Broken Axis lock?

I have never had a broken spring since i started with Benchmade knives back in the 90s. i just wonder how many broken springs are the result of constant flicking that I know some do. Sitting in front of the tv flicking, showing off at the honky tonk.. Iwill admit it is possible to get some weak springs now and then, Happy flicking!
 
its not both springs is it? i have to admit, i originally held back on benchmade for many years because of this concern. in fact, i delayed so much that Benchmade discontinued the 707 sequel and I had to find it on the secondary market. since then, ive had the same 707, and added a mini grip, a large grip and a spare 707. although i can appreciate the amusement of the axis lock, i do not constantly flick it open and close repeatedly nor do deliberately snap the knife open with a heavy wrist flick.
 
I have a 940 that was used when I got it ~15 years ago, no broken springs. And I've used the hell out of it.
 
Had a Bugout omega spring break about 8 months ago. First time it’s happened. I ordered some replacement ones off amazon. When I inquired about getting replacement ones they won’t ship them out, I had to send the knife in which is sort of ridiculous TBH.
 
They break, but they can be replaced. Less likely to break if you stop flipping them open and closed 1,000 times each day.

Most locks that depend on tiny springs need replacements at some point... the Demko shark lock for example. You can buy a 3 pack of springs for 15 bucks or something like that.
 
katguy said:
They break, but they can be replaced. Less likely to break if you stop flipping them open and closed 1,000 times each day.

Most locks that depend on tiny springs need replacements at some point... the Demko shark lock for example. You can buy a 3 pack of springs for 15 bucks or something like that.
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The coil spring in the Demko is a lot less likely to break then the omega spring in the benchmade.
 
katguy said:
They break, but they can be replaced. Less likely to break if you stop flipping them open and closed 1,000 times each day.

Most locks that depend on tiny springs need replacements at some point... the Demko shark lock for example. You can buy a 3 pack of springs for 15 bucks or something like that.
Click to expand...

Coil springs in that use case are extremely unlikely to fail. Omega springs concentrate the stress in a rather small area of a straight bar, the way coil springs are designed is to spread that stress over the entire spring. They are inherently superior in that regard. Benchmade is no stranger to coil sprung "Axis" locks either, the Anthem was more than a proof of concept.
 
It's the best lock in the business in my experience, I've never had an issue with the axis and I imagine the chances of it failing are miniscule and other factors may be at play when they do. I'll take my chances.
 
I bought a Benchmade 710 about 19 years ago. It was my first "high-end" Benchmade with the Axis Lock. One of the Omega springs broke within a year and I sent it back for repair. I heard they had a bad batch of Omega springs with bad heat treatment. I later bought a Benchmade Bob Lum Dejavoo with the liner lock. That liner lock worked its way far right and the action became sloppy. I haven't bought any Benchmades since.
 
Haven't had them break on my Griptillian 550, but I've also never used that knife except to show it to friends. I bought it because of the Spydiehole and because it looked great in the pictures, imho it's an exceptionally ugly knife, albeit with good ergonomics and nice action, but it's just not for me. It's the one knife I will actually sell at some point, when I come across someone who wants it^^

The reason for this post is, I'm kind of afraid to use it because overall it feels very cheap and reading about broken springs all the time doesn't inspire confidence for me. So it sits in the knifebox, in it's original box, waiting for it's time to shine :)
 
Ikhnaton said:
Haven't had them break on my Griptillian 550, but I've also never used that knife except to show it to friends. I bought it because of the Spydiehole and because it looked great in the pictures, imho it's an exceptionally ugly knife, albeit with good ergonomics and nice action, but it's just not for me. It's the one knife I will actually sell at some point, when I come across someone who wants it^^

The reason for this post is, I'm kind of afraid to use it because overall it feels very cheap and reading about broken springs all the time doesn't inspire confidence for me. So it sits in the knifebox, in it's original box, waiting for it's time to shine :)
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I really don't want to damage you for Benchmade, or Axis locks in general. I think this is a small problem that affects a small population, and right now I'm more interested in solutions than fear. I think there might be some beefier aftermarket springs that will eliminate this problem entirely, making these knives 100% great.
 
YetAnotherKnifeEnthusiast said:
I really don't want to damage you for Benchmade, or Axis locks in general. I think this is a small problem that affects a small population, and right now I'm more interested in solutions than fear. I think there might be some beefier aftermarket springs that will eliminate this problem entirely, making these knives 100% great.
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Oh, don't worry, I won't be purchasing anymore Benchmade, there's not a single knife in their lineup that interests me and I already have a Manix 2XL, so my ambidextrous closing knife need is sated :)

I do also understand that it's a very, very small percentage of springs that break and you can't ever rule out user error, but the "fear" lives in my head nonetheless. Doesn't matter though, there's other lock types to enjoy :)

Also, I think that needing aftermarket parts for a knife to be perfect would be ok if we're talking prices sub 100€/$, but for those prices, *for me*, it's unacceptable :)

Though I find the approach of some users here, making their own springs, pretty f'in epic :D
 
I have a friend who was obsessed with the 940 and kept trying to get me to buy one even though I've already tried axis locks and didn't care for the 940 blade shape. Well he was really shook up one day when he told me a spring broke and he didn't trust it anymore. He was also confused why Benchmade wouldn't mail him one and ended up buying replacement springs on Amazon. I asked if it still locked up with one working spring and he said not very well, so I guess the 2 spring redundancy isn't really a fail safe.
 
stillshot2 said:
I have a friend who was obsessed with the 940 and kept trying to get me to buy one even though I've already tried axis locks and didn't care for the 940 blade shape. Well he was really shook up one day when he told me a spring broke and he didn't trust it anymore. He was also confused why Benchmade wouldn't mail him one and ended up buying replacement springs on Amazon. I asked if it still locked up with one working spring and he said not very well, so I guess the 2 spring redundancy isn't really a fail safe.
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Stories like this piss me off and really make me lose faith in established manufacturers.
 
Haven't had coffee yet, so brain is foggy.

Many years ago, I had a Benchmade auto. When I opened it, the blade just kept on going. Flew right out of the knife! Seems Benchmade had a problem with heat treating and the blade tang just broke in half!
Bill McHenry graciously got me a new knife, and asked me to keep quiet about it.
Bill designed the omega spring for Benchmade. He told me the little springs had been tested exhaustively and he was confident in them.

Now Benchmade is a much bigger company that makes a "product." I have spoken with their production manager at the Blade Show. He knew about their products, but obviously knew nothing about knives in general. He understood plunge locks and maybe slip joints, but had literally no clue about anything else. Maybe he has learned something about them by now.

Now- the omega springs are small diameter wires. They flex in the same spot repeatedly. This can cause work-hardening-especially if flexed repeatedly in a short time.
I don't know the metal composition of the springs. If they are carbon steel they can rust easily. All it takes is one small rust pit to seriously weaken a spring. Even stainless can rust easily in the right conditions, and stainless springs are difficult to make and generally unreliable. I would keep the omega springs coated with a light grease-especially if you sweat heavily or the knife is exposed to moisture
 
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