Any BM 40T Owner out there?

tonyccw

tonyccw

Joined
Sep 2, 2001
Messages
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I know ghen got one a while ago.
Chuck probably got one in that last batch of blue boxes.

I should be getting mine next week.

BUT THEY SHIPPED LAST WEEK.

So, anyone with a BM 40T in hand that would be willing to post a mini-review? Specifically, how good are the chance the blades will hold up in live sparring matches? Are they sturdy enough?

Thanks in advance.
 
The handles on the 40T are MIM or Machine Injection Molded. MIM parts have about 70% of the strength of a milled billet. Still should be plenty strong enough.

I have whacked a heavy bag with my 40T without any problem. I haven't sparred with it yet (no-one to play with).

Have fun with your trainer Tony; also I notice you are ahead of me on Mer's list...I am not pleased!;)

GHEN
 
Oh, I've had one for a long time.

I'm not sure, but I seem to recall hearing that the shipping was delayed a bit by some minor last-minute hitch.
 
It just occured to me that with my fancy new digital camera, I can go from the studio to the web in minutes.

bm40T2F.JPG


The 40T is not MIM. The 31, however, is. MIM is metal injection moulding. It's a very sophisticated technique for creating metal parts. It's very new and there's only a few facilities in the world that can do it. MIM of Ti is especially leading-edge. The handles for the 31 are some of the largest Ti parts ever MIMed. And, with the skeletion holes, are actually quite complex by MIM standards. BM would like to do the 4" handles with MIM, but MIM technology just isn't there yet. The 31 is pushing the envelope for MIM in Ti.

The exciting thing about MIM is that it guarantees no voids. So, latches can be chopped without any risk.

I've had the 40T out several times and it's holding up quite well. I'm very pleased with it and I think it's gonna be a great trainer.
 
Thanks Chuck. Nice pic as always.

But I can't tell from the picture what would give the 40T's handle "more purchase", other than a flatter surface texture that would suggest a rougher finish than the standard stain series. Any hints you can share?
 
Yes Metal Injection...nor Machine Injected.

A trusted source told me the 40T handles are MIM. If my info is wrong, sorry about that.
 
A trusted source told me the 40T handles are MIM.
Click to expand...

A minor confusion, I'm sure.

The handles on the 40T are the same handles as on the 42/3/7. The difference is simply that they don't post-polish them. They're just as they come out of the casting mould, just a little bit rough. I really don't think it's that big a deal. I don't think that they are significantly more "grippy".

Omitting the post-polishing process reduces cost and is one of the ways that BM can offer this trainer for less than the cost of a live knife.

A lot of people think that trainers should cost a lot less than live knives. I don't know why. All of the same parts are there. All of the same processes are involved except for sharpening. But sharpening takes only a matter of minutes. It adds a dollar or two to the cost of a knife.
 
May I ask which digital camera you have? I know from posts over on the other forum you seemed to prefer the negative scan system over digital. Just curious, thanks.
 
Originally posted by Gollnick

...A lot of people think that trainers should cost a lot less than live knives. I don't know why. All of the same parts are there. All of the same processes are involved except for sharpening. But sharpening takes only a matter of minutes. It adds a dollar or two to the cost of a knife.
Click to expand...

Sharpening yes, but a live blade takes a life of it's own...
Proper steel for a knife
Blade profiling
Blade Grinding
Blade heat treating and tempering
Blade finishing
Blade sharpening

Now the mock blade in that trainer just screams to me....Throw this baby into an Ariel Opening!!! :D

So I for one would possibly purchase one just for the benefit of trying some things I'd never do with my BM43...

So with the above difference from blade to dummy I'd think that it could be made for a bit less and given that the handles are not as finished, which in a way might be the way for the rest if they prove more grippy...But Chuck I know you're not the guy that sets the prices so I'm not saying to you...why?...but posing the reasons the rest might feel it should be less, at least to me, if I were to make and charge some one what would I price it at with a dummy blade...

G2
 
I'd charge a little less :D. The steel is the same, profiling would be about the same, grinding is done very quickly on "automatic" machines, are the trainers heat treated, I would guess yes, scotchbrite wheel finish--fairly quick but some time saved, and sharpening would take a little time. Savings--finish and sharpening. Neat knife all in all.
 
My Trainers aren't here yet...grrrr.., but I can certainly give a postive review simply comparing what I see in Chuck picture compared to what I just got the stitches removed from...lol.

I already love'em!!! And haven't touched one yet!



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Tony, I've had mine for a little over 2 weeks -- not much chance to play with it over the holidays as my kids were visiting. First impressions are that it is stout, and usual good Bm quality -- no sharp edges except the latch area. I think it should withstand training exercizes with zero problems. As to the grip on the handles-- I honestly don't find any improvement, nor detriment !! That may be because I'm new at "flippin" and am hanging on for dear life !!! :)
 
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