New In Depth Look Axis Lock

Today T.C. talks about the axis lock from benchmade, its origin, and what makes it such a great tried and true lock for a folding knife. Join us in the comments below and let us know what you want to see more of. If you're looking for a knife with an axis lock, look no further than the links below where you'll find the shot show exclusive as well as all of our benchmade knives.
2021 Shot Show Exclusive Mini Freek
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Benchmade Knives
www.smkw.com/brands/benchmade
T.C.'s apparel
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[@moregooder914]

I was in love with Benchmade…until I wasn’t. In the past 18 months I’ve purchased 16 total Benchmade knives with axis locks, 10 Bugouts/mini Bugouts and 6 940s and variants. Five of them had at least one omega spring break within less than a couple months of ownership, and that is with them being rotated with other knives as well, literally had a couple go after a few days worth of carrying. Of the 5 that broke, I only sent one in, after the second one I decided to buy materials to bend my own since it was seeming to be an issue. I just had another one break and am officially done with Benchmade axis lock knives because the springs are definitely a weak point. I’ve sold all but one 940 (a 940-2) and it currently has a broken omega spring as well. Customer service will obviously take care of you and fix it free of charge, but I don’t see the value in it seeing as how many I’ve had to take time and pay to ship and then wait to get the knife back. I had read and heard similar things about the omega springs, but I guess I was blinded by butterfly love…now I have experienced multiple failures and wouldn’t recommend them…it really sucks because the 940 and it’s variants are my favorite pocket knife be far, like no other design appeals to me nearly as much.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Bullshlt

[@Tree_Stabbing_Troy_Lmafo]

I love these informative videos. I've been a "knife guy" for 6 yrs/200+ knives. I did not know that the 710 was the first axis lock knife.

[@SMKWcom]

We learn new stuff about knives, metal, sheaths, and everything else dealing with the knife community and world on the daily. Our only fear is that T.C. will start to hand out homework soon😂

[@natek1993]

I have a bugout and love the knife just not really a fan of axis locks because I've had omega springs break which inturn makes the knife useless afterwards. Don't get me wrong, when both springs are good the knife is good and awesome. However when it comes down to your lock failing because of these issues is shitty because I've never had any other type of locks break on any other folders.

[@jamesstraub4981]

My favorite lock type for sure.

[@SMKWcom]

💯

[@mikecurtis2585]

Simple and strong enough said 💪. Thanks 😊!!

[@SMKWcom]

Thank yo, Mike!

[@zerofivetwelve]

I have this knife in CF. I love the axis lock. It is smooth and easy to operate. The downside is sometimes i have blade play up and down just a minor if u really wiggle the blade with a bit of tension. I believe that because of this lock pin button mechanism.

[@xnightmarex1534]

The only axis lock I have atm is on my SOG Vision XR and I freaking love it, the axis part I mean. I do not know yet if I trust it. This was a good video built up a little bit more confidence, not quite there yet. Side note SOG dropped the ball on everything else. The steel is CTS XHP and I don't know what they did to make it less than... but they found a way. But the action, they nailed it on the action. I have a Cold Steel's Triad lock on three or four different knives. I trust them 100%, at the cost of action. I have liner locks, I have frame locks and like expressed in this video do not much care for having my fingers right there to close a knife. In conclusion, I think my preference definitely is the axis.

[@vedder10]

The desert warrior Bugout SMKW exclusive that I purchased has the Axis and I absolutely love this knife. It's super light and a great looking knife. Lock is really strong and is impossible to not carry.

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you for getting the Desert Warrior! We find it getting pocket time frequently👍

[@jonnyboat2]

How is the blade retained in the closed position? What does that mechanism look like?

[@SMKWcom]

This is a great question that we will be answering in a video very soon.

[@happiknife7716]

Had a mini grip but it was too small. Might try a bugout eventually but the spyderco compression lock has been my favorite for a while.

[@SMKWcom]

Compression is also a great choice!

[@adamjohnson7385]

I started with a mini grip then bugout then para 3 lightweight. I find myself carrying the para 3 more than any. Just something about that compression lock!

[@tonymaciel7687]

940 axis all day!!

[@SMKWcom]

We love the 940 👍

[@SoldMyKidsForKnives]

I still don't own a Benchmade. I do have a couple of SOGs with that version of the axis lock, the XR lock. I love it. By far my favorite lock. (Followed closely by Spyderco's compression lock.)

[@SMKWcom]

Solid choices as well👍

[@apass2803]

Will axis hold up quick answer no mine broke after 3 weeks

[@LameSauceAge]

Both of my omega springs failed after a little over 2 years of everyday carry. Chincy springs are made of a cheap material which doesn't hold up to the minute amount of moisture from your pocket. I never had mine wet. Bought direct from Benchmade.

[@richardskinner4198]

I do have Benchmades with the Axis lock and I do like them a lot they are smooth and effective and give me the feeling of extra safety so I have no problems with it at all .I would like to see how it stands up to the Cold Steel Tri ad lock system as it seems to be getting a lot of attention on various pages I read and all the Cold Steel blades I have are pre Tri ad as it were and all of which are as good today as the were 15 plus years ago and I have had no trouble with .

[@megacab]

The axis lock is good, but the triad lock is far stronger and more durable. I've read on a lot of forums people having issues with the omega springs in the axis lock, but haven't come across the issue myself. I guess it matters depending on what you do with your knives.

[@richardskinner4198]

@@megacab Thank you my friend that is good to know .And you are right some people have some odd ideas about what you can do with a locking knife and how you can treat them.

[@AnonAnon-qi4ts]

This lock will disengege with a light pommel strike in a danger situation, which makes knives like the Adamas and Bedlam pretty much useless for the intended purpose. The Bedlam even has a pommel "persuader" which is later said to be only used with the blade closed like a blunt object. All three of the Demko (triad/scorpion/shark) are superior. The Spyderco pm2 compression lock is also superior to the axis as it will not accidentally disengage. I still love benchmades though for light duty stuff. The bugout and 940 are some of the best edc knives ever made for light duty.

[@firstlast2514]

Using your pommel or glad breaker with the knife open doesn't sound like a great idea anyway.. also, with the benchmade freak the lock actually locks up more than on the ADAMAS, I've watched videos of people (stupidly) batoning the freak over and over, and it came out fine, now the new mini adamas, the lock failed on the second baton. And it was done over and over (in the name of science 😂)

[@lanetaylor7496]

I have Benchmades and Hogues that both use the Axis Lock system. The Axis lock is a very durable and smooth lock type. Great video, keep putting them out there!

[@HammerSmashedFace92]

Hogue does a better job thou

[@SMKWcom]

Thank you!

[@jeroenvoss6231]

I like my axis lock knives, best invention in ages. Only locktype I trust more in hard use is the triad lock. Amazing how long it took from the trusted backlock to invent the axis lock, which is an evolution from the back lock. Keep putting the bloopers at the end, allthough a proffesional like mr. Barnette barely makes them ofcourse. Question; is a linerlock strong enough for hard use? As the framelock is strong enough but a backlock is even better.

[@TCB2Country122]

That really is a subjective question, everyone’s hard use will be different. I will say that I believe if you are using a folder for what it’s intended for yes absolutely. That being said I personally wouldn’t trust batoning or anything like that. And thank you very much sir for the kind words, there are a plethora of bloopers, some can’t be shown lol

[@jeroenvoss6231]

@@TCB2Country122 You're just killing it T.C. keep it up.

[@jasonlotz8246]

I recently broke the omega springs on my 940-1. I bought a 940-2 to carry until I can send it to B enchmade for warranty repair. I also have a 945blk and a 535-3 bugout. Does anybody know proper procedure for sending Benchmade a knife for warranty repair? Do I have to contact them ahead of time, or do I just send in?

[@WooSungShim]

If you go on their website there is a warranty form you can fill out. You send the knife along with the warranty form filled out to them (all instructions are on the warranty form)

[@jasonlotz8246]

Thanks Woo-Sung Shim.

[@SMKWcom]

Good looking out! People like you are what keep the knife community a great place!

[@nekenwong]

Hmmmm. The omega spring problems again..... I just hope Benchmade improve it before I get my 1st Benchmade “bugout” knife

[@wiconilongsoldier4263]

I probably broke mine playing with it to much. I have been carrying it everyday since I got it.

[@josepmariaaguascaribot9239]

My third lock, after 'Tri-Ad-Lock' and back lock.

[@SMKWcom]

We love the Tri-Ad and the back lock👍

[@JustCantGetRight]

Yup! Axis lock rocks! I really enjoy it on my mini griptillian... but the mini freek is the dream :D

[@SMKWcom]

The Griptillian and the mini are awesome!

[@scottwalton5888]

I have used and abused my Axis Lock knives and they hold up.

[@SMKWcom]

💯

[@mistersmith3986]

Thumbs up for SMKW. Thumbs down for Axis Lock. I'm a knife USER, not a knife FIDGETER. Had two Axis Locks fail on me and cause damage. Never again.

[@SMKWcom]

Thanks for the thumbs up and we understand. On of our favorite things about knives id the choices open to us and finding what works best for us individually.

[@pha-qall6435]

I just started getting into knives but I don't yet have the money for higher quality knives way to many rich people and richer companies I have to pay to live

[@firstlast2514]

For a cheap axis lock knife, check out the "Gerber sumo" it's like 38 bucks. And it's decent for that price. I have one. Fun fact; gerber version of the axis lock is called the pivot lock.

[@pha-qall6435]

I have a good amount of cheap knives I'm talking about higher end knives I would like to get into the high grade steels otherwise what's the point of having a good job if all I'm doing is working to make everyone else money you know just working to exist I want something for myself

[@firstlast2514]

@@pha-qall6435 are you saving up for any knife in particular? Or are you shopping around until you find what you want?

[@pha-qall6435]

@@firstlast2514 I have no idea what I want yet just something larger with premium materials what do you have in mind for a recommendation

[@SMKWcom]

Here are some options on the Axis lock www.smkw.com/knives?lock_type=1524 and on the left you can even sort it by price and here are some options on XR lock www.smkw.com/knives?lock_type=3863

[@jacksoningram5556]

First