.It starts controversy.
 
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