so i have began aquiring some axis lokc knives. some users and some safe queens, in particular i got a 5000 and am wondering if left in a safe for years if the sprinf tension dissapates or gets weaker, or does this happen with any axis knives. how are your older knives functioning? thanks!

The same question allways comes up in relation to gun magazine springs and the answer is no.
Springs do not weaken when left compressed even years after, only in extensive use does the steel weaken and fail or if the heat treament was not good to begine with.
don't wory, good quality springs last for years
and you will probably get tired of opening and closing your knives long before the spring goes.
Buy lots of BM's, this way you can alternate between knives and so no one knife gets seriously abused.

I asked the same question when I started interacting on the forum. As archer said, the omega springs on the Axis knives will last for a long time so enjoy. I, as many others on this forum, have had yet to see springs go out on our Axis lock knives.

I've got a combination of old and new Axis models and have yet to have an Omega spring fail on any of them. But if they ever do the knife's fully covered under warranty so no worries.

Good point on owning multiples too - in case you ever do have to send your knife up to Benchmade for repairs a butterknife won't get you very far, or at least be as enjoyable to use!

omega springs are fine..

Are the leaf springs on your car gonna fail because you don't drive it, are they gonna fail if you drive a lot?

same principal, they are just fine sitting under tension, I've got my old knife that hasn't had a spring failure in 10 years.

Unlike archer, I say find one knife you like and use the heck out of it, makes for some good times being able to hold that one knife and remember all the fun and work you've done with it.

thanks for the insight guys, sine i have gotten started on bm's about 2 months ago i've gotten 3 grips, 1 mini grip, 520, 14205, ritter grip, and an old techer neck knife so i've got plenty to play with, however i do gind myself always carrying the 520.

and the 5000!

quote:

Originally posted by Skimo:
Are the leaf springs on your car gonna fail because you don't drive it, are they gonna fail if you drive a lot?

same principal, they are just fine sitting under tension, I've got my old knife that hasn't had a spring failure in 10 years.

I wouldn't worry about the omega springs, either. The omega springs seem to fail early on in the number of cycles if they are going to fail.

But, springs do change, commonly referred to as "sagging" or "taking a set". The automotive analogy is a good one for an example of such. Over the years, the equilibrium point of an automobile's springs will change, with the result being a lower automobile. I've replaced springs in a number of old cars to restore ride height.

For that matter, I've replaced springs in older gun magazines, too, for similar reasons. This was an issue with some large capacity Hi-Power magazines I had, though I've needed to do such with some 1911 magazines, too.

The static load, enviroment, static deformation position (how much from the free position the spring is), spring materials, and of course heat treat of the springs have an affect.

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