Mini Axis - First Impressions

I have had a mini Axis for a few weeks. So far I like it. It has a coated plain blade. It opens smoothly. It did seem a bit thick for its size when I first got it although after carrying and using it for awhile, it seems fine. I would have prefered a flat ground blade but this one cuts okay. I think it is a great knife for light use. I wouldn't recommend it for heavy field use, but I don't think it was designed for that. I would absolutely buy another. One caveat. The blade is not sharpened all the way to the handle.
If you try to sharpen the blade all the way to the handle, be careful if you go less that 20 degrees. It is very easy to grind away the opening studs. Another plus for a hole. I used a piece of cardboard held against the side of the stud to protect it.

Danny

[This message has been edited by dfhoward (edited 03 September 1999).]
 
Hey - what is wrong with silver studs
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Marion :

I think the blade is as thin as it can be given the likely abuse by the largest segment of the buying public
Click to expand...

This I wonder about. Shouldn't small knives be designed to handle ligher tasks with more precision and less strain than larger knives? Isn't that the whole reason to have a smaller knife? As an example, the HI khukuris slim out drastically as they get smaller because they are not suited to heavy work (relative) as the size drops so the thicker blade get thinned to make them suitable for light pressure cutting which means -> thinner.

If I had a mini-axis I would buy it because it is easier to carry in situations where a large knife like the full size would cause undue attention (at work). This means that the types of uses are going to be scaled down dramatically (paper, cardboard, food, rubber, light plastics, wood). If I am at home or out and about I can carry a full size knife which is far better at heavier work anyway.

A smaller knife that retains the strength of the full size (or possibly stronger in this case) while losing cutting ability seems to be the exact opposite way to go.

-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 03 September 1999).]
 
There's been some real intersting posts on the Axis. The one I most agree with is that the pivot spacers are too thick and contribute to blade wobble.

Regarding ergonomics, I actually like mine. It fits my hand very well for a small knife. When I compare it to the CRKT Apache II, it's almost the exact same thickness (I didn't measure it, I just eyeballed it.) Yet the relatively "straightness" of the knife makes it a very compact package in the pocket. My curved Wenger Jrs are much thinner yet feel somewhat more bulky (maybe I'm just imagining this) in the pocket. The small CRKT Mirage is so thin I find it difficult to hang on to while trying to flick the blade open, although part of the problem is the slick handle material on such a small knife doesn't give you a lot of gripping friction.

And that's one reason I like the mini axis. It has a "big knife" feel in a small package. I can get a real grip on it, yet its "straight geometry" (i.e. not curved like the Wenger Jr) tucks away nicely. I've grown real fond of this little chunky thing.

I'd much prefer carrying a bigger knife, but here in Michigan, 3" is the law so I've grown fond of the 3" folders and right now, the mini axis is my favorite.


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Hoodoo

Cogita tute
 
Hmmm, is the 705 too wide? At first I thought, yes, absolutely. But now, I like it. It's the safest feeling knife of it's size I've ever handled. I feel confident that, if I should really need to abuse some time in an emergency, the blade would break before the handle gave way. That really instills confidence in me. Besides, I usually carry the 710 and I think the commonality carries over to the 705 as far as my muscle memory and handling are concerned.

Ray

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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988

AKTI Member #A000831




[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 03 September 1999).]
 
Cliff, I agree with you.

But most of the people that are going to buy this are people who are going to give it what we call abuse.

MDP
 
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