replacing axis lock springs?

A

ArrowAssassin11

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Dec 21, 2012
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I own a benchmark sibert ranger. It is my edc and I am somewhat satisfied but, except for the strength of the springs they use in their axis locks. Has anyone ever replaced them with stronger springs, and if so where did you get them?
 
What do you mean by stronger? Stiffer?

Does the lock not work? If it works, why aren't you satisfied?

Are you buying into the broken spring hype? People like to regurgitate what they have read when it has never happened to them. It happens far less than people would have you believe. Use the knife and enjoy it.
 
The whole purpose of the Omega spring(s) is to maintain tension in both open and closed positions and are among the jewels of an Axis-based knife...and make this design one of the strongest yet safest mechanisms offered anywhere. The incidence of actual spring breakage has got to be small and is purely a thing of chance. I've owned many dozens of Benchmade knives using the springs and have yet to have a failure. But, in the event that it would, and could, and does happen, BKC's warranty repair service is second to none and they will replace the parts and often do a lot more while the knife is up in Oregon City.
 
A second answer, I have no knowledge of any off brand omega springs... And I've looked, purely for fun, over a dozen years with benchmade and no omega spring breaks.

If the lock is being defeated by spine whacks or in normal use then I would recommend sending the knife to Benchmade for spring replacement.
 
I am currently awaiting the return of a 585 sent in for replacement of dual omega spring failure. One spring broke a year or so earlier than the other, the tension with only one functional spring was sufficient but weak until it finally failed. My 520 has two intact springs and the tension is superb. If you think your springs are weak, you may be operating on a single spring. You could wait until that spring fails (like I did), or just send it in with details of your issue. I received an e-mail confirming receipt of my knife within a couple of days, and called a few days later with a separate question and to get an update, and received notice that the knife had shipped the very next day. Customer service was excellent, and I can let you know in a couple of days how the repair went.

Alternatively, a number of forumites have replaced their omega springs with bent guitar wire - a quick search of the forums will bring up threads on this.
 
Sometimes when I flick the blade open using the thumb stud and a LIGHT flicking of the wrist, the blade pops open and I get bounce back. I only assumed they were weak cause they were not engaging fast enough. I also had a 707 which did the same thing but that fell victim to a white water rafting excursion.
 
You can solve bounce-back by very slowly and carefully tightening the pivot pin. Too tight, and it won't move! Too loose, and the blde gets play. Gently does it!
 
My repaired BM585s came back to me yesterday, ~2 weeks after I sent it in. There is a world of difference in the axis-bar tension now, quite strong, and it travels further up the tang than previously with only a single spring. The tension is much closer now to that of my 520SBK.

What degree of "bounce back" are you experiencing? Do you mean that the blade bounces off of the stop pin and closes enough that the axis-bar never engages behind the tang? If so, there is definitely something wrong with the omega springs or the axis-bar channel! The springs, even one spring, should be strong enough to engage the lock. My 585s never failed to engage with a single spring, and its assisted-opening is more forceful than most wrist-flicks.
 
Odd that you mention the 707, mine felt weak in the springs too, lockup was solid though, suspected a broken spring, took it apart, both springs intact.
 
You can make your own springs, thats what I like to do (no down time waiting for my knife to get back from BM).

You can use music wire aka piano wire which can be purchased at hobby stores. A better choice is simply spring steel. For reference a 520 uses .025" springs, so you can start from there and move your way to thicker gauge wire. Carefully bend the wire to the shape of an omega spring (doesn't have to be perfect just the general shape). After you've done that its important to bake the springs in the oven at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 mins to relieve any stress points you've made in the spring. Thats about it now you have an unlimited supply of omegas and never have to worry about busting one :thumbup:
 
knifebro is correct, people have their Omega springs with piano wire. Especially those over seas where it is not financially feasible to send a knife back.

On a side note, my 55)HG grip is going on 5 years now with no issues.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
What do you mean by stronger? Stiffer?

Does the lock not work? If it works, why aren't you satisfied?

Are you buying into the broken spring hype? People like to regurgitate what they have read when it has never happened to them. It happens far less than people would have you believe. Use the knife and enjoy it.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure about calling it hype or not. I actually have a 5000 that has been weak for some time. I went to investigate and the only reason it had tension at all is it one of the springs broke and wedged into the liners just right. Both of my springs were broken. They were both broken in the same spot or real close to it. so I'm actually wondering if I can find some replacements as well. I know I can send it back but I don't have the patience to sit and wait on a knife that shoulshou have broke to start with. I don't feel like waiting a month on a repair that takes 5 minutes. I'm sure others can relate as well.
 
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