My first Benchmade; should I worry about the Omega springs?

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sharkattacksw

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Aug 4, 2008
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Good evening guys. Tonight my wife surprised me with a new knife. She got me a BM Hunt Grizzly Creek, model 15060-2. I love the feel of the knife, the blade shape, the wood handles and the size is perfect for me.

After poking around a bit online, I saw a number of posts in various forums, including this site, about Omega springs breaking. I certainly wouldn't consider myself a hard user of a knife by any stretch. In fact, I'd say most of my knives spend most of their time either in my pocket or in my hands, just looking at them and admiring the workmanship.

So, the big questions for you guys (who know way more about knives than me) is: should I be concerned about the Omega springs breaking?

Part of me says that BM sells millions of knives each year, and if it really was an issue, we'd hear more about the spring failures. Also, the guys that do have issues are probably in the minority but are more vocal.

Thanks for any help you wise guys (haha) can offer.

Cheers!
 
I've had my 551 Griptilian for 4 years or so and I've beat that knife pretty hard. I haven't had a problem with my omega springs yet, I'd say use it and enjoy it :thumbup: If there are any problems I hear Benchmade has a good warranty department that I haven't had to use yet
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sharkattacksw said:
Part of me says that BM sells millions of knives each year, and if it really was an issue, we'd hear more about the spring failures. Also, the guys that do have issues are probably in the minority but are more vocal.
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They do break on occasion but I don't believe it's that big of an issue. Most owners have owned their Benchmades for years with little or no issues. If something does happen, Benchmade will take care of you. It's a lock that is made to be serviced. If the Omega springs were really that big of an issue Benchmade wouldn't put them into 90% of their knives.

I had the same thoughts when I first got a Benchmade as well.
 
I own several myself, and one of my Mini's did have one of the springs break after a few months. It still functioned fine since only 1 of the 2 springs broke, I just noticed that it was a bit easier to disengage the lock. I carried it for a while before sending it in and Benchmade replaced them and sharpened the hell out of it. I have others I've owned much longer and used much harder, so I chalk it up to just a bad spring, and a rarity. I have never let that incident stop me from buying more or carrying them. As you said, people are just more vocal when something goes wrong. Enjoy your knife and use it. In the rare event anything ever does go wrong , know that Benchmade's warranty is top notch. Congrats on your wife picking a beauty of a knife! [emoji106]🏻
 
2 years with my rift and no issues whatsoever...
Even if I did, the customer service is so good I wouldn't have anything to worry about
 
One of my Omega springs in my Kulgera broke after several years of use. The other spring was still functional, so I continued to use it. It broke within 2 weeks. I sent the knife into Benchmade and they fixed and had it back to me in 10 business days. Haven't had a problem since.
 
Yes. Worry a lot cause they will break, eventually.;)
 
bluemetalchurch said:
They do break on occasion but I don't believe it's that big of an issue. Most owners have owned their Benchmades for years with little or no issues. If something does happen, Benchmade will take care of you. It's a lock that is made to be serviced. If the Omega springs were really that big of an issue Benchmade wouldn't put them into 90% of their knives.

I had the same thoughts when I first got a Benchmade as well.
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My thoughts on the matter mirror these. :thumbup:
 
I have never had a broken spring on any of mine and I have owned some of them since they first introduced the Axis Lock. But, if it makes you feel better to worry over it, go ahead. But, consider this: Back lock lock bars break on occasion. Liner lock lock bars or other parts do break. Frame locks break. Anything man made can break. The question is how likely is it to happen? If the Axis Lock Omega Spring breaks you can either 1] fix it with some piano wire or some sort of spring wire 2] ask BM to send you some new springs 3] send it back to BM and let them worry about it.
 
I don't think it's worth your time to worry about it. Why not? Because 1) I've never heard of both breaking at the same time so even if/when one goes the other should keep the knife functional and 2) Benchmade will replace it if/when one breaks.
 
Heck no, dont worry. Benchmade makes a nice knife and have a good warranty. Use as needed, buy a spare, enjoy them.
Best of luck.
 
No worries, if it should break, one spring will take over, I have a grip that last over ten years & still going, broken springs along the way BM has an excellent warranty. Never had any issues with them. Get two of the same model if you can so you won't miss it. One of my favorite company. Gary
 
Thanks a lot guys for all if your help. I'm looking forward to carrying my new knife today. I'm a Mechanical Engineer by trade, so having a bit of OCD and over analyzing things is in my blood, ha ha! Also, my Dad was a machinist and a tool & die maker, so I grew up with that mindset. I also grew up appreciating finely made "mechanical" things. That's probably why I appreciate a good, well made knife.

Cheers!
 
Springs are small pieces of metal under stress and they can break. But, think about it. How many everyday items have springs and still function for decades without failure? Firearms come to mind. I've owned dozens of guns over the years and I've had one single spring break in one single gun during this time. I've had springs lose their "springiness" and need replacement but one single spring breakage over time in so many firearms is not a bad failure rate.

I've really only recently gotten into Benchmades but I do have a Griptilian that's about 10(?) years old with no breakage. To be fair, that knife has only seen occasional use over those years. But I don't worry about it. It's less likely that I'll have to depend on my pocket knife to save my life than I'll have to depend on one of my guns and I don't fret that those guns have an abundance of springs that could break.
 
I've owned dozens of Benchmades and my long-term edc is a 943 that I sometimes flick for therapy. Haven't had a spring break yet, and if one ever does break, BM will take care of it. It's a good design. If you refrain from batoning with it, which is a dumb thing to do with any folder, it will last forever.
 
I like to pop my knives open as well, and across a dozen Benchmades and a couple of knockoffs I've never encountered spring breakage.
 
Oh also the springs in an Axis mechanism are pretty light duty, the locking comes from the liners, roller bar, stop pin and tang.
 
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