Problems with Axis Lock?

I just read about some people having problems with their Axis Locks in a German knife discussion forum. One guy reported that one of the springs in the lock mechanism broke. It was of course replaced by BM but if you live in Europe that's a hassle. Another guy said that after his girlfriend had been carrying one in her coat pocket for a while the lock became clogged up with dirt.
There were other people, too, who thought that the Axis Lock is not as good as its reputation.

That surprised me quite a bit since in this forum it is often suggested that the Axis Lock is one of the best if not the best.

As I haven't had a chance to handle an Axis Lock myself I would be interested in what you think.
 
There have been some reported spring breakings, but I don't buy the dirt in the pocket thing. One of the first things I did with the Axis when I got my first 710 was take it out in the back yard and fill it full of clay and mud. The function was certainly hampered, but it worked better than a lock back or liner lock in similar conditions. So, yes, I have heard of springs breaking, but the reports are pretty rare, and yes the Axis lock is one of the best folder locks available right now, a few broken springs notwithstanding.
 
And that's why there are two springs. So even if one gets damaged (which is extremely rare), the other still prevents the lock from accidentally disengaging.

In my personal opinion, this is the best folder lock available. I sincerely hope Benchmade will license it to some custom makers, so that I don't have to 'settle' for lockbacks and framelocks (and liner locks) for my nice folders. I still prefer fixed-blades, in general, but they are not as much fun to just play with, and they are often not as convenient.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 04-27-2001).]
 
I really like my 705. Action is ever so smooth. I have dropped my 705 once and had it dropped by a friend once too. Besides scuffing the G10, no damage was done to the blade or the lock. I also don't buy the dirt thing.
Matt.
 
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by e_utopia:
I sincerely hope Benchmade will license it to some custom makers</font>
Click to expand...

Amen, brother. Either that, or maybe someone could convince Mr. Williams or Mr. McHenry to make a custom folder for something less than $2500.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
I have total of 9 different axis lock folders, no problems so far at all. Plus I ave 4 of them as gifts to my friends, those have no probs either.
As of pocket dirt, that's gonna affect any knife, nothing axis specific.

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Bill: yeah, and McHenry is no longer taking orders. And if you can find one their knives for $2500, you're getting a good deal, compared to normal prices for their stuff.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Sorry, I think I made a small translation error (please bear in mind that English is not my first language). 'Clogged' is probably the wrong word. The lock was still operational but you needed a lot of force to operate it. Maybe hampered is a better expression.

Still I found that surprising since I've read that people have tested the Spyderco Military by digging in dirt without it affecting the lock. And we're talking about dirt from the inside of a coat pocket (that's what you call 'pocket lint'?). I've never had a liner lock being affected by that.
 
My 730 Axis lock is at benchmade as we speak with,you guessed it,a broken omega spring.I am sure this doesn't happen often and I will admit that the knife still functioned with only one spring,locked up every time.It certainly won't keep me from buying another axis lock.I cant wait to get the 550 griptilian.Do not let a very few falty springs ruin you confidence in benchmade or the axis lock.
 
I've got two (710 and 770). A year with the 710 and a month with the 770 have convinced me that the Axis is the best lock out there, period. Never had a problem. Smoother than linerlocks--and safer too, since they keep the blade in the handle much better.
 
Culter,
The Axis Lock is much more obstruction resistant than back lock or liner lock by its nature. Here I have described how I tested Axis Lock obstruction resistance. For comparison - no one back lock or liner lock would lock at all with 0,5 mm thick obstruction between blade tang and stop pin.

About year or so ago some Forumite told how it were stripped and portioned two large kangaroos with BENCHMADE Ares equipped with Axis Lock. The locking mechanism was totally clogged with clotted blood, fat and wool but it still worked flawlessly.

So I really can't imagine how much dirt and debris someone should carry in his or her pockets to let Axis Lock fail.

As to spring breakage - sure they can break like each spring in this world. But I can't imagine the situation they could break both at the same time.

As to SPYDERCO Military - it is very decent knife, one of my strong favorites. Its liner lock is one of the best ever made and it is hard to let it fail. Simply to let fail Axis Lock is even harder. Axis Lock has more advantages over liner lock (including this on Military) - it is totally ambidextrous and retains knife's closed position much firmer.


[This message has been edited by Sergiusz Mitin (edited 04-27-2001).]
 

Working at 1SKS I have a quite a selection of knives to choose from, and I have been carrying a red handle BM-940 as my edc for the last 10 months. No problems at all.
 
Thanks for all your answers. Now I'm reassured that I want an Axis Lock. I'm seriously considering getting a BM 550. I've just ordered a Starmate though, so I will have to wait a while until my finances recover. Maybe BM even brings forth another modell with Axis Lock in the meantime.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">So I really can't imagine how much dirt and debris someone should carry in his or her pockets to let Axis Lock fail.</font>
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been wondering about those pockets, too.

[This message has been edited by culter (edited 04-27-2001).]
 
All my Axis locks work perfectly. Must have been something going on with those pockets...........
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culter --

Thanks for the heads-up, we might not otherwise see these types of reports. There have been a few reports of omega springs breaking, but all reports have said that Benchmade's fail-safe 2nd-spring worked the lock just fine. I've heard only of a very few springs breaking, but the fact that the lock continued to work without compromising reliability is good news.

Regarding dirt, in my experience lockbacks and liner locks are both much more susceptible to failures due to dirt.

Still, it's always good to see what other people run into, and add that to the data we have about a particular lock format. Thanks again!

Joe
 
I agree with Joe. Let us know about spring failures and other problems. The feedback is valuable and not to be construed as an attack on the product or the company.

If there are springs in a knife there will be breakages. One reason I don't care for auto's.

What would really be interesting to know is statistics from the factory regarding warranty returns. But, I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

I haven't experienced lock failures with my liner lock (LCC/MA) from lint, or any other failures.

However, I have had pocket lint (jeans) prevent my Delica from locking. Easily solved by simply blowing it out.
 
I guess every one concurs in this thread that the axis lock is the best lock you can buy on a folder. I can't wait to see how the Busse lock on its anticipated folder compares to everyone's aforementioned favorite.
 
Issac,

I for one do not think the axis is the best lock design on a folder. Nifty, yes, but not hands down the best, mainly becuase the springs can and do break.
 
There's no heads-and-shoulders-above-the-rest best lock yet, but I personally feel the Axis lock is the best lock out there so far. I haven't examined Spyderco's compression lock at all yet, however.

The perfect lock? Very strong. Astoundingly reliable, even in the face of dirt, even when white-knuckling, torquing, grip manipulations, or subject to impact forces. Ambidextrous. Smooth-opening. Helps hold the blade closed. Easy for makers to consistently manufacture in a strong and reliable manner. Doesn't add too much thickness to the handle or compromise handle frame integrity too much.

That's all we ask.
 
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