"Axis lock" style question: broken springs?

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jayjaygee

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Mar 13, 2023
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I have never owned an axis lock until recently. I heard in a youtube video that the "omega spring" I think it was can break.

My question is, what happens if this or any other known wear part breaks on a knife with this lock? Will it be stuck locked, or could the lock fail and the knife close on the user?

Thanks.
 
The Crossbar would slide back and forth freely if both springs broke. If only one spring broke, it should still function but it might be a little lopsided.

I can’t imagine the blade getting stuck in the locked position but there might be a risk of it closing on the user. Personally, I wouldn’t want to use the knife until I got the broken spring(s) replaced but not because of any safety concerns.
 
First off, there are two omega springs in the knife. Both of them breaking at the same time would be nearly astronomic odds of that happening. If only one spring broke, the lock would still function, maybe not perfectly, but it would still function. Omega Springs breaking does not happen very often despite what you might read. These types of knives are a very fidgety type and I think people use them as fidget toys opening and closing them hundreds, if not thousands of times per day as they watch TV which tends to wear out the springs prematurely. I probably own around 15 knives with the axis lock and have personally never broken an Omega spring. My recommendation would be to use and enjoy the knife. Don’t worry about a broken spring because it’s probably never going to happen.
 
The perceived weakness of the Axis lock is actually, IMHO, engineered compromise with good redundancy. By that means, the Axis (and Ram and Atlas and Shark, et al) is a fast to use yet very strong lock. You can open it, use the knife, and snap it shut in a blink. I think the lock strength tested on the Adamas was something like 800lbs.

Omega springs can break, but as vwb563 vwb563 mentioned, it will almost certainly be one spring that eats it. Your knife will still function, but you'd better get the spring replaced asap. If you are worried about it, they sell aftermarket springs for like $6. You can keep a few on hand if you like.

One of the nice things about the Axis/cross bar lock is that if you do happen to blow out both springs while out in the wild, jamming a solid stick behind the bar will keep the knife functional.

I'm a fan of the Axis. If you made me choose a lock I would have to rely on no matter what...is choose the Triad ;) That lock is just hell for stout. However, lost in the wilds, is feel very well prepared with an Adamas, no question.
 
The Axis Lock and Benchmade in general are for tinkerers, in my opinion. My Infidel is an exception.

I stopped carrying my Bugout and Osborne because I found myself constantly resetting the pivot. I think having to do that creates unnecessary wear and tear.

Though, I agree-anything breaking is unlikely. I just don't want to FAFO at that price range.
 
I've never had a problem with the Omega springs on my Benchmade Mini-Rukus, 710 or several Grippies after a couple of decades. I lube mine lightly with Break Free CLP, including the springs and bar.
 
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The Axis lock is probably one of the easiest locks to make usable again if the spring breaks. Jamb something behind the crossbar and even if both springs are broken it will still function as a knife. Ball Bearing lock is similar. Atlas and Shark lock would work as well if you keep thumb pressure pushing the lock closed.
 
Photos I have seen of broken Omega springs here at the forum often show knives that look like they have not been cleaned or lubed for a while. I'm sure that, along with excessive fidgeting, is a factor in the life of the spring. I have several Benchmade knives and my EDC is a
Benchmande and I have never experienced any problems with any of them.

I have a variety of knives with a variety of locks (Demko, CRK, Spyderco, etc.) but the Axis lock is my favorite.
 
I have had axis lock knives since the late 80s. No broken springs. I don't sit in front of a TV and flick for hours at a time like some reportedly do,
 
Alberta Ed said:
I've never had a problem with the Omega springs on my Benchmade Mini-Rukus, 710 or several Grippies after a couple of decades. I lube mine lightly with Break Free CLP, including the springs and bar.
Click to expand...
☝
exactly this .
I love axis locks and have one or another with me EVERY DAY .
ha ha , the inexpensive companies such as Vosteed that have taken to using the lock now that the patent has dried up even send "spare" springs along with their knives . I put quotation marks because some have said the springs are there becauxe they are a different spring rate ( stronger or lighter ) to fine tune the lock release effort . I have not had a reason to ever change springs .
now
I will say :
I ALWAYS USE TWO FINGERS TO OPERATE THE LOCK
thumb on one side and index finger on the other .

There is some opinion that if one just uses thumb on one side alone this can contribute to lock problems ( ? broken spring ?) . I have no experience with that ; just read about it some where .

I have scads of axis locks . Enjoy them . I just bought and carried another Benchmade Griptillian for about a week . I fell in love all over again ; makes me seriously wonder why I carry any thing else . For doubters : get over the hollow sound of the handle !
Think : thin carbon fiber .
Sounds cheep and plasticy but wins top tear races around the world in ( fill in the blank ) .
 
I own a few Benchmade knives. The only one that had a broken spring was my Kulgera. One of the springs broke after a few years. The knife still locked up, but you could feel the tension loosen quite a bit. The second lock broke within a week. I'm guessing it was due to the additional pressure on the single good spring. I sent it in to Benchmade and they had it back to me in a couple of weeks. I haven't had any issues with any other Benchmades.
 
All very useful information, thank you everyone. Some follow up questions:

Steely_Gunz said:
The perceived weakness of the Axis lock is actually, IMHO, engineered compromise with good redundancy. By that means, the Axis (and Ram and Atlas and Shark, et al) is a fast to use yet very strong lock. You can open it, use the knife, and snap it shut in a blink. I think the lock strength tested on the Adamas was something like 800lbs.

Omega springs can break, but as vwb563 vwb563 mentioned, it will almost certainly be one spring that eats it. Your knife will still function, but you'd better get the spring replaced asap. If you are worried about it, they sell aftermarket springs for like $6. You can keep a few on hand if you like.

One of the nice things about the Axis/cross bar lock is that if you do happen to blow out both springs while out in the wild, jamming a solid stick behind the bar will keep the knife functional.

I'm a fan of the Axis. If you made me choose a lock I would have to rely on no matter what...is choose the Triad ;) That lock is just hell for stout. However, lost in the wilds, is feel very well prepared with an Adamas, no question.
Click to expand...

So I want to be clear that one spring will prevent the knife from closing on my hand? That's my big concern, that I'd be doing something heavy duty and the thing will close on my hand.

And where do you jam the stick? Pun intended, but a serious question.

SharpBits said:
Jamb something behind the crossbar and even if both springs are broken it will still function as a knife.
Click to expand...
I'm confused. Where do I put something to keep it functional? (In this very unlikely scenario)
 
jayjaygee said:
So I want to be clear that one spring will prevent the knife from closing on my hand? That's my big concern, that I'd be doing something heavy duty and the thing will close on my hand.
Click to expand...
It will hold the knife open, but I would stop using it after a spring is broken. The other one won't last long.

It's a simple design. There are a lot of videos and pictures showing how it works online. It's also easy enough to take the knife apart and look at everything if you want. I've done it plenty of times to give me knife a thorough cleaning.

jayjaygee said:
And where do you jam the stick? Pun intended, but a serious question.
Click to expand...
You would jam a stick or something behind the crossbar (in the hole) to prevent it from moving backwards.

axis.jpg
 
jayjaygee said:
All very useful information, thank you everyone. Some follow up questions:



So I want to be clear that one spring will prevent the knife from closing on my hand? That's my big concern, that I'd be doing something heavy duty and the thing will close on my hand.

And where do you jam the stick? Pun intended, but a serious question.


I'm confused. Where do I put something to keep it functional? (In this very unlikely scenario)
Click to expand...
There are two springs in the Axis system and push the cross bar forward, so think of it like you are bracing a door shut with both your arms pushing against it. Using both is going to be stronger, but you can technically do it with one...it's just not going to be as secure. So you'll want to replace the broken spring ASAP, but it should get you through the day/days.
 
The only omega springs I've broken were on my original 940:

M

Post in thread 'True Upgrade for Omega Spring'

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I broke the spaghetti noodles.
  • Haha

Never having needed it, I'd not read the BM warranty about having to mail the knife back and no being able to just order a fresh set of springs. This did sour me a bit since I prefer to fix what I break. And I'm sure my constant use and carry of that knife is what had them break. I ended up breaking the warranty and just went aftermarket for my fix and it's back to feeling brand new still. And those springs breaking aren't going to stop me from ordering a new custom Mini Grip with an M4 blade since I've been trying to find an old one for years now.
 
jayjaygee said:
All very useful information, thank you everyone. Some follow up questions:



So I want to be clear that one spring will prevent the knife from closing on my hand? That's my big concern, that I'd be doing something heavy duty and the thing will close on my hand.

And where do you jam the stick? Pun intended, but a serious question.


I'm confused. Where do I put something to keep it functional? (In this very unlikely scenario)
Click to expand...

I think that what is confusing is that the springs do not lock the blade open - the cross bar does. The springs hold the cross bar in place. The blade will stay locked open even with no springs at all as long as the cross bar is in place. In an emergency situation with two broken springs (highly unlikely) the blade will remain locked open if you hold the cross bar in place with your fingers or jam a twig, nail, or anything that will fit into the opening behind the bar.

Your photo, Maximumbob, appears to be what I was talking about in my earlier post!
 
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Thanks again everyone, question answered.

Steely_Gunz said:
So you'll want to replace the broken spring ASAP, but it should get you through the day/days
Click to expand...
Right. My only concern was getting through the same instant that the spring broke without slicing my hand open, and it sounds like that's not a huge risk, though it does sound possible to break one spring upon opening, which would make the crossbar sit less firmly, which could cause the thing to close on you. But a lot of things would have to go wrong for that to happen.
 
Unless you're putting enough force on the knife in the direction of closing the knife, I'd file it under the same risk category of getting struck by lightning.
 
If you break a spring, it's going to be sluggish at first. I would say you will be more likely to slam the blade shut on my knuckle fidgeting/fanning it open than for the omega spring to break and cause it to fail. Most Axis locks fail due to people spine whacking them than the spring breaking. Two springs give you redundancy. If you are open to an automatic, the Adamas line of that flavor has a sliding safety that keeps it from opening in your pocket (please use it. I found out the $1000 copay way 9 stiches later that it is a good idea). That same safety can be used to lock the crossbar forward. It doesn't come into play with the omegas at all either, so if one or both fail, it is a reasonable back up.
 
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