15" Balance ?

S

sogguy

Joined
Nov 17, 2004
Messages
440
Has there ever been made, or even talked about, a 15" balance? the two 12" that I have feel great and both have smaller diameter handles, which fit my hands very well. My thinking is the additional length and wieght would be a plus.

Dick
 
It's funny, because in a recent separate correspondence with Munk I mentioned that someone was missing a bet by not making a larger balance in the 17-18" range with a cool 3-hole cho. A 15" model would be neat as well.

The two I have are 13" and 13 oz. by Sher and 14" and 12 oz. with no name on the knife. I wish I had one of the several Sgt. Khadka has done lately, esp. that 13.5" 14 oz. one with the 3-hole cho on 2/13 which got the new run of them kicked off, but could not justify one in the same size range. (Of course that hasn't stopped me before and I could have sold off one of the "old" ones to pay for it, but there's nothing wrong with them.)

To me, rather than just going up 1-2" to a 15" model, I would just as soon make the jump to the M43 size range of 17" and about 26 oz. I think this would be an outstanding blade in that size. A 15" would still be more usable though because of the better handle.

So, good idea! :thumbup: ;)


Norm
 
Count me in, Norm and sogguy; A longer, larger version of the Balance would chop wonderfully and howl with power!


Course- it might self destruct, too....

I'd love to see a 18" version.



munk
 
Munk, why the "self destruct" comment? do you think the wasp waist can't handle the stress?

Dick
 
sogguy said:
Munk, why the "self destruct" comment? do you think the wasp waist can't handle the stress?

Dick
Click to expand...

Not speaking for Munk but if the blade ratios were the same it should still have the same stresses in that area, no?

Norm
 
Norm, I agree. Even if we increased the width of the spine a slight amount but kept the diameter of the handle the same (maybe a little larger) I think it would yield an exceptional knife.

Dick
 
I'm not an engineer, but 'no'. You can't scale it up and have the same stressor numbers. Bumble bees fly because they can, because they are small enough; if we built one large enough to sit on, it would not lift up.

So, yeah, that wasp waist would take more pressure. They'd have to thicken it or ?

It could be done. Not sure how different it would be from an AK or Ganga Ram, really.....

These things are worth talking about and perhaps doing. It is exciting to imagine, and Yangdu is receptive. Though overworked. I don't know what to do about that.


munk
 
The issue is that volume (and therefore mass) increases as a cubic function, whereas strength is generally a linear or square function. In other words, it gets heavier faster than it gets stronger.
 
You know what? I'm having fun here at HI forum thinking about all of this; 18" and 28 ounces; about Neem wood, about a larger Balance model.

I miss Bill and Rusty, but right here today, we've hit the 'good old days' once more. I can feel it.



munk
 
I can give measurements on the two 13.5" I have, if Norm can provide info on his and whoever else has some we might be able to determine the aproximate spine width for a larger one. I'm in.
 
You realize for a heavier, larger khuk to still 'balance' that the price is going to have to go up?

I think this is a wonderful idea. (the large Balance; not the price!!!)



munk
 
I thought that the whole idea of the balance was a small, light convenient blade that feels light in the hand?

Will a big heavy one feel light?
 
If I ask RMK to build a knife like this it would be $5,000 and I wouldn't get it for 6 years, I have no problem with cost increases to try and develope a more useful tool.

Dick
 
sogguy said:
Norm, I agree. Even if we increased the width of the spine a slight amount but kept the diameter of the handle the same (maybe a little larger) I think it would yield an exceptional knife.

Dick
Click to expand...


You're right Dick. The more I think about this the cooler it sounds. With that blade forward design it would be like a BGRS on steroids. A sharper pointed pen knife if you will. Where the pen knife is more utilitarian this could double as a chopper / fighter as well.

The length / weight ratios on the Balance models are always almost 1:1 or maybe 1:1.1. Look at the weights of mine and the ones just posted for sale lately.

I would predict an 18" balance would run about 20-22 oz at most. My ballpark figuring says that if you add about 30%-35% to a 13.5" blade to get you near 18", then the weight should go to about 19 oz. Add a few more oz. for the larger diameter handle, and you're right at 22 oz.

So a light fast blade-forward fighter, that could also chop all out of proportion to it's size, be long enough to be useful and still light enough to carry all day. Keep it simple and call it the "Super Balance."

If I were to design it I would:

1) Forgo the standard karda and chakmak for a single 7 or 8" long slender karda on the side.

2) Definitely keep the std. bolster and 3-hole cho which really makes it simple to cut a cho and unique looking, and,

3) Since we're wishing the moon, I would also want it to have a belled chainpuri handle in this size. Not the attitude chit handle which would add some weight. We wouldn't need a full tang for this weight. (But then again it might not balance as well! But that would work for me.)

If you haven't used a chainpuri handle on a khuk other than a chainpuri you cannot believe how well it stabilizes the knife and actually tightens the knife in your hand the harder you swing it. But this one is optional. The standard handles look fine and there is some nice carving on them anyway. Just a wish list item.

Anyway, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong! :D Would welcome input from others.

Norm
 
I do believe something a little larger than 15" might be what to strive for, say 17" - 18", like Norm mentioned.

Dick
 
It would be a beauty at 18", but I think the weight would have to go to 26 ounces or so.

You saw what happened with the 24 ounce FF? It lost too much power in the weight reduction.


munk
 
Svashtar said:
You're right Dick. The more I think about this the cooler it sounds. With that blade forward design it would be like a BGRS on steroids. A sharper pointed pen knife if you will. Where the pen knife is more utilitarian this could double as a chopper / fighter as well.

The length / weight ratios on the Balance models are always almost 1:1 or maybe 1:1.1. Look at the weights of mine and the ones just posted for sale lately.

I would predict an 18" balance would run about 20-22 oz at most. My ballpark figuring says that if you add about 30%-35% to a 13.5" blade to get you near 18", then the weight should go to about 19 oz. Add a few more oz. for the larger diameter handle, and you're right at 22 oz.

So a light fast blade-forward fighter, that could also chop all out of proportion to it's size, be long enough to be useful and still light enough to carry all day. Keep it simple and call it the "Super Balance."

If I were to design it I would:

1) Forgo the standard karda and chakmak for a single 7 or 8" long slender karda on the side.

2) Definitely keep the std. bolster and 3-hole cho which really makes it simple to cut a cho and unique looking, and,

3) Since we're wishing the moon, I would also want it to have a belled chainpuri handle in this size. Not the attitude chit handle which would add some weight. We wouldn't need a full tang for this weight. (But then again it might not balance as well! But that would work for me.)

If you haven't used a chainpuri handle on a khuk other than a chainpuri you cannot believe how well it stabilizes the knife and actually tightens the knife in your hand the harder you swing it. But this one is optional. The standard handles look fine and there is some nice carving on them anyway. Just a wish list item.

Anyway, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong! :D Would welcome input from others.

Norm
Click to expand...


Norm I agree with all you have said, but I have a couple of questions; should the spine width be increased? Would keeping the full tang help with the handle balance point as well as offset the vibrations from chopping in "hard woods"?
I think Munk,s point about the FF is valid but with it's big belly and the wieght loss probably coming from the belly it would lose inertia and soften the impact.
Just my thoughts, anyone else want to join in? how do we see about getting one made? and what Kami would be the best to do it? Sgt. Khada has the three hole model doesn't he?
 
It should have a full tang.

You know, though, that those half tanged, pinned khuks hold out real well, and distribute the weight wonderfully? Instead of metal fatigueing by being fixed in place, the metal eventually moves in the handle material. This 'give' saves the blade. You get a new handle every five years.

But I'd like a full tanged 18" Balance myself. Wonderful idea. What a beaut it would be.


munk
 
Munk' with all those pesky bison escaping from Yellowstone, if they get that far North, you could keep one of these handy to "slice and dice" one (I prefer the backstrap, myself).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top