Non-Proprietary Axis-Like Mechanisms?

C

cm_bushman

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Oct 22, 2012
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I'm a huge fan of the Axis Lock, its simplicity, strength, and reliability (so far for me at least) have made me a total convert. It really shines for me as being truly ambidextrous and easy to operate to both open and close a knife with one hand and without changing the position of one's hand or placing your fingers in the blade's path. These features were a revelation coming from stiff frame locks and lockbacks that required two hands, much force, and/or a change of hand position to close.

Now that I'm looking to create my first knives, I know a mechanism like the AXIS is what I want to use, but at present I can't exactly pay a large fee to Benchmade for its use. I know if you dig, you'll find a patent or at least an undisputed innovator for nearly every locking mechanism (Frame lock, Liner lock, various Assist or Automatic actions). I'm just wondering if there are any non-patented or proprietary locking mechanisms comparable to the Axis lock, that could be used in my future knives without infringing on anyone's rights and such.
 
Benchmade axis lock shows a patent date of April 1998. Not sure when it will expire. Would need more research. Have you checked into their cut per knife sold. Not sure if it evens works that way or its one fee to use their patent. Sometime working on someones design you could find something that might be an improvement. Look into different locking methods and see if a patent is still in effect. I believe that you can make a knife and use the axis lock as long as you don't offer them up for sale. You are welcome to send them to me and you would not be violating any laws. Sorry I can't give you better info but good luck in your project.
 
If you haven't already, ask Benchmade for permission to use the Axis Lock for a personal one-off prototype. They might not charge you anything (until you start your own production run for profit).
 
Just buy a cheaper Benchmade model with an Axis lock and move the parts over to your custom knife. As long as you are not reselling the custom, there shouldn't be a problem.
 
First get and read the patent to see what it actually covers and whether or not you can think of variations such as possibly different design actuating springs that are different than designs the patent claims protection for. Also look at other similar ambidexterous lock designs such as the one Spyderco uses on the Manix2 XL. The actuating mechanism externally looks similar to the BM Axis lock though I understand that internally it is quite different. The Bolt action lock is old enough so might well be out of patent protection and it could probably be operated by a ambidexterous cross shaft mechanism.

I have several Axis Assist Benchmades and expect to receive a Contigo and a Adamas with Axis locks on Friday.
 
I too would grab cheap axis lock knives and use the internals.

If you aren't selling your knives there shouldn't be an issue with copying the lock. Benchmade has a forum here with pretty active moderators, I'd ask there or report your post and ask for this thread to be moved to the Benchmade forum.

Additionally you may post on the Benchmade forums or contact them from the information provided on the contact page at Benchmade.com

Hope this helps.
 
Move to China and make your knives there! lol I'm just playin...

I would recommend you buy a bolt action knife, a cbbl knife, and take them apart to compare the locks to the Axis. Who know, maybe you can come up with the next "best" lock in the knife industry.

Other than that, contact Benchmade directly to have your questions answered.

Good luck.
 
rpttrsn said:
Benchmade axis lock shows a patent date of April 1998. Not sure when it will expire. Would need more research. Have you checked into their cut per knife sold. Not sure if it evens works that way or its one fee to use their patent. Sometime working on someones design you could find something that might be an improvement. Look into different locking methods and see if a patent is still in effect. I believe that you can make a knife and use the axis lock as long as you don't offer them up for sale. You are welcome to send them to me and you would not be violating any laws. Sorry I can't give you better info but good luck in your project.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure patents are 17 years, so the axis lock patent will be up in 2015. Someone could go lawyer and google it I suppose.
 
I thought patents lasted for 15 years with some type of option to extend it another 5 to 20 years. But if you are making it for personal use and not profiting from it I don't think you need permission to use a patent.
 
CBennett said:
The one on my Gerber Parabellum is similar I think its called a Bolt Lock.
Click to expand...


That's the lock that was developed by Blackie Collins and precedes all these others. I had a Gerber Bolt Action many years ago, a really nice knife.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
That's the lock that was developed by Blackie Collins and precedes all these others. I had a Gerber Bolt Action many years ago, a really nice knife.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I have both a Parabellum and another much smaller Gerber Bolt Action knife still in good shape. IMO the Bolt Action was a big step forward from the Buck 110 spine lock design as far as user convenience is concerned.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys, I've began a little research on the info gained here and I hope to be able to definitively choose a suitable mechanism soon.
As far as cannibalizing an Axis knife, I plan to start making knives with an eye towards selling them, so I was hoping to find a design to go with from the get go that would have minimal problems later. By using an Axis lock, I would be compelled (perhaps literally) to pay Benchmade for the privilege. This is fair, don't get me wrong, but it would drive up my prices and as a fresh-off-the-cabbage-truck knife maker, I don't think my business could take the hit. Perhaps if I ever hit the big time, I could begin to think about becoming a Benchmade partner, if they'd have me.

gomipile said:
The Blackie Collins Bolt Lock is the only one I can think whose patent has expired.

Edit: The patent number is US 4451982 A. You can find it at http://www.google.com/patents/
Click to expand...

As of now, the Bolt-Action is really looking like the design of choice. Though I'm not sure if the design is still under patent or not. There was another patent filed by Walter W. Collins in 1991, number US 5111581 A, that is very similar to the one you linked to. I think both of these would have expired by now, but I really don't know much about these matters. I'll have to get familiar with the patent system soon! Hopefully I will be able to tweak whatever I use enough to make it a moot point, as some have advised. It's really amazing to see just how little difference there has to be to escape patent infringement. The Axis, for example, just seems like a bolt action with omega springs and minus the protruding section in front.

Back to the bolt-action itself, from the diagrams I had assumed it was ambidextrous, though if it is not, there's a major difference right there! It seems to be exactly the same external action as the Axis as well, which is exactly what I was looking for! I'll have to track down one of the old Gerber's to really get to know this mechanism (if i can afford it).
 
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