A question about the Benchmade Axis Lock

longest EDC for me was a 722. 10 years. Low end calculation based on only 3 openings a day.
3*365*10 = 10,950 cycles before I lost it/it got stolen at a gun range.
Bare minimum, in all likelihood the number was double that with a hefty percent of those openings being wrist flicks.

Fear not, springs generally work for a very long time.
 
I have a large number of Axis lock knives. I have one of the earliest 710s shipped and another that goes back to the early 2000s. I have never had a spring break. I frankly think that some of the reports here are, shall we say politely, creative writing.
 
I've had one break, on a 943. I was unable to get the knife apart due to stripping a screw head, so I sent it to BM and they took care of it with no problem. Not had issue with the other 7 or so I have. The spring is pretty fine, but I also play with them too much and the spring is easy to replace. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
I just got a Benchmade because I like the idea of a lock not wearing out. And, they make a fantastic knife. Mini Stryker.
rolf
 
Lycosa said:
I just got a Benchmade because I like the idea of a lock not wearing out. And, they make a fantastic knife. Mini Stryker.
rolf
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:thumbup: They just get smoother with age. With a little tweaking you will be able to find the sweet spot where the blade will close under its own weight, and still have zero blade play
 
My Benchmade mini grip (customized through their custom service) Broke after flipping it about 100+ times daily for 5 months EDC, the omega spring broke on a camping trip and I was stuck the rest of the week with a knife I couldn't use because I didn't want to ruin the other spring. But I did send it into BM and they replaced both omega springs, new screws, new pocket clip, they oiled it and adjusted it. I might have gotten a bad spring, or I might have flipped it too much. :p But overall I will probably PLAY with it a little less, but still USE it just as much! :)
 
Carried this one for eight or so years before sending it back. Sent it for a new blade.

The lock was just fine. Never broke a spring.

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I have a dual action 5300. If the spring breaks, which I don't think it ever will, then it will be a great knife with axis lock until I get it fixed.
 
baliflipper02 said:
My Benchmade mini grip (customized through their custom service) Broke after flipping it about 100+ times daily for 5 months EDC, the omega spring broke on a camping trip and I was stuck the rest of the week with a knife I couldn't use because I didn't want to ruin the other spring. But I did send it into BM and they replaced both omega springs, new screws, new pocket clip, they oiled it and adjusted it. I might have gotten a bad spring, or I might have flipped it too much. :p But overall I will probably PLAY with it a little less, but still USE it just as much! :)
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Personally I would have continued using it. You wouldn't have hurt it, and you had to send it in anyway. They are still safe with only one spring holding the lock bar, but you might use caution with only one spring
 
I have bought a lot of new and several used benchmades, a barrage and a mini barrage amoung the used ones, that look like they used by a butcher and sharpened every day cleaned them up sent them in to be sharpened and they continue to perform well. I personally have never seen a broken spring, the only problem I ever had was with my 9050 after 15 years of EDC at work and deploying all over the world it got a chip so bad that when they resharpened it in order to get the chip out the blade is almost 1/4 inch above the serrations, but that is just the downside to serrated blades.. Everything wears down and breaks eventually, some last longer than others, but the bottom line is you won't be disappointed in the lifespan of anything on this knife and if there is an issue Benchmade is one of the best companies to stand behind their product that I've ever seen.
 
I got a benchmade axis flipper 300sn and was curious about the axis lock. It's my first benchmade. So far I really, really enjoy it. But, I was curious if the axis lock (thumb and index locking studs) on each side of the handle/scales are supposed to have some play in them? Meaning that when pulled back they can pull back a little more on one side vs. the other side and vice versa, and when released the same thing? I hope this question makes sense. Thanks
 
kaput said:
I got a benchmade axis flipper 300sn and was curious about the axis lock. It's my first benchmade. So far I really, really enjoy it. But, I was curious if the axis lock (thumb and index locking studs) on each side of the handle/scales are supposed to have some play in them? Meaning that when pulled back they can pull back a little more on one side vs. the other side and vice versa, and when released the same thing? I hope this question makes sense. Thanks
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Welcome to BF's... The lock bar can do that, if you try. It shouldn't have much variation from side to side though. I just checked two Mini Grips that are sitting next
to me, and I can induce a slight variation from side to side, If I consciously try.
In all honesty, in the roughly 18 years or so I have been using BM Axis lock knives, I never noticed it before...
 
My 531 is currently at Benchmade for repair because the Axis lock spring broke last week. I have had it going on two years. I asked them to send me the springs so I could replace them myself to reduce the downtime but they won't send internal parts. Shipping to them is the only option. It is my first and only Benchmade knife and I have had it close to two years now. I do play with it a lot. The blade is so smooth it will almost open itself when the axis lock is released and it just begs to be flipped open and closed LOL. I actually removed the thumb stud from the blade because it opens so easily when the axis lock is pulled back. I never have liked thumb studs. They seem to snag or hang on something, usually my pocket liner when taking it out of my pocket, but also sometimes when cutting. Still I was disappointed that the spring broke on a knife of this price. Luckily I was at home when it happened. I am back to carrying my Spydercos while the 531 is away for repair. I have carried a Spyderco for over 20 years before getting the 531, and have never had one fail me. And no thumb studs LOL.
 
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I've owned dozens with no issues. Two of those are 710s that go back to the very start of manufacture, so almost two decades now, and they've been used a lot. Zero. Issues.
 
Thank you. I appreciate it, I didn't know whether it was designed to do that or not. Beautiful knife and I am really enjoying all the ways to open it haha. I didn't really know whether you were able to axis unlock it with just one side or the other, it seems like both in tandem is the designed method.

And once it's open, sharpest knife I've ever owned. Cut myself day one on the pinky, didn't even feel it.
 
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