A couple gerneal questions about balisongs , specifically the latch

[Matt Shade]

hey Guys I'm starting to feel that need to own a balisong

I'm more interested in making one than buying one though. The good ones don't really fit into my budget. And it would be nice if I could find one that is more suited for utility than what most are.I figure it will mostly be something to fool around with, but I may carry it once in a while.
Theres a picture of one made by Barry Wood(I'll have to double check that name) in a book I have on making folders that looks super sweet. Its shaped like a normal drop point folder but folds and unfolds like a butterfly knife. That would be awesome to have.
Anyway I've got a decent start at making folders, and I think I'm going to see about throwing together an all aluminum balisong out of some extra barstock I have. I figure I'll make a model like a normal balisong to get a better understanding of the mechanics, and a chance to learn how to flip them without getting cut

. Then I can start on a design of one that has a more user friendly handle shape and more utility based blade.
To get to the point. I need to know how the latch operates. Is it engaged simply by the force of the knife being manipulated ? If so , what keeps it closed ?
Its seems to me that I could have it hooked on a coil spring, with the mating handle ramp shaped in front of the slot that the latch drops into. Can anyone tell me where to get some pictures of the latches?
Also, I've never handled a balisong before. I've seen it done a couple times but never in person. Is there a website that shows what the basic steps are? I know theres different styles. That would help alot with the desigining. Its seems like a pretty simple design. The pictures I've found here so far have explained alot for me in regards to the pivots and the tang pin.
Thanks alot.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.

 

[BaliLover]

The latch is strictly user operated. It does not engage untill the user squeezes the handles together and pushes the latch down into a slot on the opposite handle. If it automatically engaged it would interfere with the flipping of the knife.

 

[MacCanine]

Your best bet will be to actually get a cheap balisong and really look at it.Drawings will help,but they won't really convey everything about the knife.
Many finished products aren't always exactly like the drawings.During the making of the item,something wrong could be noticed at the last moment and changed,without making a new drawing or mentioning what they did.
I believe also,that you really should learn how to use one before you go trying to make one.There's so many little things that you'll notice as a user which will help you design a knife that will be appropriate for yourself.There's length, weight, look, feel, fit, balance, strength, speed, smoothness and sound.If you don't know what you're looking for in each of these categories, chances are any knife you make will turn out to be crap.
Hope this helps <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0">

 

[GuyInBlack]

I agree totally with MacCanine, learning at least some of the basic manipulations will I'm sure, help you enormously when it comes to designing and making a balisong.

Keep us posted, I'm sure we'd all love to know how it turns out. <IMG SRC="wink.gif" border="0">

[ 03-26-2001: Message edited by: GuyInBlack ]

 

[Blasto]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Balisong! <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0"> I third the opinion that you should really use one for a while before attempting to make one. I just re-pinned one about 10 minutes ago and I had a enough trouble getting the spacing right. My first few re-pins rendered the knives usless. Then again I've always sucked at that sort of thing. Anyhow, however simple they look, there are countless "little things" that you'll run across. Unlike most knives out there, balis are actually supposed to flex slightly (squeezing the handles together so the latch can catch the opposite handle... the return pressure holding it in place).

A good place to start would be Balisong Xtreme. Clay (who runs the sight and is a bali-master) does a great job at explaining things. His sight is jam-freakin'-packed with info and should give you plenty of help.

Good luck, and if you ever get one done, post the pictures. I'm sure we'd all love to see it.

 

[Matt Shade]

Thanks guys
That was supposed to say GENERAL questions

I guess I'll see about getting one to look at. I can't remember, I think one of my friends might have just bought a BM42, so I may get to check it out.
I figured on making the pivots adjustable on the model so I could figure out tension and everything with it. Then I would go from their to decide on either screw pivots or pins. It'll take some trial and error. I've got lots of alumimun though. I only needed about 3 inches for a part I needed to make and it only came in 4 ft chunks.
I've spent some more time studying that Barry Wood folder, and it looks like it doesn't have much in common with a balisong other than the opening style after all. (I guess thats why he got it patented

)
I'm going to go ahead with the balisong though even if it doesn't help me figure out the folder.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.