- Joined
- Jul 7, 2000
- Messages
- 1,556
Let me just say that this is my first review posted here at Bladeforums. I hope you find it informative. Please post any feedback, whether positive or negative. Thanks
In recent years, major cutlery companies have been striving to create the strongest, best lock for a folding knife. With recent advances from Spyderco, Benchmade, and REKAT, people want to know who's offering them the best product. Is it the COMPRESSION lock from Spyderco, the AXIS from Benchmade, or the Rolling lock from REKAT?
I do not currently own any rolling lock knives so I can only offer you a 1 on 1 comparison between the AXIS and the COMPRESSION lock.
Here's a pic of the AXIS courtesy of Benchmade.com:
And here's a pic of the COMPRESSION lock courtesy of the late James Mattis:
The knives I have to compare are the Spyderco Gunting and the Benchmade 940. I have owned the 940 since it first hit the shelves and have owned the Gunting since December. This has given me months with which to compare these two locks.
It should be noted that the 940 and the Gunting are two very different knives built for very different purposes. Unfortunately, the Gunting is the only COMPRESSION lock model currently being sold so I have nothing else to compare with the AXIS. Anyway, you should remember that this is a comparison of the <u>locks</u>, not the knives themselves.
Lockup:
The pivots on both my 940 and Gunting like to loosen by themselves. With a little loc-tite and the proper adjustment, both knives lock up solid and neither allows blade-play. I would expect nothing less from third-generation locks.
Smoothness of opening:
Neither lock inhibits the blade from opening smoothly and quickly. I am impressed by both of these locks in this regard. If I had to choose a victor it would be the COMPRESSION lock since in applies less pressure to the blade while in motion.
One handed operation:
The AXIS lock is the clear winner in this arena. It requires little to no grip change and I can close my 940 almost as fast as I can open it. The Gunting requires an awkward grip change to disengage the COMPRESSION lock. It is also a motion which takes practice to enter your muscle memory. This is not really a problem for the Gunting since it is a defense oriented knife but for an every day task knife I would choose the AXIS. It should also be noted that unlike the COMPRESSION lock, the AXIS is fully ambidextrous.
Accidental disengagement:
In the months of carrying both of these knives I have not had either one close when I didn't want them to. With that being said, the COMPRESSION lock is better at preventing accidental disengagement.
Neither lock is vulnerable to spine-whacks, torque, pressure, or awkward cutting angles. The COMPRESSION lock, however, is streamlined with the knife, lowering the probability of snagging it with your hand. The AXIS, on the other hand, protrudes from both scales and is therefore subject to external pressures.
Ability to hold the blade closed:
Here's an area in which I am very disappointed with the COMPRESSION lock. Only a couple degrees of opening will free the blade to swing open with the COMPRESSION lock. The AXIS, however, will hold the blade closed even if I open it over 20 degrees. I hope this is something they improve on the COMPRESSION lock in the future.
Reliability:
From my experience, both locks are extremely reliable. They are both rated to take hundreds of pounds of torque so I seriously doubt that I will ever take either of these knives near their limits.
I would still say that the COMPRESSION lock is more reliable: it has far less parts than the AXIS. As people like Gaston Glock have shown us, less moving parts means less of a chance of a problem.
The thing that scares some about the AXIS is that it is suspended by two omega springs. Keep in mind that it only needs one of these springs to function and that neither of them are ever flexed more than 50%. Still, these are small moving parts that are more susceptible to dirt, grime, or even breakage.
Lock wear:
In the months of carrying these knives every day, neither has exhibited noticeable lock wear. The COMPRESSION lock seems to be better suited for wear since the lock can just move farther along the blade tang (like a liner lock). I do not see any way that the AXIS can self-adjust for wear but I could be wrong. Unless I am missing something about the AXIS, I would say that the COMPRESSION wears better.
NOTE: I HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. SEE POSTS BELOW ON THE AXIS LOCK'S ABILITY TO SELF-ADJUST
Conclusions:
I am greatly pleased with both of these locks (except for the COMPRESSION lock's inability to secure the blade closed as well as I desired). When a daily task comes up, I find myself reaching for my 940 more often than my Gunting. This is primarily because of its greater ease of one-handed operation and its quick ability to close. For this reason, I think that the AXIS is a better suited general utility lock. I see the COMPRESSION as more of a heavy-duty or defense oriented lock since it is slower yet more reliable.
Which is more important to you: ease of use or reliability?
These are both valid qualities and should help you decide between the AXIS and the COMPRESSION. You decision on these locks should be based on what you plan to do with your knife.
Personally, I like the AXIS more, but I trust the COMPRESSION more. You decide.
[This message has been edited by ThinkOfTheChildren (edited 03-22-2001).]
In recent years, major cutlery companies have been striving to create the strongest, best lock for a folding knife. With recent advances from Spyderco, Benchmade, and REKAT, people want to know who's offering them the best product. Is it the COMPRESSION lock from Spyderco, the AXIS from Benchmade, or the Rolling lock from REKAT?
I do not currently own any rolling lock knives so I can only offer you a 1 on 1 comparison between the AXIS and the COMPRESSION lock.
Here's a pic of the AXIS courtesy of Benchmade.com:
And here's a pic of the COMPRESSION lock courtesy of the late James Mattis:
The knives I have to compare are the Spyderco Gunting and the Benchmade 940. I have owned the 940 since it first hit the shelves and have owned the Gunting since December. This has given me months with which to compare these two locks.
It should be noted that the 940 and the Gunting are two very different knives built for very different purposes. Unfortunately, the Gunting is the only COMPRESSION lock model currently being sold so I have nothing else to compare with the AXIS. Anyway, you should remember that this is a comparison of the <u>locks</u>, not the knives themselves.
Lockup:
The pivots on both my 940 and Gunting like to loosen by themselves. With a little loc-tite and the proper adjustment, both knives lock up solid and neither allows blade-play. I would expect nothing less from third-generation locks.
Smoothness of opening:
Neither lock inhibits the blade from opening smoothly and quickly. I am impressed by both of these locks in this regard. If I had to choose a victor it would be the COMPRESSION lock since in applies less pressure to the blade while in motion.
One handed operation:
The AXIS lock is the clear winner in this arena. It requires little to no grip change and I can close my 940 almost as fast as I can open it. The Gunting requires an awkward grip change to disengage the COMPRESSION lock. It is also a motion which takes practice to enter your muscle memory. This is not really a problem for the Gunting since it is a defense oriented knife but for an every day task knife I would choose the AXIS. It should also be noted that unlike the COMPRESSION lock, the AXIS is fully ambidextrous.
Accidental disengagement:
In the months of carrying both of these knives I have not had either one close when I didn't want them to. With that being said, the COMPRESSION lock is better at preventing accidental disengagement.
Neither lock is vulnerable to spine-whacks, torque, pressure, or awkward cutting angles. The COMPRESSION lock, however, is streamlined with the knife, lowering the probability of snagging it with your hand. The AXIS, on the other hand, protrudes from both scales and is therefore subject to external pressures.
Ability to hold the blade closed:
Here's an area in which I am very disappointed with the COMPRESSION lock. Only a couple degrees of opening will free the blade to swing open with the COMPRESSION lock. The AXIS, however, will hold the blade closed even if I open it over 20 degrees. I hope this is something they improve on the COMPRESSION lock in the future.
Reliability:
From my experience, both locks are extremely reliable. They are both rated to take hundreds of pounds of torque so I seriously doubt that I will ever take either of these knives near their limits.
I would still say that the COMPRESSION lock is more reliable: it has far less parts than the AXIS. As people like Gaston Glock have shown us, less moving parts means less of a chance of a problem.
The thing that scares some about the AXIS is that it is suspended by two omega springs. Keep in mind that it only needs one of these springs to function and that neither of them are ever flexed more than 50%. Still, these are small moving parts that are more susceptible to dirt, grime, or even breakage.
Lock wear:
In the months of carrying these knives every day, neither has exhibited noticeable lock wear. The COMPRESSION lock seems to be better suited for wear since the lock can just move farther along the blade tang (like a liner lock). I do not see any way that the AXIS can self-adjust for wear but I could be wrong. Unless I am missing something about the AXIS, I would say that the COMPRESSION wears better.
NOTE: I HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. SEE POSTS BELOW ON THE AXIS LOCK'S ABILITY TO SELF-ADJUST
Conclusions:
I am greatly pleased with both of these locks (except for the COMPRESSION lock's inability to secure the blade closed as well as I desired). When a daily task comes up, I find myself reaching for my 940 more often than my Gunting. This is primarily because of its greater ease of one-handed operation and its quick ability to close. For this reason, I think that the AXIS is a better suited general utility lock. I see the COMPRESSION as more of a heavy-duty or defense oriented lock since it is slower yet more reliable.
Which is more important to you: ease of use or reliability?
These are both valid qualities and should help you decide between the AXIS and the COMPRESSION. You decision on these locks should be based on what you plan to do with your knife.
Personally, I like the AXIS more, but I trust the COMPRESSION more. You decide.
[This message has been edited by ThinkOfTheChildren (edited 03-22-2001).]
