Had another omega spring break in my Axis lock

T

the possum

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
2,954
Dagnabbit. Had another gigdamned omega spring break on me the other day, in my Benchmade Presidio folder. I had to send it back to Benchmade a little over a year ago for the same reason. (actually both springs broke that time) And had to do the same with my Ares before that.

I still really love the design of the axis lock on the whole. But wish they could put a spring in it that would last me more than 2 years before breaking.
 
How long have you had it for overall and how much do you use it? Just remember that it's a thin piece of wire so its destined to break over time with use. Any moving part wears down after thousands of repetitive movements. The omega spring just happens to be the weakest link in an axis lock.

Honestly it'd be a waste of money/time to develop a new spring that would last longer. It's much more cost effective for them to just repair springs, and the knife still functions even with it broken.
 
I have my 710HSSRAL for last hmm, 8 years as my EDC. So far so good. Owned dozens of BMs with Axis locks, never broke a single spring.
 
lazerboy2000 said:
Honestly it'd be a waste of money/time to develop a new spring that would last longer. It's much more cost effective for them to just repair springs, and the knife still functions even with it broken.
Click to expand...

I would think it would simply be a material/method of making change. Cost of springs go up, but no development costs.
 
This really makes we wonder if the problem has more to do with the design of the knife than the omega spring itself. I don't own a Presidio or Ares but I use my 710 regularly and it also serves as a "thought" knife, that is when contemplating something while sitting in front of my computer I'll often flick it open and closed as a form of meditation. I've had the knife well over two years and it must have been opened and closed thousands and thousands of times with no spring failure :confused:
 
Could be the spring is rubbing somewhere. Good time to
open it it up and check for scars. Something isn't right.

I've found knives also with too much locktite causing problems.
I also like to pack the spring wells with lithium grease.

I've never had a problem 710 - 73x - 94x - 52x
 
Could be the spring is rubbing somewhere. Good time to
open it it up and check for scars. Something isn't right.
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I've wondered the same thing. Have only been using BM axis lock knives for 3 years, but never had a problem. Have seen similar type springs in some of the bail mechanisms on my spinning reels; they last for years and have only had one break that I can remember.
 
I've had maybe five axis locks over five years and never had a spring break. I'm not doubting the OP, but it sounds like this is more like uniquely bad luck than a design flaw.
 
I just did maintenance on my Ares the other night and found one of the two springs inside broken. It still works but the lock is just really easy to manipulate now. I guess i'll be boxing it up tonight to ship out to Benchmade. The springs are really thin but I also think that they should be able to last longer.
 
My problem with the Axis lock is that it is just so damn much fun to play with. I popped both springs in my mini grip in about 8 mos. I have a feeling if you don't sit around flicking the blade constantly (like I did) the omega springs will probably last for several years.
 
My 710 is still going strong as far as I know. A friend has it now. It had a bent spring when I bought it, but I never noticed until another friend took it apart. I'd lean toward the spring wearing against something. No one has that bad a luck, and no spring manufacturer can afford that much failure.
 
I have several Axis locks and have never broken a spring. The beauty of the Axis is that it will still lock solidly and function with one spring or none, so I have never worried about breakage.

The only concern I’ve ever had with the Omega springs is possible corrosion issues.
The first thing I do when I get a new Axis is apply Corrosion X to the springs. Unless I’m dunking the knife in salt water constantly this pretty much solves that potential problem.

I do wish someone made replacement titanium Omega springs for Axis models though.
 
How does it still function if both springs are broken? And if so, why the need for the springs at all?
 
The lockbar will still hold the blade open without spring pressure if you hold the lockbar foreword. The lockbar can still move out of position on its own, but you can hold the bar with your thumb or finger and safely use the knife. The reason for having the springs is to move the bar into place and hold it there once it is seated in the blade tang. They also function as a type of blade tensioner when the knife is closed.

In comparison, a failed linerlock/ framelock does nothing to hold the blade in position, and there isn’t much you can do about it if you can’t re-bend the metal. Under force, like when cutting something, the Axis will still lock the blade tightly until you release the lockbar. The springs aren’t integral to the strength of the lock itself.
 
I removed both springs from my 710 and found that almost anything like cardboard or wood jammed behind the lockbar kept the blade securely locked open. Next to no tension is required to keep the lockbar from sliding back when open and engaged.
 
bearcut said:
The lockbar will still hold the blade open without spring pressure if you hold the lockbar foreword. The lockbar can still move out of position on its own, but you can hold the bar with your thumb or finger and safely use the knife. The reason for having the springs is to move the bar into place and hold it there once it is seated in the blade tang. They also function as a type of blade tensioner when the knife is closed.

In comparison, a failed linerlock/ framelock does nothing to hold the blade in position, and there isn’t much you can do about it if you can’t re-bend the metal. Under force, like when cutting something, the Axis will still lock the blade tightly until you release the lockbar. The springs aren’t integral to the strength of the lock itself.
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Very interesting. Thank you. I have been scared of owning an AXIS lock based on threads like this one. But your post has me feeling a bit better. I am framelock guy, and have yet to have one fail on me despite hard use.
 
That's because quality locks of almost any design don't fail unless the user does something stupid.
The whole lock failure issue is overblown. Besides, many of us are old enough to remember using nothing but slipjoints and NEVER having an 'accident'.
 
I've had my BM 530 for 4 years now and my springs are as good as the day that I got it.
 
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