A Byrd Bali???

[smcfalls13]

Given Spyderco's success in getting into the mid range Bali market with the Spyderfly and Szabofly, and the upcoming Smallfly on the horizon, what about a lower priced Byrd Bali, to compete with the CCC Balis that fall apart after two minutes of flipping.

The idea was brought up on another forum(can't claim credit for this one, but I do wish I had thought of it), and I think it's a great idea, so I figured I'd post the question here. How many of you would be interested in seeing a Byrd Bali?

For those just starting out with Balis, it's nearly impossible to find a cheap Balisong to start out with, and up until the Spyderfly, the cheapest option was a Benchmade model 42, which isn't exactly an affordable way to start a hobby, or a Typhoon, which requires assembly, and most people starting out won't have the patience to do it.

One of the questions most commonly brought up on the Bali forums I frequent is "Where can I get a cheap Bali, because I don't want to/can't afford to spend $100."

To which the answer is almost always some variation of, "save your money and get the expensive, you'll waste your money on the cheap ones"

If Spyderco were able to make a Bali through the Byrd line, I think it would be a welcome addition to the market. Just look at how many cheap chinese copys sell, despite the fact that they fall apart within days in most cases. I seriously doubt a Byrd Bali would fall apart. Seeing the quality of the other Byrd knives, I think it could be done.

The only thing that may cause problems is the customs issue. Customs law prohibits the import of Balisongs from outside the US, so the knives would have to be shipping as parts to the USA, and then assembled here. I don't know if Spyderco would be willing to do that or not, since it would tie of production, for a relatively low profit product.

I still like the idea. :cool:

What are your thoughts on this?

[Bayoublaster]

I love this idea. I started with a $6 balisong to see if I liked flipping because I didn't want to spend the money for a more expensive bali in case I didn't like flipping (I now wonder why I ever doubted I'd love it). It eventually fell apart as I expected it would one day. After that I bought a Typhoon, then a BM-42, then a few more, and now I have my eyes on the Szabofly. If there had been a sub-$70 bali that wouldn't fall apart I would have definitely gotten that instead of the noisy, rough CCC I did get first. Even though I have more expensive balis now, I would still definitely buy a Spyderco Byrd balisong.

[dedguy]

i agree, alot. while i may find it difficult to spend 100$ on a balisong i'd never carry (due to legal reasons) and pretty much only use as a "toy" at home i wouldn't find it nearly as difficult to spend say... 40$ on one.

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Scott,

What an excellent idea! I would buy one for sure, even though I normally shy away from balis due to blood loss potential... :o

--------
Hannibal

[Bayoublaster]

The only thing that may cause problems is the customs issue. Customs law prohibits the import of Balisongs from outside the US, so the knives would have to be shipping as parts to the USA, and then assembled here. I don't know if Spyderco would be willing to do that or not, since it would tie of production, for a relatively low profit product.

Maybe what they could do is have either the blades or handles (which ever is more expensive) made in China and just ship those in with the other Byrd products. They could make the other part here and assemble with partially Chinese and partially American parts. That way they aren't just sidestepping the customs regs.

[smcfalls13]

Maybe what they could do is have either the blades or handles (which ever is more expensive) made in China and just ship those in with the other Byrd products. They could make the other part here and assemble with partially Chinese and partially American parts. That way they aren't just sidestepping the customs regs.

To my knowledge, it's perfectly legal to ship them in pieces, it's a loophole in the customs law, since the knife can't be defined as a Balisong unless it's assembled. So if it's in pieces it's just parts.

I believe other companies have done similar stuff. Heck the amount of FHMs and CCCs on the market leads me to believe that the loophole is often exploited.

Also, after more thought, where is the Spyderfly produced? The originals had VG-10 blade steels, which means that at least the blades were produced in Japan, so they had to have been imported somehow, and most likely in pieces.

[224477]

Great idea Scott , I just would like a specific design (Ti-nighsongs?), not those classic balis...

[smcfalls13]

Great idea Scott , I just would like a specific design (Ti-nighsongs?), not those classic balis...

It's Spyderco, they'll do something unique :cool:

[224477]

It's Spyderco, they'll do something unique :cool:

I believe in that

[The Deacon]

The only thing that may cause problems is the customs issue. Customs law prohibits the import of Balisongs from outside the US, so the knives would have to be shipping as parts to the USA, and then assembled here. I don't know if Spyderco would be willing to do that or not, since it would tie of production, for a relatively low profit product.

What are your thoughts on this?

I wonder where the legal line is drawn regarding the importation of balisongs. Would it, for example be legal to import all the parts and sell the knife as a kit? Or market them as "mix and match" components? A person could buy a blade, buy two handles (or two pairs of handle halves if constructed like the Szabofly handles), buy a hardware kit containing pivot screws, washers, latch and whatever else would be needed, depending on handle construction, put it together themself. Offer both trainer blade and a live one, possibly even several different patterns of live ones.

[224477]

I wonder where the legal line is drawn regarding the importation of balisongs. Would it, for example be legal to import all the parts and sell the knife as a kit? Or market them as "mix and match" components? A person could buy a blade, buy two handles (or two pairs of handle halves if constructed like the Szabofly handles), buy a hardware kit containing pivot screws, washers, latch and whatever else would be needed, depending on handle construction, put it together themself. Offer both trainer blade and a live one, possibly even several different patterns of live ones.

It would be nice to have a "byrd" bali kit :)

[brainus]

The "byrdsong."

Now that the name is through with..

[dedguy]

well being a "Byrd" knife i would gather it would have to be named after an actual bird. i'd say "humingbird" but wasn't that already used?

[Chucula]

a very logical idea Scott. It makes sense that the Byrd line should have an affordable version of most spyderco's

name: how about the duck! ducks fold their heads behind them when the sleep, kind of like a balisong :D

[Zwaplat]

A dove does, too.

[b-elliott]

So do Wild Turkeys. Now what does that imply?!? :p :D

[cmd]

The "byrdsong."

Now that the name is through with..

Brilliant!

This seems like a great idea, and doing it as a kit seems like a good way to go. I can imagine lots of customizing possibilities along the lines of the Typhoon kit but in the price range of the other Byrds.

Chris

[TheKnifeCollector]

That IS a brilliant idea!!! I am with Dr. Lecter on the reasons why I do not yet own a Bali!

[Bayoublaster]

As fr teh enjurys/ tey rnt that baad, yo git usd to thm. lol

[Kryosphinx]

How about an ostrich?
It's a bird- byrd
They're fast- balisongs are very fast
long legged- handles
long necks- blade
The myth that ostriches hide their heads in the dirt between their legs at the first sign of danger- closed or somewhat closed balisong