Vertical bladeplay in axis-lock folders

B

bolle

Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
61
Hi everybody,

I personally own six axis-lock knives. 3 BM 710 HS and 3 BM 705. Five of which i bought new, one used.
The (ab)used one has quite a lot vertical bladeplay, but this is (mostly) due to the fact that the guy woh owned this knife before had tried to get rid of a little blade wobble by grinding off the axisramp.
What concerns me more is the fact that three of the remainig five knives also show vertical bladeplay.
Any idea where this could come from? Anyone experienced something like that? What can I do to get rid of that problem?

Thanks

Daniel
 
is the axis bar all the way forward in the liner slots, it could be bottoming out in the liners without wedging against the tang
 
no that's not the problem. Can't make it out really. Maybe the tang is not even or the axis slots are not flush with each other when assembled.

I really don't know. Input is appreciated!

Daniel
 
First thoughts are that a pivot is slightly off tolerance for the size hole it sits in, or that the springs are weak perhaps on the lock bar. You may also have developed a flat spot on the blade stop. Loosen the stop pin and rotate it so the blade hits it on a completely new spot and see what happens.

STR
 
I can never quite understand how an axis can have vertical play. Wherever there is slack, once you wiggle the blade, I would think the bar would travel deeper to take up the slack and tighten the knife up again. Then, since you can't push the pin back through force on the blade (unless there is a lot of slack between the pivot pin and pivot hole) the lock shouldn't loosen up. Seems like it would have to be a few problem areas (spring tension, pivot slop, tang/stop pin wear) to add up to having play.

I dunno, I've had 6 axis BMs with no problems, I've been really lucky.
 
I know that REKAT had a similar problem with their folders and the reason was, according to them, the user was snapping the blade open excessively. The result was the holes in the liners that accomodated the stop pin became enlarged, allowing the stop pin to move to the rear and making for vertical blade play. How's that for a run on sentence?
 
I can't see even conceptually how an axis lock could develop play.

I've had many and they were all perfect.

Hmmm...can you send us some photos? I'd like to see what went wrong in the mechanism.
 
I have a 710 with VERY slight play, even when tightened down. It's been cycled thousands of times but never really used. My other axis knives are solid. My AFCK's are solid even when the pivot screw is backed way out. Go figure.
 
my ares has a fair amt. of vertical play. if i flick it open,it locks up ok,but if i open it without flicking..it has play.i'm not sure but i think it has something to do with the texture on the blade where the lockbar wedges itself. i believe its trying to adjust itself,and if not flicked open it doesn't make it past the worn in part.maybe the rougher texture of the non worn surface is stopping it just shy of fully wedged,and needs more time to break in to it's new position?
 
I've seen it a few times. Its never that bad. Certainly not as bad as many of the liner locks I see for that kind of repair.

Check inside up where the springs travel under the handles as they move. The BM knives have a recess cut out on the underside of the handles for those springs to move uninterupted. If some pocket lint, grit or something else is up inside there blocking that travel like a small lip of material missed by QC at the factory when they milled that inlay out for the springs, it could be just enough to prevent one spring from fully moving toward the tip of the blade when you open the folder.

STR
 
STR said:
I've seen it a few times. Its never that bad. Certainly not as bad as many of the liner locks I see for that kind of repair.

Check inside up where the springs travel under the handles as they move. The BM knives have a recess cut out on the underside of the handles for those springs to move uninterupted. If some pocket lint, grit or something else is up inside there blocking that travel like a small lip of material missed by QC at the factory when they milled that inlay out for the springs, it could be just enough to prevent one spring from fully moving toward the tip of the blade when you open the folder.

STR
Click to expand...

that was my first thought too,but i checked and it was very clean. i know it voids the warranty but i disassembled,cleaned and lubed it..no luck.
 
Send it in anyway. BM warranty dept is pretty good, and as long as you didn't break something, they won't notice. Be prepared to wait a month.
 
Bolle.., I'd send 'em up to "Nurse Angie" at Benchmade...(just call the (800) #.

I've had a number of Axis-Locks, and never experienced what you are describing. All have been solid as a rock, and I beat the garbage out of them....lol.

They'll fix 'em up for you.....
 
I'm with Hardheart on this one. Mail it in to them to look at or repair. If you wait till after the holidays it may slow down to where you get it back faster. Many people take vacations around this time so even if you mail it now it may just sit until 07 when everyone is back to the routine grind.

STR
 
i edc my switchback everyday. no problems for 3 years, never leave home without it. i think this vert.blade play comes from flipping. my opinion.
i don't flip most knives. if i want a fast opener i carry an auto. no need to flip.
when you slam the blade stop against the pin you are asking for it.:eek:
who knows.
buzz
 
The passaround Rukus I handled had slight vertical blade play, it didn't seem like much to be concerned about. I plead ignorance though, as that is the only axis lock knife I have handled.
 
I never experienced any play in an AXIS lock. If the pivot is tight enough there should be no play anywhere. Did you do anything abusive with the knives? Like use them as throwing knives, etc?
 
So the theory is that the lockbar and surface of the tang have worn away some ? I suppose that makes sense. Perhaps rotate the lockbar some to get the flattened area out of the way?
 
Did you do anything abusive with the knives? Like use them as throwing knives, etc?

No, nothing like that. Note that three of my six axis folders show this SLIGHT vertical blade play, only two of them are in use.

I usually don't flip my knives open, but when I do the lock up is solid exept for the one that was mutilated by the guy who owend it before.

Sending the knives in to BM is not an option for me since I am a german living in germany. It would cost me about 60$.

Thanks for the input so far, it seems that I am not the only one who has experienced this.

Daniel
 
markv said:
i edc my switchback everyday. no problems for 3 years, never leave home without it. i think this vert.blade play comes from flipping. my opinion.
i don't flip most knives. if i want a fast opener i carry an auto. no need to flip.
when you slam the blade stop against the pin you are asking for it.:eek:
who knows.
buzz
Click to expand...

no flipping or abuse in any way here.the only reason i mention flipping in my post is that i tried it to see if it would lock up tighter(it did). i'll def. take the advice given here and send it in to benchmade.
 
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