3 Great Things About Benchmade's AXIS Mechanism

The patented AXIS lock from Benchmade is definitely one of our favorite mechanisms. Once engaged, the tang wedges surely between a a big stop pin and the AXIS bar. Solid.

Here, in our opinion, are the three best things about the Benchmade AXIS.

1. It's strong. The AXIS mechanism is a sound and proven design. If you doubt its ultimate strength, you should watch this Benchmade lab video (below) of the 275 Adamas folder.

Prepare to be impressed.

2. It's durable. The AXIS has been around for quite a while now. We've sold thousands of AXIS-equipped Benchmade folders, and several KnivesShipFree staffers regularly EDC an AXIS knife.

In our experience, the Benchmade AXIS not only works -- it just plain holds up. And although no man-made gizmo is perfect, this one has a long-term record of durability that takes a back seat to no one.

3. It's flickable. An AXIS-equipped folder can be opened using the ambidextrous thumb stud, but it also can be "flicked." Simply pull back on the AXIS lever (both sides, using thumb and forefinger) and snap it open with a quick flick of your wrist.

Ok, that's just cool. And with practice, you'll be able to flick it closed, too.

One more thing -- as much as we love the Benchmade AXIS mechanism, we never put a locking folder to work without first acknowledging that it's still a folding knife -- or, as fixed-blade fans say, "a knife that's already broken in the middle." A folder, even an AXIS folder, will never match the strength of a fixed blade.