If the Axis is the best locking mechanism

[jlh2600]

Seems that the axis is the consensus choice for best locking mechanism. Why then doesnt BM put them on some of their more expensive folding knives? The Skirmish series has really caught my eye. Love the shape of the huge blades, s30v quality, and very slick designs with the holes along the spine and clean titanium handles.

But why, if BM has the best locking mehcanism in the axis, would they use anything less in knives over $200.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Probably because there is no "best" locking mechanism, no matter what you feel the consensus may be.

There are good locks and better locks, well-made locks and poorly-made locks. That Benchmade has the axis available but chooses to use a framelock should suggest that the framelock has advantages, as well.

And however effective the axis lock is, there will always be people who prefer something else.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Dang, it sucks when the very first reply nails the right answer

 

[Death's Head]

Yup, in so little words, he's got it right on the money. For example, I prefer the simplicity of a frame-lock to an Axis lock. Nothing like a knife with thick slabs of titanium.

 

[MrPres]

Yep, not to beat a dead horse, but a well made lock is a well made lock, whatever kind it is.

 

[jlh2600]

There are good locks and better locks...

I too believe this to be true.

That Benchmade has the axis available but chooses to use a framelock should suggest that the framelock has advantages, as well.

Then it sounds like there might be a reasonable explanation. So I'll ask: [robot]What are said advantages of the framelock over the axis?[/robot]

And however effective the axis lock is, there will always be people who prefer something else.

So in general, and only as a matter of personal opinion of course, which do you prefer?

Thanks all.

EDIT: weird, no robot feature on this site?

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Speaking for myself, not as a general principle, I prefer the framelock and the lockback, for their simplicity and cleanliness. I am less comfortable with locks made of small parts that collect dirt. I also like locks that tend to be stiff and difficult to manipulate, as being safer than locks that will release easily, and possibly accidentally.

I am also very comfortable with slipjoints and fixed blades, which require in their own separate ways a measure of consciousness in using them that some locks pretend to circumvent.

---

WHAT is a robot feature?

 

[jlh2600]

EDIT. answered. thanks.

 

[Redguy]

So I'll ask: [robot]What are said advantages of the framelock over the axis?[/robot]


So in general, and only as a matter of personal opinion of course, which do you prefer?

1. Easier to keep it clean.

2. There are no possibility of omega spring breaking.

3. Simplicity, no small parts.

 

[Artfully Martial]

Well, I think we're overlooking the obvious reason: titanium framelocks are like a whole genre of knives. Almost everybody makes at least one...and a huge number of customs are titanium framelocks. There's just something about them.

The people who are in the market for a titanium framelock are not the same people who are in the market for an axis based knife.

 

[Laceration]

But why, if BM has the best locking mehcanism in the axis, would they use anything less in knives over $200.

Because Les De Asis hates you and wants to have his fancy pants high end buyers lop off their fingers. It's true. He says it on his Myspace page.

 

[dantzk8]

Dang, it sucks when the very first reply nails the right answer

Esav is a thread killer and should be banned.

dantzk.

 

[T.K.C.]

YOU may feel that the Axis lock IS the best locking mechanism, but for ME, I prefer framelocks. To each his her own. Don't get me wrong, as I DO like the Axis lock a whole lot, as well as Spyderco's ball bearing lock (Which I happen to think IS smoother than the Axis lock).

 

[oldrifleman]

I love the Axis lock, in fact it is on both of my carry knives. I do however have my first framelock on the way (Hinderer XM-18)(soon I hope) and may change at least part of my opinion. Steven

 

[biogon]

Dang, it sucks when the very first reply nails the right answer

What do you expect? It's Sir Benyamin!

XD

-j

 

[Joe Talmadge]

BTW, regarding the Skirmish in particular ... a possible reason for the framelock is that it is a collaboration with a custom maker, and it's a smart practice not to muck too much with the maker's vision. It could be that Blackwood is who specified framelock for this knife.

Joe

 

[biogon]

BTW, regarding the Skirmish in particular ... a possible reason for the framelock is that it is a collaboration with a custom maker, and it's a smart practice not to muck too much with the maker's vision. It could be that Blackwood is who specified framelock for this knife.

Joe

Joe,

Yes, very much so.

But in addition to that, I'd guess that routing the clearance channels for the omega springs in titanium is... unpleasant (viz the pricing on the 940-01Ti). I suppose they could've made the Skirmish in steel+overlay construction, but that would totally ruin it, I'd think.

Another possibility is that there wasn't enough cleararance in the design between the pivot and the position of the AXIS bar, both for aesthetics as well as for strength with that huge blade. I know this caused some issues with the Rukus.

-j

 

[AmadeusM]

So the frame lock is immune to the problems liner lock has, for example being disengaged when twisted? How about the compression lock?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

So the frame lock is immune to the problems liner lock has, for example being disengaged when twisted? How about the compression lock?

No it has all the same problems, the only advantage it has it that it can be effected by side compression from the hand, which is generally a good thing. the compression lock seems far more stable under torques, I have not seen any problems on the ones I have used and there are few reports in general. Many people however find it isn't as comfortable/easy to open/close however. The locks have different properties, just like blade steels, what is optimal depends on what the uses values most, it could be security under heavy use or it could be just ease of opening/closing.

-Cliff

 

[AmadeusM]

No it has all the same problems, the only advantage it has it that it can be effected by side compression from the hand, which is generally a good thing. the compression lock seems far more stable under torques, I have not seen any problems on the ones I have used and there are few reports in general.
-Cliff

Interesting. Any hypotheses as to why?

Thanks again.