Will this hurt my brand new Benchmade 710?

hotbossa

hotbossa

Joined
Mar 31, 2006
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I just got a Benchmade 710 and am very happy. The details and workmanship is amazing!! Anyway, I saw a video on you tube how you can flick open and closed any Benchmade with an Axis lock (see links below). What I am wondering is, can this damage the blade or the locking system? When it is flung shut, will this dull the blade? Any info is greatly appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y6AKZsApqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRDlXC0Zrqk

CHEERS!!!
 
It would depend on how much and how hard you'd flick it open/closed, but yeah, it could damage it.
 
It won't damage the edge on closing.... the axis mechanism near the pivot stops it well before the edge touches anything inside the liners. I agree with the others though, slamming it open will cause premature wear.
 
Just how could it be damaged? Don't mean to sound sarcastic but some other posters in the past have used the flicking method as normal opening procedure. I would think any damage would by covered by Benchmade. The Axis lock just begs to be flicked open (and closed.)

I have several Benchmade axis locks that I flick open and have not experienced any type of damage.
 
Unless some is very wrong with your knife it won't dull the blade. I would say that axis flicking is harder on the knife's action than opening it slowly with the thumbstud. But the knife is quite well made and very tough. Maybe don't do it all the time, but I don't think it will really hurt the knife if done infrequently. My two cents
 
I made the videos you linked too. I have been flicking the 710 like I do in the video since 2000. It's still going strong and if anything it's smoother than when it was new. I give it just enough to ensure it fully opens, but I'm not flicking it any harder than I have to. Maybe if you were slamming it open as hard as you could over and over it would prematurely wear out the knife, but I have seen no evidence of wear flicking them open the way I do.

If the type of flicking I do means the knife would only last 10-20 years instead of 20+, I'm going to flick the knife because it makes things easier and faster. All I can say is I'm going on 7 years of flicking my BM710 open and closed on a near daily basis. People have probably had liner locks and other knives wear out in a shorter time without flicking.
 
cereedy said:
Flicking can cause damage. It's best to use the thumb studs on the blade.
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Do you have a Benchmade AXIS lock knife that has failed from flicking, or know of one? What are you basing your statement on?
 
Thanks for your input WadeF - I was hoping you would jump into this discussion. By the way, great set of knives you have there - that Nakamura is one sweet looking knife.

Back on topic, flicking the Benchmade axis lock should not damage the mechanism. It was designed to be used this way.
 
The only major problem you'd run into with an Axis-lock is if an LEO finds the knife on you.... especially in NYC. Some LEOs here have recently jumped all over the recent tactical folder as gravity knife craze.

They look for the tell-tale clip, then try to flick your knife open to test to see if it falls under the vague description as a "gravity knife," here in NYC. They know how to flick open an Axis-lock folder. :grumpy:
 
Monocrom said:
The only major problem you'd run into with an Axis-lock is if an LEO finds the knife on you.... especially in NYC. Some LEOs here have recently jumped all over the recent tactical folder as gravity knife craze.

They look for the tell-tale clip, then try to flick your knife open to test to see if it falls under the vague description as a "gravity knife," here in NYC. They know how to flick open an Axis-lock folder. :grumpy:
Click to expand...

Bummer. Again, as I have previous replied (and WadeF) there is no damage to be expected from flicking the axis lock. Use common sense when carrying ( especially in NYC.) Apparently the criminals have an advantage here, they don't obey laws. A defenseless person is a mark for the criminal element. Just remember the laws are designed to prevent law-abiding citizens from defending themselves. The criminals have no such inhibitions about using deadly force. Feel good legislation is the key to making the average citizen accept such laws. Anybody else get the feeling that criminals are a protected class?
 
Flicking is more stressful than slowly opening the knife, but WadeF flicked the nail on the head. The axis-locked Benchmades are made to be flicked open and closed. The most damage you'll see is the callous on your thumb where you pull back the axis lock to open and close it.
 
I agree criminals are pretty much a protected class; it's even obvious nowadays with the popularity and acceptance of 'gangsta' culture/lifestyle among so many young people and the general media (music, etc.).

I have several Axis lock models and occasionally will "flick" them open by using my index finger instead of thumb (pushing the stud on my 805, 710, or 556). To me that's even quicker than depressing the buttons to swing it open, because the need to adjust the knife's position in hand is reduced even more. But I try not to do that all the time. I suppose it's possible that over time the stop pin might deform enough to loosen tolerances and result in blade play, though it hasn't happened to mine yet. Normally I simply use the thumb stud or hole opener, though.
Jim
 
I've had 2 knives with axis locks and they were flicked constantly when I was bored for 6+ months until I traded them. The only thing that I noticed over that time was the springs feeling softer, but nothing indicated to me that there was any damage to the knife at all. I've yet to see anything about an axis lock knife being broken from constant flicking. I've read that the omega springs have broken, but Benchmade will repair that for you and complaints of this occuring is very rare.
 
I've been opening my 710 M2 like that since I bought it, been a long time and it's as good as the day I got it, just faster.

Helle
 
I've been flicking open (as fast as a switchblade) and intertia opening (whipping it open by the weight of the blade) since 1996, and I can see no noticeable difference in the pivot action, lockup, or play. Having said that......

...when two pieces of metal are rubbed against each other there is wear. Minute - yes. This is not rocket science but if you disagree, take a look inside ANY firearm. As a firearms instructor, I tell shooters to put a light coating of oil only on those areas that show wear...that are shiny. Why? Because the fact that they are shiny is clear evidence of wear.

...so, if you're opening your knife slowly and carefully, metal is abrading against metal and, there is wear. If you're flicking it open, metal is abrading against metal and, there is wear. If you're intertia slamming it open (as I am prone to do on occasion), metal is abrading against metal and, there is wear.

Whether or not Benchmade will fix it far in the future is beside the point... sure they will... that's their reputation. But that's not what was asked.

Wear it out!
 
I agree criminals are pretty much a protected class; it's even obvious nowadays with the popularity and acceptance of 'gangsta' culture/lifestyle among so many young people and the general media (music, etc.).
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I don't mean to sound to cynical here but criminals are really big business to the legal system. The lawmakers (lawyers) are not about to cut off the hand that feeds them now are they. . :rolleyes:



Bors
 
Bors said:
I don't mean to sound to cynical here but criminals are really big business to the legal system. The lawmakers (lawyers) are not about to cut off the hand that feeds them now are they. . :rolleyes:



Bors
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Sorry to get off topic but reminds me of lawyer joke:The devil visited a lawyer's office and made him an offer. "I can arrange some things for you, " the devil said. "I'll increase your income five-fold. Your partners will love you; your clients will respect you; you'll have four months of vacation each year and live to be a hundred. All I require in return is that your wife's soul, your children's souls, and their children's souls rot in hell for eternity."

The lawyer thought for a moment. "What's the catch?" he asked.
 
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