A Balisong for the most discriminating collector...

Chefget

Chefget

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 2, 1998
Messages
5,223
The first time I met Stan Wilson was at the Chesapeake knife show several years ago. Some friends and I were meeting for a pre-show breakfast in the hotel (6:30am), chatting about knives, when I expressed hope to my companions that there would be at least some nice custom balisongs available. Just then a gentleman at the next table says "I have one for sale..." and produces what was, without question the most technically perfect balisong that I had held to date...a pearl handled beauty that was just stunning!

After acquiring the pearl bali from Stan and fully realizing the quality of his knives, we started working on the culmination of my personal knife mission...THE perfect EDC companion. I recently received the finished product....

Gentlemen, I am proud to show what is the favorite knife of my collection!

wilson_2bali_3.jpg


wilson_balisong2.jpg


Just an incredible feat of knifemaking!

Mike Norris 'crazy lace' stainless (for everyday use) damascus blade, latch, clip and bolsters , subtley anodized and fileworked titanium liners, mastodon ivory scales.

wilson_2bali_5.jpg


wilson_2bali_6.jpg


I'm not sure how Stan did it, but this is the only bali I've had in hand that, without the use of bearing has *zero* handle/blade play. At any angle the is no wiggle in the handles. None. Just amazing!

The engineering involved with this bali such that it swings perfectly...no binding, no hesitation AND no blade play is one thing. The construction of the spring latch is another...instead of trying to explain it, here are two 'in construction' pics sent to me by Stan...

construction5.jpg


construction6.jpg


The latch locks with a firm 'click' and releases when the lever on the side is pressed in, tucking itself into the end of the handle (matching the lines of the knife overall!)...

wilson_2bali_1.jpg


Beside all of the above, the blade grinds are beautiful and perfect, the damascus matches hadle to handle on the front and rear bolsters, and please note looking at the pictures that virtually every moving part on the knife has been radiused, from the tang, to the edges of the latch, and even the release bar!

wilson_2bali_11.jpg


wilson_2bali_2.jpg


I can't thank Stan enough for the effort he put into this piece. He is a true gentleman and a great (and patient) person to work with! Stan's work is, IMHO, on a par with the very best makers. The fit and finish on his knives is, in a word, untouchable.

Thanks Stan :D
(who also took the pics!)


-Michael
 
Last edited:
This is truly the most beautiful balisong I have ever seen! The spring latch is very innovative! I am sure it was worth every penny! Good purchase!!
 
That is a fabulous knife. Unfortunately totally illegal in Canada so I won't be getting one anytime soon but i sure do have an order in for one of his folders and he knows the one. Spoke with him by email recently and he said he does not have anything for Blade yet so I hope a ball of fire gets him going during the few weeks left before Blade. I'll be looking for him when I arrive. Again, one fantastic knife. Congrats to both of you.
 
It is not often that a collector can claim to have, in his collection, something absolutely novel. Objectively-speaking, one knife is much like another. BUT, that latch is absolutely novel.

This only adds to the appeal of this outstanding balisong knife.
 
Wow! I don't normally like balisongs but that is really cool. Looks very well made, has a beautiful blade shape and I love Mike Norris' steel. That looks like alot of it too! I have never handled Stan's knives but I hear only good things about his construction. Nice grab.
 
Thanks guys, Stan's work is amazing.

A friend just received a Wilson D/A that literally left me speechless...

-Michael
 
Original design in every aspect with the classic Stan Wilson dramatic flare!
Give my best to Stan if you see him.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Here is a picture of Stan Wilson making his most beautiful "Advisor" ever
in 2005 for his section in "The Art of Modern Custom Knifemaking", my
third book on modern custom knives.

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

From my book "The Art of Modern Custom Knifemaking"
picture.JPG
 
jonathan brand said:
Wow! I don't normally like balisongs but that is really cool. Looks very well made, has a beautiful blade shape and I love Mike Norris' steel. That looks like alot of it too! I have never handled Stan's knives but I hear only good things about his construction. Nice grab.
Click to expand...

I normally don't like balisongs much either, BUT...that is easily the nicest one i've seen.

Pleasure seeing it.

Thanks,
Peter
 
That latch is Trick.
The rest of the bali is SUPER!

Congrats on a gem! :thumbup: :cool:

Doug
 
...for taking such clear photos for us to see. One or two images would NEVER show the detail.

I am *floored* by every single aspect on this incredible piece. Every area, whether open or closed looks thought-out and then rethought. The overall sense of curves and design is readily apparent, yet the most subtle of things strikes me hard:

  • The ricasso cutout when the knife is closed
  • That little notch in the choil
  • The integral clip
  • The selective perfectly symmetrical filework
  • The different angles on the bolster-scale joint which are PERFECT when open.
  • That little curved end on the forward backspine. Not a straight cut.

The lock is not just clever or novel, it is an engineering marvel. One of those "I could never, ever, envision how to do that" things.

A landmark knife by all definitions. :thumbup:

My best to the BOTH of you!

Coop
 
I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE OPENED THIS THREAD !!!! Now I want one...

*Most excellent balisong IMHO, this one will create a new benchmark in the history of custom balisongs, that much I'm sure*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top