The Benchmade Axis Lock

H

Hypermole

Joined
Aug 23, 2012
Messages
662
Hi,

What is the current overall reliability and strength of this lock compared to the other options out there?
I read somewhere they were having some issues with it when it first came out.

Thank You
 
1st: reliability - supreme
2nd: strength - one of the strongest there is ( more important would be the question how strong the stop pin is. but there has never EVER been a problem with it.l ike a bank vault. period.)
the axis lock came out 1999 iirc, so they should have fixed its problems.
seriously, in my opinion, the axis lock is the best locking mechanism there is.
get one, and be amazed

oh, on the benchmade forum are some lock testing videos. i really doubt that there has been a human idividual with the physical strenght to cause a lock failure on a benchmade axis lock folder.
super smooth operation. rock solid. totaly ambidextrous, and it opens, and cloeses(!) like an auto. there is a very good reason why this lock is their trademark locking mechanism.
 
Benchmade has multiple videos of them testing various models axis locks. Youtube it, you will be surprised by some of the results!
 
Thank you for the info.
Are the Benchmade H&K axis locks of the same quality and strength?
 
I'm gonna piggyback on this thread and ask a question. I am seriously considering picking up a 950 rift. However I am hesitant to do so because while I know the axis lock is reliable and strong, I have read many threads about people experiencing blade play both vertical and horizontal. Some say its not normal, some say all axis locks have some sort of blade play. I am pretty anal about blade play especially when you pay over $100 for a knife. I own much cheaper knives that have none. So what do you guys say? Is blade play something you have to live with if you decide to carry an axis lock knife?
 
johnnytoxin said:
I'm gonna piggyback on this thread and ask a question. I am seriously considering picking up a 950 rift. However I am hesitant to do so because while I know the axis lock is reliable and strong, I have read many threads about people experiencing blade play both vertical and horizontal. Some say its not normal, some say all axis locks have some sort of blade play. I am pretty anal about blade play especially when you pay over $100 for a knife. I own much cheaper knives that have none. So what do you guys say? Is blade play something you have to live with if you decide to carry an axis lock knife?
Click to expand...

Axis locks may have blade play and still function just as well as without blade play. An Axis lock is not like your typical production framelock and liner lock which requires a very stable blade to ensure proper production-grade lock up.

However despite this Benchmade has probably one of the biggest factories of most well known knife manufacturers. Their quality is top notch, and out of all 5 Griptillians I've owned, none had blade play side to side or up and down. At least not after break in (one Grip had up and down but after break in it was solid as a vault.

If there is blade play, I am sure Benchmade will be happy to take a look at it.

Lastly, knifemakers have said already: Bladeplay is not always bad. In fact it is necessary to get the most out of linerlocks and framelocks while in other lock types it does not affect the security of the mechanism.
 
I have never had any blade play of any kind in any of my AXIS locks. The AXIS lock design allows for wear and also self adjusts.

Benchmade's customer service is one of the best in the business and they would definitely take care of it for you.
 
Last edited:
johnnytoxin said:
Thanks guys. I think im gonna give the rift a try.
Click to expand...

The Rift is an outstanding knife. One of my all time favorites and definitely my favorite sub 3.75" blade knife.

Great choice and I hope you like yours as much as I like mine.

All the best!
 
I've owned three grips, mini and large, new and used no play. and I now have a brand new Benchmade Adamas, and when I bought it, I had them pull out all the Adamas blades they had, so I could check them all. All had perfect lock up and balance.And also, after working at a knife shop for some time, the axis lock is the best and my favorite.
 
I have seen some side to side blade play on a couple of new Benchmade knives as received but a minor adjustment of the blade pivot screw has corrected it. Blade side play has nothing to do with the Axis lock mechanism design though.
 
I've been an Axis user since it first came out. I've never had one fail on me. I've carried an AFCK/806 in one form or another for years and train with that particular model weekly. Over the course of hundreds of draws and deployment practice I've actually "worn out" a lock bar on one to the point of having a fair amount of blade play regardless of adjustment. This was taken care of by BM warranty with no questions asked and that particular 806D2 is still going strong.
I have an Adamas folder as part of my hiking/outdoor gear and it's been beat on pretty hard without any problems either. The Axis is my favorite locking system out there and in my opinion definatly one of the strongest.
 
Der W. said:
1st: reliability - supreme
2nd: strength - one of the strongest there is ( more important would be the question how strong the stop pin is. but there has never EVER been a problem with it.l ike a bank vault. period.)
the axis lock came out 1999 iirc, so they should have fixed its problems.
seriously, in my opinion, the axis lock is the best locking mechanism there is.
get one, and be amazed

oh, on the benchmade forum are some lock testing videos. i really doubt that there has been a human idividual with the physical strenght to cause a lock failure on a benchmade axis lock folder.
super smooth operation. rock solid. totaly ambidextrous, and it opens, and cloeses(!) like an auto. there is a very good reason why this lock is their trademark locking mechanism.
Click to expand...

+1

DBZ220 said:
I've been an Axis user since it first came out. I've never had one fail on me.
Click to expand...

+1

IMO, its the best lock-up out there. One of the reasons why I didn’t pick up the new 7505 - it’s a frame lock. With years of use, axis has never failed me.
 
jkarp_53 said:
Regarding Axis-based mechanisms like the discontinued (14205 and 14210 models) branded with the HK logo; Yes.
Click to expand...

Thank You

Here is the knife I am curious about.

Heckler and Koch Enigma Folding Knife with Plain-edged Coated Blade (Black, 6.9-Inch)
Item model number: 14055BT
 
Hypermole said:
Thank You

Here is the knife I am curious about.

Heckler and Koch Enigma Folding Knife with Plain-edged Coated Blade (Black, 6.9-Inch)
Item model number: 14055BT
Click to expand...

Not as good as an AXIS lock. Works fine, but definitely not in the same class.
 
The 'Enigma', now discontinued, is based on an older 'Red Class' knife and re-branded with the HK logo. It's locking mechanism, the 'Rolling lock' is a simple sliding lock that reads from the 2007 catalog; "The Rolling Lock utilizes a sizeable, notched lock-pin which secures against the blade tang when engaged. To disengage, a spring acutuated thumb button on the right handle side is drawn back to rotate the lock-pin to free the blade."

I had the chance to play with one of these locks and it was very strong, but found the Axis lock was smoother and allows for a quick flick, which I don't think the 'Enigma' can do. These were made either in China or Taiwan and didn't cost a lot of cash...probably a decent knife too, but as said above, not the same level of quality. Hope that helps!
 
I've been keeping a eye on the prices of these two. They both look amazing!

The Benchmade 950 Rift Osborne Design Folding Knife with the black and white handle.

Or the Benchmade 581 Osborne,Barrage.

The barrage looks like it maybe stronger due to the Aluminum Bolster.
 
I have, or have had, the following AXIS locks:
3 710's (2 remain), 2 of them from 1999
AFCK
940
941(?)
2 Elishewitz
Presidio
2 Griptilians
3 mini-Griptilians
Barrage
705
720
Tanto version of the 720
275 Adamas

There are probably others that I'm forgetting. I have not had vertical or horizontal blade play in any of those. I have never had one fold on me unexpectedly, that I can recall. I've never had an omega spring break. Several of those have been put through he**, and a couple have been batonned splitting or through small branches. Absolutely the most reliable knives I know of.
 
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