Why is the axis lock so strong?

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Mar 2, 2011
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I just don't see mechanically why the axis lick I one of the strongest locks out there. What does it do mechanically that makes if such a strong lock?
 
For it fail, it would have completely deform the liners, break the lockbar in half, or break the pivot in half. No one ever worries about their stop pin failing... the axis lock is basically just another stop pin that slides into place behind the blade. Awesome lock.
 
The only Achilles heal I can see to the Axis lock are the Omega springs. They're unlikely to break, but the possibility still remains and if they do the blade would not want to stay open. You could jam something in the cutout to keep the lock bar forward in worst case scenario but it's less than ideal.

I still love the axis lock for edc, its super quick to open and close and extremely strong. If I'm out hiking/camping I have a fixed knife as main and folder for back up anyway so not too worried about being stranded without a working knife.
 
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Redmasta said:
The only Achilles heal I can see to the Axis lock are the Omega springs. They're unlikely to break, but the possibility still remains and if they do the blade would not want to stay open. You could jam something in the cutout to keep the lock bar forward in worst case scenario but it's less than ideal.

I still love the axis lock for edc, its super quick to open and close and extremely strong. If I'm out hiking/camping I have a fixed knife as main and folder for back up anyway so not too worried about being stranded without a working knife.
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You'd have to have 2 broken springs at once... the chances of that seem beyond slim... considering most people have never even broken one.
 
deathofallthings said:
You'd have to have 2 broken springs at once... the chances of that seem beyond slim... considering most people have never even broken one.
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Correct. I've had an omega spring break and the lock functioned normally. The one side was just a little uneven but still locked tight.
 
goephoto said:
Correct. I've had an omega spring break and the lock functioned normally. The one side was just a little uneven but still locked tight.
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I have a 940 that has been back to Benchmade twice because of broken springs. Neither time would the lock keep the blade locked open to a point that I felt comfortable using it. I'm not bitching, Benchmade fixed the knife under warranty both times and it came back as good as new. Plus, this particular knife was the first "nice" Benchmade I bought, therefore it got used and played with a lot. Things wear out, and apparently I've been able to wear the axis lock springs out. I'm still a fan of the axis lock, just picked up an Adamas in a trade deal and really like it, plus I have a second 940 I bought several years ago just in case something happened to the primary one.
 
deathofallthings said:
You'd have to have 2 broken springs at once... the chances of that seem beyond slim... considering most people have never even broken one.
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Wouldn't necessarily have to break 2 at once - If one breaks, the other still operates (and some of us might not realize what had happened). When the second one finally breaks it becomes obvious that there's a problem. Had it happen to my 943 - kinda noticed that it wasn't as positive for a while, but not enough for me to investigate until the second one broke.
 
I've broken a couple omega springs, but it has been over a decade ago. I used to watch TV and open/close constantly. I also broke a Mini Reflex coil spring doing that. The Axis lock is my favorite lock, followed by the compression lock.

It's strong because there is a steel bar nested in two steel liners that have to break or bend to fail.
 
I have a lot of knives, many in use for years and have 0 broken springs. The lock wears in with time while keeping the tang firmly mated to the stop pin; and in simple terms is designed not to fail.
 
The springs won't break if you keep them oiled. And clean. Just like that little manual says. Have around 15 axis locks and never broken a spring. I clean mine every day by rinsing the omega springs out with rem oil. I even hold the axis lock back and fling it out a lot. Still won't break.
 
Yo Mama said:
Me to, a liner lock is just meh to me.
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I feel the same way. I don't buy liner locks anymore. I don't like how weak they are in comparison to other great locks like the Axis, and I don't like releasing them. Frame locks are a little better to me, but not much.
 
jkarp_53 said:
I have a lot of knives, many in use for years and have 0 broken springs. The lock wears in with time while keeping the tang firmly mated to the stop pin; and in simple terms is designed not to fail.
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Yes. I have dozens of them, a few with probably literally a million cycles, some going back to the extreme beginning of the Axis line, and have never broken a spring.
 
not all springs are created equal, some will break, but that's the small <1% of them. I bought my Adamas 2 years ago. It must have ten thousand flips, I cycle this thing constantly. my EDC, and I too enjoy flipping infront of the TV.
I would guess smaller knives like the 940 would be more prone to snapping, because of the smaller space the spring rests in, tighter radius, therefore constantly being more compressed.
 
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