Took apart an axis lock

[jec88]

I picked up an old griptilian last week that is one of the first versions. The knife was dirty and had alot of side to side play, even with the pivot so tight that you could barely open it. I had bought the knife to tinker with and decided to take my first knife apart (of any brand) and thought this would be a good chance to see what old omega springs looked like. When it comes to mechanical work, I would rate myself a 5 on a scale of 10. ( i can fix some things on some cars made before 1986, and probably nothing on a car made after 1986) The omega springs still looked like new. All of the play could mostly be attributed to a buildup of old oil and dirt caked on the bronze washers. A toothbrush and dawn dish detergent on the washers and the knife has zero play in any direction and will flick with ease. I'm also fairly certain that with maybe 2 pairs of needle nose pliers and some guitar string, I could make some omega springs if I had to.
Hardest part of the whole process was getting the washers back in place when reassembling, but even that went pretty smooth. I would say take apart time was 10 mins, washing the knife at the sink 10 minutes and reassembly 15 minutes.
I was really impressed with the axis lock. With my mechanical ability and what tools I have, I cannot fix a backlock or a frame lock. With a torx set, pair of needle nose pliers, and a small screwdriver(to help guide the washers in place). I could completely keep an axis lock knife maintained.

 

[mrfields]

a trick you can use to make reinstalling the washers easier is to put a dab of whatever oil you use on your knives on the side of the washer facing the blade and use that to stick the washer to the blade. then you can slide the blade & washers into place as one unit. once you’ve done that you can use a screwdriver to line everything up (rereading, it sounds like you figured that part out on your own).

 

[colin.p]

I picked up an old griptilian last week that is one of the first versions. The knife was dirty and had alot of side to side play, even with the pivot so tight that you could barely open it. I had bought the knife to tinker with and decided to take my first knife apart (of any brand) and thought this would be a good chance to see what old omega springs looked like. When it comes to mechanical work, I would rate myself a 5 on a scale of 10. ( i can fix some things on some cars made before 1986, and probably nothing on a car made after 1986) The omega springs still looked like new. All of the play could mostly be attributed to a buildup of old oil and dirt caked on the bronze washers. A toothbrush and dawn dish detergent on the washers and the knife has zero play in any direction and will flick with ease. I'm also fairly certain that with maybe 2 pairs of needle nose pliers and some guitar string, I could make some omega springs if I had to.
Hardest part of the whole process was getting the washers back in place when reassembling, but even that went pretty smooth. I would say take apart time was 10 mins, washing the knife at the sink 10 minutes and reassembly 15 minutes.
I was really impressed with the axis lock. With my mechanical ability and what tools I have, I cannot fix a backlock or a frame lock. With a torx set, pair of needle nose pliers, and a small screwdriver(to help guide the washers in place). I could completely keep an axis lock knife maintained.

Yes sir, Benchmade knives in general are a snap to take apart and fix. When the omega's broke on my 940-2, I had the thing took apart, made new springs, and reassembled in well under an hour. A heck of a lot easier than trying to peen a liner lock.

 

[Scott321]

Just how I do it....

Diassembling tip-
Loosen the pivot screw most of the way and push it inward to push out the pivot nut.

Reassembly washer tip (if not experienced with this tape blade so you don't cut yourself)-
Assemble handle, then:
1. Put the pivot nut slightly in (just enough to catch the first washer). Install first washer.
2. Push the pivot nut in slightly more (just enough to catch the blade). Install the blade.
3. Slide the second washer between blade and liner. Use screwdriver or metal object to lightly push washer into place (see pivot nut through hole)
4. When second washer is positioned, push the pivot nut all the way through.

 

[sharp_edge]

OP - I rate you 8 out of 10 You cannot imagine how longer it took me to put things back in my first attempt with a benchmade axis lock folder.

In terms of ease of assembling, Axis lock is among the difficult ones. Liner lock is much easier, IMO.

 

[colin.p]

OP - I rate you 8 out of 10 You cannot imagine how longer it took me to put things back in my first attempt with a benchmade axis lock folder.

In terms of ease of assembling, Axis lock is among the difficult ones. Liner lock is much easier, IMO.

Take apart a 580 a few times and try to re-assist it. It takes three hands, but after 4 times (don't ask) it gets somewhat "easier". After that, anything else is easy.