What's the best BM AXIS and why?

B

Brian6244

Joined
Aug 25, 2004
Messages
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My only hands-on experience with the BM AXIS knives so far has been the the Ritter Grips. I have owned both the large and small Ritter Grip and during the time that these two knives were in my possesion I completely fell in love with the AXIS lock. Since my Ritter Grips, I have owned a Sebenza (large classic) and while the Sebenza is a great knife, it only took me a couple weeks to realize that it seems to be missing one thing that I personally really like and have even come to almost "require" in a folder. That one thing is of course an AXIS lock! :) So, long story short: this morning I put my practically new Sebenza up on Ebay for $290 and expect soon to have that money not only burning a hole in my pocket but begging to be spent on a replacement folder. I'm not real big on folders in general which is why I only own two. I believe I only need two. Those two are my main EDC folder (which is what I'm looking for to replace the Sebenza) and my Benchmite that I use as a neck knife (since it locks closed also) for those days when I have no pockets and/or very little clothing on (like swimming, waterspots, etc). Oh wait... I said I was gonna make this long story short didn't I! OOPS :D.

Okay so I'm looking for the best of the best AXIS lock knives available. Doesn't have to be the most expensive (but it can be) but it needs to be the best.

Please help me decide by voicing your opinion on which AXIS you feel is the best and perhaps a little info as to why you feel that way. THANKS!!!!!
 
I am not sure how to measure the 'best', but I can tell you that the 705SBT (partial Serated Black tephlon with G10 handles) was a knife I purchased when my WH MOP scale cracked. I needed a carry while my T12 was in the shop. All of my other WHs are NIB and I did not want to open a box for a few weeks of carry.

Well, the stop gap knife urned out to be the basic G10 705 as the blade is sub 3". Wow, I was taken by this knife. So much so that I just ordered the 705-02 today.


A GREAT EDC with the acis lock. Now, this is my first Benchmade, so I have no way to measure against others...this is coming from a WH snob who thought that high price meant quality. Now, the WH is an amazing knife and most likely a differend class, but the 7045 offers the confidence to work that the WH lacked.

Good luck with selling the sebbie...I am currently trying to sell my small regular (long story on another thread on this forum) as my new 705 is in the mail...we are VERY similar.
 
My BM 805 lives in my left front pocket, so, I suppose that constitutes my opinion of which one is best.

Geez! They're ALL good, it's just a matter of what frame and/or style suits yer fancy at the time that money is almost all the way thru your now burning pocket.
 
I admit I have recently fell onto the axis lock bandwagon, I am really enjoying my 735 Ares.
 
misque said:
My BM 805 lives in my left front pocket, so, I suppose that constitutes my opinion of which one is best.
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Same here...MY Benchmade 805(s) lives in MY left front pocket! If you can handle a large folder, the BM 805 is hard to beat...(But then, there is the 806D2, IF you don't mind a "hole" rather than thumb-studs.).
 
(But then, there is the 806D2, IF you don't mind a "hole" rather than thumb-studs.).
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MAJOR DUH!! time for me. :o I have the 806D2 in me pocket. Gawd, I hate BM's model designation system. Just give the freakin' knife a name and fawgetaboutdanumbahs! Oh! It does have a name, the Axis AFCK. :cool:

Where's my pills...I need more pills...
 
For hard use knives, I am going to have to throw votes in for the 73X series or the 722. The 710, while a great knife in it's own right, is just a little too long a blade for what I need most of the time. I have not had a 705 yet....it's on the list though.

I really like the blade to handle ratio of the 722. The 73X seem a little blade-short for the length of handle, but that's just my opinion. Many don't like the tanto blade of the 722, so you can opt for a 721 with it's modified bowie/clip point.

If you wish to go a more refined route then take a look at the Switchbacks (921). Main blade of S30V and secondary blade of 440C. 921 have a much slimmer profile than many of the other Axis knives. Handle of Alum.

Another step up in refinement would be the Innova (960). Blade of D2 steel. Handle of Alum. and G10.

Were I in your shoes, I would pick up a 722 (in G10) and probably a 921. The 960 is still a little hard to come by on an affordable basis.
 
My vote goes for the 94x series - 941 is in my pocket now. I prefer it for EDC - the smoothest Axis lock of all my BM's. The aluminum handles can be a little thin for heavy cutting but my requirements for an EDC is a knife that will handle any tasks that may arise and still remain lightweight and unobtrusive. If you are prone to heavy use in EDC then I would suggest a larger knife such as the 520, 722, or 710.

Michael
 
I have many folders and the one that keeps going out with my is the BM710HSSR. If I were to buy it again I'd probably get the BM710HS. Not the best looking knife I own, but for me it's the most practical. It's big, but it doesn't carry like a large folder. It's as solid as any folder I own, but the quickest to deploy. The BM Ares comes in a close 2nd, and it may replace the 710 as I'm leaning towards something more sheeple friendly. The BM710HSSR is a bit spooky looking with the combo edge. However, I like the slightly larger blade on the 710 as compared to the Ares. I own a large Sebenza. It's a great knife, very solid, but it stays in my desk. Couldn't stand to scratch up the handles more than they were, and it is no where near as fast to open or close as an Axis lock. The reason I carry a knife is to have a highly functional cutting tool, and the Sebenza falls far short when it comes to ease of opening and closing. I don't want to fumble with a knife and fumble with a frame lock when I just want to cut something. I can delploy an Axis lock, make my cut, close it and return it to my pocket before most people notice I ever had a knife in my hand. It also allows me to go on about my business much faster. The Axis lock has certainly impressed me, and after carring a BM710 almost everyday for the past 4 years without any problems has made me a strong supporter of it.

I have the BM806D2 as well, but it stays in my desk as it's to large and doesn't offer much more blade length than the 710. The handle is just to long. Certainly the 806 is a better knife for fighting with, better grip and all, but I don't carry a knife for such reasons. If on the freak chance I would ever have to use a knife for self defense I'd probably rather have the 710 anyway as I am more used to handling it.

There are other BM's out there I haven't played with, but if you have the chance to handle any be sure to check out the BM710. Try it out in your pocket, it carries very well. The G-10 is tough stuff and my handles look the same as they did when I got the knife and I carry a lot of keys in the same pocket the knife is clipped to.
 
I think they are all excellent and ideal for their intended use. I think the heaviest duty model would be the 520 hands down. I'm quite disappointed that they're pulling the new linerless axis model as I very much wanted to check that one out.
 
The best AXIS BM comes down to really what you plan to use the knife for. I have a bunch of Axis locks, but I to gravitate to the following for differnt jobs.
BM 710--a solid large folder. It carrys well in the pocket despite its size. I carry that one when I plan on cutting through tough materials or just need a bigger knife for carry

BM 940--a stout folder that manages to live on that margin between 'too big' and 'too small' This one goes with me whenever I plan on needing something bigger and stronger than a SAK. A lot of knife in a little package.

BM Griptilian--This my most fun, and probably most carried, Axis lock. I got one just to try it out and it grew on me. To me, it has a nice middle ground for use between the other two. Plus, it's easy to clean, sharpen, and maintain. Mine has the 440C steel simply because it's easier to sharpen than D2 and M2 steels. For you, the price may be great as they can be had for anywhere from 55 to 75 depending on store, and model type. I think the blade length is about the same or just under the length of a Sebenza. Hope this helps.
 
I've got the 806d2 and rittergrip (which you already have messed with) as my EDC folder rotation along with a SAK, and like them both quite a bit. The 806 feels quite solid in hand, and has a nice thin profile that fits well in a pocket (for me at least).
 
AFCK and the 710. Both offer a very well-designed blade and handle and they're just high-quality knives.
 
So, just looking at the Axis itself, i say the 806 / 805 feature the largest and thickest springs of all Axis. There the springs are located around the pivot screw. I found that to be a nice thing considering lubrication. If you put some lube under the scales through the cutout of the axis bar, it lubes the pivot, the washers, the springs too. Thats just because some people fear them springs may rust. Don´t know, but don´t want to find out, they are right :D .

From the pure knife aspect, the 710 and 520 are the better knifes. Some find the 520 to be too heavy. But since the Manix is aplauded i don´t think to rate this as a very serious thing. I love mine every day i carry it. Very practicale blade shape, long straight part and a small curve makes it a allround user. Feels and fills great in hands. Strong blade with an edge that is .5mm thick at the top of the edge bevel, making it a great slicer. Much better cutting abillities than the 806.

My wife likes it for the very serious looking. It really has no aspect of toy. No grooves and spikes and other additional feature to make it look wild or tactical. 100% perfect design, nothing which can be kept away.

It rides low in the pocket and really looks better that way than the 806, which always keeps it´s duck tail outside, exept you carry it tip down.

The 710HS is hard to beat, the 710 is to beat. Great M2 steel, first Axis model, good ergos, good looking, slim, light and strong. The recurve didn´t seem to be a hard thing to sharpen. But i don´t own one, guess i´m from the old 806 faction :D .

My vote goes to

806 for the springs,
710HS for the steel,
but
for the 520 considering all aspects.
 
I'll have to agree with Glockman on this one again (as it seems we both chime in our opinions when the 805 is brought up). The 805 TSEK is an awesome knife at an awesome price! The only thing that I think would improve this knife is a VG10 blade, but Benchmade doesn't use VG10, so I can't imagine that happening. I personally like the 440C in the blade. It holds an edge well, sharpens easily, and has proven itself to be tougher than I will ever need a folder blade to be. If I had to pick a runner-up, it would be the 940 Osborne. This knife is deceptively strong! It has a nice, slim feel, but is absolutely rock solid. I've abused mine quite a bit (which was probably dumb since it was a oct 2000 blue handle...only 200 made...oh well), and it is still going strong. I switch off between the two as my EDC (and a Kershaw Random Leek, on occassion).

Oh yeah, and if Benchmade would make a damn Stryker Axis, I'm sure this would be in there, too!
 
My favorite AXIS is the Ares 73X series. They feel great in my hand, and the blade deploys very quickly. That said, I EDC a Ritter more than any of my other BMs...tough as nails, deploys fast, S30V.
 
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