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My first Axis lock (BM 556 Minigrip)

M

MacTech

Joined
Jan 7, 2006
Messages
611
I had an unexpected tax refund from Vermont this year, so i decided to use those funds to pick up my first *true* Benchmade, a Blue class Minigrip 556 (thumbstud, drop point combo edge blade)

I was trying to decide between the sheepfoot plain edge hole opener full-size Grip, and the drop-point CE Mini....

the feel of the full size Grip scales were better, it fit my hand well, but it was bulky and uncomfortable for pocket carry, the Mini was far more convenient for pocket carry, small and unobtrusive, and once i adjusted to the scales on the Mini, the in-hand feel wasn't all that bad, it can't compare to my gold standard for comfort, the Spyderco Dodo, but then again, nothing much can compare to a Dodo for comfort anyway.....

okay, back on track....

the Axis lock was silky smooth, very comfortable, and actually gives the Spydie Ball-Bearing lock a run for it's money, the BB is just a *tad* smoother, but the Axis is darned good....

i love the fact that i can pull back on the Axis stud and flick the blade open just as smoothly as my Kershaw Leek AO, i can also flick the Minigrip *closed*, or pull the stud back and tap the blade closed with my index finger

there is *no* blade play whatsoever, it's rock solid, feels just as solid as my Spyderco Harpy, it feels as solid as a fixed blade

this is my first knife with 154CM steel, and although it came out of the box somewhat dull (i was quite dissapointed with that, it's OOB sharpness was about the same as my Byrd Crossbill), a quick trip to the Sharpmaker fixed that, a few passes on the brown rods (corners, then flats) and the white rods (again, corners and flats), then some stropping, the blade is *screamingly* sharp now, beyond hair-popping, beyond Scary, this thing is arguably the *sharpest* knife in my collection now, 154CM definitely takes a really keen edge

i originally didn't care for the Minigrip, it felt wrong ergo-wise, but now that i'm actually giving it a chance, i can see it's a really nice knife, i still prefer Spydies, but now i understand the attraction to Benchmades.....

i'm even considering saving up for a Switchback now......
 
Glad you like the Mini-Grip. I'm carrying the exact same model right now. Great knife. I liked it so much that I just bought the Full Size 551 Griptilian in 154CM too.

I used to really like the 550 but something just kept growing on me about the drop point 551 and 556.

I've had a few Spydies too and I have to say that mine came just as sharp out of the box as all of the Spydies I've had. I huge improvement from Benchmade's previous sharpening skills.
 
IMO, the 555 and 556 are the best EDC production knives of all time. Good steel, perfect EDC size, PB bushings, rock solid lockup, and an indestructible handle. There are knives that look prettier, but they aren't going to cut any better.
 
The 556 keeps finding its way back into my pocket for the reasons you have stated. I have the 440C steel and find it to be quite easy to maintain. Enjoy your new knife.:thumbup:
 
I have a 556 (except mine is 440c) and love it. It always finds it's way into my pocket even though I have several more expensive knives. I have put this knife through hell and it is still rock solid. I trust it to always work for me.:thumbup:
 
As someone who has tried the BB lock BEFORE the axis lock, what are your conclusions as to which one is better?

I bought an axis lock first and I will be buying a Dodo this week. I was very impressed at the smoothness of my axis (BM 940). Do you think the BB lock is an upgrade or a downgrade from the axis? (Or, to rephrase the question to match your new knife, do you think the axis is an upgrade or downgrade from the BB?)

Also, can the BB lock be utilized the same way as the axis (pull back, flick open/pull back, flick closed)?


Thanks Mac, enjoy your new knife :)
 
I have tried both and I will always think the Axis is better. You can release the Axis with one hand. You cannot do this with Spyderco's Ball lock. You have to use your thumb and finger with the ball lock. It's recessed into the handle a lot. I like how the Axis lock sticks out of the handle so you can pull on it. Yes, however to your other question. You can pull back on the Ball lock and flick it open or closed or whatever. It's a really cool lock I just like the Axis better. ;)
 
Django606 said:
As someone who has tried the BB lock BEFORE the axis lock, what are your conclusions as to which one is better?

I bought an axis lock first and I will be buying a Dodo this week. I was very impressed at the smoothness of my axis (BM 940). Do you think the BB lock is an upgrade or a downgrade from the axis? (Or, to rephrase the question to match your new knife, do you think the axis is an upgrade or downgrade from the BB?)
Click to expand...
I'd say they're about equal in terms of smoothness, like Joe Dirt said though, the bearing is recessed and requires two fingers to pull back and release, as far as which one is "better?", i'd say they're pretty much equal
Also, can the BB lock be utilized the same way as the axis (pull back, flick open/pull back, flick closed)?
Click to expand...
yes, but due to it's recessed nature, it's not as easy as with the Axis

comparing the two side by side, the BB has the following advantages;
more wear-resistant than the Axis (in theory)
more resistant to accidental release (takes two fingers to pull the ball back, it's difficult to release with just one thumb)
the dual coil springs on the bearing "plunger" are more durable than the flat Axis springs

it also has the following *dis*advantage(s);
it takes two fingers to grip the bearing and release the lock

the Axis has the following advantages;
it's incredibly easy to pull the axis bar back with your thumb and "flick" the knife open and closed
the lock bar can be released with thumb pressure only, no need to use two fingers

and the following disadvantage(s);
in theory, the lock can be accidentally released while using the knife, as the bar ends are exposed outside the handle
the bar ends are rougher than the ball bearing and can be irritating to an un-calloused thumb
the Axis springs are in theory more delicate than the BB's dual nested coil springs

both great lock mechanisims and remarkably similar locking concepts, a spring-loaded blocker ball/bar in the tang of the blade, i'd give a *slight* durability edge to the BB lock due to the nested coil springs, and an ease-of-use edge to the Axis, as it only requires thumb pressure to release, not two fingers....
 
I love the axis lock. I was sold on BM when I got a griptilian, and I still love it. I have a lot of other Bms too.
 
I own a couple of 556's, one a plainedge and one a combe edge. I prefer the plain edge version more for use. Every once in a while I will EDC it for a period of time in addition to my full-sized EDC (usually a BM 805, 710, or Reeve Sebenza or Spyderco Endura). Often the 556 will get more general use due to its smaller size. Mine is the 440C version, yet I find it holds a good edge and is very easy to get a scary-sharp edge on it. Also opens much faster for me than any spring-assist by simply using my index finger to flip it open.

Even though I could unlock the Axis with only my thumb, I've always used both thumb and index finger to pull back and flip closed. I've always felt maybe that will equalize the pressure on the omega springs and they will last longer, but that's just an untested theory of mine.
Jim
 
James Y said:
Even though I could unlock the Axis with only my thumb, I've always used both thumb and index finger to pull back and flip closed. I've always felt maybe that will equalize the pressure on the omega springs and they will last longer, but that's just an untested theory of mine.
Jim
Click to expand...

I feel the same exact way, so hopefully adjusting to a mandatory two finger use with the Dodo will be easier to me than others.
 
I love my RSK Mini-grip. I really like the S30V for the blade though. This is MY first Axis lock as well, and I LOVE it. CONGRATS on the Benchmade!!
 
"I've always felt maybe that will equalize the pressure on the omega springs and they will last longer, but that's just an untested theory of mine."

Would not the lifetime benchamde warrety cove your springs??
 
rocktheflock said:
Would not the lifetime benchamde warrety cove your springs??
Click to expand...
The existance of a warrenty is no reason to not care for your knife.

Benchmade will not be around forever. 50 years from now they may be gone. Even if they are still in business, maybe they will no longer produce Omega springs?

Prolonging the life of your knife is a *GOOD* thing.

However, I doubt pulling both sides of the bar has a positive effect.
 
I was going to say the same exact thing Hair. Just because you can easily fix something doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of it in the first place.
 
I think worrying about the omega springs breaking is just plain silly. Music wire springs are used in so many everyday things. I have several .22 pistols that have been cycled TENS OF THOUSANDS of times in a manner much more violent than the opening of a knife, and their multiple music wire springs have never failed. Not that springs can't or don't fail, but it is not likely.
I'm sure someone will pop in with a story about how their omega spings broke. I'd be willing to bet that there is at least as many people among the forum membership that have been struck either directly or indirectly by lightning.;)
 
I don't think anyone *is* worrying about Omega springs breaking.

I'm not worried that my bedroom door is going to fall off the hinge, but I still don't go around slamming it as hard as I can thousands of times a day.

Caring for what you own doesn't make you an irrational worry-wart.
 
WHY WOULD YOU INVER THAT I DONT TAKE CARE OF MY STUFF?


Hair said:
The existance of a warrenty is no reason to not care for your knife.

Benchmade will not be around forever. 50 years from now they may be gone. Even if they are still in business, maybe they will no longer produce Omega springs?

Prolonging the life of your knife is a *GOOD* thing.

However, I doubt pulling both sides of the bar has a positive effect.
Click to expand...
 
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