Sub 2.5 inch axis/ball/arc lock alternatives

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Many of us want the convenience of an axis lock or it's arc/ball equivalent for a sub 2.5 inch jurisdiction. Heretofore, the choices have been limited to the stainless steel version of the Spyderco Polywog and the now discontinued SOG Sculptura.
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both decent knives in their own right, with limitations. I own an SS Poliwog and have handled the Sculptura. The SS Poliwog is heavy for its size. The Sculptura is now discontinued and has no thumbhole or thumbstud. Benchmade, the innovator of the axis lock has not shown the slightest inclination to carry the axis lock to a sub 2.5 inch blade market. Unfortunate. That said, Spyderco has improved the Poliwog and SOG has upped the anti with the Blutto. Enter 2009, we have a G-10 Poliwog and SOG Blutto (Blutto's blade is 2.25 inches). We have two contenders, never of which is on the market but both of which are close to market. Hats off. Benchmade.... are you paying attention? All "small" axis products are over 2 1/2 inches. You have several good ones. The mini grip, sequel, mini- barage, mini-presidio. Why can't you make one in the 2" to 2.5" blade range? Seriously, Spyderco and SOG are the leaders in that market. Maybe demand is small? Not for me. The lack of a Benchmade entry in this specific market to me is startling. Benchmade is kind of like Subaru. If you want an all wheel drive small ute/wagon than can't get better than 20 mpgs that is crashworthy and reliable but fuel inefficient, Subaru is your boy. Ditto for axis locks in the 2.91 inch+ range. Les, it's time to make more!! World is waiting

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If they don't make it then there must not be a market for it. Simple.

Why be so picky about a locking system anyways? You are really limiting your options.
 
Dekz said:
If they don't make it then there must not be a market for it. Simple.

Why be so picky about a locking system anyways? You are really limiting your options.
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Even if I did, what you call "picky", I call discriminating. Liner locks don't do it for me. And a locking system in any event isn't some small feature but a major part of the knife as a whole. It's like saying "why be picky about the grind" or "why be picky about the steel". Simply because those things affect the performance of your folder. I can't agree with you about the market for small axis lock knives. A lot of interest in that size range generally due to legal limitations. And a lot of interest in axis/arc/ball locks. Just not a lot putting the two together until now. 2009 will see Spyderco's improvement in the Poliwog and SOG's Blutto debut. We'll see how they sell and then we can talk about what market is. For that matter, many of us are waiting on the G-10 Dragonfly (a lockback) and hoping for G-10 Lava (another lockback), both excellent knives. I like lockbacks and own several. Just wish we had more choices in axis/arc/ball. And now we do! ;)
 
I believe the market is there, it just hasn't been capitalized on yet. With the Sculptura SOG tried to MAKE a niche market i.e. sheeple friendly, mostly female buyers, clipped anywhere/on anything and "blend in", read, tasteful/fashionable. It didn't work.
As for the Poliwog, I think Eric was making a design statement/still getting his feet wet. Now that the SS Poliwog has been saturated into the Bug collector market, let loose the G-10.
As for SOG, female & sheeple didn't work in this instance, so they try the more conventional EDC "coloring". Something tells me the Bluto will work.

At least, that's how I see it. But, I'm probably wrong. But, then again, I may not be...

Gibby
 
I see it as a potential market, mostly depending on what laws come down the line. Currently, it is simply limited due to most people not really caring too much about such laws; an attitude that is changing as various enforcers become more ardent (off-topic side issue).

Spyderco will probably lead the way, since Sal seems to have friends in about every country in the world and he seems to be willing to "give it a shot" to fulfill the needs of relatively small market segments (hats off, folks, for that is admirable).

I hadn't really noticed the newer SOG knives; thanks for making me look at them.

Personally, I'm waiting to see more full-size handles with short "legal" blades. I have a "custom" (read I bought it with a broken blade and I reshaped it) 710 with an approx. 2" blade and it works well for many tasks.
 
orthogonal1 said:
Personally, I'm waiting to see more full-size handles with short "legal" blades. I have a "custom" (read I bought it with a broken blade and I reshaped it) 710 with an approx. 2" blade and it works well for many tasks.
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Got a picture? Two inches may be a bit too short, but I'd love to see a 710 variant with a 3.5 inch blade and close to full size handle.

I'm not concerned with legality when it comes to my choices of EDCs, but after three years of EDC'ing a 710, I'm ready for something a bit smaller. I'm leaning towards the Paramilitary, but would jump on board for something in between the 705 and 710.

As to the original question, my favorite sub 2.5 inch blade is the Buck 503. It's a very slim, sturdy lockback. In knives that small, I want a nice slim package. I don't really think you need an Axis-type system on a knife that small because it's not going to be doing much heavy duty work.
 
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