Convince me that a BM Griptilian is still a good buy

[marthinus]

I like Benchmade knives, and enjoy playing with the Axis Lock. However, I have never completely trusted the omega springs, because they are more prone to break than other locking mechanisms. Keep in mind that it has two jobs, it locks the blade open and holds it closed. So in the unlikely event that both springs break on you, the knife will be a danger to carry and a pain to use.

Even with the springs broken the Axis lock is not rendered useless, that is what I like about it. You can just jam a piece of wood behind the lock when the blade is in the opened or closed position and the knife will still function.

As to whether the Grip is still worth it, if you wonder about a knife the chances are you wont stop wondering about it until you have it Then you can make up your own mind.

For me, I still like the design of the 550 and 551 so will try and get the 20CV versions in future.

 

[TheEdge01]

Even with the springs broken the Axis lock is not rendered useless, that is what I like about it. You can just jam a piece of wood behind the lock when the blade is in the opened or closed position and the knife will still function.

As to whether the Grip is still worth it, if you wonder about a knife the chances are you wont stop wondering about it until you have it Then you can make up your own mind.

For me, I still like the design of the 550 and 551 so will try and get the 20CV versions in future.

True, there are ways to make it work without the springs. Other locking mechanisms on folders in the same price range usually last a lifetime without requiring manipulation to serve their purpose.

 

[Gideons]

True, there are ways to make it work without the springs. Other locking mechanisms on folders in the same price range usually last a lifetime without requiring manipulation to serve their purpose.

True, but you didn't take into account that most people never have any issues with the omega springs after years of use, thus making your point statistically irrelevant.

 

[stabman]

I'd put broken Omega springs into the "Fake News" category, pretty much.
Haven't had one yet, with knives more than 10 years old now.
Haven't met anyone who experienced it either.

Do Omega springs really break anywhere other than on the internet?

 

[sharp_edge]

True, there are ways to make it work without the springs. Other locking mechanisms on folders in the same price range usually last a lifetime without requiring manipulation to serve their purpose.

I take this statement more like a personal opinion than a fact.

True, but you didn't take into account that most people never have any issues with the omega springs after years of use, thus making your point statistically irrelevant.

No - it is not true. See my comment above. But I do agree with what you said the rest.

 

[Gideons]

No - it is not true. See my comment above. But I do agree with what you said the rest.

Sorry, I was mimicking his statement because he started with true and then disagreed/disputed what he said "true" to.

 

[TheEdge01]

True, but you didn't take into account that most people never have any issues with the omega springs after years of use, thus making your point statistically irrelevant.

Ok, my Benchmade dealer has to send knives in pretty frequently. In fact one of his employees had to send one in because of two broken omega springs.

 

[TheEdge01]

I take this statement more like a personal opinion than a fact.



No - it is not true. See my comment above. But I do agree with what you said the rest.

It is my personal opinion. I have developed my opinion based on personal conversations with my local Benchmade dealer and Benchmade cs, plus internet reports as well.

 

[TheEdge01]

Sorry, I was mimicking his statement because he started with true and then disagreed/disputed what he said "true" to.

Not sure what you are referring to. I never said broken omega springs render the knife useless. I said a pain to use and dangerous to carry which is true whether something is lodged in the knife or not. Otherwise please clarify your statement.

 

[353]

I'd put broken Omega springs into the "Fake News" category, pretty much.
Haven't had one yet, with knives more than 10 years old now.
Haven't met anyone who experienced it either.

Do Omega springs really break anywhere other than on the internet?

Trust me, they can break.. One of mine did in just 2-3 months. However I made new ones from stainless memory wire and they work flawlessly. I believe they will hold up for a long long time.

The two I made and the one that didn't break at the bottom:

 

[stabman]

Trust me, they can brake.. One of mine did in just 2-3 months. However I made new ones from stainless memory wire and they work flawlessly. I believe they will hold up for a long long time.

The two I made and the one that didn't brake at the bottom:

Question: do you use the AXIS lock as a lock only, or do you pull it back so as to be able to flick the blade out easily?
I ask because I have wondered if the reports some have made about broken springs could be due to pulling the lock back further than intended time and again in order to use it as an opening device rather than simply a lock.

 

[353]

Question: do you use the AXIS lock as a lock only, or do you pull it back so as to be able to flick the blade out easily?
I ask because I have wondered if the reports some have made about broken springs could be due to pulling the lock back further than intended time and again in order to use it as an opening device rather than simply a lock.

I did it all, a lot. And I've played a lot with it after the mod as well. Holds up fine.

My theory is that some of the springs are just faulty and weak, breaking long before they are supposed to, while most of them are OK. People have them for years even decades with no problems. So just bad luck I guess..

 

[stabman]

My theory is that some of the springs are just faulty and weak, breaking long before they are supposed to, while most of them are OK.

Could be.
A bad batch gets through, and then some springs end up breaking.

Guess I just have good knife luck.

 

[kreole]

I've had two or three break over maybe 10 years.

 

[Hackenslash]

Omega Spring breakage rate as reported by the internet: 97.629%
Omega Spring breakage rate as reported by all other sources: 6.452%

 

[353]

A bad batch gets through, and then some springs end up breaking.

Benchmade's wire goes through machines getting bent into the omega springs, in this process the wire might get damaged/stressed if things arent calibrated a-ok at all times..

Just a thought.

 

[number9]

My Ritter Mini-Grip is one of my favorite knives. Not fancy, kinda plasticky, but a great open and close action, sensible blade design, and good hand feel. And light. And it CUTS.
As for the springs, I have had 'em break. On a HK Mini-Axis. But Benchmade fixed it fast and free. And they thanked me for the business. No complaints from me. I know there are a few more Benchmades in my future.

 

[ChazzyP]

I just bought a Benchmade Triage with AXIS lock. Who will save me if the Omega springs on my rescue knife break?
I guess I could always use the hook--no pesky lock or springs to fail me there.

 

[sabre cat]

I just bought a Benchmade Triage with AXIS lock. Who will save me if the Omega springs on my rescue knife break?
I guess I could always use the hook--no pesky lock or springs to fail me there.

The Triage is a great piece of kit. It should last you years and years if you don't abuse it.
As for the Omega springs, like someone said, you have to have both springs broken before the knife is not is not serviceable.