spydercos bolt lock ease of use

K

kalifornia

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Nov 14, 2013
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Howdy, Im wanting to purchase my second knife. Now that I know more about what locking mech I would prefer (Im a lefty) I've decided on a Griptilian or a Manix 2 or a sage 3. My question to you is does/will Spyderco send out new springs if needed unlike Benchmade? Also has anyone replaced a spyderco spring with a spring from a pen or cut a coil off the stock spring to lessen the force needed to unlock it? I ask because people rave about how easy the axis lock is to operate and while not neccessary I think unlocking a knife with just a thumb or a index finger would be neat
And If you have handled all three of these locks, bolt, caged or axis(or not) which do you like the best? I thank you for your input!!!
 
I don't remember who but just within the last couple weeks there was a guy who attempted exactly what your asking on his S3 and it didnt work, he had to find a replacement spring (he had to source it on his own cause spyderco warranty wouldn't replace it cause it didnt break, he ruined it by attempting to moddify it).

Something to keep in mind, if THE spring on a Manix/Sage breaks the knife is done till you get it fixed, if ONE of the omega springs breaks on a axis lock the knife is still operational till you send it in to benchmade (who will then replace the pair free of charge).
 
I have a number of axis lock knives, and several BB lock Spydercos. My axis locks will operate with a thumb or fingertip, in a normal grip. My BB locks take a lot more force and I have to use thumb AND finger, and move the knife a little in my hand. I don't worry a bit about the BB lock unlocking during use. I have not worried about the axis lock either though. My Manix 2 is very smooth to operate, and quick to operate once I got a system down for it. I can operate it easily in complete darkness for instance. The axis lock and BB lock I think are completely safe, with liner locks you run the risk of thumb intersecting edge, with a lockback you run the risk of very serious cuts, especially with free-swinging blades.

I have a mini-grip and the Manix 2. The Manix 2 is a much more solid feeling knife, also a little bigger due to the hole in the blade. I like G10 scales better than molded plastic. I would be interested in buying one of the G10 griptilians but they are relatively expensive. The griptilian takes a little less space in your pocket, the lock is easier to operate, but the Manix 2 is smoother and I think it is stronger. Pick the qualities that you like the best.

I don't carry my mini-grip any more but I do carry my Manix a lot.
 
I am actually carrying my Sage 3 today. I find it very easy to operate and appreciate the quickness it can be closed especially when working and only have one hand. It is fast, thoughtless, and safe. On the Sage 3, I typically use my thumb and index finger, but can close it with just my thumb. It wasn't it that easy new, but I have put the knife through its paces, and some might say abused it a time or two. It is still smooth, fast, and strong. Great working knife imo.

As far as the spring goes, I wouldn't mess with the internals on this knife. I took the scales off one time, and realized it was not worth messing with.
 
Considering Spyderco's policy about disassembling their knives, I sorta doubt that they would send out any internal parts.
 
A coil spring like is used in the CBBL is much less likely to fail compared with an omega spring. Maybe Sal can comment here on whether they've ever had to replace a coil spring, but I would be very surprised.
 
Random Dan said:
A coil spring like is used in the CBBL is much less likely to fail compared with an omega spring. Maybe Sal can comment here on whether they've ever had to replace a coil spring, but I would be very surprised.
Click to expand...

agreed, a coil spring will be very unlikely to fail, though the omega springs aren't snapping left and right either, and there are two, and they are 100% warrantied. I would try to handle one, or all, I've never handled the BBL but the axis lock is great, and the blade is free swinging basically when the lock is disengaged from the surface.
 
Pete3 said:
agreed, a coil spring will be very unlikely to fail, though the omega springs aren't snapping left and right either, and there are two, and they are 100% warrantied. I would try to handle one, or all, I've never handled the BBL but the axis lock is great, and the blade is free swinging basically when the lock is disengaged from the surface.
Click to expand...

As is the CBBL, I have no exp with the true BBL. (tho I hope to pick up a D'Allara sometime soon).
 
The ball lock as seen in the Dodo or Phoenix is an interesting beast. It feels like there's wasted movement when you go to retract the ball from the locking surface of the blade, and it spins a little as you drag it back. Less of an issue if you use thumb and forefinger together, but laziness means at least once in ten times using it I'll go for a thumb-only closing.

Caged BBL is nice. Very stiff spring, but it inspires confidence. I'd guess that if it survived the first day of carry, it'll survive the life of the knife (or its owner).

Bolt action lock is easier than the CBBL to use, probably on par with the BBL but not as easy to pull as the Axis. There's a little bit more drag in the mating surfaces, while on the other hand there's slop in the Axis locks I've had.

Try them all, they're great. More comfortable in my experience than the compression lock, less hazardous to thumbs than frame or liner locks, and unlike a lockback you don't really have to shift grips to close the knife. Of the types discussed here, I'd have to say the bolt action is my personal favorite, but it's by a hair.

With Spyderco lockbacks, at least, there's a way to keep fingers out of the way and control the blade as it closes. Chuck the tip of the index finger in the Spyderhole, and with the thumb depress the lock bar. Close the knife with the index finger.
 
If you take apart a Spyderco Pheonix or Dodo you'll find there are actually 2 springs applying pressure to the ball bearing. There is an outer spring, the one you can see, but there is also a smaller inner spring. You can removed the inner spring and just use the outer. Knife works just fine but becomes much easier to close one handed.

If you want the easiest and fastest locking mechanism, get the Axis lock. Nothing comes close. The sage III is nice but it's not nearly as fluid as an axis lock. I had one that was quite sticky and stiff. It took alot of breaking in before it smoothed out. It did smooth out quite a bit, but it still can't compare to Axis.

The caged ball bearing lock on the Manix II is great. The plastic "grips" on the side of the ball protrude quite a bit so it make closing the knife easy. That a great lock. I've only ever had one Manix II so I can't speak for all of them, but mine was a little sticky like the Sage III as well.

My advice is that you go the the Griptillian or Manix II. If you decide on the Grip, take a look at the "Ritter" blade or the Sheepsfoot blade. Both have extra thumbramp with, in my opinion, makes a big difference in the feel of the knife.
 
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