Mini Grip Axis Spring failure

S

SpyJ

Joined
Dec 13, 2006
Messages
85
I just discovered that something wasn't right with my Mini Grip when playing around with it, opening and closing it (with the thumbhole).
Took the knife apart to see what was wrong...
DSC_0016_zpse1a3af69.jpg

Always wondered how durable the springs on these were...A rather crucial part of the knife function. There have been no abuse to this knife either. I was just about to give this knife to my friend, I'm glad I didn't! Don't want to be the reason he cuts himself with a knife I gave him :)
Anyone else had this problem??
 
I've had that happen on my large grip. Send it back to benchmade and they'll be more than happy to take care of you. Their customer service is top notch.
 
I would have done that, but I'm in Sweden...don't think it's worth the shipping cost...
 
Contact them. Maybe in your case they can send the part. Worth talking to them though to find out.
 
I have seen instances in the past where BM has made an exception to mailing certain parts for international customers and military deployed overseas.

Contact them and see what they say.

Only one spring is necessary for the AXIS lock to function, I seriously doubt there was any danger of your friend cutting himself due to the broken spring. Just mentioning it as you brought it up as a concern. So I'll add that I have never heard of any injury occurring because of a broken omega spring.
 
I have contact BM, will see what they say.

Sure you only need one spring for it to function...but when it broke the axis pin wouldn't engage properly due to the loose parts jammed it up, making the blade semi-lock, when touching the spine it closed after just a bit of pressure! Luckily I noticed it before putting my fingers around the handle. It could result in some injures...
After having removed the broken spring they knife now works ok. But I wouldn't bring this kind of knife with me when for ex hiking for longer periods of time. Not a big deal for me, but since I have "worried" that something like this could happen to my axis Benchmades I thought I would show it! :)
 
I understand your concerns and only trying to give some insight to "maybe" give you more confidence in the lock.

If you do a search or just read around the forum, you will find far more, and I mean by a very large margin instances of lock failures with Liner locks, Frame locks, and even Lockbacks then the AXIS lock.

I've been following this for years and can tell you this is definitely the case. Also as I said I've never read or heard of one actual injury caused by the failure of an Omega spring in the AXIS lock but have seen plenty of posts about people being cut because their liner lock, frame lock failed and their finger was in the way.

Again, only pointing this out to try and make you feel a bit better about the lock design. If you are going to be worried about the AXIS lock then you should be even more concerned about the other lock types mentioned.

Either way, I hope when you reach out to BM they are able to resolve your issue without any unnecessary delay.

All the best!
 
This is just a guess, but I would think omega spring failure and abuse would not necessarily go hand in hand.

The more the knife is 'played with' (ie. opened & closed) the more likely for the springs to break. They flex a small amount with each open & close. Ever break a metal hanger by hand? You just bend it back and forth in the same spot repeatedly. Heat builds up and it ultimately snaps. I imagine this similar effect happens with broken omega springs, just in a much less dramatic fashion.
 
I have heard of people making their own springs out of guitar strings. I thought I had the recipe laying around but I can't find it.
 
SpyJ said:
Sure you only need one spring for it to function...but when it broke the axis pin wouldn't engage properly due to the loose parts jammed it up, making the blade semi-lock, when touching the spine it closed after just a bit of pressure! Luckily I noticed it before putting my fingers around the handle. It could result in some injures...
After having removed the broken spring they knife now works ok. But I wouldn't bring this kind of knife with me when for ex hiking for longer periods of time. Not a big deal for me, but since I have "worried" that something like this could happen to my axis Benchmades I thought I would show it! :)
Click to expand...
- One of the Omega springs in my Kulgera broke after 2 years of use. It only took about a week for the other spring to break. Contact Benchmade and see what they can do for you since you are international.
 
SpyJ said:
I have contact BM, will see what they say.

Sure you only need one spring for it to function...but when it broke the axis pin wouldn't engage properly due to the loose parts jammed it up, making the blade semi-lock, when touching the spine it closed after just a bit of pressure! Luckily I noticed it before putting my fingers around the handle. It could result in some injures...
After having removed the broken spring they knife now works ok. But I wouldn't bring this kind of knife with me when for ex hiking for longer periods of time. Not a big deal for me, but since I have "worried" that something like this could happen to my axis Benchmades I thought I would show it! :)
Click to expand...

Such is the way of the world when using springs. Spring fatigue occurs from repeated compression and extension over time. While this isn't your conventional coil spring, it still applies. The fracture shown in the pic is predictably in the area where the most stress occurs.
 
pbcg said:
I understand your concerns and only trying to give some insight to "maybe" give you more confidence in the lock.

If you do a search or just read around the forum, you will find far more, and I mean by a very large margin instances of lock failures with Liner locks, Frame locks, and even Lockbacks then the AXIS lock.

I've been following this for years and can tell you this is definitely the case. Also as I said I've never read or heard of one actual injury caused by the failure of an Omega spring in the AXIS lock but have seen plenty of posts about people being cut because their liner lock, frame lock failed and their finger was in the way.

Again, only pointing this out to try and make you feel a bit better about the lock design. If you are going to be worried about the AXIS lock then you should be even more concerned about the other lock types mentioned.

Either way, I hope when you reach out to BM they are able to resolve your issue without any unnecessary delay.

All the best!
Click to expand...

I do have confidence in axis lock, it's just a worry I've had ever since I saw the tiny spring that push the axis pin. I agree that linerlocks andframe locks perhaps are and feel more unsafe than the axis lock!
In fact, the axis lock is my favorite lock! :) (that's if it's a Benchmade!) the ease to open and close a axis bm are just perfect to me! Even so I still think that a tiny part like the spring "seems" weak.
I didn't expect it to break, were surprised to see it, but it has always been a concern.

When I go hiking for longer periods I take a backlock knife, not just because it feels more safe, it feels more sturdy. Of course If I had owned a BM Adamas I would bring that one! :)
 
Im surprised they wont send out replacement springs, isnt it a drop-in part? I know they send out clips if you ask nicely. :)
 
Still waiting for a reply from BM, will let you know how it goes. If the Mini grip are going to knife heaven or if I can get some more life out of it :D
 
I think some Omega springs are simply defective, but I still trust the design over all other locking mechs to date. Still a pain to have a man down, sorry for that.

I bet since you emailed BM CS and directed them to this thread and told them your situation, they'll send you a spring.
 
Benchmade never responded to my two email inquiries about my 940 needing servicing.

One day I called, and got the answers I needed in less than 60 seconds.

If you can, give them a call rather than screw around with emailing.
 
d0nut said:
Benchmade never responded to my two email inquiries about my 940 needing servicing.

One day I called, and got the answers I needed in less than 60 seconds.

If you can, give them a call rather than screw around with emailing.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I just emailed yesterday for a contego clip (I don't own a contego) and they emailed me bank within the day.
 
I've went through 2 sets of springs on my 746, luckily I was in afghanistan when the 1st set broke and they sent me 2 spring sets. Both sets broke within a 6 month period, with minimal blade flicking on the second set. And once the first spring went the other side gave out soon after. I honestly think it is a quality control issue with the springs because people on the forums here have been carrying around some for 10+ years w/o issues. Suffice to say, I only deploy the blade with the thumb hole rather than flicking it now, and keep the springs well oiled.


Edit: Seeing how you don't live in the US, I believe they will mail you some springs.
 
I have two very high cycle 710s. One is from the very first days of 710 production back in 1998 or 1999 and has been cycled literally countless times, no breakage. The other is a 710T trainer that is a little less old but probably has equivalent open/close cycles. I agree with Jegred2 that some lots of springs must have materials or HT problems.
 
Since they're done in batches, it's probably the heat treat. Early 580 Barrage models had a large number of springs break and that was fixed; I have no idea how many the numbers were. I'd like to read what Benchmade's reply will be on your spring request. I know others abroad have had parts shipped.
 
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