SOG Arc lock versus Benchmade Axis lock?

E

evert67

Joined
Oct 22, 2011
Messages
222
Does anyone have experience with the SOG Arc lock, which seems similar to Benchmade's Axis lock? I love the Axis lock, it is strong and makes knives very easy to open. Does the Arc lock have the same properties?

I ask this because the SOG Visionary I is a beautiful EDC which I am considering to buy, but I don't know how well the locking mechanism will perform.
 
The two SOG knives I have had with the arc lock didn't lock up as well as my Benchmades with the Axis lock. The Arc lock also didn't seem to make as much contact with the blade tang on both of them. That might be the cause of the play issues. Whether or not all of them are like that, I don't know. Maybe I just got two lemons.
 
the only arc lock knife I have is the access card 2.0 and it opens and closes really easy.

it haven't seen any hard use, so the lock hasn't seen any stress yet.
 
evert67 said:
Does anyone have experience with the SOG Arc lock, which seems similar to Benchmade's Axis lock? I love the Axis lock, it is strong and makes knives very easy to open. Does the Arc lock have the same properties?
Click to expand...

Have serval examples of both. They are very similar in function and "strength".
If forced to, I'd have to give the nod to the Arc lock, but its a close call.
For my expectations and use, there is really no practical difference.

I ask this because the SOG Visionary I is a beautiful EDC which I am considering to buy, but I don't know how well the locking mechanism will perform.
Click to expand...

Nice looking knife. If you want it, go ahead. With proper care the locking mech should serve you fine.
 
I Have knives with both, and I see no functional difference, they are both great.
 
I've got the Tomcat 3.0 with the Arc Lock. It functions just as well as the Benchmade Axis lock. The only difference is the locking bar on the SOG swings like a gate from an upper pivot point ( in an arc) and an Axis lock bar moves horizontally from front to back.
 
Step 1, consider the most important aspect of a knife. How well does it cut? In this case, which one will cut better hold its edge longer?
Step 2, how does it feel in your hand? Which has better ergonomics for your main uses?
Step 3, since this pertains to folders, does the locking mechanism (if it has one) keep the blade from falling closed under normal use? Axis locks, Arc locks, liner locks, frame locks, back locks, Tri-ad locks, whatever. If it keeps the blade open, it's fine. People buy and use friction folders and slipjoints all the time, and guess what kind of locks those knives have? exactly.

For a folder, I would weigh more heavily on the strength of the pivot and blade geometry before I worried about the type of lock.

back to Step 1.

If you like the SOG, then get it. IMO, it's attractively priced for what you get. In that price range though, there are quite a few other options.
 
Yo Mama said:
Why not throw in Spyderco's ball bearing lock!
Click to expand...
That would be my vote as well. Its construction is inherently more durable, with a beefy compression/coil spring moving the locking mechanism, instead of a tiny wire spring (or two).
 
gooeytek said:
Step 3, since this pertains to folders, does the locking mechanism (if it has one) keep the blade from falling closed under normal use? Axis locks, Arc locks, liner locks, frame locks, back locks, Tri-ad locks, whatever. If it keeps the blade open, it's fine. People buy and use friction folders and slipjoints all the time, and guess what kind of locks those knives have? exactly.

For a folder, I would weigh more heavily on the strength of the pivot and blade geometry before I worried about the type of lock.
Click to expand...

A lock does more than keep the blade open. One of the things I like about the Axis lock is that it is very easy to open and close the knife with one hand. I wouldn't try that with a slipjoint. (And not with many other locks - for example, I don't like the Benchmade Nitrous lock, since it requires quite a bit of force to close the knife.)

If you like the SOG, then get it. IMO, it's attractively priced for what you get. In that price range though, there are quite a few other options.
Click to expand...

If you want to share them with us, please do so. I do have quite a wish list, though ;). My perfect EDC: 3-3.4 " blade, good blade thickness (definitely more than 0.11"), not too heavy (certainly less than 4 oz.), thin and flat handle with good grip (the simpler the better, love titanium, but will settle for G10), blade easy to open and close with one hand, good construction quality, good blade steel (love S30V, but will settle for slightly less), drop point blade with good belly and no weird bulges (a personal preference - just don't like the aesthetics of most Spyderco's). The Visionary I sells for about $105.
 
Last edited:
I have both a SOG vulcan mini and a Benchmade Rift. I n my opinion, the Axis lock is better. I say this because it seems easier to disengage the arc lock on the SOG. That being said, they are both very similar and functional locks. Either is a good choice.
 
Speaking from my experience of what I've carried, and from those, what I think you might consider:

Kershaw S30V Blur is about $80.
Kershaw Speedbump is $40, although a bit on the heavy side and the blade is a bit longer than your max of 3.4"
Kershaw Skyline is about $40.
Spyderco Native is about $60 and has S30V. I too am critical of Spyderco aesthetics, and I find that I like their leaf-shaped blades since they don't have the hump. However, I love my Military in spite of that.
Spyderco Manix2 is about $70 and has 154CM steel.
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is about $90 in S30V/black G10.
 
I would say the AXIS lock is quite a bit stronger and should adjust for wear better than the ARC lock. I don't have the SOG version but from looking at the following picture, forces are mainly handled with the hollow pivot point of the ARC lock, instead of the liners of the knife as in the AXIS lock. The AXIS lock also engages the blade tang which is ramped to adjust for wear. The ARC lock doesn't look like it will adjust much.

Have you seen the Benchmade 14205? Sounds like you might like it, unfortunately it was discontinued. Can probably still be found if you look around though.

arclockwh2.jpg
 
I do not know which is stronger. And do not care in fact - both suffice for my needs. I have lots of BM knives, and have two SOG knives with their Arc lock and did not have any issues with neither kind. Arc lock feels sort of softer and sleeker. And it sounds very nice. I would not pick it over AXIS - because mostly it comes with different knives. But both are equally great from my point of view. I prefer them to any other. Though I have got plenty of knives with nearly every other type of lock available - if I like the knife I get it no matter the lock type. I have even got Spyderco T-Mag and like it a lot! ;)
 
In comparing my full size Doug Ritter with my Visionary II, I would definately give the nod to the Axis lock for smoothness and ease
of operation; it just seems easier to pull back rather that back and UP. I don't see any difference in lockup or strength, but I EDC
the Ritter far more than the SOG.
 
gooeytek said:
Speaking from my experience of what I've carried, and from those, what I think you might consider:

Kershaw S30V Blur is about $80.
Kershaw Speedbump is $40, although a bit on the heavy side and the blade is a bit longer than your max of 3.4"
Kershaw Skyline is about $40.
...
Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is about $90 in S30V/black G10.
Click to expand...

We share some taste :-) . I own a Kershaw Blur and in terms of construction quality, ease of opening and closing (it's even assisted and does it the right way) it is my favourite knife. However, I don't like its blade shape. All other Kershaws: there's something wrong (according to my tastes) with them. The Leek is too small and features a very weak opening mechanism. Some others don't have a thumb stud, but only a flipper and on many of them I don't like the blade shapes with all the curves. I guess I am not a fan of Ken Onion.

The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 does look very good, in spite of my dislike of the general Spyderco form factor. Where did you see it for §90? Wherever I look it is much more expensive.

I was also pointed to the Benchmade HK 14205. This looks very good as well, even though it sports 'only' a 154CM blade. However, it is out of production and hard to get.

Any other tips really appreciated!
 
Maybe you would be interested in the inner workings of the locking mechanisms.

BM Mini Barrage Axis Lock
[youtube]IPsTAEUTbQ8[/youtube]

SOG Flash II Arc lock:
[youtube]AmRf4kIrryo[/youtube]
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top