Looking for a new AXIS knife

[Zuchus]

Florida Mountain Biker, yes, I remember when the mini Grip came out i thought, that's just the 707 with plastic scales instead of aluminum/G10. I think it originally came out with a lower grade of steel than the 707, but later they upgraded it to 154CM as well. I bet they use the same blade on both now. Benchmade should come out with a model in between the 707 and 710 in size (the 708.5 !?) -- about the size of the large Sebenza -- 3 5/8" blade, 4 3/4 closed vs. 4 inch blade and 5 inches closed for the 710. It would be the perfect knife for you, and for a lot of other folks I'm guessing.

 

[jk904jk]

710 is perfect. But I wont buy one just because the fact that the blade is a reverse curve, thus making sharpening with a flat stone difficult.

-jeff

 

[TD22057]

Florida Mountain Biker, yes, I remember when the mini Grip came out i thought, that's just the 707 with plastic scales instead of aluminum/G10. I think it originally came out with a lower grade of steel than the 707, but later they upgraded it to 154CM as well. I bet they use the same blade on both now. Benchmade should come out with a model in between the 707 and 710 in size (the 708.5 !?) -- about the size of the large Sebenza -- 3 5/8" blade, 4 3/4 closed vs. 4 inch blade and 5 inches closed for the 710. It would be the perfect knife for you, and for a lot of other folks I'm guessing.

I'd say the the 943 is pretty close to that. 3.4" blade, 4.5" closed, and only 2.6 oz. The 930 is another good one in that size range: 3.6" blade, 4.4" closed, 3 oz.

 

[THG]

The Benchmade 530 is about as thin as you can get!

That's the first thing that came to my mind as well. I plan to get one of these very soon.

 

[Steven Andrews]

Ryan,
Try a 943 Osborne.





It is a compact carry that feels great in the hand when open.

Ah..

I would like something that is tip up and would prefer it not to have aluminum scales.

I missed that the first time around - sorry.

You can't go wrong with a 710.

 

[97guns]

What would be about the cheapest, but good quality, axis or arc lock? Doesn't have to be Benchmade but I would love to get such a smooth knife like that at a decent price.

i just bought a sog spec elite, it has the arc lock. i dont have it yet but ive handled them twice at the store and the actions were extremely smooth, smoother than any of my axis locks so for $55 i had to have one.

 

[mugwump867]

I love the 530 as well. It's so slim and light that I often forget I'm even carrying it. The only downside for me is the spear-point blade as that's one of my least favorite blade shapes.

 

[Lurker]

Thanks for the measurements! That 707 does look nice but it is almost exactly the same size as a mini-grip. I wish it was just a tad bit longer and I would be sold on it.

You are correct and you beat me to the comment. The 707 is very similar in all respects to the mini Grip, particularly the 556 with the drop point blade. They could almost be variations of the same design.

I also agree with your frustration about handle thickness information not being available. It is important (to me) and virtually impossible to find without handling the knives. This is the great thing about a good knife shop or blade show.

Your mini Grip is a relatively thin knife. Other than the 530, It will be hard to find another Axis that will match it in that respect. Spyderco and Kershaw make some flat knives.