My axis lock is getting sluggish

mark greenman

mark greenman

Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
662
Hi everyone. So, I've had my benchmade 530s for two years now, and it has always performed flawlessly, in both cutting and just fun opening and closing sessions. It used to have a very precise, mechanical feel to it when I opened and closed it, but lately, after a trip to the factory for re-sharpening, it has been dragging. While I can still comfortably open it one-handed, when it comes to doing the famous axis flip close, the knife will only close 2/3 the way about 50% of the time.

I've oiled it on several occasions with PTFE fishing rod oilier, as well as blowing through it with an air can, with little results. Nothing is broken, but clearly something is amiss. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Mark
 
The tightness of the pivot screw can be adjusted and my guess is that they set it a little more snug at the factory. You can re-set it yourself to your preference with a torx driver. A tiny turn makes a big difference, so go a little at a time.
 
Also, when you re assemble an benchmade... The washers are often rough.... If you can take it apart you might want to wipe them down or polish them... The bronze washer often have burrs....
 
It may be too obvious but it sounds like the pivot screw has been tightened more than when you sent it in. Like Lurker said, loosen it a tiny bit at a time until it is as smooth as you like it. I have done that to my BM and now it is where I want it. Good luck.
 
use BM blue lube and be careful when loosen the pivot screw beware of blade play.
 
Another issue on the 530 is that it has the screwed in stop pin, and if those screws are too tight, it squeezes in the handle slabs and creates drag. Try loosening the stop pin screws before you play with the pivot screw (and then if that alone doesn't work, adjust both until they're both snug, but the blade is free).
 
on my AO sog that got rather sluggish that picked right back up after a good washing with dawn and water, blew it out with some compressed air, then oiled.

oil will pick up a lot of dirt in parts that are pretty much open to the elements like the workings of a knife. try cleaning it first, then look at taking it apart like has been mentioned.

-matt
 
Another issue on the 530 is that it has the screwed in stop pin, and if those screws are too tight, it squeezes in the handle slabs and creates drag. Try loosening the stop pin screws before you play with the pivot screw (and then if that alone doesn't work, adjust both until they're both snug, but the blade is free).
 
careful with the pivot on the 530, you can't loosen it much, and the stop pin can put significant drag if tightened a lot. Found these out on one I had a while back.

I would also quit the teflon lube, the ptfe can build up.
 
Well, I loosened the stop pin, much nicer now, thanks for the tip guys :) I'm thinking about washing it as well, just to see if I can get it better. Can the axis springs rust, and are their any other parts I should watch for?

Thanks again,
Mark
 
as long as you rinse it out with clean water and dry it well you shouldnt have much issue
-matt
 
some people air dry it out after washing, compressor works best and if you don't have that, I'd use a hair dryer set on cold.
 
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