Broken omega springs

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Wiersmaj

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May 3, 2021
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I broke an omega spring on my 6 weeks old Doug Ritter RSK® MK1-G2. I only use it for food prep and fiddling.
Does this happem more often or is it just bad luck?

John
 
I'd guess bad luck. I have several Axis lock Benchmades -- Mini-Rukus, 710, a couple of Grippies and never had a problem. I use BreakFree CLP as a lube and occasionally squeeze a drop through the hole in the liner to lube the springs but I don't know if that's even necessary.
 
it happens but seems fairly rare, but does happen to some. id call it bad luck.
 
I broke one omega spring since 2006. It can happen but it's rare. I've certainly had more liner lock failures but to be fair those were cheapo mall knives. I've never used Hogue customer service before so please update your experience.
 
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I have broken a few over the last 10 years in Benchmade knives but not in my Hogue Mini Ritter (yet). I am not sure of Hogues policy on sending out replacements it is probably worth an email to their customer service department from which I have heard good things. Alternatively though, I have been making my own replacement springs out of memory wire that can be had in spools from most hardwear stores. There are tutorials here in the forums from people like myself that have started making their own.
 
Someone recently posted about Hogues Customer service and said they were very happy!! I'd think an email would have your issue solved n springs in the mail by Tuesday pm!!!
 
It could be a myth but pull back on both sides of the lock bar. They say using just one side of the bar puts more stress on that spring.
 
I have never broke an omega spring in almost 20 years. Maybe I've just been lucky. But these are all BM knives. I have no experience with the Hogue springs.
 
I’ve broken 2 Benchmade omega springs in less than 3 months because of fidgeting. As fun and tempting as it is, just don’t do it. I’d recommend button style locks like the Spyderco Smock or ProTech Malibu for fidget purposes.
 
mmyron1 said:
I have never broke an omega spring in almost 20 years. Maybe I've just been lucky. But these are all BM knives. I have no experience with the Hogue springs.
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My personal theory is that breaking the springs is a combination of how you operate the knife, your climate, and of course manufacturing tolerances and materials.

Some people are a bit tougher on their knives and they are more likely to see breaking omega springs. Some people (like myself) live in wetter climates that make small bits of corrosion on the thin omega springs more likely. And then you have to take into account things like small metal burrs rubbing on the omega springs over their lifetime and the quality of the spring steel used.
 
I've never had one break in all my years either, and I fidget with them plenty. I do almost exclusively open mine using the lock though, and I've often wondered if opening them with the lock depressed helps alleviate some wear on the springs as opposed having the blade open against the resistance of the lock. I have no knowledge in this regard, just a thought.
 
I used a knife for over a year with only one working Omega spring. Then the other spring broke. It was fixed with aftermarket springs.
 
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I did write the customer service and waiting for reply. I live in the Netherlands so I think I will not have to sent my knive in. I will keep you all updated.
 
Knives&Lint said:
I've never had one break in all my years either, and I fidget with them plenty. I do almost exclusively open mine using the lock though, and I've often wondered if opening them with the lock depressed helps alleviate some wear on the springs as opposed having the blade open against the resistance of the lock. I have no knowledge in this regard, just a thought.
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Now that is interesting. I always thought that that would put more wear on the springs but then again, isn't that how axis autos work? Pull the lock back and the blade shoots out. That would make sense that pulling back on the lock bar would alleviate stress as I doubt that Benchmade would put a "somewhat" fragile omega spring under undue stress for autos. No one would buy them as we would be inundated with all kinds of posts about broken omega springs on autos.

Now I have more reason to "fiddle" with my knives. Thanks...thanks a lot.
 
I open and close all my axis locks by pulling both studs at once and have never had a spring break . . . yet
 
I broke a spring on a relatively new houge full size ritter. They sent me replacement springs after i told them i was comfortable doing it myself. Good customer service.

i also had a spring break in the past on a benchmade. Can’t remember which model, i think 710.

Id prefer to have a coil spring like spydercos ball lock or no spring like the spyderco smock. Wish they updated the lock with something like the benchmade anthem, seems much more durable.
 
I’d say bad luck. I’ve never had one break. Only way I see one breaking is just bad luck because it was a bad omega spring from the start most likely, or I hear they may break prematurely if they are fidget toys?
 
I have a Presidio with a broken spring on one side that I need to send in------this was after 13 years of daily EDC use----I have various other Benchmades', mostly Presidio's, so have been pretty lazy about sending it in. It still locks but pulling the bar back is pretty soft.
 
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