Hey guys, I recently bought a Benchmade Mini Barrage for edc and SD. I liked it so much that I decided to buy a Griptilian to have another Benchmade knife to play with. Plus, when I send one in for resharpening or repair I will always have a Benchmade for backup. I am truly pleased with these knives. My question is, how durable are the Axis Lock springs if used a lot? I keep my knives lubed with G96 CLP because it is safe to use on polymers. I am asking because I don't have much experience with blue class Benchmades. I had a red class one sometime back but I wouldn't put it in the same category as blue class, plus it wasn't equipped with the axis lock.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
A question about the Benchmade Axis Lock
- Thread starter TheEdge01
- Start date
in my case, not that durable but it may have to do with flipping it hundreds of times a day, i have owned it since may and have already broken one on my mini grip and it is getting weaker again but their warranty is the best I've dealt with yet and they will sharpen it while they replace the spring.
- Joined
- May 5, 2013
- Messages
- 3,618
I have owned and abused way too many BM's to list....
I can tell you that I have never had an issue with the axis lock, or more to the point, the omega springs....
This is just my personal experience.
Very well built knives, that are a lot of fun.
The axis lock has been around for a long time, and if it was a troubled or flawed system, it wouldn't exist.
There are always lemons, regardless of brand or lock mechanism, but I wouldn't worry about it + BM has exceptional customer service should you need it....
I can tell you that I have never had an issue with the axis lock, or more to the point, the omega springs....
This is just my personal experience.
Very well built knives, that are a lot of fun.
The axis lock has been around for a long time, and if it was a troubled or flawed system, it wouldn't exist.
There are always lemons, regardless of brand or lock mechanism, but I wouldn't worry about it + BM has exceptional customer service should you need it....
I've had springs break but like Cryogen said if you flip it to many times it will go. Have a grip over 10 years still going strong, have sent it in a few times for spring replacement otherwise I find the axis lock an excellent lock, no issues of failing. BM has excellent service, just wish they would send out springs. Gary
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2014
- Messages
- 6,159
I just picked up my fourth Benchmade Axis knife. Never a problem with any of them.
Keep in mind that you have two Omega springs on every Axis lock knife but the knife can function with just one. So, the real question that needs to be ask is this. IF (and it really is a big if), there is going to be a problem with an Omega spring breaking, what are the chances of having both springs break at the same?
Keep in mind that you have two Omega springs on every Axis lock knife but the knife can function with just one. So, the real question that needs to be ask is this. IF (and it really is a big if), there is going to be a problem with an Omega spring breaking, what are the chances of having both springs break at the same?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2014
- Messages
- 336
I have a few Benchmade axis lock knives, and I have yet to have any problems with any of them. Guess I'm lucky. 
This is my oldest, a 940 that has been flipped who knows how many thousands of times.
This is my oldest, a 940 that has been flipped who knows how many thousands of times.
It will work with one spring, but will have to send it in for repair. Guess I'm not too lucky but still love the axis lock. Excellent warranty. I have a 530 for a long time, no problems with the springs yet. No matter what any BM is an excellent knife for edc. Gary
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,152
Have 10+ AXIS knives----never a problem
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 4,271
I've had 20+ Benchmades since 2005, most with AXIS locks, and never had a spring issue. I don't play with my knives. They just get opened, used, closed, and pocketed. But under those conditions I've never had a failure. And I've had multiple copies of both the knives you mentioned. Got a couple of them now, as a matter of fact.
That wear on the handle is absolutely fantastic.I have a few Benchmade axis lock knives, and I have yet to have any problems with any of them. Guess I'm lucky.
I've never had an issue.
My Griptilian wasn't a big hit for me (just didn't like it)
But I also have an Adamas.
It has been flicked, slammed, stabbed, dropped, and used like a hatchet.
No issues, and when its all clean, no play either.
When it gets lint and crap in it, it has vertical play.
My Griptilian wasn't a big hit for me (just didn't like it)
But I also have an Adamas.
It has been flicked, slammed, stabbed, dropped, and used like a hatchet.
No issues, and when its all clean, no play either.
When it gets lint and crap in it, it has vertical play.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2011
- Messages
- 27,451
No issues with Omega springs here, but I've definitely heard of it happening. Seems like it's a relatively small percentage issue, though, and Benchmade will replace them so I don't waste much time worrying about it.
I just recently got back into Benchmade with a few new purchases. But I do have previous experience with a Griptilian I've had for about 10 years or so. No problems with the Axis lock whatsoever in that one knife despite my benign neglect most of the time.
I may be mistaken but I do wonder if those having problems with breaking the springs may not be those who loosen the pivot screw and snap the knife open and closed frequently. That's hard on a knife's pivot area.
I may be mistaken but I do wonder if those having problems with breaking the springs may not be those who loosen the pivot screw and snap the knife open and closed frequently. That's hard on a knife's pivot area.