Sticky Axis Lock on Mini Griptilian

Indoril · Jun 28, 2013

I just got a Ritter Mini Griptilian a couple days ago. It's my first Benchmade folder with an Axis lock. I love pretty much everything about it, except for one thing: about 90% of the time when I push down on the axis lock to close the blade it "sticks" a bit. And by that I mean it doesn't release smoothly with a constant pull downwards on both sides of it, but rather I'll have to push kind of hard until it suddenly releases with an audible snap. This seems to happen 90% of the time whether I flip it open with centripetal force, push it out with just my thumb, or open it slowly. Sometimes, if I flip it a bit harder than normal (not anything super hard or fast though) it will get REALLY stuck, and I will have to pull down with almost all my might to unlock it. A couple times I was worried it would be permanently stuck open.

Is this normal for Axis locks? What could be causing it? I have opened and closed it at least a couple hundred times now to try to break it in, but it still sticks pretty much every time. It might have improved a bit, but I'm not sure. The knife is great, but for $120 I didn't expect an issue like this. Any advice? Maybe I just need to break it in more?

SlippyShayne · Jun 28, 2013

It takes a little bit to break it in. I put a bit of oil to speed up the process a bit and after a few days it was buttery smooth.

Indoril · Jun 28, 2013

SlippyShayne said:
It takes a little bit to break it in. I put a bit of oil to speed up the process a bit and after a few days it was buttery smooth.

I feel I have been putting it through the paces; my fingers are getting sore from actuating the lock so much! But I shall keep at it. I hope you're right

bpeezer · Jun 28, 2013

My mini grip was the same way at first, it should break in with time.

FlaMtnBkr · Jun 28, 2013

Oil will actually probably make it worse. Oil will allow it to slide further in a bit easier and it will slow down wear which is what 'breaking in' is. I would try running hot water over it and working some liquid soap into the pivot and lock area. Slide the lock bar in and out and rotate the blade some and then rinse it out good, doing the same thing under running water. Shake it to get out as much water as you can and dry it off. It will be fine from here but if you want to blow it out with compressed air or canned air you can. Don't lube it at this point.

I would then try using it for a while like this with no lube and see if it gets better. If the stickyness goes away then eventually you can lube it to help make it smoother. But on a lot of knives that are broke in they are plenty smooth and I don't even add lube. Most lube just helps attract sand and dirt and can make it gritty feeling faster.

Edit: Forgot to say that some AXIS locks can be a bit sticky when new but should get better with use. Not all are like that though. Just give it some more time.

southernknives · Jun 28, 2013

FlaMtnBkr said:
Oil will actually probably make it worse. Oil will allow it to slide further in a bit easier and it will slow down wear which is what 'breaking in' is. I would try running hot water over it and working some liquid soap into the pivot and lock area. Slide the lock bar in and out and rotate the blade some and then rinse it out good, doing the same thing under running water. Shake it to get out as much water as you can and dry it off. It will be fine from here but if you want to blow it out with compressed air or canned air you can. Don't lube it at this point.

I would then try using it for a while like this with no lube and see if it gets better. If the stickyness goes away then eventually you can lube it to help make it smoother. But on a lot of knives that are broke in they are plenty smooth and I don't even add lube. Most lube just helps attract sand and dirt and can make it gritty feeling faster.

Edit: Forgot to say that some AXIS locks can be a bit sticky when new but should get better with use. Not all are like that though. Just give it some more time.

+1 it will break in, don't lube on the lock ramp. (Tang) it should be broken in after a month or so if you use it everyday.

HoosierQ · Jun 28, 2013

That's normal in my experience with two Adamas folder with the Axis lock.

RecreationalUser · Aug 20, 2013

Indoril said:
I feel I have been putting it through the paces; my fingers are getting sore from actuating the lock so much! But I shall keep at it. I hope you're right

Indoril, has the Axis Lock smoothed out for you after a few weeks of use? I just received my Ritter Mini Griptilian and it has the same issue you described to a T, including almost sticking completely when opened with a little extra... enthusiasm.

HoosierQ · Aug 21, 2013

RecreationalUser said:
Indoril, has the Axis Lock smoothed out for you after a few weeks of use? I just received my Ritter Mini Griptilian and it has the same issue you described to a T, including almost sticking completely when opened with a little extra... enthusiasm.

One of my two Adamas does this. That Axis bolt is pretty hard to snap back. Bothers me not.

99cuts · Aug 21, 2013

My M4 mini grip has a sticky lock. I thought it was because it had a black axis-lock button since I have no problem with my s30v mini grip with a polished axis lock.