Spyderco Forums

Hi Alex, AC & Chungsan. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

As a point of interest (history lesson), Spyderco promoted Benchmades Butterfly's (then called Pacific Cutlery Corp) all over the USA while demonsgtrating our sharpeners. this was before Clipits, Circa '79 on.

You guys sure push hard.

sal

What can we say? We're balisong addicts.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Chung San

Sal,

It is the thought of another excellent knife to play...er... I mean use that fires us up <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Alan

I don't know if it will ever happen, but i know i've been asking for a few years and can count myself in for at least 1-2 of them. A **** fine addition to a great line up. bowie syling would be nice, especially with a Chinook quality =)

It Seems that Carlos (another troublemaker) has started a thread on the Blade forums Bali forum. I've posted there with some questions on design. You might visit over there as well as we "explore" this concept. I need all of the input I can get.

Hey Mike (Janich) Let's get together when I get back from the Blade Show. I would like to discuss the Yojimbo design further as well.

sal

Mike Janich's design sounds great.The extended tang would be excellent for less than lethal strikes without deploying the blade,much like the gunting.The full size handles should have enough weight for flailing impacts.I like the under 2 inch blade idea for making it legal in more areas.A second model with 3 or 4 inch blade could also be made to satisfy those who don't feel 2 inches of blade is enough for their purposes.Magnets instead of a latch sounds good as well.A trainer and perhaps a concealex sheath for both horizontal and vertical carry could complete the package.A Mike Janich MBC balisong designed primarily for less than lethal applications,like the gunting.I'll buy one.Maybe more than one.

Just as a matter of interest, why are balisongs banned in so many places ?

It can't be because of their opening speed. Any half decent folder can be flicked open faster than a bali. Even when I drop open a bali whilst holding the latch into an ice pick grip (about the fastest opening I know), it still isn't as fast as the half push with the thumb hole / stud and flick of a folder.

Like I said, just curious.

I never came here before but I have 5 of your knives and I really want a spyderco balisong I would buy a few,I came here to post after the post on blade forum !!I want one that wont break for under 75 bucks maybee a less basic model we can abuse for 39.95 ,people like us break alot of balisongs so make it strong

thanks

TJ_dude

Hi Paul, TJ. Welcome.

We can work on price, but a quality bali for $39.95 is IMO not possible. Too much use. The "Bali Dance" is equivalent to taking one knife and beating it on another knife over and over again. Need tough materials and close tolerances to make a "good" one.

sal

What a let down!!!! I got all excited about a Bali from Spyderco... Did some research and it looks like no matter what the size is, here in New York it will land me straight in Jail!!!! I sure wish I lived somewhere else!!! <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Hello Sal,thanks for the welcome.I was wondering if it would be possible to make a modular balisong?Could it be made so the pins could be removed and different lengths and styles of blades and handles installed?With such a system just about everyone could have a balisong to fit their needs.It would certainly be a unique approach to the problem of trying to satisfy everyone.

Hey Paul, modular balis seem to be better in concept then in reality. First off, its a pain to make one that can withstand severl hundred cyclings at a time (a decent bali routine) and still have pins that can come out to sawp blades.

That, and remember those kershaw things where you could swap out the big knife blade for a fillet knife or a saw? Not real popular. People would rather have one solid tool.

I just posted a responce (OK, it was yesterday) to the bali thread in the MBC forum regarding my views on construction and intent. Feel free to add your own opinions (especially if you agree =) ).

E

to give a possible ansewr to yog's question. i think the illegalness of the balisong stems from the perception by the athouries of the user and interntion of the use of the knife. i.e.: in some places "box cutter" style knifes became illegal to carry in the late 90's for the same reason. i know one town in texas were conceled posession of a "box cutter" will get you jail time wile a 5 1/2" folder in your pocket is compleatly fine.

FTK

yog -- you might try and ask the "forumite" seth he seems up on laws and the history of them try on the MBC forum. i think califorina and new york idea of gang voilence paved the way for a "bali crack down" in the 1970's, but this is just a guess.

Edited by - ftkinney on 6/15/2001 12:37:49 AM

Hey, Sal did not say, "No" to a Spyderco bali so here's my suggestions.

IMO, to be done right the bali would have to be made with quality materials which would probably result in a retail price range between $150 to $200. It would be a shame for Spyderco to make a knife with cheap materials and lower its standards just to hit a certain "low price" point. Spyderco should build the knife the best way they know how and let the price point fall where ever it may.

How about a stainless steel frame with G-10 (or micarta) scales for the handle and a blade like the SS Police (hollow ground--not flat ground). Spyderco is ahead of the game with their "R" and "Q" knives already displaying some radical cutout designs which may be incorporated into the bali.

Forget the magnetic "latch"--I wouldn't trust it. I would prefer the Batangas latch over the Manila latch--and don't forget the latch gate to protect the blade. A removable and/or reversible latch would also be nice. Installing a pocktet clip on the bali would really make it unique but I don't know if it can be done without affecting its maneuverability (a higher priority).

Is it premature to start a thread to name the "upcoming" Spyderco bali? Just kidding. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

P.S. Alternatively, Michael Janich's concept is very interesting and could be a viable MBC item. If that is the direction that Spyderco will be going, please allow us to give input on that design before its pre-production.

I'm open to any and all input. I've been collecting some input from the thread that Carlos posted on the Bladeforums Balisong forum.

I guess "no" is no longer. We're into the "it's possible" realm. Thanx, I really appreciate the interest, support and sugestions.

sal

Hey guys,
just as a note Bear MGC puts out a rather nice line of balisong, in the $30 to $50 range. they're one step above POS quality though not quite Benchmate.

Hey guys,
just as a note Bear MGC puts out a rather nice line of balisong, in the $30 to $50 range. they're one step above POS quality though not quite Benchmate.