I still like Benchmade, but I think I'm done with the axis lock.

[Samurai6]

All these reports of people who haven't had a Axis omega spring break on them...

All I can say is y'all must not be "serious users".

Insiders report that the Benchmade customer service department is jammed, knives with broken omega springs stacked to the ceiling. Yet, they keep making the springs the way they do...how incomprehensible. Why do people keep buying them when they could have a liner lock?

 

[marthinus]

Even if the omega springs break you are not left with a non functional knife. Just take a piece of wood and shove it behind the lock.

[video=youtube;JkVtxEQ215k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkVtxEQ215k[/video]

 

[JNewell]

All these reports of people who haven't had a Axis omega spring break on them...

All I can say is y'all must not be "serious users".

Insiders report that the Benchmade customer service department is jammed, knives with broken omega springs stacked to the ceiling. Yet, they keep making the springs the way they do...how incomprehensible. Why do people keep buying them when they could have a liner lock?

Yeah, I heard on some internet forum that Benchmade has actually gone bankrupt seven times since 1998 but they've paid people to keep it quiet. The company is actually now owned by people very close to Vladimir Putin and anyone who has any trouble with the knives gets...taken care of. Everyone knows the design is junk and has been from the start.

 

[jkarp_53]

Yeah, I heard on some internet forum that Benchmade has actually gone bankrupt seven times since 1998 but they've paid people to keep it quiet. The company is actually now owned by people very close to Vladimir Putin and anyone who has any trouble with the knives gets...taken care of. Everyone knows the design is junk and has been from the start.

I'm sure glad I know you two. Someone else might take this seriously. Even if it's true! (Or not...)

 

[Samurai6]

I think JN is on to something there...it all smacks of a communist plot to undermine US manufacturing.

It's really frustrating stifling all the Austin Powers jokes about the "Gold Member" title, by the way. I guess that's just a matter of money, even for men our age? If you are on the forum for more than four hours, call your doctor!

Seriously, good to see you Joe.

There has been some research done about certain individuals that channel cosmic frequencies that cause malfunctions in any sort of complex mechanism. Their watches stop, TVs go on the fritz, cars break down...

Maybe if they kept their Axis locks stored in a pyramid?

Sorry, that's not very nice...It's horrible luck to have the best folding knife lock break on you over and over while it works flawlessly for everyone el...oh dear. Honestly, I really feel bad for the guy. The Nitrous mechanism is pretty cool, and the liners on the Vicar look formidable, so still some great Benchmades without the Axis, eh?

 

[cncpro11]

It's about time people start taking this thread srysly!

 

[OsborneFan]

I actually had a conversation with the manager of the repair department at the Benchmade plant earlier this week about the potential cause for this. I drove down for the second time in 2 months to have an omega spring replaced. Last month it was a 940, this month a 943. I've also had them replaced in my Barrage, Mini Barrages, 470 Emissary and 477 large Emissary. Anyone notice a trend here? I'm not blaming Warren Osborne, I am an OsborneFan after all, but rather noting that lighter Benchmades have lighter duty omega springs and will therefore break more frequently.

I mentioned that all the spring assisted axis knives I've ever owned had the same omega spring break and suggested it was because of the nature of closing them one handed put the bulk of the stress on that one omega spring rather than distributing it equally between the two. She was in agreement that it well may be the case as it is intended to be evenly distributed. This may suggest that how a person articulates the axis lock may affect its longevity. In the end that's a minor design flaw imo. I'm going to be more aware of this potential moving forward, but for the price I'm paying for these knives I would like to think I don't have to baby them.

I would also note that none of my larger axis knives, 806 AFCK, 275 Adamas, 741 Onslought, etc. have ever had a broken omega spring. This reinforces the idea that the lighter weight axis models have lighter weight omega springs. My oldest son is leaving for the military soon and I'd love to send him off with a 940, but unless Benchmade will supply replacement omega springs for him to take as backups, which they won't, I'm not about to trust it for deployment.

 

[knifedude802]

Sounds like you're cursed. I couldn't put a number on the compulsive and constant and downright unhealthy amount I flip my Grip. It's disturbing frankly. It's only 4 years old, but I literally flip this thing all day, most days of the week. Never had a spring break. Note though -- this Grip doesn't see much actual use. Just flipping really.

 

[OsborneFan]

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.

It may be that nothing is perfect. That being said, "perfecting" as a word suggest working towards perfection, not perfect. Far from perfect? What locking mechanism is perfect and aside from omega spring failure what leads you to say "Far from"? Liner locks over travel over time and fold at a lesser pressure rating. I don't know a single person who has actually had to count on a folder for life or death. Even my Marine buddy whom I gave a Bob Lum Tsunami (Benchmade liner lock) in 1995. He also had an original Gerber BMF and between the 2 he survived 2 tours of active duty under fire. He can still use the BMF though the Tsunami unfortunately has been compromised structurally. (Over travel renders it limp and floppy). Lastly, who on earth knows the glory of the TSEK/AFCK and questions the nature of the axis? I'm well aware of the liner lock's reputation and it out dating the axis and but are you serious? The 806 in D2 with the axis lock is pretty much as close to perfect as a knife can get. I'm also aware that the designer prefers the liner vs the axis AFCK, still doesn't mean he's factually correct. He designed it as a liner. Also, he makes a sound argument for his position based on tactical use. I've never cut another human with an edged tool and god willing I never will. Only my opinion and 20 years of OCKD (obsessive compulsive knife disorder). I mean no disrespect to your opinion and clearly I'm biased. Happy cutting.

 

[OsborneFan]

Can someone please put these back together for me?

Yup. In less than 5 min each. Of course that's because I have experience doing so. With each one shown. I can also change my oil, but that's only because I've done it before. Also, if you're posting those exploded views I'm sure you must know it doesn't require a complete disassembly to change the omega springs. Cheers!

 

[OsborneFan]

Hmm... I can't see them selling springs since the installation would void the warranty, but ti might be a good option for oem hardware. The spring steel they use now seems sufficient (for the most part), but ti would solve any possible corrosion issues. My mattress uses titanium coils so the stuff (which alloy I don't know) must be a viable spring material. I cannot imagine that it would increase the price of the knives, although industry like the automotive world looks at cost down to fractions of a penny...

Not exactly. I spoke with Benchmade (as I do frequently) and they assured me that as long as I didn't do any damage in the process, I could swap my 806's D2 blade for my 806-1101's M390 blade and they would be happy to cover it moving forward. I'm fortunate enough to live 45 min from the BM plant and I know well that they say "safety reasons" prohibit them from giving out omega springs.not warranty issues.

 

[RevDevil]

It may be that nothing is perfect. That being said, "perfecting" as a word suggest working towards perfection, not perfect. Far from perfect? What locking mechanism is perfect and aside from omega spring failure what leads you to say "Far from"? Liner locks over travel over time and fold at a lesser pressure rating. I don't know a single person who has actually had to count on a folder for life or death. Even my Marine buddy whom I gave a Bob Lum Tsunami (Benchmade liner lock) in 1995. He also had an original Gerber BMF and between the 2 he survived 2 tours of active duty under fire. He can still use the BMF though the Tsunami unfortunately has been compromised structurally. (Over travel renders it limp and floppy). Lastly, who on earth knows the glory of the TSEK/AFCK and questions the nature of the axis? I'm well aware of the liner lock's reputation and it out dating the axis and but are you serious? The 806 in D2 with the axis lock is pretty much as close to perfect as a knife can get. I'm also aware that the designer prefers the liner vs the axis AFCK, still doesn't mean he's factually correct. He designed it as a liner. Also, he makes a sound argument for his position based on tactical use. I've never cut another human with an edged tool and god willing I never will. Only my opinion and 20 years of OCKD (obsessive compulsive knife disorder). I mean no disrespect to your opinion and clearly I'm biased. Happy cutting.

Blade play. It's been stated that the Axis lock allows for wear over time, okay I get that. I have owned more than a handful that have no room for wear. On top of that there is some blade play present, not a sloppy amount, but noticeable when in use. I like the knives so they weren't sold off. The TSEK/AFCK, Adamas, Contego, Ares, 710, Grip series are my favorites. I really don't like much of the other designs. Yes, Benchmade can and has made some very good liner/frame locks. The Stryker I have is coming up on almost 10 years old, the lock is solid as solid can be. It's been used to cut everything from carboard to carpet to food to cables. Still going strong. I don't know what a knife goes through when in combat; but I simply cut stuff with it, and a lot of stuff as the need arises. Yes, being totally serious.

 

[OsborneFan]

Blade play. It's been stated that the Axis lock allows for wear over time, okay I get that. I have owned more than a handful that have no room for wear. On top of that there is some blade play present, not a sloppy amount, but noticeable when in use. I like the knives so they weren't sold off. The TSEK/AFCK, Adamas, Contego, Ares, 710, Grip series are my favorites. I really don't like much of the other designs. Yes, Benchmade can and has made some very good liner/frame locks. The Stryker I have is coming up on almost 10 years old, the lock is solid as solid can be. It's been used to cut everything from carboard to carpet to food to cables. Still going strong. I don't know what a knife goes through when in combat; but I simply cut stuff with it, and a lot of stuff as the need arises. Yes, being totally serious.

All valid points and you named some of my favorite Benmcgmades, the Adamas is redicously sturdy and feels amazing in hand. I wish I could dispute the blade play issue, but I can't. I'm still not sure that I would associate the blade play with the axis lock itself, though I get the idea of a liner/frame lock butting up firmly and eliminating up down wiggle. I will concede that the axis lock has to be executed to perfection at the plant to avoid play. I guess I was just getting tunnel vision with my late night posts. Again, no disrespect intended.

 

[RevDevil]

NO wories, we are all here to discuss and learn. Sharing experiences with these things is how it gets done.

 

[r.g.o.mueller]

Even if the omega springs break you are not left with a non functional knife.

But what about non-functional fingers?

 

[marthinus]

But what about non-functional fingers?

The lock does not just roll of the back when the omega springs break.

 

[HuskyFan06]

Man thats really odd. I've owned close to a dozen axis lock knives in the last 6-7 years and never once had a breakage. I've certainly noticed some blade play on axis lock knives, but never had an omega spring break. Sorry brother.

 

[338375]

This thread got kinda quiet...

All these reports of people who haven't had a Axis omega spring break on them...

All I can say is y'all must not be "serious users".

Insiders report that the Benchmade customer service department is jammed, knives with broken omega springs stacked to the ceiling. Yet, they keep making the springs the way they do...how incomprehensible. Why do people keep buying them when they could have a liner lock?

My first Mini Grip right after they were released quite a few years ago. I carried that knife daily and used the snot out of it for roughly 6-7 years. Out of all the knives I have owned, it received the most use, and had been opened and closed so many times I won't even attempt to guess how many, and it wasn't babied. Never broke a spring...
Every BM knife I have owned over the last 18+ years has had the Axis lock. Never a broken spring, and I am not a lucky person by nature

Man thats really odd. I've owned close to a dozen axis lock knives in the last 6-7 years and never once had a breakage. I've certainly noticed some blade play on axis lock knives, but never had an omega spring break. Sorry brother.

I adjust the pivot on every knife I buy. I adjust them to the point that they will fall free and close on their own. I have a custom build 551 and a Cabelas Mini Grip sitting next to me right now, and I just checked both. Very smooth, but zero blade play.

 

[ramp1516]

I own a BM585 knife and have always found it to be a great knife. This knife is used occasionally, but in no way ever abused, as I treat my tools with great care. I read internet stories of the axis springs breaking, and frankly thought that is must be very uncommon, and people who had this happen must be blowing the issue out of proportion, as it should be an easy way to fix

Well, my perception just changed on both counts, as I recently had a spring break on my BM 585. I figured no big deal, until I contacted Benchmade's customer service dept., with the hopes of getting the issue resolved quickly & easily, .....that is, until I was told they do not just ship out omega springs. For me, doing this would not just be an inconvenience, but a significant problem because I use my knife in my profession, and not having my knife with me could be significant safety issue. Said differently, I cannot afford to be without my knife for weeks so Benchmade can repair it.

What really drives me nuts, is that my understanding & perception was that BENCHMADE IS A PREMIUM KNIFE MANUFACTURER IN THE USA. This carries along with it a certain expectations in terms of the product, and service. I totally understand that things can go wrong with any product, but to me, what counts the most, is how a manufacturer handles it when things go wrong. Frankly, I was very disappointed in Benchmades "policy" on not sending out replacement springs for their knives that brake for no apparent reason & under normal use. Yes, benchmade does have it listed on their website that the knives must be returned for repairs, but come on, this blanket approach leaves users like me who have a problem, with no reasonable way to resolve the issue.

I would assume this is a known issue to benchmade, and IMO they should really address the spring issue proactively by redesigning.... i.e. thicker spring, use different steel, different heat treat, etc)...............but then again, probably $$$ is the preventing factor here..........

So, since I can't afford to be without my knife, I brought it to my firearms armor, who bent up 2 springs ( one for each side to provide equal pressure, since they are not OEM) from .025 piano wire ( which was readily available from my local hobby store). Replacing the springs was as simple as removing the scales, and placing in the newly made springs (although I was told that making them was a little tricky). Works perfectly now.

Just wanted to share my experience, changed perceptions, and solution with all that may find themselves in a similar situation.

 

[Ballenxj]

So, since I can't afford to be without my knife, I brought it to my firearms armor, who bent up 2 springs ( one for each side to provide equal pressure, since they are not OEM) from .025 piano wire ( which was readily available from my local hobby store). Replacing the springs was as simple as removing the scales, and placing in the newly made springs (although I was told that making them was a little tricky). Works perfectly now.

Just wanted to share my experience, changed perceptions, and solution with all that may find themselves in a similar situation.

Sounds like you had a good work around. Let us know how they hold up now?