All these Bali threads!?!?

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I have a largish SAK on a keychain. It'd be at least as good of a flail, and probably better, as a balisong.
A very close friend of my family (RIP) was from Manila. He knew how to do all kinds of tricks with a bali. He did tell me that nobody actually does any of that stuff in a fight. Flailing...pinching...he thought all that stuff was hilarious. They open the knife and use it as a knife: thrusting, cutting, and slashing.
 
Exactly ----
They open the knife and use it as a knife: thrusting, cutting, and slashing.
------ if I had WANTED TO CUT the guy , that is how I'd have done it. The whole thing was to get him to back off without me cutting/stabbing him.

I have a largish SAK on a keychain. It'd be at least as good of a flail, and probably better, as a balisong.

Apples to apples == I could attach a Bali to a chain and say it is as good or better then the SAK as a flail.

He knew how to do all kinds of tricks with a bali. He did tell me that nobody actually does any of that stuff in a fight.

Nor does anyone use "aerials" , flip a bali over your shoulder , behind your back etc. etc. in a fight. These are "tricks" and used for amusment or to perfect skills in doing such. And the same can be said for ANY fixed blade --- I've seen some IMPRESSIVE twirling , juggling etc. with a fixed blade ----- NEVER seen one used like that in a fight.


My whole point still being ----- a Bali WITHOUT a chain etc. ---- CAN BE USED as I posted in my replies.


EDIT ----- the old FHM balis were a lot larger then those of today. The "29s" were 29 cent.met. long or about six inches closed. I also have a few FHM balis that are over one foot long closed. The longer ,heavier , bigger Balis will have much more "impact" then todays standard 4" Balis do.
 
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One of my old balisongs is around 9 inches of brass handle and would deliver a painful whack, but I consider that very different from a bali being able to perform like a nunchuk which can break bones and render someone unconscious readily. As long as we're clear on the benefits and limits of what a flailing strike with a bali can and can't do for damage and how that limits the application of flailing strikes with a balisong I'm happy.
 
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HSO , I understand what you are saying ---- my "bad" for not thinking of the correct words such as "flail" instead of "nunchuck" etc. ----- I do think we are on the same page. ;)
 
if I had WANTED TO CUT the guy , that is how I'd have done it. The whole thing was to get him to back off without me cutting/stabbing him.

I guess I just don't see the point of drawing a lethal weapon and trying to do some kind of stunt with it if things are serious enough to warrant pulling a weapon at all. It seems to me that the guy whose nose you bloodied must not really have wanted to fight very much, if a bloody nose made him give up. If it was the sight of the knife that made him give up, then the little tap with the handle was neither here nor there.
I played around with my bali a bit more and I'm even less enthralled with flailing it than I was earlier. Barring a hit to an eye or a lucky hit to the nose like you scored, all I see this doing is annoying an opponent. With a greater economy of motion, since there is no manipulating a knife involved, I could land a backfist or punch to an opponents face that might actually end the fight.
We must also, as always, concern ourselves with the law as well. If the po-po get involved, you are going to be the guy who pulled and was using a knife. IOW, unless you were justified in using lethal force, you shouldn't have a knife in your hand. If you are justified in using lethal force, why are you playing around with puny flailing moves?
 
I guess I just don't see the point of drawing a lethal weapon and trying to do some kind of stunt with it if things are serious enough to warrant pulling a weapon at all.


I don't get where you are coming from ----- are you saying that EVERY TIME someone pulls a deadly weapon { firearm , blade , baseball bat , impact weapon } they should then USE IT TO KILL ????

I have been LUCKY enough to have pulled a deadly weapon out MORE THEN ONCE -- and NOT HAD TO USE IT. I also have been on BOTH ENDS of a trigger when it went bang -- been shot twice and stabbed three times. A lot of what I learned/know DID NOT come from reading a book or the Net.

If me and you { or whoever } are face to face --- and you get hit in the eye/nose/teeth with a METAL object { in this case -- Balisong } do you REALLY think you will not flinch ,duck or move back ??

BTW --- unless your Bruce Lee or the like ----- I HAVE NEVER seen a "backfist" really end a fight ---- not saying it has NEVER occured , just saying on the street and in the ring -- a single backfist is not a "fight ender" IMHO.
 
I HAVE NEVER seen a "backfist" really end a fight ---- not saying it has NEVER occured , just saying on the street and in the ring -- a single backfist is not a "fight ender" IMHO.

That was my lifelong opinion until I started training in Iron Palm.

Backfist flat.

Backfist braced
.

Another backfist braced.

Notice that internal breaks are not tamashiwari. That style won't get much into a backfist. This technique requires about 3 years of daily practice in the school I study and develops palm, knife edge, and backfist strikes.
 
As far as Balis being "slower" to open --- just had to laught at that !!! I will bet $50 that I can "dagger drop" a Bali FROM A SNAPPED SHUT SHEATH as fast or faster then most can with almost any other knife FROM A CLOSED SHEATH.

...class.

What butterfly do you recommend?

Are there characteristics of a Balisong that make one optimal for fighting?

I just bought a BM32 today based upon your commentary. I couldn't put it down. I was flipping it all day today after buying it during my lunch hour(s). They did not have a 52.

I am looking for a BM52, now. It is a longer blade. Not too many stores have Balis. I still like a utility knife like the Benchmade, Cold Steel, SOG and Now, the Microtech (based upon it's design).

I have a 42 but don't want to use it - it seems to be fetching a nice price, for now.
 
the Model 51 is good for EDC; i own one, and i like it. i don't flip it much, because it's too light, but it opens faster than many other balis for the same reason. the spring latch will last forever, because it's part of the titanium liner. it's light enough to carry all day without noticing it.

another decent bali is the MTech Twist, which i also own. i had some problems with it, but i resolved them. the bite handle doesn't have a latch gate, so i just turned it around. the biggest issue i had was with the pivot screws. they were poor quality, and quickly became stripped. i replaced them with better quality hardware. if you get one, the first thing you should do is Loctite the screws (i used the blue Loctite), and wait for it to cure.

everything else about the Twist is great. they come razor sharp, and are a snap to resharpen. they're balanced really well, have great action, and are solidly built. just look on Youtube; there are dozens of reviews on it by balisong aficionados and veteran flippers, and most give it high marks. the best part is the price: you can normally get one for under $30.

as for the Model 42, use it. that knife is pretty much the standard that all other production balis are held against. mine should be arriving in a week; i plan on using it often.
 
Hi CDR,
The BM 52/32 is a good knife ---- the BM 42 etc. are better IMHO.
I like a Bali with metal handles even if I do own some with G10 etc. -- I learned on a very heavy all brass monster FHM bali and I like the weight.

Because I am not crazy about loseing a $200-$500 knife , most of mine stay at home. BUT --- FOR THE MONEY --- a MTech TWIST is a hellofa deal for around $25 ----- I posted a pic a few days ago in another Bali thread here --- I have three of them in the pic --- they are designed by Darrel Ralph and made by Mtech.

Another VERY good Bali is the Bradley Kimura series ---- they come in different blade shapes , USA made , and retail for around $100.

As to a "fighting bali" ----- google a pic of the Bradley or MTech when the blade is closed --- you will notice a "pointed" tang. This makes it GREAT for useing as a impact weapon when closed.

Another post I made the other day shows my new Robbie Dalton "Devil" Bali ----- the " devil horns " on it are great for fighting but they can pinch your hand when flipping the knife.

I carry my Balis in a "upside down" leather or nylon belt sheath. The knife is put in so the latch and handle butt are faceing down towards my pants pocket. To deploy , I just use my fingers to push open the flap on the sheath and the Bali falls right into my hand/palm. I "pinch" the latch between my thumb and forefinger and holding the latch -- just flick my wrist out. The blade is then in a "dagger or ice pick" grip ----- I like it because if done correctly , the knife is almost completly hidden behind your forearm.
 
as long as this has turned into - recommend a bali...

i gotta suggest the Kimura. having owned PCC's, CCC's, BM's, Frost, Kimura, etc. i gotta say - the most bang for your buck is a Kimura
 
I personally don' t much care for the ergos of a bali as a fighting knife. Then there are the sketchy legalities in many ignorant states and I don't know anyone who wants to be on the wrong side of the law. However... I really do like bali's all the same.

I'm more the type that appreciates the work that some companies put into building them. Nice machine work, good tollerances, quality materials, good fit and finish.... that is the kind of stuff I like in anything. Knives, firearms, cars, watches, ect... dosen't matter. Bali's have multiple moving points in the hinges, handle, blade and handle locking mech for someone with real pride in their manufacturing/knife building ability to showcase it. Good work is just good work and IMO if you can afford it and appreciate it - it's worth owning.

My step son (on his 2nd year of College in a few weeks) is the same way. I bought him a Spyderco Spyder Fly for Christmas last year. I've carried Spyderco knives everyday for a long time. I've always been impressed with the quality of the product they manufacture and the price they can sell it at. The Spyder Fly Bali was no exception. Nice knife, I was really impressed with how well it was built and finished. So was he.... I'm thinking about a Dalton for him this year.
Will
 
I just bought my third in the past week ( a second NIB 42 and 32, in addition to my unused 42). I love the ability to flip and manipulate it. It's really fun and addictive. I am looking for a 51. Those look really great, like my 32. I saw a new BM Bali design coming and I was not a fan of it.

I still will use a Tanto folder or OTF like a Microtech for defense.
 
My step son (on his 2nd year of College in a few weeks) is the same way. I bought him a Spyderco Spyder Fly for Christmas last year. I've carried Spyderco knives everyday for a long time. I've always been impressed with the quality of the product they manufacture and the price they can sell it at. The Spyder Fly Bali was no exception. Nice knife, I was really impressed with how well it was built and finished. So was he.... I'm thinking about a Dalton for him this year.
Will

are you in need of any more stepsons?


:D
 
apparently due to popular demand and to use up some spare parts, benchmade has announced they will launch a production run of the model 42. Also, model 53 Charles Marlowe will be released soon (g10 grips, large bladed balisong, looks strange)
 
apparently due to popular demand and to use up some spare parts, benchmade has announced they will launch a production run of the model 42. Also, model 53 Charles Marlowe will be released soon (g10 grips, large bladed balisong, looks strange)

It is an all G10 handle?

How durable is the G10, as a standalone?

I bought the 51 and 32 since it had Titanium liners covered with G10.
 
here is a photo:

a-4.jpg

g10 is a durable handle material, impervious to moisture, does not crack in extreme temperatures

I don't know anything else about this knife, just based on what I saw from the pic. For ex, I don't know if it is aluminum or titanium handles overlayed with g10, or just g10

here's Marlowe's website http://www.marloweknives.com/
 
That is hideous!

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder :rolleyes:

I look at Balis like I do women ---- some are small , large , thick , thin , pretty , ugly , sexy , plain jane , deadly etc. --- with the lights out , i LIKE THEM ALL :evil:

BTW --- the Marlow is kinda "hideous" :neener:

For what I hear they will be selling for { $250+ } I do not think they will be a big seller even with Marlow's name. BM has "flippers" scratching their heads but at least BM is still making Balis.
 
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