My axis lock FAILED!

Don't forget I am at work, I can't bring out a big FB in the general public. Like I said I like testing my knives and folders are my preference, I will still carry a folder but I did throw a mora2000 in my truck.
 
I think one or both of your springs broke, that simple. I've had the same thing happen twice, and not from chopping. I still trust the Axis lock for reasonable use.

There is no miracle product in the world. There is nothing out there that does XYZ as well as miraculously doing ABC just as well. It's fine to know what your folders can do, but they are folders, and not chainsaws or battle axes or even fixed blades. ;)

A little light chopping is not going to destroy a mini-ruckus, but I have the sense that you were not just doing light chopping; get a hatchet, an axe or a fixed blade for this.

If you were in an emergency situation and your axis lock failed, all you have to do is find a small twig and jam it into the lock hole.
 
Another vote for framelocks.
 
As long as you're swinging with a reasonably small amount of force, most quality folders can easily chop through 1 inch thick branches. I've done this with lockbacks, Swiss Army Knives, Opinels, Liner locks etc. They're not optimal for the job but they are capable.
 
Why would you chop through a 1 inch branch?

All you have to do with even a small slip joint is to notch it around where you want it cut, then break it off like a pre stressed line.
 
pholder said:
maybe BENCHMADE can make an "axes" lock. a modified version of the existing axis, specifically for chopping. :D
Click to expand...

I say this is the answer to our problems!
Let's hear it for the "axes" lock. :D :thumbup:

By the way, I was just out for a walk this afternoon, doing about the same with my Sebenza, on slightly slimmer branches hanging over the trail. No prob. Done it lots of times. Standing there notching them would be a waste of time when one quick slash takes out two or three at a time.
 
Omega spring broke; or junk got into the lock. Like sap; something sticky and mess up the bar moving forward over the blade without obvious obstruction in the lock.

I like the axis lock ok; but I don't like the idea that you don't really feel it click into place like a liner or frame lock. Or even a lock back.

And yeah... chopping with a folder stresses the hell out of the lock.
 
Well I made a video but the lock did not fail and after the video I hit the blade harder and it still did not fail:confused:. Before I made the video I performed the same test and the lock failed... this makes no sence. Ok now I am really confused, I tried one more time just now and it failed but it now seems to be random. O well I'll send it back and next time I will use more caution. The video is bad but you can kind of see what I was talking about, the times the lock failed the blade was droped from the same height.

If you have children around turn down the volume I think it catches me using some fowul language in the end.

http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll20/knifenut1013/?action=view&current=MVI_0363.flv
 
Looks like too much room left for forward movement in the lock mechanism, which makes me think that the tang wasn't ground at the proper angle, and the lockbar is just catching the edge of it, rather than sitting on top of it.
They'll give you a new one, regardless...
 
OwenM said:
Looks like too much room left for forward movement in the lock mechanism, which makes me think that the tang wasn't ground at the proper angle, and the lockbar is just catching the edge of it, rather than sitting on top of it.
They'll give you a new one, regardless...
Click to expand...

I agree. I have the full size version of your knife... my lock bar goes almost all the way forward. So either bad grind... or you got some sap or gunk glued on the tang. Have you tried goo gone or something to dissolve whatever might be on there? I ask because you were chopping at branches when it happened. If it's clean... then you got a bad angle there.
 
knifenut1013 said:
I knew I would get these responses and I know I should use a fixed blade but I like to see what my folders can do, but I never thought this would happen with a axis lock. I have used a EKI commander for years and used it much harder with not even the hint of failure. I really hope this was a factory defect, I had a lot of trust in this lock type. I decided to use the knife because the saw on my leatherman surge was not doing the trick.

P.S. The branch was only about a inch in dia.
Click to expand...

Ok. That's it!

After reading your report I'm now so afraid of AXIS locks I'm not going to touch any of my Benchmades again, not even the the fixed blade ones.
 
When I got my Mini Rukus, it too only caught the edge of the tang and would fail a moderate spine whack. I took the blade out and ground the tang shallower so the lock bar really engages. I know that voids the warranty, but I like to work on these things myself.

I have many Axis locks. Some fail the spine whack. But, I have since quit performing hard spine whacks (on any knife) and only do light ones now. I adjust those that fail so that the lock engages more.
 
Like all man made items... test it ! Then you know if you can trust it. Two items may look alike... but which one will function.
But I wuld get a machete for limbs....
 
jackknife said:
Why would you chop through a 1 inch branch?

All you have to do with even a small slip joint is to notch it around where you want it cut, then break it off like a pre stressed line.
Click to expand...

Because it only take a few hits to get the branch cut. I do so too.
 
OwenM said:
Looks like too much room left for forward movement in the lock mechanism, which makes me think that the tang wasn't ground at the proper angle, and the lockbar is just catching the edge of it, rather than sitting on top of it.
They'll give you a new one, regardless...
Click to expand...


I can rule out the knife being dirty I sharpened, cleaned, and oiled it the night before and this was its first use of the day. eswartz, The lock bar is catching the very edge like you say and has been like this sence the day of purchase but I did not question it because It was my first axis lock and I did not know better. Its going back to benchmade today, I have not lost my trust for this knife now that I know it was possibly defective from the start but I will use this as a educational stepping stone just like everything else I have learned in the past 17 YEARS.

To all those who keep suggestion a Axe or large fixed blade, I CAN NOT use these items I am a cable tech, would you want the cable guy walking up to your house carring a Axe or a busse? It would also be pointless because a 1 inch branch it the largest branch I ever need to cut with the majority of them being only about the Dia. of a pencil.
 
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