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New Bugout with omega spring break
- Thread starter Coopscoop
- Start date
I am sure like anything else a bad batch or bad example can slip through. I just went through my small Benchmade collection today. I have 6 Axis Lock folders and all have been carried and used. The oldest being a Hk Axis 14205 from around 06-08 (not entirely sure really) and of course my newest being the Bugout from August 2020. My collection includes the 14205, Bugout, 520 Presidio, 615 Mini Rukus, 585 Mini Barrage and Mini Grip. Just strictly speaking from my own experience, I have never had an Omega spring break. So just based on my own personal experience I will not hesitate to buy more. Maybe I've just been lucky.
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toker
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If one spring breaks, the other one isn't going to last very long. When one of the springs broke on mine, I used it for a week before the second one broke. IMO, that's a real hazard if you pocket carry since the blade can open accidentally.
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And I used my BM 531 for over a year with only one spring.
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I know of no public data; none of mine, including 2 Bugout's and a mini wearing CF-Elite have broken, but I did buy some large n small size springs, and 3 sizes of piano wire, ~.24 / .26 / .28... to have at hand just in case. It seems Grips are more often reported breaking. Makes sense in sales ratio's. Seldom do I read folks reminding the community that mechanical interference with inside faces of G10 / plastic has been reported at least once, where omega springs broke, that I remember. Check interference's, and CLP might be in order for coastal users.
For context, the handful of Benchmades I’ve owned have had zero issue. No QC issues, no spring issues, no bad grinds. My experience is mostly with the 940 and Griptilians purchased 5-10 years ago. I use them as tools. I don‘t abuse them. I don’t use them as fidget spinners. I’m a satisfied customer who is more concerned with their increasing prices and weird (IMHO) color ways than any quality issues.
That being said, Benchmade could learn from Spyderco or ESEE in being more transparent with their customers. If the mean time to failure for omega springs is 100,000 openings and people are using their knives as fidget spinners, well. . .that explains it. If the black class has higher strength springs - that would be good to know. If 99% of these failures are in knives people have disassembled, swapped scales, or otherwise modified - does that explain it? Are these knives Being used to baton or otherwise abused?
In my collection that I posted about earlier... the 520SBK is a Black Class from 2008 or so. All the others are Blue Class purchased between 2008 and 2020. I have carried all of them and used most of them hard. No spring issues whatsoever. The 520 was a knife I carried on duty for several years. Again no spring issues. That thing is still a beast. I would carry it again really if I could get a pocket clip for it.
On a side note. I'm looking for possible scale replacement for the 520 also. Either g10 or CF if anyone has any ideas.
On a side note. I'm looking for possible scale replacement for the 520 also. Either g10 or CF if anyone has any ideas.
Yep, I had one side break on my first Mini Grip after a year or two but I was reluctant to send it back for repair if it was still working so I never did. Three years later and the other side is still holding on!
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sharp_edge
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Sorry for a bit necro but instead of creating a new thread on the very same topic, I'm just posting in this old one. One omega spring of my 535-3 is broken. Does Benchmade ships omega springs to customers upon request (free or with fees)? If not, where to buy aftermarket ones and what exact specs should I follow? I remember some people said to make their own with guitar wires. Which string do you use and I guess I need to replace both in that case correct?
dannyp
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I used memory wire to make mine, but don't remember what size it is. I have seen people mention sellers on etsy that make them too. AFAIK Benchmade will only send them out to international customers where shipping the knife back would be cost prohibitive or have the possibility of being confiscated.
No need to replace both unless they are both broken and as a helpful tip, don't disassemble the entire knife to replace them. Just take off the scale on the side that is broken or do one side at time if both are broken. If it's on the opposite side of the pivot screw, hold everything in place when you pull out the barrel part of the pivot and pop it back in the other side to keep the blade and washers aligned with the liners.
No need to replace both unless they are both broken and as a helpful tip, don't disassemble the entire knife to replace them. Just take off the scale on the side that is broken or do one side at time if both are broken. If it's on the opposite side of the pivot screw, hold everything in place when you pull out the barrel part of the pivot and pop it back in the other side to keep the blade and washers aligned with the liners.
sharp_edge
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Ordered 4 pairs for 13 bucks on the bay. Will see how they work out. Tried to bend some guitar string, just too much detail of work so I gave up.
My Bugout ended up with a broken spring and I bought a pair online for about $9. Replaced both springs and no issues yet. But I will keep a watchful eye on them. They also seem to be more substantial than the the originals and were highly polished. Almost chrome really.
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sharp_edge
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I posted this in another related thread. I bought 4 pairs on the bay and replaced both on my 535-3. So far so good. We'll see how long they hold.
No you are not. Am I the only one who doesn't understand why anyone would buy knives with a locking system that has a history of needing the springs replaced?
Probably because although some springs do break, most do not by a wide margin. And nobody posts on the internet that their Omega Springs have not broken.
I have 5 BMs I've had and used for years and no springs have ever broken. Doesn't mean they won't but it's enough proof to me that it doesn't happen all the time.
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Lee D
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I wasn’t implying that factory springs regularly break, my comment was based on the fact that every time I read about someone buying aftermarket springs they always mention that they appear to be a better made product.
Centermass
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I will add, and I’ve said it before elsewhere here, this problem of omega springs breaking seems to be much more endemic in the Bugout than any other Benchmade line. Is it because they’re fidgety and folks are playing with them so much, or an issue with that particular diameter spring? I don’t know, but the two 15+ year old Benchmades I have have never had a spring break. I’ve replaced them because I wanted to, and have noted certain other aftermarket springs seem a little stouter, but not because of actual failure. I also don’t spend a lot of time opening and closing them for no reason. Your mileage may vary.