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Seems simple enough. You open the knife, you close the knife. But it's the mechanics
of motion that happens in the process, which can make the difference between ordinary
and extraordinary. Is the knife easy to actuate, can the knife be opened with one
hand, is it ambidextrous, and will it be reliable when you need it most? These are
all essential considerations when it comes to knife mechanics.
Benchmade offers several mechanisms, from patented exclusives including the unparalleled
AXIS®, to more traditional lock back designs. It all comes down to your level
of desired function.
AXIS® A
patented Benchmade exclusive, AXIS® has been turning heads and winning fans ever
since its introduction. A 100-percent ambidextrous design, AXIS® gets its
function from a small, hardened steel bar which rides forward and back in a slot
machined into both steel liners. The bar extends to both sides of the knife,
spans the liners, and is positioned over the rear of the blade. It engages a
ramped, tang portion of the knife blade when it is opened. Two omega style
springs, one on each liner, give the locking bar its inertia to engage the knife
tang. As a result, the tang is wedged solidly between a sizable stop pin and the
AXIS® bar itself. Available in manual, assist or automatic configurations.
Notice: The carry-clip has been installed on the right side (or non-Benchmade logoed side
of blade) of AXIS knife products for right side pocket carry. If you prefer to clip-carry
the knife in the left side pocket, it is important that you remount the carry-clip
on the other side of the knife handle. This is recommended for ideal access and
optimum user safety.
MODIFIED LOCKING-LINER The basic principle is an integral locking
bar within the knife liner being stress bent, enabling it to spring into
position behind the rear tang of the blade when the blade is opened. The locking
bar wedges against the rear of the blade, locking it open until you physically
push it clear and close the blade (locking-liners are made either right or left
hand specific). And with a modified locking-liner you get a patented feature
which helps to enhance the lock function. The function success and function
failure of a locking-liner depends greatly on how well it is made and also the
quality of the materials used. With Benchmade, you get both.
MONOLOCK The monolock mechanism is basically a
locking-liner on steroids. The knife liner is one in the same as the knife
handle, and thus it is designed and made to function as the locking mechanism.
Subsequently, a thicker material is used to provide enough surface area to be a
functional handle, and in turn creates a larger surface area to lock the blade
with. If executed properly, the monolock design rates very highly in strength
and function.
NAK-LOK® Built from the framework of the locking-liner with
some innovative updates. The lock engages using tensile strength, compared to
the compression hold of more traditional locking-liners. With the Nak-Lok™, the
possibility of personal injury is greatly reduced with the opening finger never
crossing the blades path.
NITROUS® Another
patented Benchmade exclusive, the Nitrous™ boosts the blade with ease. As the
blade is closed the two torsion arms which run the length of the handle liners
are secured in place and make contact with the blade tang. As tensioned against
the blade tang, the user rotates the blade open to a 30-degree angle, the
torsion arms take over and continue the blade opening process on its own. The
huge advantages to the Nitrous design over other similar concepts, is that the
blade must be rotated open to beyond a 30-degree angle, which offers added user
control.
PAUL® The patented Paul® axial locking mechanism is known for its reliability and ease of opening and closing. The design is strong yet simple (3 parts and a spring). It gets its function through a spring loaded key positioned within the bolt circle of the pivotal axle shaft. When the key is depressed the blade can be rotated open or closed by grasping the ends of the axial shaft then rotating it. When the key is released and positioned at the end of the blade’s rotation it securely locks the blade to the side plate. The axle shaft also bolts together the two side plates and the blade.
DOUBLE ACTION The double-action mechanism was designed to be the ultimate extreme-use automatic knife, in conjunction with a standard manual opener. This push button automatic features a locking liner mechanism and incorporates an innovative lock release which is activated by pushing on the handle in the correct spot to fire the blade out automatically.
ROLLING LOCK® WITH INDRAFT® Another patented Benchmade
exclusive, the Rolling Lock utilizes a sizable, notched lock-pin, which secures
against the blade tang when engaged. To disengage, a spring actuated thumb button
on the right handle side is drawn back to rotate the lock pin and free the blade.
InDraft is a patented exclusive, which is a combination of a slotted liner and a
pin in the blade tang working in tandem to generate an inward inertia when closing
the blade. These results in one of the safest blade detents available today.
LEVITATOR® A patented Benchmade exclusive, the knife handle
scale/liner is cut to create a spring system which is used to leverage a lock-pin
in and out of a notch in the tang of the blade. This spring/pin system effectively
locks the blade both in the open and closed positions.
OPTIMISER® SYSTEM Another patented Benchmade exclusive, which
"optimizes" the knife mechanism if the user chooses to do so... A steel torsion
bar running the length of the inside handle spine is secured in place and contacts
a surface area of the blade tang. As the blade is closed the spring is tensioned
against the blade tang, then as the user rotates the blade open to a 30-degree angle
the spring-bar is engaged and continues the blade to its full, locked open position.
The huge advantage to the Optimiser® design over similar concepts is that the blade
must be rotated open beyond a 30-degree angle, which offers added user control.
And even more amazing, the Optimiser can be added or removed at the discretion of
the user and the knife mechanism still functions normally. The choice is yours.
LOCK-BACK A basic functional lock that is relatively simple and
low cost to manufacture. In practice the lock design positions a stop bar parallel
to and in direct line with the blade at the upper back or rear tang of the blade
to lock the blade open. Basically, as the blade is rotated open, the spring tensioned,
center pivoted stop bar tracks around the circular portion of the blade tang until
it drops or locks into the notched out tang. And to release the lock, the exposed
portion of the stop bar in the handle back is depressed into the handle, pivoting
the stop bar out, releasing the locked blade. This style of locking mechanism requires
two hands to safely close the blade although you may still easily open the blade
single-handed if desired.
AUTOMATIC It's
important to first note that these types of knives are restricted to Active Duty
Military and Law Enforcement, and federally regulated. Be certain of permissibility
in your location including state or local governments and within your reporting
bodies. These are folding knives, which open at the push of a button… An especially
important feature to have if your disability, occupation or profession has the potential
of limiting your mobility or freedom to access a knife through traditional means.
The blade is deployed out from the handle side like traditional folding knives,
but the blade is spring open assisted to a fully locked position. Benchmade is recognized
for making some of the finest auto opening knives in the world. These are primarily
manufactured for Law Enforcement, Military and Government Agency distribution. The
Benchmade autos take full advantage of a powerful coil spring blade actuator coupled
with our precisely machined taper lock mechanism, proving itself to be the most
reliable system available in auto open knives. And our patented integrated safety
mechanism (located on handle spine) ensures that the blade will not inadvertently
deploy or close once it is locked open. Benchmade autos are precision engineered
and manufactured to perform in the real world, you would be hard pressed to find
a superior tool.
BILT™ SYSTEM A patented Benchmade exclusive, the BILT System
(Bolted InLine Tang) simplifies the fixed blade handle assembly process while at
the same time strengthening the overall assembly itself. A long nut is positioned
in the slotted full-tang; a hardened bolt is passed through the butt-cap and then
threaded into the nut drawing the handle assembly together for a solid fit.
BALI-SONG® As much an art form as it is the ultimate example
of form following function. The Bali-Song or butterfly knife is of Filipino ancestry
dating back to nearly 800 A.D. Its basic form consists of a pin-hinged, two piece
handle, which when closed encases the blade for carry. And when opened, come together
to form the knife handle for blade use. This can all be accomplished with a single
hand -making the tool that much more utility capable. Benchmade is recognized as
the leader when it comes to making Bali-Song® knives.
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