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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
5 inch blades
- Thread starter ocyrus
- Start date
Kyui Su Kim
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2000
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- 2,638
I also like bigger knives. I wish that BM would invest into the 5" blade. It my be illegal to carry like that in some states but here the length can go upto 6".
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2000
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- 5,811
If you are interested in a custom 5" model Pardy Bugtai of Portland Oregon ("Pabu Knives")...can make you one with wonderful balance and durability. I can put you in touch with him if you'd like to contact him.....and welcome to the Forums 
"Hunters seek what they [WANT]..., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
"Hunters seek what they [WANT]..., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
Am going to start makeing them very soon myself thanks for your intrest though jest wanted to see how others thought. .....YOUR ARE WHAT YOU SWING...Also thinking of jest spare blades also. This is going to happen -YOU know I felt let down when Bali-Song.INC stoped production on customs .With some of us its not jest a hobby-Its a way of life. Its not jest about money. YOU Are what you swing...TIMEX OR ROLEX THE CHOICE IS YOURS. Ocyrus....
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2000
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- 493
Originally posted by McMahan
Well, if YOU ARE WHAT YOU SWING, I figure Ill be needing more than a five incher for myself.
I knew somebody would say that.
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
Five-inchers start to get a little heavy. People with small hands can have difficulty with them.
But, the big reason that they're somewhat uncommon is doubtlessly legal. A five-inch blade really starts to look menacing and it's very hard to justify it for day-to-day use.
Furthermore, I disagree that a long blade is necessary for self-defense. Most of the major arteries are within an inch of the surface of the skin. Yes, a longer blade does give you a bit more reach, but unless you go to a very long blade, eight inches or more, that advantage just isn't very large. Between a three-and-a-half inch blade and a five-inch blade, you get one-and-a-half inches of greater reach, about the length of the first segment of your thumb. That's just not much difference. Furthermore, a smaller knife is usually a faster knife. That advantage can make up for the length.
It's a little bit like the arguments that rage about gun caliber for self-defense. I've heard people say, "If you ain't packin' at least a .45, then you ain't packin'!" And that's true in a way. Most people find a full-size .45 to be to large and heavy to pack most of the time. So, they leave it at home most of the time. In other words, they ain't packin'.
In 1995, the last year that I heard any data for, about half of the lawful civilian self-defense shootings in America were done with .15, .22, .25, or .32 caliber pistols. Why? Simple: these smaller pistols are what people can comfortably carry. So, these smaller pistols are what people do carry. So, these smaller pistols are what people have when the need comes up.
When @#$% does happen, the caliber of gun that you left back home in your safe doesn't matter.
If you've never experienced one, a 5" S.S. or brass balisong is one big, heavy chunk of metal to carry around. Like that full-size .45, it's the sort of thing you'll probably be tempted to leave at home most of the time.
But, a 3.5" with skeletonized Ti handles (did somebody say Tachyon?) is a comfortable knife to carry with you all day, every day.
When @#$% does happen, the length of the knife you left back home in your safe doesn't matter either.
As the old saying goes, "It's not the length of your blade that matters, it's how you wiggle it "
But, the big reason that they're somewhat uncommon is doubtlessly legal. A five-inch blade really starts to look menacing and it's very hard to justify it for day-to-day use.
Furthermore, I disagree that a long blade is necessary for self-defense. Most of the major arteries are within an inch of the surface of the skin. Yes, a longer blade does give you a bit more reach, but unless you go to a very long blade, eight inches or more, that advantage just isn't very large. Between a three-and-a-half inch blade and a five-inch blade, you get one-and-a-half inches of greater reach, about the length of the first segment of your thumb. That's just not much difference. Furthermore, a smaller knife is usually a faster knife. That advantage can make up for the length.
It's a little bit like the arguments that rage about gun caliber for self-defense. I've heard people say, "If you ain't packin' at least a .45, then you ain't packin'!" And that's true in a way. Most people find a full-size .45 to be to large and heavy to pack most of the time. So, they leave it at home most of the time. In other words, they ain't packin'.
In 1995, the last year that I heard any data for, about half of the lawful civilian self-defense shootings in America were done with .15, .22, .25, or .32 caliber pistols. Why? Simple: these smaller pistols are what people can comfortably carry. So, these smaller pistols are what people do carry. So, these smaller pistols are what people have when the need comes up.
When @#$% does happen, the caliber of gun that you left back home in your safe doesn't matter.
If you've never experienced one, a 5" S.S. or brass balisong is one big, heavy chunk of metal to carry around. Like that full-size .45, it's the sort of thing you'll probably be tempted to leave at home most of the time.
But, a 3.5" with skeletonized Ti handles (did somebody say Tachyon?) is a comfortable knife to carry with you all day, every day.
When @#$% does happen, the length of the knife you left back home in your safe doesn't matter either.
As the old saying goes, "It's not the length of your blade that matters, it's how you wiggle it
"
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 435
Most local municipalities around here follow the customs departments definition of "switchblade or gravity knife" to include bali-songs. So 4" or 5" blade don't really matter.
Chuck, A lot of what you say is true-But some of us have CWP-s I diddent mean solid stainless handles as for the TACHYON this is a verry nice knife and yes i will own one.Mike thought this design out for a long time.He knows his stuff! I guess if you have never ben hit in the mouth with a roll of DIMES you cant really appreciate the extra weight ,Been there it aint good.But jest like you i cant wait to flip that tachyon. P.S. Do you see any differnce in 154CM and ATS34 I know they are very close. What do you like ? YOUR ARE WHAT YOU SWING........OCYRUS
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
I have an Oregon CHL which will allow me to carry a concealed MP-5 if I want to. It will allow me to carry a concealed 12 guage shotgun as long as it has a pistol grip. The fact that I may legally do so does not make it comfortable or convenient for me to do so. The fact that I can legally carry a specific gun does not mean that I necessarily will.
The same is true of knives. Even if you legally can carry a 5" balisong, it's still a big, heavy thing. Some people may choose to do so. But, I suspect that the majority of folks will not.
I already have.
They are very much the same. I don't see either as having a noticable advantage. The heat treatment is much more important.
What do I like? I like 440C since I've never seen it rust under common, even neglectful, conditions.
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2000
- Messages
- 5,811
Ocyrus?? I understood Chucks comments to to be coming from the "pragmatic" side of "Earth" The 5" Balis are on the heavy side (I have a bunch of 'em)...I also like 'em...and think they are great for building dexterity..., and basically working on that "overload" principle that strengthens tendons and manipulation potential (like most any sport, art.., whatever).
I also think it's a great idea to make them if that is your dream...HONEST! I enjoy manipulating and admiring good work on a large Balisong, but I've also noticed the dramatic problems "makers" have had in balancing these pieces with modern materials, manufacturing techniques...etc.
I haven't talked to Chuck about this AT ALL..., but I took his comments to be simply an attempt to explain the "real" potential for defending.., vs. the dynamic of blade length. I don't think any of us carries a Kelgin-Mini with the thought of "Full-Combat"...., but I truly don't see an advantage for a skilled user with a 5" blade over an equally skilled user with a 4.2" blade (or somewhat less).
I think most practitioners..., and hopefully Bali-Designers, currently think more about economy of motion, and function..., over most other dynamics in realistic situations that may develop into "Full Combat"..., something none of us are drooling over anyway...(I hope)!!!
As with all of us that have fooled around with these pieces for a while..., I think the mind-set in actual combative situations revolves heavily around what we feel most comfortable using to avoid..., thwart through training...., or if neccesary..., disable..., a potential attacker and/or attackers.
I just don't see blade length as the key to having a weapon that is adequate..., given other variables. I think 3 1/2" to 5" can accomplish the same goals within limits..., and to my way of thinking...., "FULL COMBAT" rarely involves knives anyway. We've all lived different lives.., which is a valuable tool for learning..., and if you have an expectation of "Full Combat" daily.., I say go with something like a Sig P226 <~~ not sarcasm!
Make some nice 5-inchers and I'll buy (2)..I like the big ones also!
See ya!
"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
The 5" Balis are on the heavy side (I have a bunch of 'em)...I also like 'em...and think they are great for building dexterity..., and basically working on that "overload" principle that strengthens tendons and manipulation potential (like most any sport, art.., whatever). I also think it's a great idea to make them if that is your dream...HONEST! I enjoy manipulating and admiring good work on a large Balisong, but I've also noticed the dramatic problems "makers" have had in balancing these pieces with modern materials, manufacturing techniques...etc.
I haven't talked to Chuck about this AT ALL..., but I took his comments to be simply an attempt to explain the "real" potential for defending.., vs. the dynamic of blade length. I don't think any of us carries a Kelgin-Mini with the thought of "Full-Combat"...., but I truly don't see an advantage for a skilled user with a 5" blade over an equally skilled user with a 4.2" blade (or somewhat less).
I think most practitioners..., and hopefully Bali-Designers, currently think more about economy of motion, and function..., over most other dynamics in realistic situations that may develop into "Full Combat"..., something none of us are drooling over anyway...(I hope)!!!
As with all of us that have fooled around with these pieces for a while..., I think the mind-set in actual combative situations revolves heavily around what we feel most comfortable using to avoid..., thwart through training...., or if neccesary..., disable..., a potential attacker and/or attackers.
I just don't see blade length as the key to having a weapon that is adequate..., given other variables. I think 3 1/2" to 5" can accomplish the same goals within limits..., and to my way of thinking...., "FULL COMBAT" rarely involves knives anyway. We've all lived different lives.., which is a valuable tool for learning..., and if you have an expectation of "Full Combat" daily.., I say go with something like a Sig P226 <~~ not sarcasm!
Make some nice 5-inchers and I'll buy (2)..I like the big ones also!
See ya!
"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2001
- Messages
- 1,297
SIGPRO 2340, H&K USP40, I agree.
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2001
- Messages
- 1,297
The way I look at it, if you have a permit to carry a weapon, why not carry. If I didn't want that I never would've gone through the process to obtain a permit. Like I always say "better to have and not need, then to need and not have". That is just the way I look at it.