New Bugout with omega spring break

Lee D said:
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.
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Could very well be that there is a quality issue with the stock BM springs. But it's very hard to make a comparison because there are many no-name replaceent springs out there so there's no standard for "replacement springs".
 
SBP (spring breakage phobia) has kept me from purchasing a Benchmade folder for years. After reading so many threads on how much everyone loves the various models I've finally broken down and ordered a 535-2002. I don't fidget so I'm hoping for long spring life. 🤞
 
I think the 535-2002 is sweet and Benchmade's 20cv in my 940 is an amazing EDC steel. Lasts a very long time doing regular edc tasks. BTW, no one in the family has yet to break an Omega spring, and my first Benchmade was a used 710-D2 bought in 2013 or 14. I keep piano wire in 3 guages and extra 3rd party springs around just in case. Carving a spring holder cubby in each scale would mean never being down...
 
scottc3 said:
I think the 535-2002 is sweet and Benchmade's 20cv in my 940 is an amazing EDC steel. Lasts a very long time doing regular edc tasks. BTW, no one in the family has yet to break an Omega spring, and my first Benchmade was a used 710-D2 bought in 2013 or 14. I keep piano wire in 3 guages and extra 3rd party springs around just in case. Carving a spring holder cubby in each scale would mean never being down...
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The 710 being one of the earliest Axis lock models (the first?) has very limited travel of the lock bar compared to newer/later models, and I would guess that helps with spring life. I have had a couple 940 breaks but never a 710, and my first 710 is from 2011.
 
scottc3 said:
I think the 535-2002 is sweet and Benchmade's 20cv in my 940 is an amazing EDC steel. Lasts a very long time doing regular edc tasks. BTW, no one in the family has yet to break an Omega spring, and my first Benchmade was a used 710-D2 bought in 2013 or 14. I keep piano wire in 3 guages and extra 3rd party springs around just in case. Carving a spring holder cubby in each scale would mean never being down...
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Redundancy, I'm liking that idea.
 
It happens some times. I've got a 710 from the 1990's in ATS-34 that I've carried and beat like a rented mule. Zero issues with the springs.
Any heat treat can sometimes go horribly wrong. For example, my wife and I assembled some cabinets a couple months back, and the cam bolts literally disintegrated as we tried to tighten them onto the posts. We had to source new ones since about 90% in the package failed!
 
kreole said:
The 710 being one of the earliest Axis lock models (the first?) has very limited travel of the lock bar compared to newer/later models,
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Thx, new info for me-
Decadal or greater reports of spring breakage is a good thing, but being able to replace the broken spring is now a non-issue for anyone who does not want to ship their knife back to the mother ship.
 
evltcat said:
It happens some times. I've got a 710 from the 1990's in ATS-34 that I've carried and beat like a rented mule. Zero issues with the springs.
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Benchmade, use surveymonkey for cryin out loud, design survey to include GIS, discover real numbers and publish that map n charts pleassse. I'm betting something like 1:10,000 per year breakage, and maybe per 5 or 10 years. Dependent on meteorology/location, with infrenquent spring batch and scale errors spikes. The spirit of Demmings never spoke to suits but the likes of Honda, Buell, Glesser, and Rutan.
 
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Dumb question: Is single-side (thumb operation) closing alright or am I causing undue (uneven?) stress on the springs?
 
I really liked the coil spring setup of the Anthem. Reminded me of the Spyderco Ball lock.
 
irsh said:
Dumb question: Is single-side (thumb operation) closing alright or am I causing undue (uneven?) stress on the springs?
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According to BM, the axis lock was designed to open with one or two digits pulling on the bar. That said, there appears to be some empirical evidence that using both sides is better for the longevity of the springs. I have always pulled back on both sides at the same time but of course, I had springs break twice on a 940, and again on a 940-2 so what do I know.
 
colin.p said:
According to BM, the axis lock was designed to open with one or two digits pulling on the bar. That said, there appears to be some empirical evidence that using both sides is better for the longevity of the springs. I have always pulled back on both sides at the same time but of course, I had springs break twice on a 940, and again on a 940-2 so what do I know.
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Because of an old hand injury, pulling both sides of the lock-bar makes it a two-handed operation which sucks. I think I'll try thumb-only and let the spring chips fall where they may.
 
irsh said:
Because of an old hand injury, pulling both sides of the lock-bar makes it a two-handed operation which sucks. I think I'll try thumb-only and let the spring chips fall where they may.
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Unless BM changes their policy, if they break it would mean sending in to BM. I suggest getting some stainless jeweler's wire, a set of jeweler's pliers and try making your own (cheap on Amazon). This way, you will always be able to get your knife back working in short order. I really should try making a jig...
 
irsh said:
Because of an old hand injury, pulling both sides of the lock-bar makes it a two-handed operation which sucks. I think I'll try thumb-only and let the spring chips fall where they may.
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I pull on both sides and my Omega Spring still broke. A spring is a high use part, so I wouldn't worry about it until it breaks.
 
You can buy Omega springs from the after market or get some spring wire and make your own. I have never had one break yet but I do keep a few extra on hand.
 
I just ordered another bugout after selling mine sometime last year. I still hate the idea of a spring breaking and leaving me with a bum knife. But man the bugout is so damn good. Just sometimes with it had a different lock.
 
I love my Benchmade fixed bush crafter. I have considered getting a Bugout for a while now but the unpredictable Omega spring issue makes it a hard pass for me. Now, if Benchmade came out with a fixed blade Bugout....mmmmm!!
 
JeffGW said:
but the unpredictable Omega spring issue makes it a hard pass for me.
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Scratching my head about the unpredictable nature of springs in locks. I would think Hogue and Ritter would not have chosen the bar lock if it was unpredictable. On the contrary, Doug specializes in selling survival equipment, and as I understand it, started KnifeRights. From an engineering perspective springs in locks are very predicable.
 
JeffGW said:
I love my Benchmade fixed bush crafter. I have considered getting a Bugout for a while now but the unpredictable Omega spring issue makes it a hard pass for me. Now, if Benchmade came out with a fixed blade Bugout....mmmmm!!
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Get yourself a Bugout and you’ll love it. Really! All this concern over the omega spring is B.S.
 
Forgot to add that Wolf Springs are in Hogue Ritter Knives, and Wolf knows springs.
 
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