New Knife for Overseas Deployment: Axis Lock or Back Lock?

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Nephron44

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Hello all!

Another one of my buddies is getting deployed to the Middle East, and he is looking to get a new folding knife (he already has a nice multi tool and fixed blade).

We went to our local knife store to try a few out, and he narrowed it down to a Benchmade Griptillian with G10 scales, a Spyderco PM3, or a Spyderco Native 5. His biggest concern was the lock mechanism failing, so I thought I’d ask here.

Of the three locks (axis, compression, lockback), which would be the more robust and maintenance free mechanism? I know the axis lock is favored for strength, but I figured it would be more prone to sand getting in and wreaking havoc on the omega springs. Being out in the desert, he wants something that will hold up to a abuse with little maintenance since warranty service is nonexistent in the sandbox.

He likes each knife equally I guess, so it comes down to which lock will be the more worry free while overseas.

Thanks!
 
The simplest design to me seems to be a backlock. In addition, for someone who has deployed to the ME, a pocket knife was to me always just a tool and therefore ease of deployment wasn't as much a concern as maintenance-free design and solid build quality.

Also, as much as it is discouraged, I did at times have to use my knives to pry. Or I lent it to a friend who had to use it in some creative but expedient fashion. Two benchmades ended up with broken tips, and my Leatherman had its locking mechanism shear off. I cried every time because of the price. I bought an Ontario Utilitac II and carried it for years, including an Iraq deployment, without any issues because of its heavy duty build quality, and still have it today.
 
PX sells Benchmade, so I would say go with the Grip, because he can probably get warranty service right through the Base PX, if he needs it.
 
If the major qualification is not failing, the answer is either two of the others over the Axis. That's not to say the Axis is unreliable or that spring breaking is common, only that the other two don't ever have a problem like that.
 
Shorttime said:
PX sells Benchmade, so I would say go with the Grip, because he can probably get warranty service right through the Base PX, if he needs it.
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That was the reason I always carried BM to start, but it wasn't so easy to get to the PX and claim your warranty.

The reason I ran into my Ontario Utilitac was because the PX started offering it.

Perhaps this is my last word on the issue: "hard use" gets thrown around alot, and some despise the term. However, it does matter down range. Whether one can slice tomatoes is no issue. In fact, I bet many Marines (and soldiers, airmen, etc.) rarely think about the finer points of knife performance. What can stand up to improvised use is another thing. In my experience, Benchmade could not.

Get a beefy folder - you will break it and maybe the next one, but not as quickly as a fine cutting tool.
 
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The compression lock has the the fewest moving parts, so it probably has the fewest failure modes. However, it is decidedly not ambidextrous and can be tricky to close with the left hand unless the operator is left handed and practiced. I like for tools to be ambidextrous. Of the three, I think the Native has the more robust tip and edge geometry, but the difference may be marginal.
 
cmfkdragoon said:
That was the reason I always carried BM to start, but it wasn't so easy to get to the PX and claim your warranty.

The reason I ran into my Ontario Utilitac was because the PX started offering it.

Perhaps this is my last word on the issue: "hard use" gets thrown around alot, and some despise the term. However, it does matter down range. Whether one can slice tomatoes is no issue. In fact, I bet many Marines (and soldiers, airmen, etc.) rarely think about the finer points of knife performance. What can stand up to improvised use is another thing. In my experience, Benchmade could not.

Get a beefy folder - you will break it and maybe the next one, but not as quickly as a fine cutting tool.
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Fair point. But then, that makes me wonder about the very (very scary) fine tips on Spyderco blades? I'm having difficulty imagining a scenario in which the lock fails, first. Unless the kinds of lock failures he's worried about are the ones where dust and grit gets into the moving parts and wallers everything out....?
 
Of those 3, I would think the Native 5 back lock would be the most reliable.

The comp lock isn't likely to "fail", but there might be more issues with sand getting stuck between the liner and the scales.

He could bring get an extra set of omega springs for the axis lock. It seems like a lot of people prefer the additional stiffness and robustness of omega springs sold on Etsy over the Bechmade omega springs.
 
All three will serve you well and are plenty strong enough to get you through even some of the more strenuous activities to be expected out of a folding knife. If you REALLY think that you are going to be beating on it, I would just get a smaller fixed blade and save myself the hassle of worrying about lock failure at all.

That being said, out of those three my recommendation would probably be the Axis lock first, the lockback second (though I would do something bigger than the Native) and the compression last. I love a compression lock but one of their downsides is that it can be a pain to get your finger in there to disengage the lock while wearing heavier gloves which is something I would expect you would be doing overseas. Axis locks and lockbacks are easy enough to actuate gloves or not.
 
Shorttime said:
Fair point. But then, that makes me wonder about the very (very scary) fine tips on Spyderco blades? I'm having difficulty imagining a scenario in which the lock fails, first. Unless the kinds of lock failures he's worried about are the ones where dust and grit gets into the moving parts and wallers everything out....?
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You are right to consider that as the main issue. War-fighters are very hard on their gear, and delicate tips are likely to be broken well before a failing lock.
 
Lee D said:
I’m no military man, so maybe this is a silly question, but woulda fixed blade and multi tool be enough to handle all a soldier’s needs?
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Maybe it's a "bushcraft trio" kind of situation? Or, the guy just likes having a folder. I could see where you have enough in your ruck already that you want the "least" amount of cutting tool that will still do the work.
 
cmfkdragoon said:
You are right to consider that as the main issue. War-fighters are very hard on their gear, and delicate tips are likely to be broken well before a failing lock.
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I can't post a picture (Im Ugh Hurr is being arsey), but I have a possible alternative. Look up the "Kilimanjaro Gear Winkler Folder". I think it's a liner lock, but it might still suit your friend.
 
FWIW, the earlier versions of the Native (Gen 1 FRN or Gen 2 S/S) have more robust swedged/concave ground blades that "should" stand up to greater abuse than the flat ground blades on Native 5's and (in my experience) the cost of the Gen 1/2 Native is NOT more than than the cost a new Native 5.

Of course, you are going to have to accept Gin1/2, 440A, AUS 10 or VG10 vs S30V or "better" steels but I doubt that for most purposes that the difference would matter. For examples, see: http://paulberetta.com/natives.htm

It'll probably just take a bit longer to find a Gen 1/2 Native to buy but it may be worth the effort if the choice is a lock back vs compression or axis.

Personally, given the choices mentioned, I would choose the S/S Native 2 and call it a day.

In fact, there's one for sale right now on EB that can be had for $149 (plus tax & shipping) if you want to skip the auction and "buy it now."

After that, who knows when another 1 will show up? Just do a search for a "Spyderco Native II" (not 2) to find it there. The current "high" bid is $66 and the auction ends in about 5 hours from now (845am Pacific time).
 
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As much as I love the Axis, if I was in the sand I'd prefer a lockback or liner lock. Compression locks are awkward and will get gunked up.
 
Bastler said:
Buck 110 Slim Select. US made, a quarter the price and just as durable as Benchmade or Spyderco.
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Until they develop side to side play that can’t be snugged up with a simple turn of a pivot screw. That’s why mine live in the kitchen knife drawer.
 
I doubt you will need warranty service on either. A great warranty is important, but it doesn't help you in the field! It is stronger than a lockback(generally). But it is also more complicated and has more moving parts. I hate taking Benchmades apart. Is that even necessary? Probably not. However, a wise man once said that simplicity was the ultimate from of sophistication.
 
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