Benchmade 551 noise

medtech

medtech

Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
100
I have a Benchmade 551 Griptilian. When it's in the closed position something around the lock rattles. When it's in the open position I can not hear it. I made sure everything it tight. Does any one have any ideas or experiencing something similar?

Thanks,

steve
 
I noticed my BM with axis lock make noise when opening the blade at the very beginning.
 
It's the sleeve around the stop pin, which is cut too short. I had to send my 551 in to BM because the sleeve was too long. When I got it back, it was too short.

It shouldn't affect the function of the knife, but if you find the little rattle a little annoying, I understand. ;)
 
Both of my Grips had that rattle. I sold them - my 2 remaining Benchmades, a 940 and a 710 don't rattle. Same axis lock, go figure??
 
Thanks for the response. Your right it doesn't affect how it works, just kinda of irritating...
 
Yea, it's a bit maddening that it's too big of an issue to ignore and too small to send in (especially for the second time). It may be possible to source the right size sleeve elsewhere, but I haven't looked in to it.

I currently own several axis lock folders and have sold a few others. Only one of these has had this issue. Overall, it must be said, I'm very happy with BM products.
 
Sounds like the stop pin, a fairly common assembly issue that I'd rather live with over using Loc-Tite. The pin is designed to rotate as the Axis lock wears in and 'Locked in' will eventually cause a flat spot. Benchmade CAN fix the issue, but it's a trip on your nickel to do so and time away from your pocket as a result.
 
cziv said:
Both of my Grips had that rattle. I sold them - my 2 remaining Benchmades, a 940 and a 710 don't rattle. Same axis lock, go figure??
Click to expand...

I have a 930 that rattles too; very annoying.

Does that looseness mean the lock is weaker?
 
jkarp_53 said:
Sounds like the stop pin, a fairly common assembly issue that I'd rather live with over using Loc-Tite. The pin is designed to rotate as the Axis lock wears in and 'Locked in' will eventually cause a flat spot. Benchmade CAN fix the issue, but it's a trip on your nickel to do so and time away from your pocket as a result.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a design flaw to me. It's very annoying.
 
And this rattle noise makes a rather pricey knife seem to be poor quality. No more Axis locks for me. This 930 is the first and last one I'll drop cash on.

IMGP0191.jpg
 
bruleront said:
It's the sleeve around the stop pin, which is cut too short. I had to send my 551 in to BM because the sleeve was too long. When I got it back, it was too short.
Click to expand...

The stop pin is one single part -there is no sleeve around it.

The pin has narrower sections at each end that locate in holes in the steel liners. The rattle that is sometimes heard when the knife is closed is the pin sliding back and forth between the liners.

The noise does not indicate a fault and does not mean that the lock is any weaker. Indeed, a pin that is free to rotate causes any wear to be spread around the whole circumference, rather that concentrated in one area.

If a user finds the noise unbearable, it can be eliminated with a dab of Loctite.
 
Locktite or plumbers tape, the pin is solid and if there in no radial play when the knife is open there is NO problem, working as designed.
 
Skimo said:
Locktite or plumbers tape, the pin is solid and if there in no radial play when the knife is open there is NO problem, working as designed.
Click to expand...

Actually, I get blade play of about .050" up and down, at the tip of the blade. Not lateral, but up and down. How do I eliminate that?
 
medtech said:
I have a Benchmade 551 Griptilian. When it's in the closed position something around the lock rattles. When it's in the open position I can not hear it. I made sure everything it tight. Does any one have any ideas or experiencing something similar?

Thanks,

steve
Click to expand...

I have the exact same problem on my 556. doesn't bother me enough to send it in to benchmade, but interesting that im not the only one.
 
Before anyone alters the stop pin with SuperGlue, I would suggest you first try a small touch of heavy oil to each end of the pin. This should stop the rattle, yet allow the pin to gradually rotate as designed.
 
A.P.F. said:
Before anyone alters the stop pin with SuperGlue, I would suggest you first try a small touch of heavy oil to each end of the pin. This should stop the rattle, yet allow the pin to gradually rotate as designed.
Click to expand...

Good call A.P.F. maybe even that Slick50 or whatever kinda stuff is thick as honey. :thumbup:
 
Some AXIS lock knives have screws that hold the stop pin in place and some rely on the liners holding it in place. If it doesn't rotate it won't hurt anything and if you use the knife enough that it wears a flat spot you can just rotate the pin a little. If it is loose it could be because the pivot is loose so that the liners are not pulled as close together as a tighter pivot. If that is not the case it is not hard to stop the pin from moving. As has been mentioned loc tite, super glue, a wrap of teflon plumbers tape, and even some grease should stop any movement and rattle. The aftermarket scales on the 930 above could possibly contribute to a loose stop pin if they somehow don't touch the stop pin (although I haven't taken apart that particular model so that is only a guess. Still should be an easy fix).

It is my opinion that the AXIS lock is the best designed knife lock out there right now and I have got to the point that I don't really like using other types of locks. There are plenty of Benchmade designs that I do not like but there are a couple that I love which keep me coming back. I would not let a little rattle that is easily fixable stop me from owning and using a great lock, but to each his own.
 
I always assumed it is part of the design, for the same reason Emerson does the same to his new folders stop pins. It eliminates excessive wear on one part of the stop pin. Dont really care as long as the knife functions correctly as it does.

Folderguy
As to your movement up and down, how hard do you push at the tip for that 0.050? One mans bladeplay can be another ones flexing of the blade...I had a friend stating he had bladeplay, when he showed me what he did to see the bladeplay I thought the steel liners are going to pop out so much force he was applying. Not saying you are doing the same, but still something to consider. It might also have something to do with you scales?
 
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