I need yaws opinion on a matter. So here's what happened;
I bought a new mini grip 556 in January. Loved the knife, read great reviews on the axis lock (this was my first axis lock knife). i brag to my friends about how great and strong the lock is, my dad makes fun of me and thinks it's gonna break in 2 months (he's much more traditional when it comes to pocket knives). my dad was right, only it only took a month for one of the omega springs to break. however, i thought it was just a fluke, and benchmade repaired it quickly. about a month and half later, an omega spring breaks again! i send it back to benchmade and ask respectfully (i have no quarrel with the excellence of benchmade's service, just the lock style) to have the knife replaced with another non-axis knife, they agree as long as it's not over the msrp of the mini grip, and i settle on the vex. to my surprise and excitment, when i recieved a package from benchmade, it not only contained a new vex i requested, but also they sent me my grip repaired. THAT'S customer service. way to go, BM. however, my grip now just sits with my old, retired pocket knives collecting dust as i no longer have faith that the omega springs won't break again soon (although i have decided for it to be my sunday church knife). is this fear valid, or is it a double fluke? do most people here really use their knives, or are there more letter/cardboard/food cutters? now i'm a good ol country boy from the south, and my knife truely gets used for task that you might imagine a good ol country boy would use it for, (not to mention i like to open and close it when i'm talking to folks or watching tv). so, do yaw think i should continue to carry it anymore (rotating with the vex), or do you think i should let it be a collection/sunday piece? and thanks for reading this long story.

I say use it. None of my springs broke as of yet, but I've noticed, based on what people write on the forum, that it's been happening lately. Not in alarming quantities, but it does happen. Maybe BM changed their source for wire or it's not treated the same, I don't know, but something definitely changed.

I do hope I'm mistaken and what you are goin' through is just a string of unfortunate events

Use it till it dies then get it replaced by BM,
and use it some more, they do have excellent CS, the best i have ever come across. I never broke a spring though i had the same concerns,
if BM is willing to replace them it's a non issue. Just make sure you have a few back-up
knives just in case, and now the addiction begins!!!

I say carry it. That is a major fluke and I'm sorry to hear about that. I'm glad that BM pretty much gave you a free knife out it though.

I've carried Axis lock knives for the past 4 years and have yet to have any of the springs break on me.

I hope this problem doesn't continue to show up...

EDIT: +1 on what archer said, now you have a backup just in case.

The grip is a great knife i would also say fluke
carry it and if it does happend BM will take care of you

I too would say, "Use it". The situation you described is most unusual. I too have owned well over a hundred Benchmades and never suffered a broken omega spring. I would guess that both of your springs came out of that one bad batch that happens to all manufacturers. Now that they gave you a lifetime loaner in the Vex, if the springs break again, at least you're not without a knife. Use the mini and don't baby it.

Good luck.

-fj

quote:

Originally posted by freefall:
when i recieved a package from benchmade, it not only contained a new vex i requested, but also they sent me my grip repaired. THAT'S customer service.

That is seriously one of the classier things I have heard of a company, any company doing. Like whoa! Big props tot eh C/S Dept.

Oh yea...Use it!

im new here,but im glad i own 3 BM's!
i now buy things that i plan on owning for life,and knowing they will be warrentied that long its more than worth the price.

id use it too,mabey is harder than before.
i have to top what everyone else says,thats just my new meme.
but i gotta say for having such a hassle with one knife they sure felt and fixed your pain of missing your knife.

BTW i bet most companys wouldnt have gave you a new knife plus fix your old one if the liner lock or lock back had fail or broken?

i have been using BM knives for over a decade. axis and non, hard use and edc. i have hammered a grip through wooden stakes, i have opened tuna cans with a 710 and i have never had one fail me. not the lock not the blade. just consistent reliable service. i may not always agree with the company but i've never disagreed with the products!