A question about the Benchmade Axis Lock

I think the omega spring issue is waaaaay overblown. Some of the guys who parrot this stuff are knife vets on the forum and should really know better.

Let's start with this: All locks wear down and can break and/or fail.

The one post above saying that he had one break, also said he has a habit of playing with opening and closing repeatedly. Now do the same to a framelock.... It will wear down...Do the same to an Onion AO liner lock, the spring will eventually lose tension....standard backlocks eventually wear down and the lock will sink far deep into the lockwell.... triad lock may be a lot more immune to wear but opening and closing triad a billion times a day isnt very fun lol. Remember, playing with the axis lock is typically a more 'violent' afair compared to other locks because of its nature. Thwacking a Sebenza like that voids the warranty on it for example.
 
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Personally, I've had zero issues with the AXIS lock or its components. I carry a Grip or Mini-Grip daily, and my missus EDCs a Mini-Barrage, and we use them pretty hard.

That's consistent with our experience as a Benchmade dealer. :cool:

Lube-wise, I've come to really like Benchmade BlueLube. I've tried lots of different potions and keep coming back to the blue stuff. Use it sparingly, by the way -- it doesn't take much.

Tom @ KnivesShipFree
 
KnivesShipFree said:
... Lube-wise, I've come to really like Benchmade BlueLube. I've tried lots of different potions and keep coming back to the blue stuff. Use it sparingly, by the way -- it doesn't take much.

Tom @ KnivesShipFree
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Same here. It worked better for me than any other lube I've tried right from the get-go and it's worked well ever since. The only things I don't use it on now are my Sebenzas and Emersons. I also like to use a toothpick or Q-tip to "paint" just a small amount on each omega spring in a new AXIS lock. Just seems like having a thin coat of lube on the spring and the metal it rubs against may help extend its life.
 
7 BMs, all with Axis, all flipped, flicked and played with CONSTANTLY.......no issues at all!!
Called BM to change 5 pocket clips, deep carry. Had them in 5 days for free!
Sent 2 in for Lifesharp......they also took the knives apart and gave each a tune up that I didn't ask for!
Excellent CS!!
I have a Grip from the Custom Shop on the way and will DEFINITELY be buying more!!
 
No issues with omega springs either. I remember hearing reports of them breaking years back not but as much anymore. Idk.
 
FWIW I've been using BM knives with the AXIS lock for nearly 17 years and never experienced a broken Omega spring.

This includes safe queens I rarely use to heavy users I used for years while working and EDC knives I use occasionally.

Never had a problem.
 
I've never broken an AXIS-Lock spring and I've been EDC'ing knives using this lock since the late 90's when it first came out.
 
Benchmade offers lifetime sharpening and warranty repair service. If you use the service, how often do you guys send your knives in? Or do you just wait until something breaks or your knife gets extremely dull first?
 
I would usually send it if a spring breaks or after a long term use so they can check it out for any worn parts, which they will replace for free. I usually sharpen the blade myself but they will do it for free. I have a backup so I won't miss having one. They do have probably one of the best service I've come across. Years back I've got a Grip in trade, when I received it the handle where the clip is screwed on was grounded down & the clip wouldn't fit( I'm left handed) so I sent it in & explain the situation, They replaced the handles no questions asked, cleaned knife & sharpened the blade at no charge. So use it & send it anytime you like for sharpening, they will take care of you, make sure you have a backup in case you miss it. Thanks Gary
 
My son's trusty 710 broke one of the omega's a few months ago. Came back from Oregon looking like new, with the sharpest factory edge I've ever, ever seen. It is truly dangerous sharp now. He opted to not have his highly used pocketclip replaced, so they put a new one in the box.
 
Officer's Match said:
My son's trusty 710 broke one of the omega's a few months ago. Came back from Oregon looking like new, with the sharpest factory edge I've ever, ever seen. It is truly dangerous sharp now. He opted to not have his highly used pocketclip replaced, so they put a new one in the box.
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I just love the fact your boy wanted the worn clip on his knife!! Too cool!!
Called yesterday and spoke to Micah about a blade replacement for my 581.......really want a black blade.
It costs $40 and they will change springs along with a lube at no extra charge.
Best customer service by far!
Nice getting a human on the phone!
Been waiting to hear from Brous for a month......after a bunch of sent e mails!
 
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I've been EDCing Benchmade axis lock knives for years, mostly Grips or 710, and have never had a single problem with the omega springs . . . or any other part of a Benchmade. Oh wait, I had a clip eventually get a little too far away from the handle to stay snug in my pocket. One phone call, and I had a couple new clips in my mailbox! Great service if anything does go wrong.

On top of that, I think the axis lock is the strongest lock out there. It's a great design. And if one omega spring breaks on you, you can still get home on a single spring.

Bottom line: You can buy a Benchmade with confidence.
 
I started reading some of the comments, and they really pissed me off. I'm sure someone's already said this but in case they haven't...
I've got tons of Benchmades. The one I carry, use, play with, and abuse the most is my Griptilian. Its been through YEARS of shit, and when it needs a cleaning, I take it into the shower with me. I open and close it a ton every day ( I love holding the axis lock down and slapping the blade open and closed as fast as possible). My springs are fine. With that being said, I live in Portland. Moderate humidity, really not that bad at all. It gets some exposure to saltwater at the beach, but again, when I get home I shower with it ;) and get it all clean.
People who might not take care of their knives the best, let em stay all sweaty, wet, or salty, might have their springs fail on them, due to corrosion then breakage.
In terms of just breaking because of 'wear' sure you get some bad apples in the hundreds of thousands of omega springs out there, but keep in mind, you have TWO, and only need ONE.
IMO the people who make their own springs out of piano wire and replace em monthly are an anomaly. It shouldn't happen.
But again, I don't sweat much, I maintain my shit, and I don't live in a place like Miami that's humid, and might be salty.
 
No need to get upset over springs breaking if I was one those comments. I had my Grip 551 with 440c when they first came out & used it everyday working in a factory, went through different types of chemicals acetone, oil , grease ect. It held up great, I would blowout with compress air, oil & sharpen it & ready to go, over years the by sending it a few times for broken spring doesn't make this a big deal, it'll go with one spring, never had any issues with the lock failing. I find it one of the best locks out there & being a lefty it's an excellent knife to open & close, yes I probably flip the hell out of it more than I should. I still find BM a excellent company no matter if the springs break or not. The knife is still in great shape after so many years & still carry it, wish I could post pics. I have other BMs, these will probably outlast me, I know the Grip551 will. Thanks Gary
 
I only had one problem with my 5400 Dual Action but Benchmade took care of it so fast it never mattered. BTW, flipping my knives drives my family nuts! Enough to where they leave the room. Maybe on to something here, 😎
 
I've had a mini griptillian for close to 10 years with no problems. Springs are still in good order and it locks up just as tight as when I got it. Granted it's no longer a major player in my EDC game anymore but it was my only EDC for years and it still comes out occasionally. It's definitely a solid design
 
Well I'll show you a couple of pictures of my griptillian I have EDC for years. These are pictures to verify the abuse mine has to put up with. It has never failed. In fact the spring release has been used so many times it is starting to bind from grooving itself on the blade butt. Never had a problem with the springs.


oh well I guess I won't show you with some pictures.
 
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I've been carrying a 710 with AXIS lock for 17 years and the springs have been fine. I can't wrap my head around how people find them to be a failure point. The knife is bulletproof and that's daily carry in some harsh environments; sleeping in the sand in Iraq, etc. I've since added some mini-grips as well as a 940-1 and they all seem to be made just as strong.
 
I've had many Axis locks over the years, and still have 7. I've carried a 943 daily for over 11 years (it is the ONE knife that has been a constant in my pockets since I got it). :cool: However, at one point about 5 years ago, I had one Omega spring break. Knife still worked OK though, so I procrastinated on sending it in to get fixed.

The single spring lasted for about another year on its own before it finally broke too, unfortunately just before I was leaving on a 2-month long business trip. I sent the knife back in to BM, and they repaired it in just a few days, no questions asked. Their customer service was so good that they took the time to call me and have it shipped to my hotel at my request so I didn't have to be without my knife until I got back home. Awesome!!! :D

Anything mechanical can break, it happens. It isn't necessarily the fault of the manufacturer. How they handle the repair shows what kind of company they are. In this case, Benchmade is top notch!!!! :thumbup:
 
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