A little help?

J

Jake Steinmann

Joined
May 30, 2000
Messages
26
I threw this up on the FMA forum, and they directed me here (geez...a whole forum on balisongs...who'd have thunk it?)

Anyway,
My girlfriend has expressed an interest in the Balisong: Using it, manipluating it, the history of it, etc...basically, she wants to all about the balisong and then some. Unlikely to be a carry option, since we live in Massachussets, but she's
still real interested.

Anyway...it's slowly approaching a time of year where presents should be given out (anniversary, etc.), and I'm thinking of getting her something(s) balisong related. If anyone can reccomend books, videos, training tools, actual blades, instructors who happen to live close to me, programs to download directly into her consciousness, or whatever, post 'em here (or email me: blacksteel@aol.com).

Thanks
 
You found the perfect place!:D We're all fanatics here, you'll find tons of reviews and pictures of all the best balisong's here on the forums (or at least links to check them out), as for the instruction on manipulations, check out BalisongXtreme and you find a whole world of opening and closing techniques as well as the key to "Freestyle" balisong manipulation. Clay also has the whole website on CD-Rom with all the techniques for $15.00 you can't go wrong with that. Before you know it she'll be flipping like a madman/woman;)

Welcome to the forums and please keep the questions coming, tell her to get on as well, we're a little short on Femal Balisong Artists here so it would be a pleasure to have her join the community!:cool:
 
Just wanted to mention to check if Mass is one of those anti-balisong states. If it is, a good place to check for bali's would be knifezilla.com, as they're also located in Mass. No crossing state lines.

What I would do is to order the Jeff Imada books from someplace like amazon.com, and if she likes that, then surprise her will the real one (Benchmade or Jaguar) in another box. Total package.

Tony
 
Yes, she is a terrific girlfriend (I wouldn't be arming her otherwise!) :)

I don't know if MASS is one of those "anti-balisong" states, but I'm guessing they are. They're anti-damn near everything else.

It seems like there's a huge price difference between the Jaguar and the Benchmades...is there a proportionate quality difference as well?

Thanks for all the help.

Jake
 
Jake, I too am from Mass., and I have found balisongs for sale at various knife stores, and have mail-ordered them from different on-line knife stores without any problems. One chain of stores that I know has them around here is Chesapeek Knife & Tool (sp?), although their prices are pretty high compared to most online stores. I personally have never seen or flipped through any of the Imada books, but instead have worked my way through balisongxtreme.com. Armed with a balisong and internet access, you should be all set for a while. Also, I must give some credit to Benchmade on their current line of balisongs. I have four of them (42, 47a, 43, and 43 first prod. run), and none of them have any of the air pockets or tightening up problems that I have heard of other people having. All of them seem to be finished exceptionally well (although I would rather have a polished 47 than a 47a, trade anyone??), and once you break them in and use some Militec-1 on them, they are a joy to manipulate. Also, your girlfriend might like the BM's better since they are considerably lighter because of the titanium handles. Anyway, enough ranting, hope you find what you're looking for.

Peace,
George
 
You can order both of Jeff Imada's books (The Balisong Manual, and The Advanced Balisong Manual) from your local Barnes and Nobel for around $12 each and you save the shipping if you pick up at their store.

As for quality difference, thats an understatement. The blade on a jag isn't all the great, and the pivot pins tend to break and must be repinned with a small nail. After a few repinnings, the handles sometimes break.

With the BM's, you get Ti handles, adjustable pins that will probably never break, a blade that will hold an edge, and a life sharp warantee. For the price of a few Jags, you can have a BM that will last about as long as the users life.

If you do buy her a BM, and she decides somewhere down the line that she's not really into the Balisong that much, you can always sell it on the forums for a good price. Not much of a chance to resell a jag.

If she wants a heavier balisong, there is the Monarch (do a search in the forums for more info) with SS handles that I've heard is great. Microtech is due to release one within the next few months in the $200 price range but they are also looking into making on in the $50 range.

The other knife that I just remembered is the Chinese copy of the Pacific Cutlery Custom balisong. I've heard that the quality on these isn't too bad and it's almost a direct ripoff of an old balisong that was well built. Knifezilla has them under New balisongs for around $40. IMO, that is too much for it. You can get one off Bladeauction.com for $20.

Just remember one thing, you get what you pay for. You can also pick up customs from various makers such as Erikson and Dobruski but those are a bit more expensive.

What ever you decide, you can always ask about it here and find out about it.
 
Wow...thanks for all of the thoughtful contributions.

I found one of Imada's books real cheap on half.com, so that's taken care of. Looking into the balisongxtreme cd, but I don't know if it'll run on her computer. I'll certainly show her the site, but I'd rather not hand her a knife with a web address on it. Seems a little tacky.

The benchmades look real nice, and I'm definitely leaning in that direction. Quality is always better than quantity.

Heh...if she decides she's not into balisongs...I'll take the damn thing. These things are neat! :D
 
Well, suffice it to say, the Benchmade was more than a little well recieved. The book made it by the end of the weekend...a little late, but not to terribly so. Still waiting on word if the CD works or not.

Thanks for all the contributions...

Of course, the real problem is, now *I* want one of these things. Time to start savin' pennies, I guess.
 
Originally posted by Jake Steinmann
Well, suffice it to say, the Benchmade was more than a little well recieved. The book made it by the end of the weekend...a little late, but not to terribly so. Still waiting on word if the CD works or not.
Click to expand...
Good to hear.
Of course, the real problem is, now *I* want one of these things. Time to start savin' pennies, I guess.
Click to expand...
Why? It's her turn to post the questions and buy you one :D
 
Now that he's done all this research to make her happy...I suggest she calls Mauricio Dobruski and hooks him up with a "real guy".. :) ...only fair??? (He's a Custom maker Jake) :cool:

Come back in and let us know how she's doing with it.., and if you can resist "The Swing" of it all ;) !



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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