Spyderco Ball Lock Vs Benchmade Axis Lock

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knifezoid

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Apr 17, 2009
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I'm sorry if someone's has posted this already.
This thread/question is not so much intended
for a discussion on which is better, but more
so on the differences/similarities between the
two.

I really like the new Spyderco Manix 2. I was
just wondering if it's locking mechanism functions
similar to the one on my Benchmade 940 Axis
Lock.

Can you depress the button and flip the blade open
and close like on the Axis lock? Is opening with
spydie hold have the same fluid feeling as the axis?

Any comments and input appreciated. Thanks.
 
I don't have a 940 but I do have the 550 and 555 model Griptilians as well as a Manix 2.

Strictly comparing the locks:

Function appears the same between the two locks. A spring powered ball/cylinder prevents the blade from closing. The M2 has a much stiffer spring and requires two fingers to close while maintaining a solid grip on the knife. The Axis can easily be closed with one finger and is much more forgiving about the grip during closing. The cage on the CBBL has a little more texture than the Axis button so it may be more secure with greasy/slick hands but it does tend to beat up your fingers if you sit and flip it open/closed all day.

So far no reports of CBBL spring breakage. :D

Can you depress the button and flip the blade open
and close like on the Axis lock?

Is opening with spydie hold have the same fluid feeling as the axis?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can push back the cage and flip out the blade but it takes quite a bit of force to hold back the cage. The blade does swing pretty freely due to the bushing system.

Even better I would say, the Manix 2 is one of the smoothest openers I have. The opening friction is from just the tiny surface area of the steel ball riding the tang and the contact between the blade and the PB washers, very smooth.

Both are very good locks. :thumbup:
 
I like the axis more, smoother, easier and stronger (but the omega spring wears out after a year or so of edc)
 
If you like the CBL of Spyderco you'll probably like the Axis-lock.

Most Axis-lock knives are easier to pull the lock bar back than on the CBL. Not sure if that is a positive or not, though.
 
I own a spyderco poliwog and a benchmade griptillian. The ball lock seems stronger then the axis lock but harder to use. There is no cage over the ball in the poliwog so im not sure if the difficulty of the lock is fixed by that. Both seem to be really good locks, however although I have never had a problem with it, I worrie about the springs in these type of locks rusting and breaking.
 
I have personally seen ball bearing locks get vertical blade play much worse than any axis lock..
That being said.. Both hold up very well.. I trust both equally... I prefer the look of the ball bearing.. But the feeling and ease of use with the axis lock..
Matt.
 
theamazingdrew said:
(but the omega spring wears out after a year or so of edc)
Click to expand...

Cmon, really .. That sounds pretty uneducated to me...
They can last for years. Or occasionally break sooner.. Just like a torsion bar or anything else..
It could happen .. but not that much..
 
Last edited:
The two locks look more similar than they are. The Axis lock uses very thin omega springs to push a crossbar over the blade tang and wedge it in place against holes in the liners. The Ball lock uses a pair of concentric coil springs to wedge a steel ball between the blade tang and a steel backspacer. In absolute terms, the ball lock is stronger given the same handle construction, however since it does not require liners to function, handle construction can be much lighter. In relative terms, either is much stronger than it needs to be if you have any idea how to use a knife.

I have heard of Omega springs failing, but I have not experienced it myself. I have not even heard of the coil springs failing on ball locks. The latest version of the ball lock, the caged ball lock on the new Manix 2, has springs strong enough to give the knife some closing bias and a strong enough closed detent to make me comfortable with tip-up carry, something none of my Axis lock knives can boast.
 
I tried both and like the looks of the uncaged ball lock the best, the action of the Axis slightly better.

Still don't own any knives with either, although I'd love a Manix 2 or BM 530
 
I've owned both types.
The Axis is easier to use. Otherwise, the locking principle is the same.

BTW,thumbflicking is just as fast as wristflicking. It doesn't damge the knife either. That is why all manufacturers tell us not to wristflick any knife.
Every manufacturer, not just a few, every single one.
 
I have a spyderco dodo and a benchmade 930.I like ball lock better.
A ball slide in a curved steel block is very strong,the spring is better than the axis lock.
 
theamazingdrew said:
I like the axis more, smoother, easier and stronger (but the omega spring wears out after a year or so of edc)
Click to expand...

Not true. My brother in law has a Mini-Grip that he's carried for almost 10 years. It's a D2 Cabela's model. It's been in mud, water, etc. and just cleaned out and oiled and resharpened. Never broken a spring ever.

I have owned both and I honestly prefer the Axis lock. Caged Ball lock is too hard to operate. It's a good try at the Axis but will not beat it in my opinion.

Cheers...
 
I trust both types to function well. But the CBB feels a little more heavy duty, mostly due to the higher spring tension than the Axis lock. This is a purely subjective feel. The blade retention is much better on a CBB though, there's no way it would accidentally open up in pocket. With this design, I'd bet that even a failed spring would still keep the knife closed. But either way, I have no experience of either locks loosening up or failing.

If you want to play with it, an Axis is easier. I'll bet you can get the same thing if you swapped out the tension spring to a weaker spring on a CBB lock but I wouldn't recommend it. :) You can't go wrong with either one.
 
Thanks guys. I'm thinkin' bout getting that blue sprint run Manix Two.
I think for the nice color more than anything :)
 
IMO, the difference comes down what you want in the lock. They are both strong enough for tough use. They are both super smooth openers.
The CBBL on the Manix 2 is designed with a much stronger spring than the Axis lock omega springs. For some this is a good thing. This lock should be much more difficult to accidentally disengage and has good detent pressure.
Others might prefer a lock like the axis, which disengages with light pressure. You can more easily flick it open and closed. Possible downsides are the greater likelihood to accidentally disengage in certain situations and has less detent strength when closed.
I can only speculate based on the coil springs and ball bearing/anvil design that the CBBL is a stronger and more reliable design overall.
I think either lock is just as good for regular everyday use. You just need to have them in hand to decide which one feels best.
 
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