I have never broken an Omega spring, but I carry my knives clipped to the placket of my shirt. This is a hot and humid place in the summertime. I have had problems with rusty Omega springs, and they are a pure pita to clean. The lock parts also rust, but they are easier to clean (wire brush). I wish I could buy a handful of Omega springs make my cleaning chores easier.
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Benchmade AXIS lock
- Thread starter alexhadj1
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2009
- Messages
- 2,400
By function the axis lock is genius and is on par with a back-lock for being ambidextrous. It's also extremely easy to operate with one hand and offers several ways to both open and close. It's well worth the risk of the outside chance of breaking an omega spring. I've had 6-7 over the last 5 years and haven't had an issue. I had to tweak a 940 for optimal centering/play but the knife is so damn good that it was even a pleasure to tweak!
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 191
Wow, I'm kind of new here, this is the first I've heard of these springs failing.
I bought a 710 when they first came out, 1998 maybe?? That knife has not been babied, the black finish is badly worn on the blade, and the grips are pretty smooth from pocket wear, the spring(s) have never had a problem.
The month the 705 was introduced, I bought one (two actually, one for me and one for the woman that became my wife), my 705 has been in my pocket every day I haven't been on an airplane since the day I bought it, so about 13 ~ 14 years, no issues what so ever. In late 2001 airport security got a spyderco that I'd been using as a money clip (a couple of weeks after 9/11), I honestly forgot about it being in my pocket, really dumb since I'd stuffed the 705 into my checked bag at the ticket counter... it was either give up the spydi or miss our flight. Anyway I replaced the money clip with a mini griptilian the next day, its a very early one with the oval shaped thumb hole, that knife has also been in my other pocket everyday since I got it with the exception of air travel days, so its going on 12 years old, again no issues with the spring.
I wouldn't say my axis lock knives have been either abused or babied, they've been EDC working tools, subjected to both sweat and salt water, and except for sharpening as needed, and a fastidious rinsing with fresh water whenever they've been in salt water, I've done nothing but use them, no problems so far.
Erik
I bought a 710 when they first came out, 1998 maybe?? That knife has not been babied, the black finish is badly worn on the blade, and the grips are pretty smooth from pocket wear, the spring(s) have never had a problem.
The month the 705 was introduced, I bought one (two actually, one for me and one for the woman that became my wife), my 705 has been in my pocket every day I haven't been on an airplane since the day I bought it, so about 13 ~ 14 years, no issues what so ever. In late 2001 airport security got a spyderco that I'd been using as a money clip (a couple of weeks after 9/11), I honestly forgot about it being in my pocket, really dumb since I'd stuffed the 705 into my checked bag at the ticket counter... it was either give up the spydi or miss our flight. Anyway I replaced the money clip with a mini griptilian the next day, its a very early one with the oval shaped thumb hole, that knife has also been in my other pocket everyday since I got it with the exception of air travel days, so its going on 12 years old, again no issues with the spring.
I wouldn't say my axis lock knives have been either abused or babied, they've been EDC working tools, subjected to both sweat and salt water, and except for sharpening as needed, and a fastidious rinsing with fresh water whenever they've been in salt water, I've done nothing but use them, no problems so far.
Erik
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2007
- Messages
- 3,219
Any AXIS locks that have come thru my hands have been tight and the springs haven't broken. My bro in law has one of the aluminum Pardues from the late nineties/early 2000's that is beat to hell and back and the springs have never broken. Take those reports with a grain of salt. Only one I have right now is a large Bone Collector and it's solid as a rock in every direction.
SSonnentag
Stay Sharp!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2009
- Messages
- 2,165
It's my favorite lock type. So far I've not had any issues with springs or anything else related to an axis lock.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 418
Axis lock is, hands down, the fastest and most reliable lock on any knife I own. I own several benchmades (940/950/530/810/710/275/551) and have never had a problem with broken springs (even ones put through generous amounts of use and mild abuse). The lock is also incredibly strong, especially considering the smoothness and speed of the action. Best of all, it's about the only lock I have used that is truly ambidextrous!
kreole
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 4,447
Things to check when you get a new BM with axis lock are (1) how much back and forth movement is in the axis bar and (2) how far the bar travels in the slot when locked. Both I never realized were potential problems til I had them, googled around, and realized they're not that rare.
#1 BM will not fix, but if you catch it right away, you can ask your seller for an exchange. The knife isn't broken if the heads on the bar aren't nearly tight with the liners, but it will mean unlocking by pressing only one side of the bar will be harder, and it just feels sloppy, a worthwhile objection given the price of Benchmades, IMO.
With #2, if the bar bottoms out in the channel when the blade is open, you'll get vertical blade play. My M390 AFCK came late enough that it bottomed out after a short bit of time, and in retrospect I wish I had exchanged it right away. Now I look at this every time I get a new one.
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On broken springs, I had one in my 940 break after 2-3 years and quite a bit of use, but that's been it so far.
#1 BM will not fix, but if you catch it right away, you can ask your seller for an exchange. The knife isn't broken if the heads on the bar aren't nearly tight with the liners, but it will mean unlocking by pressing only one side of the bar will be harder, and it just feels sloppy, a worthwhile objection given the price of Benchmades, IMO.
With #2, if the bar bottoms out in the channel when the blade is open, you'll get vertical blade play. My M390 AFCK came late enough that it bottomed out after a short bit of time, and in retrospect I wish I had exchanged it right away. Now I look at this every time I get a new one.
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On broken springs, I had one in my 940 break after 2-3 years and quite a bit of use, but that's been it so far.
I've had at least a dozen axis lock knives and currently own a 707 and 720 which are both at least 5 years old. Never had a single problem and the lock up is still really strong. They do loosen over time, so I just put some oil in there and tighten it back up. Its my favorite lock type besides frame locks.
On top of that, there was a post on here a couple years ago noting correctly that in the unlikely event that the spring fails, you just stick a wedge of some sort in the slot, forcing the locking bar forward and you're good to go. I am not sure any other lock as that kind of "backup" available to you in the event of emergency. I currently have only one, the Spyderco Manix XL. My only benchmade today is the 750 and it's a Ti frame-lock. That's gonna change here real soon!
- Joined
- May 20, 2012
- Messages
- 401
I love the axis lock, it works and looks great. But I have had the omega springs break on me, so it isnt very good if your life could be relying on it and its the only tool you have.
kreole
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 4,447
You've found when the axis spring broke that the lock didn't work?