hi, i just got my new 610 rukus and 615 mini rukus
and i wanted to know, both axis locks are a bit stiff but the axis lock on the 615 is especially stiff, sometimes to a point where its
seems to lock up and then it releases the blade. when i close the blade useing both exis locks, on the left and right side simultanously
it close more much more smoothly.
is this normal? and does the axis lock smooth
out with use?
i have three other axis locks two 710's and one 940 and the newer ones are a little stiffer but not like the 615.
please give your thaughts on the matter,
thanks in advance

If you're talking about the smoothness of the blade then you probably have a pivot issue. Try loosening the pivot screw a tad.

If you're talking about the smoothness of the actual axis bar then you may have a problem with the knife. I've never had an axis bar not move smoothly in the slot, including my mini rukus.

My 5500 and 5000 auto Axis knives took a while to break in.

As GMArthur pointed out the blade and the Axis bar should move freely. (when not locked)

My autos had slightly sticky Axis bars only when being released from a fully locked position.
Within a week they were free enough to easily release using one side of the Axis bar.

You'll notice that the undersides of the Axis buttons slide along on metal. Try to get a tiny bit of your favorite lube under the Axis buttons and also on the Axis bar. These areas like to bind up when they are new, but they usually smooth out pretty soon. I personally always pull back both Axis buttons at once when releasing the blade. Just pulling one will also cause the lock to bind up.....worse at first, but less later.

Good luck!

-fj

I saw this problem with a Rift once. Fortunately, I've never encountered this problem with one of my own Benchmades. Someone gave me the same advice as fastjan when I posted the problem a while back. As a matter of fact, it was fastjan that gave me the advice. Thanks again fastjan.

I would take fastjan's advice and lube up the Axis lock where the 2 studs are and lube up the back of the blade where the bar makes contact with the blade. It should smooth out over time, so you should really just continue to play with it and the action will become smoother.

I had the exact same problem with my 615. My advise. Get some tuf-glide (or your favorite lube) and loosed the pivot just a hair and play with it alot. I honestly had the same problem and posted a similar post. Now ive had my mini for a couple weeks and she works just beautiful so do not get discouraged or frustrated like i did,it will workout just fine.
---adam---

The Ruki come with the BK coating on the Axis rod. Once that wears off, it will prolly be as silky smooth as mine.