Aftermarket Benchmade Springs and Lockbars?

[TheJon]

I have a love hate relationship with Benchmades, especially newer benchmades. I had an old 940 that I gave to my brother and never broke a spring in it. I bought a brand new one for myself a few years ago because I do love the pattern. And I have no idea why this knife has such a problem, I've replaced the springs 6 times (that's twice a year!). Once with benchmade springs and then all aftermarket. Just replaced another yesterday. My old griptilian still has the OG springs. But I don't trust this 940 beyond normally day to day carry, I love it but don't trust it while traveling, or camping or anything which is a shame.

I carried a 940 pretty often in the military but this one I wouldn't trust. I would have been straight out of luck on a deployment if a spring had broken.

My mini bugout has had one broken spring.

Anyways, the point of this isn't to complain but rather to ask if anyone has a good source for stronger aftermarket springs that won't break?

I've taken to carrying my mini bugout with titanium scales, and I'm thinking of swapping to AWT scales instead, but I'm wondering it anyone knows any aftermarket lockbars that are longer for the mini bugout? By longer I mean they extend further past the scales. The origionals are basically flush with the scales and make it difficult to unlock the knife when your hands are cold or with gloves on. For example the 940 lock bar sticks out beyond the scales allowing easier manipulation.

Obligatory picture of my mini griptilian.

 

[Delgadonine]

I've discovered that Benchmade's CQ is all over the charts. I don't carry either of my folders because of my growing dislike of the axis lock. I don't carry my Infidel much because it happens to be illegal in my city and it's scary. Fantastic blade BTW. I gave my Hidden Canyon to a huntress and I was not wrong to do so.

My questions are:

Why do you like the axis lock so much?

Why isn't there another lock you like as much?

Is deer stew better than beef stew?

 

[sharp_edge]

It seems Benchmade Bugout's omega springs tend to break more often/easily than other models. Among the 20+ Benchmade Axis folders that I have owned, Bugout is the only one that I managed to break one of its springs. I followed someone's recommendation on the Benchmade subforum to purchase some aftermarket springs and replace both of the factory ones. SO far they have been holding up well.

 

[mrfields]

i have almost 30 benchmade knives, 16 of which have axis locks. i’ve had a few springs break over the years, but i’m one of those weirdos that plays with my knives constantly, so they all have thousands of open/ close cycles each. the only one that has broken springs multiple times was a first production 490 amicus, which i sent in to the home office to see what they could do with it. turns out that there was an issue with the handle scales causing the springs to break regularly. once they replaced the scales the problem went away. i think it was a burr in the scale that was rubbing on the spring, but my memory isn’t what it used to be. maybe this could be what’s going on with your 940?

the bugout never interested me so i can’t speak to any problems they might have. i do remember a couple threads a while back where members were making their own omega springs out of memory wire. they seemed to get good results. think they were using a thicker gauge wire than what benchmade uses.

i forgot to say that i usually get my aftermarket omega springs from the bay, haven’t had any issues with ones i’ve gotten.

 

[.577NE]

.Obligatory picture of my mini griptilian.

Mini Griptilian you say?

 

[TheJon]

Mini Griptilian you say?

Life's a struggle. Haha I surprised no one else noticed that mistake. I assume you know but that would be my MINI BUGOUT not the mini griptilian. Although I do love my mini grip too.

 

[.577NE]

Life's a struggle. Haha I surprised no one else noticed that mistake. I assume you know but that would be my MINI BUGOUT not the mini griptilian. Although I do love my mini grip too.

That Mini Grip looks great, friend. I appreciate pictures of a well used knife, "it speaks to me".

 

[mmyron1]

I have broken springs on 1 of my bugouts and surprisingly on my 615 Mini Rukus recently. I replaced them with aftermarket springs rather than send either knife back for repair. They seem to be holding up better than the original but I have no real proof of that to be honest.