Benchmade 710 mods?

M

manicreader

Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
71
I am a compulsive modifier. Witness these originally stock Benchmade 814S and 886 knives:

http://www.manicreader.com/gallery/latest/benchmade-814-2.jpg

http://www.manicreader.com/gallery/latest/benchmade-886-1.jpg

I just received a Benchmade 710 with the axis lock, and sadly, I feel compelled to re-handle it. Problem is, on partial dis-assembly I noticed that the axis lock springs, which look kinda like an 'omega', have a really large curve that hangs down almost to the bottom of the liner. I want to relieve the liners back to where they would get into that spring. The spring seems excessively long. I wonder has anyone used a replacement for the spring that is smaller, and if so, what?. Worst case, I'll shorten the existing spring.

Also, how do ya get the axis bar apart? Looks like both ends are a threaded cap, and also looks like it requires a special tool.
 
I'm not aware of anyone making different replacement Axis lock springs yet so I think you will be forced to modify the existing ones.
 
I saw a thread, perhaps in the archives, of someone who replaced the G10 with stablized wood in a 710. There was a pic posted. Do some searching and you should find it. He named the artist that made the mod...it was some initals, like TWS or TWS or something.


Hope this helps - Happy holidays
 
Gator97 has an aluminum-handled BM806D2. Here's a link to the description on his website. The knife was customized by Reese Weiland.

There's been some talk about making omega springs out of guitar wire, but I've yet to hear of it actually being done.

I'm also planning on re-handling my AFCK. It'll need a new SS backspacer, new rough G10 scales, and possibly SS bolsters. The only difficult part will be milling the channel for the large omega spring, without a milling machine. I'll be using a drill press and some kind of grinding bit. That's why I'm planning on having thicker scales and bolsters, to allow more room for error. Otherwise, the positioning of the omega spring along the liner doesn't seem to be a problem in the AFCK as it seems to be in your 710.

Oh yeah, I'm going to keep the original fittings for my knife, so that I can send the knife back to Benchmade in its original form should it ever need warranty repair.

Is there a reason you need to take apart the axis bar? My 806D2 disassembles just fine without having to do that.
 
If you look closely at the sides of the caps you will notice two "pin holes", one opposite the other, for accepting a tool for unscrewing the axis bolt. The thumb stud accepts the same tool.

Nice work.

Jeff
 
Jeffj- Thanks! I saw the holes, just have trouble figuring how to conjure up a tool. I dunno why I feel compelled to modify them. I have mostly Benchmade knives, and they are nice as-is, but it seems like there is always room for improved ergos. Plus I really like stabilized wood.

AlphalphaPB- If I don't take apart the axis bar, I don't think that the liners will come away from the blade. Need to get it all the way apart in order to re-shape the liners. SS backspacer? Personally, I'm going to go open-back with some cylindrical SS 2-56 spacers I found at Apex Electronics (Burbank CA) this weekend.

I prefer the AFCK myself, and I was fortunate enough to find a new-old stock 804 this week! I love liner locks.
 
I have fiddled with modifying some of my Axis locks and figure it's probably easier to mill the Omega spring channel into the handle than to shorten the springs. They are heat treated and you may run into issues of brittleness if you try to cut them down, and if you break one it's not like you can call Benchmade and ask them to send you some spares.

Modifying your favorite knives can be very fun and rewarding, looks like you're doing some great work!

I have some Aluminum I'm planning on making bolsters out of, should make a good medium for milling the Omega channel.

Two things about the liners and lock bar.

1 - Heat the bar so it's warm to the touch and just use pliars to unscrew the end caps, they should come apart easily.

2 - There is an oversized hole milled into the scales of the Axis lock knives (at least most of them). Take your scales off, remove the blade, back spacer, Omega Springs & Stop pin and the lock bar will slide back and down allowing you to pull off the scales. Hard to describe, easy to do....
 
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