Axis lock or compression lock. which do you guys like better?

J

JackAColeman

Joined
Jul 7, 2012
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48
Which would you guys rather have on your edc? I think the axis lock is easier to use but the compression lock doesn't have the omega spring that could fail...

What do you think?

Edit: can't seem to find out how to add a poll...
 
Well I like the compression lock just because it is a lot simpler than the AXIS lock and there are less things to go wrong with it. The AXIS lock you can do an easier one handed opening if you pull the lock back and let the blade come out just by its own weight. I also like how with both though you fingers are out of the way of the blade when it closes. They both have their pros and cons but when it comes down to it I personally rather have a compression lock.
 
Axis is quicker to close, but the compression just feels indestructible. Two of the top locks in the industry, you really can't go wrong with either. If I had to decide between the two of em, I'd probably go with the compression, but I think that's only because I associate it with the Paramilitary...
 
I like the Axis lock for EDC because it is easier to operate.

My EDC knives have Axis, liner locks, compression locks and frame locks. I don't really mind carrying any of them.
 
JackAColeman said:
but the compression lock doesn't have the omega spring that could fail...

.
Click to expand...
And the AXIS lock doesn't have a flimsy liner that would slip and fail easily any time when the knife is subject to a decent amount of shock or handle flex\vibration , just like liner and frame locks
The compression lock is a very nice lock , but it's not even close to the strength and durability of the AXIS or the Tri-Ad

AXIS omega springs extremely rarely break , and even if they do , the odds that the two springs will break together at the same time is virtually non existent
The AXIS lock is 100% usable functional and solid even with one omega spring
 
I gotta go with Axis, but both are really great. One thing that is underappreciated about the Axis lock is that the Axis bar rides the tang of the blade as it is opened/closed. That means by carefully shaping the curve on the tang the knife maker can define a "force profile" for opening/closing that can be pretty much anything. It's a lot more customizable than a detente.

For instance it would be trivial to have an axis lock knife that could lock at multiple angled positions instead of just the single 180 degree open position. I'm not sure any other lock could do that.

Still both are great, and for outright simplicity of design the compression lock is really great. It's gotta be the best lock in terms of simplicity/strength ratio.
 
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These are my two favorite locks, I find the comp lock easier to open and close one handed though, I also like that its simpler.
 
LEFT-H00K said:
The compression lock is a very nice lock , but it's not even close to the strength and durability of the AXIS or the Tri-Ad
Click to expand...

I have to disagree. The Compression lock is actually sort of similar to the Tri-Ad in the way it uses a pin to wedge the blade tang. I don't know if the Axis is as strong, who knows which is more durable, but I would definitely put my money on the Compression lock. It seems to be a lot stronger and less likely to fail and I also think it's more durable/less likely to develop play. I'd be surprised if the Axis was as strong as the Compression but I definitely trust the Compression lock more. On the other hand, the Axis lock is probably stronger than I've always thought it to be. The Compression lock is definitely one of the best designs out there, though. I have a lot of faith in it, especially after seeing the video by Neptune Knives. He abuses so many knives and almost always gets them to fail pretty easily, but the PM2 stood up very well I thought. Even after he got it to fail once, it kept working and continued to resist failing pretty well IIRC. It didn't just fail easily once damaged. It seemed to be harder to fail the second time.
 
Axis lock hands down. Easier to operate, smoother, and more comfortable in hand.
 
Of the four compression locks I have, two of them stick. So, in my experience, the Axis lock is superior.
 
incorrect left-hook, the mode of failure on the compression lock is far stronger than the axis


not even close man
 
Axis - the best lock ever for me,
Compression - ready for hard use, smooth action, but uncomfortable to unlocking,
my Spyderco ATR was a great knife, but this is the reason I've sold it

[my English is so poor, really sorry]
 
LEFT-H00K said:
And the AXIS lock doesn't have a flimsy liner that would slip and fail easily any time when the knife is subject to a decent amount of shock or handle flex\vibration , just like liner and frame locks
The compression lock is a very nice lock , but it's not even close to the strength and durability of the AXIS or the Tri-Ad
Click to expand...

What flimsy liner are you talking about and what proof do you have that the Compression lock fails when subject to shock or handle flex\vibration? You understand that it doesn't work at all like a liner/frame lock right?

Also for those saying it's not close to the strength and durability of the AXIS (or Tri-Ad which wasn't even mentioned in the OP), where's the proof?
 
I have got a knife with compression lock: do not see anything to be excited about.
I am not a super-strong lock fun though: I simply do not care about that much. I like how axis lock clicks. BTW for the same reason I rather like SOG arc lock.
 
I would have to say Compression lock only because the PM2 is a better knife for me than any benchmade out there. That is only my personal opinion and I know that there are nice benchmades out there. Benchmade is the only big knife company that I can go into a local store and handle. I have looked at 10's of different benchmades (admittedly some without the axis lock) and for me, none of them really stood out more than my para 2 and one of the reasons for this is because of the compression lock. Your opinions (and many others') will most likely vary. If I were asked to choose 1 lock out there for every knife produced, I would say compression lock because I think its that good.
 
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I own and use knives with both locks, so far I haven't had any issues with either of them. I find the AXIS easier to operate with my left hand (I'm ambidextrous), but I keep worrying about the springs breaking. I know that it's unlikely (years of my own experience with AXIS locks back this up), and being very far form the US getting a replacement part would be a pain in the butt.
 
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