Questions regarding Axis lock. . .

F

faxanadu

Joined
Apr 13, 2002
Messages
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I'm considering ordering a Benchmade Griptilian and I need to find out more about how the Axis lock works. I've never actually handled a Benchmade, but I have a Gerber Chameleon which appears to have a similar locking mechanism (judging solely from pictures I've seen). I found that I can defeat the lock on the Chameleon by pressing really hard against the back of the blade, and this has me a little leery about getting the Benchmade. I know that the Axis lock and the lock on the Chameleon (bolt action?) are probably very different internally, but I don't understand how the Axis works. If someone could explain this to me, it would really help.

Thanks!
 
The axis lock buttons are the two ends of a metal bar inside the handle. This metal bar presses against a notch at the back of the blade kind of like a lockback, thus preventing the back of the blade from moving upwards (and the tip from moving downwards) when it is in position.

It seems that new locks are all focusing on this type of locking, where the blade rear of the pivot is prevented from moving upwards, instead of keeping the stuff in front of the pivot from moving backwards.
 
You'll find that you can pound on the back of a Benchmade w/Axis lock and it won't move. They lock up very well, and stay locked. You really don't need to worry about it failing from a little pressure.
 
Go to www.benchmade.com , they will have an article or two for you to read about it as well as some cut away diagrams of how it works. The axis lock is very strong and reliable.
Your chameleon, is a bolt action lock. The same as used in the 600 series gerber multi tools, and on some meyerco knives designed by blackie collins. It has the potential to be very strong and reliable, but it seems that gerber has a few bugs to work out on the chamelion lineup. The 600 multilocks are very good.
 
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