Greetings: IMO the Axis bar/blade tang contact surfaces are usually quite smooth. There is however, often some easily reducible friction between the Axis bar and the liner cut outs that the bar rides in. You may wish to clean the liner cut outs with a few Q-tips and Use a DRY lube on the Axis lock bar and it's liner races to smooth the action. Dry lube reduces the likelihood of foreign material adhering to these open areas of the mechanism. A light coat of any thin oil will do, but keep your pocket clean to prevent grit infiltrating and staying in this area. The pivot may be contributing more to the stiff feeling than the lock. A Teflon based medium viscosity liquid lube on the blade pivot will smooth overall opening and closing. Dry lube~Tuf Glide. Teflon lube ~ Tri Flow OldDude1
