I keep looking at axis locks....but....

L

Lavan

Joined
Nov 8, 2000
Messages
2,301
all I see is a place for sticks, pebbles, sand, and stuff to enter and gum up the works. Is that crazy?

:confused:

I still like one hand open with holes, studs or discs and a liner or back lock.

But, then I like buttermilk too.

:)
 
Yes its crazy. If you have all kinds of junk in your pockets then keep the knife in a nylon belt sheath or in a sheath in your pocket.

By the way, do you add Ovaltine to your buttermilk? Gives it that buttery smooth chocolate taste with lots of minerals and vitamins.

Here is a gentle link to get your feet wet with axis locks. This knife doesn't have that scary black color and it even has an itty-bitty blade to cut up sandwiches to eat with your buttermilk (or limes to put in the Corona bottles which is what I use it for). And it has one-hand opening which doesn't have anything to do with axis locks.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=921
 
I don't think an Axis Lock is any more or less vulnerable to pocket debris than any other design. But the Axis-Lock is open on the back and the mechanism is clearly visible, so it might be easier to clean than other locks.

Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
As much as I love my 420 Resistor the lock does get lint and dust and grit in it. I blast it out with compressed air from time to time though. My real fear is getting that area wet where the springs start to rust. I hate how hard it is to dry out that inside and since the warrnanty specifically prohibits taking the knife apart the only way to really dry it is with a blow dryer or air compressor.

If there is a weakness inherent in the axis lock it would most likely be the springs for the buttons breaking from severe cold or too much marine use around the ocean. I wonder how well they hold up near salt water but have not read of any reports of failures. (yet)
 
It needs the occasional cleaning, but the bar itself pushes debris away from the lock surfaces. Dust and dirt and mud don't seem to cause problems, but lint might. I'd characterize it as less vunerable than liner/integral locks, and much less vunerable than lockbacks. But if it's an issue, why use a folder anyways?
 
I've been using Axis Locks for 4 or 5 years now. I never had one jam up and not function because of dirt, lint, etc. The lock is supposed to be self cleaning. I have gotten sand into one of my axis locks and it made the action gritty and it didn't sound that great, but it still worked properly. When I clean them I run them under hot water, work the action a little, and use some soap and a tooth brush if needed to scrub around it. The hot water will help heat things up so it will dry out faster. Then I blow it out with some compressed air, hair dryer, or whatever. I keep mine well lubed and I never had any problems from rust or anything else.
 
My 710HS was loaded with plaster and concrete grit after a remodeling project. The knife looked like hell and the action was very rough to say the least. It still locked up fine though, even will all that junk in the lock. To clean I just blasted the action with CLP, wiped the excess off with rag and that was it. That was almost 3 years ago and the knife is still fine. I use it all the time.
 
I've found that there IS a slight tendency for fuzz and such to get in the axis lock, BUT...never enough to interfere with it's function.

That being said, I'm not a big fan of Axis locks. Not entirely sure why, they worked really well for me. Maybe I found it scary on some level. "Oh no! a knife lock that does what it's supposed to! my perfect knife search might be nearing an end! Must make Axis lock go away!":o
 
Runs With Scissors said:
That being said, I'm not a big fan of Axis locks. Not entirely sure why, they worked really well for me. Maybe I found it scary on some level. "Oh no! a knife lock that does what it's supposed to! my perfect knife search might be nearing an end! Must make Axis lock go away!":o
Click to expand...

Interesting logic there. :) Although you have a point. I keep buying knives, but they keep going on my drawer and the AXIS locks stay in my pocket as my EDC. It works so well and is so practical it's hard to pick another knife. Another plus is I don't mind using and beating on my Axis knives since most of them aren't that pretty to look at, and feel like they can handle hard use.
 
I've been carrying a folder for years, mostly lockback Bucks. Every once in a great while pocket lint would build up in the locking notch, particularly after I had oiled the hinge, and I wouldn't get that nice click when the knife locks up, however it would still lock. I think I've had one instance where lint prevented the knife from locking.

I've been carrying a Mini-Grip for about two years and it has never failed to lock. It is very easy to see and remove any lint in the mechanism. I simply open the knife halfway. If there is any lint, I blow through the back of the knife to remove it. Works every time.

U
 
sticks and pebbles?:confused:
listen.. why your trying to talk yourself into not liking one of the greatest thing to ever happen to pocket folders???
 
No Problems here either.

If mine gets dirty, i rinse with hot water and dry it out and all is well again.

I have diassembled my 710 alot, been hand polishing parts an crap, theres not a lick of rust on the springs on mine just FYI.

WR
 
I think WadeF summed it up pretty well. The Axis lock works. No locking system is perfect, but I just don't see the Axis lock being associated in any major way with "problems" here. And--as you well know--if there will be probs.--you'll hear it here first.:cool:
 
I have witnessed and used an axis lock blade that had jammed badly due to grit in the mechanics. You need not have rocks :rolleyes: in your pockets for this to happen but merely use it in dirty conditions or drop it in sand or similar.

It is the achilles heal of the axis lock (too many moving parts) and thus I will never own one. Liner locks have worked for me for 20 years with no failures ever with dirt, blood and sand caked in it

That said, if you dont hard use it and it sits in your pocket you need not worry about it.

Skam
 
Seriously, if you plan on using your knife in a muddy, sandy, etc., environment, get a fixed blade.

The Axis lock is a great design--I own several Benchmades with the Axis lock, but I'm not about to drop one into a mud pit, either. For all the things I've needed to use my knives for, including food prep, cutting cardboard and all the myriad chores most people use knives for, they are more than adequate.

I do own other designs such as liner locks, slip joints and lock backs. They all get carry time, but I still like the Axis locks the best.
 
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