AxisLock Karambit Thrust Bearing Compatibility

This Karambit features optional Miniature Plane Thrust Ball Bearings(F8-14M) for smoother pivots—though you can skip them if preferred. The project tests how these bearings impact 3D-printed knife performance. Its 3D-printed Axis Lockis road-tested through my trials—a solid, reliable mechanism.

Hardware Required:

• •Must-have: 3× screws (M3-6mm,M3-18mm & M3-16mm) + matching nuts
• •Optional upgrades:
  • •2× Miniature Plane Thrust Ball Bearings (model F8-14M-EB001)
  • •1× dowel pin (Ø2mm × 16-18mm length):enhance the strength of the lock shaft to compensate for insufficient Z-axis strength

Printing:

• •Super simple! Supports onlyin screw countersinks—peel them off easily with a screwdriver.

Assembly:

• •Needs a screwdriver + listed hardware
• Pro tip: Add bearings for silkier blade action!
• The test used Stanley brand blades

• 

Assembly Tutorial:

Clip 3D-printed spring onto green Axis Lock button

→ Ensure spring legs fully seat in button grooves.

Place Thrust Ball Bearing into pivot recess of green handle assembly

→ Alternative: Use purple 3D-printed part if bearings unavailable.

Insert blade holder into pivot

→ Place another Thrust Ball Bearing into its recess.

Align and close second handle half

→ Slide Axis Lock pin through oval slots on both handles.

→ Clip second spring onto button on opposite side.

Secure handle covers

▸ Seat springs into cover grooves.

▸ Pivot fixation: Insert 3D-printed dowel + M3-18mm screw/nut

⚠️ Hex recess for nut | Round recess for screw head (do not reverse!)

▸ Handle rear fixation: Tighten with M3-16mm screw/nut.

Install blade

▸ Use M3-6mm screw with red 3D-printed spacer.

▸ For M3-5mm screws: Skip spacer.

Done

The strength of 3D-printed knives cannot be guaranteed and they are suitable only for light-duty tasks, such as cutting paper or opening Amazon packages. Unless otherwise specified, all of my knife designs are intended for light-duty use only.

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