BM 950-1001 Rift

On my EDC 950 I had a omega spring break so I made two new ones out of similar diameter wire. It works great but since the wire hasn't been heat treated or anything it is not as strong as the omega springs that come with the knife. There is just a little bit of up and down wiggle now and I'm pretty sure it is because the springs don't have enough strength to push the lock bar forward that last little bit taking out the play.

I can push the lock bar forward with my fingers and it goes away. It also did it worse with just one spring in because it pushed one side of the lock bar further and caused it to twist some. I wonder if there could be a little high spot of coating on the lock bar or something that is causing it to get a little canted. I know opening and closing mine 50 times with the little lube bath I gave it made a huge difference. Maybe if you play with it some you can get it to smooth out and not have to send it in? Good luck!

Ryan
 
I've used .025" piano wire to replace omega springs, and the springs made with it provide more resistence to opening than the stock springs. They also eliminated the slight vertical blade play the knife had. If you used a smaller diameter, try the .025". I subjected them to several months of opening/closing with no apparent loss of spring tension.
 
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I am very amazed that you got a bum knife, but here's a story to encourage you.

I had a couple of 710HS knives that were off center. Tried all the usual tricks, no dice. Took them apart - blades were bent (I kid you not). Now, this was years after they'd been disco'd. Called BM CS, explained what I thought (did not say I'd taken the knives apart to check for straightness tang to tip). They said: no way, can't happen, couldn't be. I'm thinking: hey, I put 'em on a machinists straightedge and I can almost get a dime in under the tip, but saying so didn't seem like the Dale Carnegie solution. They said send 'em in. I said: do you still have new blades, since these have been OP for so long? They said: just send them in. So, I did.

End result was that both knives came back pretty promptly with new, straight blades, and all involved have lived happily ever after. I think they'll take good care of you, though it is very frustrating to have to be in this position.
 
Well, I talked to Benchmade and they said they will have UPS pick it up from me tomorrow to bring it in for repair. They said there are no replacements, period, and that they were confident they can fix the vertical play. I'll let them sort it out, and I'm sure they will get it right. If I could only get them to strip the coating off and satin finish the blade while it was in I would be in Heaven. It wouldn't seem to be the Omega springs as the bar is stiff and that bar looks as far forward as it can get. I could very well be wrong about that. Whatever the case I'm sure they have plenty of ways to make it right.

Mike
 
gunmike1 said:
Well, I talked to Benchmade and they said they will have UPS pick it up from me tomorrow to bring it in for repair. They said there are no replacements, period, and that they were confident they can fix the vertical play. I'll let them sort it out, and I'm sure they will get it right. If I could only get them to strip the coating off and satin finish the blade while it was in I would be in Heaven. It wouldn't seem to be the Omega springs as the bar is stiff and that bar looks as far forward as it can get. I could very well be wrong about that. Whatever the case I'm sure they have plenty of ways to make it right.

Mike
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Yeow. I guess that's the problem with a limited edition - I am surprised. Arghhhh. :grumpy:
 
I used 0.024 mig welding wire because I couldn't find piano wire at the time. The mig wire is probably annealed and really soft and not as springy. I have since seen that Ace hardware carries the right size piano wire if anyone is looking for it.

I would think that for every run of knives they would make another 5-10 percent of the knives in parts for warranty claims but I guess they don't do that.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I would think that for every run of knives they would make another 5-10 percent of the knives in parts for warranty claims but I guess they don't do that.
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I thought the same myself, but the lady seemed sure there were no spares. I don't care about the numbering, I just want a Rift in M4 as solid and smooth as my standard Rift in 154CM is. Maybe she was just saying they didn't have replacements because of the fact I only have blade play and they really think that's an easy fix, but we shall she. I would love a new blade in M4 uncoated and unmarked that eliminated play, but that is dreaming. If they call me and tell me they can't repair it or replace it I'll be pretty pissed, but I'm guessing they can find ways to put in larger stop pins or something to get the play to disappear. That bar is all the way forward, so I'm guessing that only leaves the stop pin as the point they could change to get the blade to not have the vertical wiggle.

Mike
 
To my understanding the only reason there was a M4 Rift run was because Roger contacted BM and convinced them to do the run using left over material from a previous run. That's probably why there isn't any spare parts.
 
I was really sorry to read about the problems Mike has with his new M4 950. The unfortunate truth is that buying production knives can be a crap shoot. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. :mad: And, in my opinion, it's not just Bennchmade.

Mine is supposed to show up tomorrow. I'm excited but, as always, at the same time I'm prepared for a let down.

Micro rant over.
 
Well I am glad to report no problems with my M4 Rift. It is taught, straight, centered, and sharp. And it has none of the hard edges in the G10 handles that I once noticed when handling a regular 950 in a shop. This knife is a keeper!
 
Mine came today. Other than a very slightly off center blade, the knife is fine. I'm pleased with it. :)

Tom
 
The pisser about this one is I requested the vendor QC check the knife, especially for blade play, but I guess they didn't have time to check mine like they have in the past.

Mike
 
That's got to be frustrating Mike. This is two in a row. When straightened out to your satisfaction it should be a nice one though. I had to pass on this one due to finances but it looks like a nice one.

Another manufacturer has one coming out soon I want to get. Can't have too many CPM M4 knives IMO. :)
 
The Mastiff said:
That's got to be frustrating Mike. This is two in a row. When straightened out to your satisfaction it should be a nice one though. I had to pass on this one due to finances but it looks like a nice one.

Another manufacturer has one coming out soon I want to get. Can't have too many CPM M4 knives IMO. :)
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I'm 2 for 2 now on bad QC with Benchmade M4 knives when you count my 760 with the blade touching the handle. I know it's just bad luck, and every other Benchmade I've had has been pretty much perfect, including my standard Rift. Customer service vowed to make it right, and I have no doubts they will.

I am wait listed on 2 of another manufacturer's M4 folders. I especially like the fixed blade that manufacturer came out with in M4 that was a nice 62.5 RC. If they keep their folders anywhere near that hardness they'll be great, though I'll probably have those brought up to 65 RC as well.

Mike

Edit to add: I definately agree that you can't have too many CPM M4 knives. It is my favorite steel that I have used yet. I haven't tried Phil Wilson's CPM S110V at 64 RC yet though.
 
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The Mastiff said:
Can't have too many CPM M4 knives IMO. :)
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That is certainly the truth, and I'm glad Benchmade's near-monopoly on this is unwinding. Still, Benchmade has brought a lot of good M4 blades to the market in the past few years, and I really like the Axis lock.
 
Got mine today. Lockup is solid and blade is very close to centered. So luck was on my side this time.

I don't have a micrometer, but the edge feels thinner than I've had.

I've already started using it and plan to keep it in my pocket until M4 Ti/G-10 Millie comes out in the Spring of '10. I want to put this M4 to the test.

I look forward to other's comments and reviews on performance.

I hope yours gets properly fixed quickly Mike.
 
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