Loosening Pivot for Axis Lock?

[prisoner6]

I have searched the forum but was unable to find a good thread on this so I thought I would ask.

Do you usually have to loosen the pivot to make the Axis Lock knives flip open?

I had a Mini Grip that I did this with, but with use it would continue to loosen to the point that it was sloppy. Then I would have to tighten it back some, but it would work out again. Got to be a hassle.

I had another that flipped fine without loosening and was never an issue.

Is this just hit or miss? What are your experiences?

 

[johnnytoxin]

Take the pivot screw out completely and apply a very small dab of blue loctite. Screw it back in to your preferred tightness and let it sit for a few hours. Your pivot will not loosen up anymore.

 

[Professor]

There's tradeoff's, and it comes down to preferences. With flickability often comes side-to-side blade play. I prefer no blade play, so after applying Loc-Tite (after lubing the pivot area), I tighten to a point of hydraulic-like opening, but where the Axis will still draw the blade shut when closing.

There's also a break-in period to take into consideration also, where parts gall and settle in. I think it's prior to this point that we hear most complaints of up and down blade play, for what that's worth.

 

[Jastab]

Take the pivot screw out completely and apply a very small dab of blue loctite. Screw it back in to your preferred tightness and let it sit for a few hours. Your pivot will not loosen up anymore.

↑ do this. The only benchmade I've had do this is my 940, I put loctite on it and its all gravy now. My buddys 940 also did the same thing. Loctite ANY pivot screw that does this, it won't hurt anything, just never use red loctite.

 

[jkarp_53]

As these are hand assembled, the combination of what gets loose and when can be a challenge. It's not just one model affected. Like many following Jastab's comment I also either use Loc-Tite sparingly (and only when needed) or not at all. I've never seen any benefit come from flicking a blade in more than 40 years of knife ownership, and think mine last longer...it's that small sweet spot, via pivot adjustment that makes them just right!

 

[tatfiend]

Agree with the other answers and note that personally I have had more BM knives arrive with the pivot too loose, allowing some blade play, than too tight. Also again the 940 has been the offender as far as blade loosening, requiring loctite.

 

[Lennyo3034]

The first thing I do as soon as I get a new axis knife is take it apart completely to polish the washers and adjust the screws. The frame screws have an effect on smoothness and tightness of the pivot. I can usually get it so the blade swings completely freely, but rock solid.