Warranty on Axis lock springs

M

Mephtyrm

Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
245
I got a 746 from a Turner's Outdoorsman and have and still am loving it so far, but what I have feared for ever since two years ago when I got a Sanrenmu 763 just to check out the Axis lock happened; One spring broke.
The SRM 763 had one of its springs break after a year and the other one break shortly after, and I hoped that in the future if I ever decided to get a real Axis lock that the springs would not break for even longer than this, for a year is still quite long to me.
However, my Mini Onslaught's detent today suddenly became very weak today and I see one of the Axis springs out of place.
I had gotten it on Saturday and I assume one of them is broken, but I have read once that it may just be out of place and rehooking it would make it ok again, would me just taking it apart to make sure completely void the warranty?
I can't lie that I am disappointed that a Chinese imitation Axis lock has outlasted the genuine deal.
They say the Axis still works with only one spring, but the detent is so weak now that while I was walking the action of me taking it out of my loose pockets made the blade partially open and almost cut myself. The main concern is that what happened to the SRM 763 will happen to the 746.
I understand I'd have to send it it anyways as Benchmade doesn't send out springs, but could I at least take it apart to inspect it and maybe possibly not have to send out the knife that I got on my birthday?
 
If you can take care of it yourself then by all means, but if you must send it in for new springs anyway then it's best to be patient and let Benchmade take care of it. Don't void such an excellent warranty because of impatience.

don't worry about the strength or durability of Axis locks. Go watch their destruction test on the Benchmade forums. It had me convinced at the strength of Axis locks. Besides, Benchmade stand behind their product. So as long as you don't abuse and intentionally break your stuff, Benchmade will take care of your knife.
 
Broken omega springs seems to happen sometimes, however they can last for decades. Get some piano wire around size 9-11 and make your own Omega springs. Bend it to shape, then bake the new springs in the oven at 150c for 10 minutes or so to release any tension created from the bending and you're good to go. My 710 broke a spring shortly after I got it and I made new springs from size 12 piano wire. Works very very well, just a litt blitt stiff (too thick wire). Really solid "whack" when I flip the blade open though :D

Mac
 
Sounds like the spring popped out of place, put it back in place if you can handle a torx driver.
 
What happened is I went back to that Turner's Outdoorsman and exchanged it for a new one.
This one is as perfect as the my first but has a little horizontal play that doesn't bother me at this point.
I'll post updates if anything else happens.
 
*Sigh*
Update, one of the springs has broken again, it took a little longer, but one has broken again.
Something must be wrong with the 746 in general or the Omega springs don't like me, it happened on two knives.
The detent once again is nonexistent, I can't hold it by the blade with no hand movement whatsoever without it opening.
This time I'll HAVE to send it out, having to send a knife out because of a problem out of my control is like mental nails on a chalkboard.
This will definitely my last high price Axis lock knife, I've determined at this point that I don't want to deal with this lock anymore if I'll have to send it in within three weeks of getting a knife with it.
 
Mephtyrm said:
*Sigh*
This will definitely my last high price Axis lock knife, I've determined at this point that I don't want to deal with this lock anymore if I'll have to send it in within three weeks of getting a knife with it.
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I have been using *only an axis lock knife from BM (besides the LFTi/Skirmish) for 12+ years, and never had a spring, or lock fail on me (and I know other’s could tell you the same thing). I don’t know how you use your knives, but springs breaking after a year shouldn’t be an issue. Maybe another locking design is better off for you :confused:
 
Most including myself have been using multiple AXIS lock models for years with literally thousands of opening's and closing's each without any issues ay all.

I've also noticed that those that report Omega spring's failing often report several or at least more then one instance of this happening. It's like you either have zero problems or more then one? At least that's the impression I've gotten reading the threads over the years.

I'm not pointing the finger at he user, but I think you should definitely send it in to BM for service for a couple of reasons. They, threw inspection my be able to determine the cause of the repeated failures and give you some feed back in that regard.

Second, if there is a problem with a batch of a particular model that was released, by sending it in it will make them aware of this possibility as they track and keep record of all defects and failure's of their products that are returned. Perhaps there was a batch of defective Omega spring's released with that model and this way by bringing it to their attention they can take a larger corrective action.

That would be my advice.
 
P_Meticulous said:
I have been using *only an axis lock knife from BM (besides the LFTi/Skirmish) for 12+ years, and never had a spring, or lock fail on me (and I know other’s could tell you the same thing). I don’t know how you use your knives, but springs breaking after a year shouldn’t be an issue. Maybe another locking design is better off for you :confused:
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All I've done with my 746 is open and close it a lot(Who doesn't) and use it for cardboard, packages, and food. I've gone out of my way to never put any significant force at all when cutting anything from any direction.
pbcg said:
Most including myself have been using multiple AXIS lock models for years with literally thousands of opening's and closing's each without any issues ay all.

I've also noticed that those that report Omega spring's failing often report several or at least more then one instance of this happening. It's like you either have zero problems or more then one? At least that's the impression I've gotten reading the threads over the years.

I'm not pointing the finger at he user, but I think you should definitely send it in to BM for service for a couple of reasons. They, threw inspection my be able to determine the cause of the repeated failures and give you some feed back in that regard.

Second, if there is a problem with a batch of a particular model that was released, by sending it in it will make them aware of this possibility as they track and keep record of all defects and failure's of their products that are returned. Perhaps there was a batch of defective Omega spring's released with that model and this way by bringing it to their attention they can take a larger corrective action.

That would be my advice.
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I'll go ahead and send it in, if they're able to find out what is wrong with mine they might be able to help possible issues in the future.
:( Sucks having to send it in to me, the second one I even restrained from opening it more than say 50 times a day and this morning when I opened it out to cut open a bag the spring broke. I think the problem is that the Omega springs are too thin on this one at least. My Ganzo Rift Imitation 710 has springs almost double the thickness of the 746 and the blade and Omega springs are are all rusted severely from being left outside and abused but it still hasn't lost even a little bit of spring tension since the first day I got it more than a year ago.
 
Mephtyrm said:
All I've done with my 746 is open and close it a lot(Who doesn't) and use it for cardboard, packages, and food. I've gone out of my way to never put any significant force at all when cutting anything from any direction.

I'll go ahead and send it in, if they're able to find out what is wrong with mine they might be able to help possible issues in the future.
:( Sucks having to send it in to me, the second one I even restrained from opening it more than say 50 times a day and this morning when I opened it out to cut open a bag the spring broke. I think the problem is that the Omega springs are too thin on this one at least. My Ganzo Rift Imitation 710 has springs almost double the thickness of the 746 and the blade and Omega springs are are all rusted severely from being left outside and abused but it still hasn't lost even a little bit of spring tension since the first day I got it more than a year ago.
Click to expand...

It's too bad the simplest of things; a spring, can cause so many problems. While I haven't been lucky enough to suffer a failure (yet...) there's a lot of value in sending the Benchmade (and not Sanremu or Ganzo) to their warranty department for service. The blades come back often sharper and BKC frequently does extras like replace washers and screws at their option. Many of mine have come back better than when I bought them, and a lot of us feel the same. Here's the link you should go to for the Warranty Repair Form to send in with the knife...https://www.benchmade.com/images/pdf/Warranty_Service_Letter.pdf

When sending your knife up do NOT send the original box. Simply wrap the knife carefully and send it USPS Insured to: BKC, 300 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045. For any questions call them at 800-800-7427.
 
Sending in any knife sucks for sure. No other way to say it but in the long run is usually for the best. BM is pretty go with their turnaround time.

You really shouldn't have any reluctance to use or limit your knife usage at all in fear of a malfunction. By sending it in, they may be able to shed some light on what seems to be an ongoing problem for you.

Comparing it to a fake, knock off, or clone however is not helpful. Apples to watermelon in my opinion, and detracts from the real problem you are having.

Send it in, I'm confident they will take care of you.

Good luck and all the best!
 
Maybe it is karma for buying fakes of the real thing? :)

Sending it in is best. But it is pretty simple to make some new replacement springs. I used 0.025" MIG welding wire to make a couple sets. I suggest making a set and replacing both springs so the spring tension is close on both sides. I had one spring break and that knife is still going strong. I have also made a couple other sets for other people who didnt want to send their knife in.

You could also get some stainless steel fishing leader material. It comes in many different sizes. I also dont think it is necessary to heat them up. Mine, and others, are fine without that treatment. I use AXIS locks almost exclusively and only have had one spring break on a knife that I flip a ton. I still trust them more that most other locks. Maybe give them another chance. From a video on Benchmade it looks like they make about 700k knives a year. So maybe 500k AXIS locks a year. I think the amount of springs that break are a very small fraction of the amount of knives out there.
 
I might have to play with making a set, I've never broke any, but my latest BM an 810 has significantly weaker springs than any of my other AXIS lock knives. Even with the blade closed and just pulling the axis lock rearward you can feel that it's noticeably weaker than say my 950, or mini-grip and as a result the blade retention is very poor, weak enough I wouldn't carry it as is.
 
It isn't very hard. A pair of needle nose pliers and maybe something round to bend around to give it a smooth radius. I'm sure there is a bunch of different materials to use for the wire. Piano wire, guitar strings, MIG welding wire, stainless fishing leader. And ACE hardware sells wire in various diameters. The wire was 0.025" in diameter on the springs I replaced.

I also suggest replacing both springs for those who do it. That way the spring tension will be about the same on both sides. I used a good spring as a pattern and it worked great. Just remember they aren't exactly the same and mirror each other. The little nub that sticks out and goes into the hole in the liners, will extend in opposite directions.
 
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