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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
I still like Benchmade, but I think I'm done with the axis lock.
- Thread starter The_Iron_Joe
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"Serious experience", aye?
Forget the fact that if indeed you found yourself w/ an Axis mech, w/ both O springs failed and had access to twigs, you could make the knife function, in dire need. To explain how, I feel would be an exercise in futility.
I submit, that if a "Guy" found himself "Stuck in the woods" w/ a "Flopping knife blade", that this said guy, has made multiple poor decisions that lead him there, least of which would be the type of folding knife he was carrying. And if he was to perish because of it, then so be it,...stupid hurts. Chalk it up to natural selection and be glad he could not further contaminate any gene pools.
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- Nov 4, 2006
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I can undertsand the frustration, I probably would be too... That said, over roughly 20 years, and probably 20 different Axis locks, I've never had a spring break.
Two of the knives in particular saw heavy use daily. One for approximately 4 years (early 705), and the other, a mini grip that I got right after they were released that was carried daily for 6+ years.
When I think BM, I think Axis lock. I'm not a fan of liner locks though, so that eliminates some of BM's offerings. Over they years, there has been a pattern. It seems a bigger portion of the people who have issues with the springs, have numerous issues.
That leads me to think it is something they are doing, or the environment in most cases, but certainly not all...
Two of the knives in particular saw heavy use daily. One for approximately 4 years (early 705), and the other, a mini grip that I got right after they were released that was carried daily for 6+ years.
When I think BM, I think Axis lock. I'm not a fan of liner locks though, so that eliminates some of BM's offerings. Over they years, there has been a pattern. It seems a bigger portion of the people who have issues with the springs, have numerous issues.
That leads me to think it is something they are doing, or the environment in most cases, but certainly not all...
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Hahaha. Ickythumb , you have a way with words 😃
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Yeah, youtube is chock full o guys with serious experience.
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Nothing is perfect, regardless of time. The Axis is a great lock, but far from perfect. I haven't had any springs break either. Could be many other issues at play, sweaty pockets, something corrosive in the environment or air, body chemistry, bad batch of springs, who knows. The only Benchmade knives I really use anymore are the Mini Grips, the Nitrous Stryker, and on occasion a TSEK/AFCK.
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True. Many factors do come into play. So you're not much of a Benchmade user these days ? How come ?
Which production folders do you prefer ? I think I know but I'm curious to pick the brain of one of the Super Mods.
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- Apr 22, 2015
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Wire springs like the omega springs can be problematic.Whenever you have sharp bends in the wire you induce stresses...which can fail later.Stress relieving such springs is difficult.Coil compression springs are much more reliable.Gunmakers have had to deal with this issue.For best reliability they use coil springs.
Corrosion will cause rapid failure too...as well as abrasion.
I think an axis lock incorporating coil springs would be bullet-proof.
As a actual apprenticed into the trade master typewriter repairman I have huge experience with small spring fabrication as well as their failure modes.
I have 3 benchmades a 530 and 2 griptillians and I really like the action of the axis.But breakage of springs like they use is to be expected.Any burrs or corrosives will only exacerbate the problem.
PS.I don't work on typewriters anymore.The PC made them obsolete overnight.But the experience gained making parts has proven worth it's weight in gold!
Corrosion will cause rapid failure too...as well as abrasion.
I think an axis lock incorporating coil springs would be bullet-proof.
As a actual apprenticed into the trade master typewriter repairman I have huge experience with small spring fabrication as well as their failure modes.
I have 3 benchmades a 530 and 2 griptillians and I really like the action of the axis.But breakage of springs like they use is to be expected.Any burrs or corrosives will only exacerbate the problem.
PS.I don't work on typewriters anymore.The PC made them obsolete overnight.But the experience gained making parts has proven worth it's weight in gold!
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While I've never had a spring break, I think BM would win back a lot of fans if they'd allow people to buy spare springs to have on hand rather than having to send your knife in and be without. Even with a quick turn around. Omega spring replacement is a very basic task.
I've considered trying the guitar spring method just to experiment.
I've considered trying the guitar spring method just to experiment.
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- Apr 22, 2015
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I agree strongly.If they sold spare springs I am sure many would buy spares just in case.It sure is easier than sending the knife back.
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Many of the newer designs just don't really do much for me, and there is other factors regarding the new stuff. Last count I had/have around 43 Benchmade knives. I like a lot of brands, I don't have a specific loyalty to one brand, my collection is pretty varied.
Joe, that might be true but unfortunately I'd think more people would be sending in a bag of knife parts than are able to actually replace the springs on their own. Think about how many people out there can't even sharpen a knife, and asking someone to change their own springs? Fuggedaboutit....
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Many of the newer designs just don't really do much for me, and there is other factors regarding the new stuff. Last count I had/have around 43 Benchmade knives. I like a lot of brands, I don't have a specific loyalty to one brand, my collection is pretty varied.
Joe, that might be true but unfortunately I'd think more people would be sending in a bag of knife parts than are able to actually replace the springs on their own. Think about how many people out there can't even sharpen a knife, and asking someone to change their own springs? Fuggedaboutit....
That's true Rev.I repaired a typewriter once that arrived in a basket in pieces.I gave them a break on the bench time so they could afford the repair!
I am very fortunate to have crazy high mechanical aptitude...I fix everything at home.Cars, appliances etc.I have rebuilt engines stripping them to the bare block etc.No problem.I forget others don't have this same ability.My poor brother can't change a sparkplug...
I always took stuff apart as a kid...and then made something new from the parts!Great fun and it has saved me thousands over the years.
Your point is well taken.Proper assembly of simple machines is an art.If you want it done correctly those practiced in the art are best able to help.
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Can someone please put these back together for me?
Sure.No problem.
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To JPM2
I no longer work on typewriters but currently service high end production digital copiers...that cost more than my house.Surrounded by 50+ screws and other odd bits I have been known to ask customers if they knew where this bit went!Hilarity ensues!
Seriously 3 feet deep away in parts for some tasks...the looks I get!And the comments...how do you know how it goes together?Or I guess it will be awhile before my print comes out or you are having fun on the floor aren't you!
Way more complex than any erector set to say the least.
But asking them if they saw where I took this piece from is always epic.It never gets old!!!
I no longer work on typewriters but currently service high end production digital copiers...that cost more than my house.Surrounded by 50+ screws and other odd bits I have been known to ask customers if they knew where this bit went!Hilarity ensues!
Seriously 3 feet deep away in parts for some tasks...the looks I get!And the comments...how do you know how it goes together?Or I guess it will be awhile before my print comes out or you are having fun on the floor aren't you!
Way more complex than any erector set to say the least.
But asking them if they saw where I took this piece from is always epic.It never gets old!!!
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- 481
I guess I'll have to keep mine on probation a while longer. After all, seventeen years without a spring breaking really doesn't prove anything about reliability, does it?
I have some of my grandfathers shotguns which used hairpin springs for the locks.They still work great and I also have the spares he bought just in case.
The Damascus barrels were black powder rated and are unsafe today to fire.And the locks still work fine.But he bought the spares because they did fail.
Better to have the spares and never need them vs needing them and not having them on hand!
Weird springs to say the least!
I guess I'll have to keep mine on probation a while longer. After all, seventeen years without a spring breaking really doesn't prove anything about reliability, does it?
Only with your specimens.
Like stated earlier, defects like nicks, corrosion, etc can come in many forms - from the factory, and self induced.
To CISTERIAN
I can completely relate. I've worked in the trouble-shoot and fixit field for over 30 years now.
There's always a demand for us. :thumbup: