The Benchmade Axis Lock

[Hypermole]

Out of these three which one would be the better choice for my very first Benchmade?

Are any of these going to be harder to obtain sooner or not produced anymore?

I like all three and have them in the order I am guessing would be best.

1. Benchmade 530 Pardue Design Folding Knife

2. Benchmade Osborne Design Folding Knife

3. Benchmade 581 Osborne,Barrage,Dr Pt, Axa

I'm having trouble deciding. There maybe others I should consider (Auto).

I am interested as to availability and potential overall increase in value.

Thank You

 

[JNewell]

These are Doug Ritters thoughts on the axis lock:

http://www.dougritter.com/pop_up_axis_lock.htm

I read that when he first posted it back in 1998 or 1999 and promptly ordered a 710 (the only Axis knife at the time). I still have that knife, 15 years later, and wouldn't part with it. Like you, I've been in the Axis pool since the start and have never, ever had any issues with any of the knives, and I've owned and still own quite a lot of them with knives from many of the Axis family. :thumbup:

 

[bchan77]

To the OP, the following thread is anecdotal evidence of strength of the axis lock. This guy used his AFCK to pick frozen ice in the forest and as a result broke the tip. The lock was unaffected. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/695136-A-hard-day-for-an-AFCK-in-the-mooseforest

 

[johnnytoxin]

Out of these three which one would be the better choice for my very first Benchmade?

Are any of these going to be harder to obtain sooner or not produced anymore?

I like all three and have them in the order I am guessing would be best.

1. Benchmade 950 Rift Osborne Design Folding Knife

2. Benchmade Osborne Design Folding Knife

3. Benchmade 581 Osborne,Barrage,Dr Pt, Axa

I'm having trouble deciding. There maybe others I should consider (Auto).

I am interested as to availability and potential overall increase in value.

Thank You

I just got the rift 2 days ago and I'm liking it so far. I really like the blade to handle ratio, its a big blade for how small the knife carries. I also really like the reverse tan to blade. Slices good and has decent tip strength. Mine has a little blade play side to side but is solid up and down. Doesn't bother me though as the spyderco para 2 I had also had side to side play, in fact I hear they all do.

 

[Torm]

My Rift hasn't left my pocket since last Dec when I got it. It's an awesome all-around folder and perfect for a slightly larger EDC.

 

[pbcg]

Without question the Rift.

But that's just my opinion. They are all great knives. A lot of difference in size between the models you are considering.

As far as which knife I would find most useful as I said the Rift by a large margin. It's a very tough knife made for hard use in a smaller size then lets say a Contego.

If your needs are more light carry EDC then the other two might be more to your liking and better suited for your needs.

 

[JNewell]

My opinion is like the others - the Rift is probably the best introduction to the Axis lock.

I have a 940, but IMO it's not quite a general purpose folder. It's length:height ratio makes it handle a little strangely for me, but I know others feel differently.

The Barrage/Mini-Barrage series really turned me off when they were introduced, though I've since bought one and like it reasonably well. I don't think knives like this need an assisted opening and the very early full size Barrage I tried in a store had a spring so strong it almost jumped out of my hand. The Mini has grown on me but I still think AO on one of these knives is needless complication and unless you're used to AO knives the Rift is probably a better place to start.

 

[dogboye]

I, too, have an early full-sized Barrage. It isn't my favorite. I agree that the spring in the assist is a little strong, although I kinda like the way it almost jumps outta my hand. It certainly opens with authority. What I am less than enthusiastic about it is the blade grind. the secondary bevel grind ends at about the mid-point of the blade, such that it is pretty steep. It isn't the best cutter because of it. Great for stabbing, but ... well... I've never actually HAD to use a knife for stabbing. I suppose it is good to be able to, for self defense. But I prefer a better cutter. The new Barrage looks from pictures, though, to have a better secondary bevel, so that it would be a better cutter than the first generation. I intend to get the newer 581 with the M390, if I can save the money and grab one before they're all gone.

I also have a 940. It has almost never been carried. It works OK, it is just a little too much of a gentleman's folder, and I'm not a gentleman. I prefer beefier knives. Maybe I'm compensating for something.

I almost bought a Rift... but went even bigger, and went for the Contego. Partly because the blade is almost as thick as my favorite Benchmade, the Adamas (there's that compensation again), and partly because the blade is CPM-M4. And Cerakoted. I'm curious about the Cerakoting, too. It has been pretty successful on firearms, so I'm curious to see how it performs.

Short story long, I'd probably go for the Rift, out of the three you mention, for a general purpose utility blade.

 

[P_Meticulous]

I would say appearances can be deceiving. The 940 could be a gentleman's folder, and it could be a workhorse. It's kind of like that expression, its not the size, but how you use it lol The 940 has taken care of whatever I've thrown at it

Similar to guys and big trucks, I rarely see anything in the truck beds, big size doesn't always make sense.

My vote: 940

 

[Hypermole]

Thanks Everyone,

I have mine ordered but got distracted while ordering the 940. Hopefully the guy's at Blade HQ will fix it. I ordered the serrated by mistake.
If you haven't checked out their sale you may want to. So now the wait begins.