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Advanced Tech Butterfly, New Bali?
- Thread starter Dexmit
- Start date
Mag - Do you have a BM42? If so, you will know that the TI handles are a LOT lighter than, say, a jag or a cheapie. Once you get used to them, you will realize that they are actually a LOT better! I think the handles on the Advanced tech are Ti. (I THINK) If so, they should be nice. Give it a while to get used to....otherwise, how's the fit and finish, and the construction overall?
Please let me know, as I'm considering getting one too!
Strati
evourakis@csus.edu
Please let me know, as I'm considering getting one too!
Strati
evourakis@csus.edu
First off, thanx for posting your impressions on it.
Ummm, yeah, but that's what the Knifezilla site said to expect: "the handles are CNC machined from solid T6 alloy for a super lightweight package".
The Benchmade site, on their handle materials page, has "6061 T-6 ALUMINUM Originally developed as a premium aircraft grade aluminum which is aged to a T-6 temper for improved toughness."
Not trying to sound contentious, but the advertising I read said they were "super lightweight", and it was my understanding that they were aluminum ...
Ummm, yeah, but that's what the Knifezilla site said to expect: "the handles are CNC machined from solid T6 alloy for a super lightweight package".
The Benchmade site, on their handle materials page, has "6061 T-6 ALUMINUM Originally developed as a premium aircraft grade aluminum which is aged to a T-6 temper for improved toughness."
Not trying to sound contentious, but the advertising I read said they were "super lightweight", and it was my understanding that they were aluminum ...
Kyui Su Kim
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2000
- Messages
- 2,638
Yah the blade did look kind of plain on the pics. Looks like a working knife, no look just usability. This may sound weird but I think that BM sould make a model 42 without the holes with a 5 inch blade. Just me but if they start doing customs again thats the first thing I'm going to get made.
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I have a sword in my pocket!
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I have a sword in my pocket!
- Joined
- Oct 8, 1998
- Messages
- 8,917
They should have just used steel, eliminates the questions of longevity and strength with Aluminum.
Even if it is great now, imagine if it had been steel. It would have been a killer.
A five inch steel balisong, production, would have rocked.
------------------
"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
Some of my Knives and other neat things
Even if it is great now, imagine if it had been steel. It would have been a killer.
A five inch steel balisong, production, would have rocked.
------------------
"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
Some of my Knives and other neat things
- Joined
- May 16, 2001
- Messages
- 56
Intresting. Both of the people that ordered the knife don't seem to like it. So back to using the Benchmade 42, which isn't bad... But I really want a knife with some heavier handles. There's something about steel that you really can't go wrong with.
Where can I find a BM 45 or a 44? Anyone selling?
Clay
Balisong forum Moderator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 1999
- Messages
- 871
Hold on now........... not so fast.
I too got one the other day (belated B-day present from the G.F.). And there are a few things I'd like to add/point out:
~ True, it is light. I put them both on the UPS scale at work and the BM42 came in at 4.1 oz. and the Advanced Tech. (A.T.) came in at 4.0. Remember though, the A.T. is a 5 incher. Old timers, remember the first time you handled a BM42 after all those years with the 45??? You thought it was crap right, because of the weight?? The A.T. suffers from the same "first impression blues".
~ This is, without a doubt the fastest 5 incher I've ever played with. It has none of that "lag" you get with most Balis of this size. I can do everything on this that I can on the 42 and just a quick. Fast finger rolls included! Very controlable.
~ Tolerances are tight where the pivet pins (4 torx, 2 per side) attach to the handle......... but not in a bad way. It's a solid Bali.
~ The Tang pins (yes, 2 like an Erickson) are a little larger in diameter than the 42's, and longer as well. I think the added contact surface in that area was a great idea! (didn't I mention that before somewhere in here??). The handles need a slight squeeze to open and close, just like a good Bali should. And by the way, the groves cut for the tang pin are well sized and show no wear (not even a mark) after a few hours of playing. This impressed me.
~ Though these handles have no spine, the T6 is VERY strong (rigid, but not brittle). You can't just pinch the scales together and bind the blade like the old Seto's with the same method of construction.
~ The A.T is also whisper quiet. I was actually kind of surprised at that (I'm just not used to it I guess).
~ I did notice that the lubricant choice makes a HUGE difference. Tuff-Glide seems to gunk up faster on this than it does on my other Balis........ and with the light handles, it's very noticable. A little Militec-1 and some heat, and I was flyin' again.
~ The powder coating job was done very well. It's there to stay, and feels good on the hands (mine anyway). The initial feel of the handles almost reminded me of un-glazed pottery. It's hard to explain, and you'll probably think I'm nuts, but you'll have to feel them for yourself.
~ Two pins strategically placed on either side of the latch keeps it from getting in the way. Simple design, and it works well.
~ The long blade is a bit on the plain side, with a short (undersized for the overall length) swedge, but it's pretty freakin' sharp.
All in all I'm very happy with mine. As a matter of fact I like it so much I haven't gone out without it yet (and my 2 BM42's of course). I guess I have to make a sheath for it now.
Considering this is their first attempt at a Balisong, I think they did a great job. I also think that if they did a 4 incher, that it would fill that "UNDER $75" niche that we're looking for.
I know it's tempting, but try NOT to compare it to a Benchmade. BM has been making them for many, many years after all. It's not exactly fair.
.......... holy crap, it's almost 5:00AM. I gotta go get some sleep.
------------------
Clay
www.balisongxtreme.com
Because......
getting 'em open
is half the fun!
I too got one the other day (belated B-day present from the G.F.). And there are a few things I'd like to add/point out:
~ True, it is light. I put them both on the UPS scale at work and the BM42 came in at 4.1 oz. and the Advanced Tech. (A.T.) came in at 4.0. Remember though, the A.T. is a 5 incher. Old timers, remember the first time you handled a BM42 after all those years with the 45??? You thought it was crap right, because of the weight?? The A.T. suffers from the same "first impression blues".
~ This is, without a doubt the fastest 5 incher I've ever played with. It has none of that "lag" you get with most Balis of this size. I can do everything on this that I can on the 42 and just a quick. Fast finger rolls included! Very controlable.
~ Tolerances are tight where the pivet pins (4 torx, 2 per side) attach to the handle......... but not in a bad way. It's a solid Bali.
~ The Tang pins (yes, 2 like an Erickson) are a little larger in diameter than the 42's, and longer as well. I think the added contact surface in that area was a great idea! (didn't I mention that before somewhere in here??). The handles need a slight squeeze to open and close, just like a good Bali should. And by the way, the groves cut for the tang pin are well sized and show no wear (not even a mark) after a few hours of playing. This impressed me.
~ Though these handles have no spine, the T6 is VERY strong (rigid, but not brittle). You can't just pinch the scales together and bind the blade like the old Seto's with the same method of construction.
~ The A.T is also whisper quiet. I was actually kind of surprised at that (I'm just not used to it I guess).
~ I did notice that the lubricant choice makes a HUGE difference. Tuff-Glide seems to gunk up faster on this than it does on my other Balis........ and with the light handles, it's very noticable. A little Militec-1 and some heat, and I was flyin' again.
~ The powder coating job was done very well. It's there to stay, and feels good on the hands (mine anyway). The initial feel of the handles almost reminded me of un-glazed pottery. It's hard to explain, and you'll probably think I'm nuts, but you'll have to feel them for yourself.
~ Two pins strategically placed on either side of the latch keeps it from getting in the way. Simple design, and it works well.
~ The long blade is a bit on the plain side, with a short (undersized for the overall length) swedge, but it's pretty freakin' sharp.
All in all I'm very happy with mine. As a matter of fact I like it so much I haven't gone out without it yet (and my 2 BM42's of course). I guess I have to make a sheath for it now.
Considering this is their first attempt at a Balisong, I think they did a great job. I also think that if they did a 4 incher, that it would fill that "UNDER $75" niche that we're looking for.
I know it's tempting, but try NOT to compare it to a Benchmade. BM has been making them for many, many years after all. It's not exactly fair.
.......... holy crap, it's almost 5:00AM. I gotta go get some sleep.
------------------
Clay
www.balisongxtreme.com
Because......
getting 'em open
is half the fun!
Dawkind
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2000
- Messages
- 13,028
Check out this post on the Tiger.......... http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum47/HTML/001788.html. I think Clay's on the money....