While reading Marks thread on defensive knives,and not wanting to hijack his thread, I started wondering about how reliable the locking mechanisms are on the autos.I know most will agree the axis is one of the best out there, just wondering if any one has done any testing or had any failures with the locks on the autos?

I believe Benchmade has stated that the plunger lock on the autos is the strongest lock they make. The Axis Lock is also not a lightweight in that department.

plunger lock is strong juju, I see Mark beat me to it.

Does anyone have an image of a plunger lock? I'm not familiar with this locking mechanism and am having a hard time picturing it in my mind. I tried Googling it, but didn't have any luck. Thanks in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by Chang:
Does anyone have an image of a plunger lock? I'm not familiar with this locking mechanism and am having a hard time picturing it in my mind. I tried Googling it, but didn't have any luck. Thanks in advance.

it has also been called a button lock. here is benchmade's info on their mechanisms page:
http://www.benchmade.com/about..._mechanisms.asp#Auto

here's a picture showing my 9000sbt disassembled. the plunger lock is the button looking thing above the screws. the large coil spring is what drives the blade, and the small compression spring is what keeps the lock in place.


( click to enlarge )

Thanks couguar.

There was an article on the subj in the last issue of Knives Illustrated. I scanned and uploaded it, if anybody's interested.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T9DZ3ZHC

The site will ask you for verification, just enter the letters from the image in the upper right corner in the box next to that image and you'll be able to download the file.
I tried to find a place to upload which would allow downloads without all this hassle, but this was the most simple way to do it.
Enjoy.

Interesting article. Thanks!

I new the plunger lock was strong. Kinda suprised the blade broke on the auto.