I have a Benchmade 3550-SBT Mel Perdue Automatic and the spring broke. I tried to fix it myself and that was not a good idea. I lost the ball bearing in the safety lock and need a new spring aswell.

Just call Benchmade and tell them you need to send it in for repair.  They will give you an RMA# to send it back.  Put it in a package with a check for $5.00 and they will take care of you.  I sent one back because the pocket clip on one of mine got tore off completely pulling the allen screws out and screwing up the threads (long story).  I called and they said send it back.  I did and it was returned three weeks later with a brand new handle and all cleaned up and sharpened they even buffed some of the scratches off the blade and oiled it.  I had to rub it in my buddies face who makes fun of me for buying $100+ dollar knifes, but that is the reason why.

You may have problems sending it in because it's an auto.  I used to work at a store that sold these things and the only way for our non-LE or non-military customers to get warranty work was to have us ship it in for them.

Call ahead to make sure what their policy is now.

Quoted: for our non-LE or non-military customers

Didn't think about that part.

I'm military, thats why they sold it to me.

Quoted: I'm military, thats why they sold it to me.

Shouldn't have any problem then.  I suspect that the law in Florida is quite a bit more lax than the one in Cali when it comes to autos.

Am leaving soon, going back to VA. Will get it fixed when I get there. Besides what Cali don't know won't hurt them. I don't advertise my knife anyway.

a littlew off topic but I have a question regarding the 3550.

I just got the 9050, and while I love the thing, it is a bigger knife that I would carry everyday.

Is the 3550 a smaller version, and what review would you give it with respect to size, functionality etc.?

I guess the reliability aspect is somewhat questionable, or did you damage it somehow?

Thanks

Quoted: a littlew off topic but I have a question regarding the 3550. I just got the 9050, and while I love the thing, it is a bigger knife that I would carry everyday. Is the 3550 a smaller version, and what review would you give it with respect to size, functionality etc.? I guess the reliability aspect is somewhat questionable, or did you damage it somehow? Thanks

I have the model prior, the 3500.  I like it much better than the newer 3550.  It's slimmer than the newer model.  I can only imagine that they made it thicker due to some sort of problem with the 3500, but it might have been a manufacturing issue.  I carry mine inside my wasteband when I can't carry a gun and have on nice pants.  The thin profile comes in handy in those situations.  I have had mine for at least 5 years and have had zero problems with it.