Hey guys, didn't expect to see so many responses to my post. The problem I have had has been that when your close the blade, the assist spring slips loose or something. The end result is that the blade won't deploy at all, it seems to be hung on the spring after you push it out of the handle about 30 degrees. Both knives I had only saw light use (no banging them against walls or anything like that).

I did sit and watch tv a few times and open/close them repeatedly on the couch just for fun, but I wouldn't think that that should be outside of it's design tolerance. I always let the blade fully deploy, and then shut it in a smooth controlled manner.

So anyway, here is the back story. Bought it at a local dealer, first spring snapped withing the first week. Exchanged that one at the dealer. The next one lasted less than a month before the spring snapped again. Same problem, no assisted opening and the blade would stick shut at about 30 degrees. Sent that one to Benchmade, and when I got it back, it was not repaired properly. You could HEAR the spring scraping, and the handle would deform at the top when you closed it to make room for the wound spring. I tried to test it, but it failed after about the fifth time I opened it. Back to benchmade it went. On a side note, they had to keep it a while on the second return because they were "out of springs for the 580 at the moment".

Anyway I got it back and threw it on a a shelf for several months. A few weeks ago I decided to give it another shot. Used it lightly. Was sitting on my couch playing with it to get used to the way it snaps open and it failed again. Same problem, no assisted opening and blade gets stuck at about 30 degrees.

Hope that helps guys.

On a side note, the Bechmade customer service people on the phone are very capable and nice. They will listen and help you if you call about your knife. They have been the only bright point of this ordeal.

My personal theory is that hole in either the blade or the frame is too shallow and one of the ends of the spring is slipping out. I haven't dissembled the knife myself though, so that theory is totally conjecture...

By the way, I think I may have made a mistake posting my original complaint in this thread.

I am not having problems with the springs in my axis lock (omega springs, right?). The problems I have been having involve the spring used to power the assisted opening portion of the 580.

The axis lock on mine functions fine as far as I can tell. I have to admit, I really like the axis lock. It's a very elegant and clever design.

Are you sending it in again ? and are they paying your postage ?? they should and have did that for me in the past.
I think your theory on cause of problem , sounds logical ......... I think they should give you a whole new knife ....... dj

Thanks for the update Wily, appreciate it.