Is Benchmade Black class Axis lock, different than the other classes axis lock?

M

marshallrogers

Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
19
Hi all,

Got my first Benchmade black class, mini presidio, the other day. Is the axis lock on the "black class" the same as the other classes?

I noticed like a bronze colored washer or something within the lock mechanism, not in my other BM'S, just wondering if there was a difference?


-Marshall
 
The axis lock is the same across the classes to the best of my knowledge. They will use different hardware for the studs, but the lock is the same.

The mini presidio is a great knife. I'm sure you will love it.
 
i've been meaning to ask, what are all the different color classes of benchmades and what do they designate exactly?
 
From what I have read, Red class is discontinued, and was the budget line. Blue class is the "classic" line, with many of the knives that have made Benchmade... well, Benchmade. Black class is supposed to be the "heavy duty" line, and I would think it would be like ZT is to Kershaw. Never seen a Gold class, so I cannot comment on that line.
 
Just to add on Cold kill's info, the gold class is the upper end line of benchmades with fancier materials. basically the "full dress" version of standard production knives. Limited quantities I think, and astronomical price tags in my experience.
 
Bit sad that I know so much about the company, when I group them with CRKT for value (based on materials used). At least Benchmade uses good steels, and is mostly American made. I may one day get a Griptillian, but that is really as far as I will delve into BM's catalog.
 
To answer the OP, same lock for every class.

Break down is as follows.

Red class was the foreign manufactured/lower end BMs

Blue class was "normal"

Black class held the automatics and was/is seen as mil/leo based.

Gold class, fancy shmancy variants of knives offered.

LE runs, different steels/colors and materials than the standard production runs.
 
Cold Kill said:
Bit sad that I know so much about the company, when I group them with CRKT for value (based on materials used). At least Benchmade uses good steels, and is mostly American made. I may one day get a Griptillian, but that is really as far as I will delve into BM's catalog.
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Benchmade is priced similar to Spyderco for the materials if you buy from a store that sells below MAPP pricing. They just don't have as many lower end models. But a Griptilian with 154CM steel, liners, and AXIS lock for $60ish ain't bad. Higher end limited models with 'super' steel for $150-200 just like Spyderco Sprint runs. I have a ton of knives from both companies and don't see why Benchmade are always claimed to be over priced for the materials and features.
 
Fanboys and haters, must all be taken with a grain of salt.

No CRKT I ever had lasted more than a couple years with me.... due to them breaking, I had 10 years on one Benchmade before I lost it. That told me something.
 
You bst judge a company by their lower-end products. Big whoop if their high-end products are good, they better be for the premium prices. If the low-end products are good, then the company sticks by their values, and purely wants to provide quality products to everybody. 154CM is essentially VG-10 for most all of its qualities, but you can buy an Endura for $50 new if you look hard, with the nearly 4in. blade. The regular Griptillian is like $70 new if you look hard, and has a 3.5in. blade (about 1/4in. shorter). Purely for the specs of those two (factoring in maximum size and value), the Endura packs a lot more for the price.

I would like to note that I compared these two in an unbiased fashion, contrary to what people will think. I will say that the BM only has one real edge over Spyderco, the axis lock. The slightly better lock is not work dangerously slippery handles (compared to the Endura) and like $20 more.
 
That's not a fair comparison since the Endura is outsourced while the Griptilian is made in the US Benchmade factory. And just because a knife has a longer blade doesn't mean it's automatically better. Though Sal has mentioned that Japanese made knives aren't necessarily cheaper to make than US based knives, it's still the case that US knives generally cost more.

If you want big size for the best value you might want to check out the Cold Steel X-Large Voyager. It has a 5.5inch blade for $50
 
VG-10 and 154CM run circles around AUS-8. I compared the Endura and the Griptilian because they are similar style and practically large. You cannot say a knife is better because of where it is made, judging on location is a ridiculous bias. Japan is known for making some of the best knives in the world, and the Endura is made with an Japanese steel, so your bias actually works against you. The Japanese made knife should, under the location bias, automatically be better than an American knife.
 
I edc both the endura and the grip. In my opinion, the grip has better ergos and a stronger blade.
 
Cold Kill said:
You bst judge a company by their lower-end products. Big whoop if their high-end products are good, they better be for the premium prices. If the low-end products are good, then the company sticks by their values, and purely wants to provide quality products to everybody. 154CM is essentially VG-10 for most all of its qualities, but you can buy an Endura for $50 new if you look hard, with the nearly 4in. blade. The regular Griptillian is like $70 new if you look hard, and has a 3.5in. blade (about 1/4in. shorter). Purely for the specs of those two (factoring in maximum size and value), the Endura packs a lot more for the price.

I would like to note that I compared these two in an unbiased fashion, contrary to what people will think. I will say that the BM only has one real edge over Spyderco, the axis lock. The slightly better lock is not work dangerously slippery handles (compared to the Endura) and like $20 more.
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No it's about 55-60 and quite easily found at a dealer that I'm not allowed to mention.... who is well liked.

There is a real advantage.... but you shouldn't have to pay for it?

You don't have one, I've had a couple, what was so slippery about it? Dangerously slippery even?

Cold Kill said:
VG-10 and 154CM run circles around AUS-8. I compared the Endura and the Griptilian because they are similar style and practically large. You cannot say a knife is better because of where it is made, judging on location is a ridiculous bias. Japan is known for making some of the best knives in the world, and the Endura is made with an Japanese steel, so your bias actually works against you. The Japanese made knife should, under the location bias, automatically be better than an American knife.
Click to expand...

Outsourcing... sending work elsewhere because it's more cost effective... he didn't say anything about Japan, he paraphrased Sal.
 
Where on Earth can you find a Grip for like $55? For that cheap, I would be a little reluctantly willing to buy it. I am not saying the Grip is a bad knife, it is pretty decent, I am just saying that the price is a little unjustified, especially with the similar options out there.
 
Cold Kill said:
Where on Earth can you find a Grip for like $55? For that cheap, I would be a little reluctantly willing to buy it. I am not saying the Grip is a bad knife, it is pretty decent, I am just saying that the price is a little unjustified, especially with the similar options out there.
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I like it more than the endura. I take it the price would be more justified to me?
 
Endura and grip is a bad comparison. Grip and Manix is more equal. Both have 154CM, similar locks and size, and both made in the US. And the Manix is more expensive. If you made your comparison with the Manix and the Endura it wouldn't make much sense either. In fact the Manix has a lower profit margin than the Endura so that means the Endura is just cheaper to make.

It doesn't really matter though, because you are obviously biased against Benchmade and the price isn't the reason.
 
Cold Kill...when comparing the quality of two knives, you would rather consider blade length as opposed to location of manufacture?
Not to mention the fact that the axis-lock is a completely different animal than the back-lock.
And "dangerously slippery handles" ? give me a break
 
I love it when the biggest detractors of a company don't even own any of their products.
Some would say that it does not lend all that much credibility to their unsupported opinion.;)

I own and have owned a bunch of Benchmades and Spydercos. The quality (and price) is pretty much the exact same.
Sal said it best; "All good, just different.":)
 
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