Has anyone pulled apart an axis AO to see how it works yet?

I've never really been a fan of assisted opening knives, but I handled a 615-2 the other day and was very impressed with how smooth and natural the action is.

It leaves me wondering how it works. There is no visible spring, and the spring continues to push all the way through deployment, so I am guessing it must be a coil spring, but that leaves me wondering how it is disengaged when the knife is closed.

According to the 2009 catalog it is coil fired...that is all I know... sorry

I have a new 585 barrage axis AO and its fires nicely, very little pressure on the thumb stud and it flicks right open. The safety seems a bit fussy but perhaps some break in time will get it in the groove..

A major difference between the BM AO and Kershaw is that the BM assists until fully open, while the Kershaw only assists about half of the opeing arc. This comes into play for me when trying to close the knife one handed. With the Kershaw, I unlock the blade, swing it 90deg until the assist stops it, and shift my grip and close it. The BM is harder to close, just like trying to close a AXIS auto knife in that you're fighting the assist the whole way.

Interesting. I was considering a barrage for my next knife, but as someone who needs to be able to operate his knife in both directions one-handed, it doesn't sound like a viable option for carry on duty. Maybe I could carry it off-duty where one-handed operation isn't as imperative, but on duty it would be all but useless.

You can still sweep it closed on your leg or any other object, as you would any other knife.

Two handed usually on my 615-2 but Axis bar pulled back I can close it on my pants leg OK.

So is it worth the effort? Compared to plain old Axis.

Whether the AO Axis is worth it or not is a point of perspective. If you like assisted opening than I would say it is worth it. I think by Benchmade incorparating their Axis lock, they are taking a lead on other assisted opening knives due to all the great attributes associated with the Axis lock. Personally, I don't care for assisted opening and am perfectly content with a plain ol' Axis.

if anyone doesn't want thier AO axis knife just send it to me for proper disposal

I don't own an assisted axis, but I'm sure it can't be too hard to put it back togather.

and if it is assisted by coil... that means you can modify how much it.... ahhh.... assists you