Anybody handled a Janisong?

[nephron]

Wish they were available and wondering if anyone has been lucky enough to check one out. Curious as to how that mechanism works out compared to the standard way.

 

[sgt1372]

I've got one.

It's different than the standard bali but you can still do "tricks" w/it and it's much safer to use doing so than a standard bali. As w/the standard bali, it just takes practice to get the hang of it.

Here's a video of Michael Janich, the designer of the Janisong (as well as the Yojimbo), demonstrating how to use it.

Janisongs come up occasionally here on the Exchange as well as on EB (there are 2 4sale there right now!), on ACK (there's also 1 4sale there now too) and on JerzeeDevil (that's devoted to balis).

You just have to keep looking and grab one for the "right price" and in the "right condition" when you see one.

 

[nephron]

I've got one.

It's different than the standard bali but you can still do "tricks" w/it and it's much safer to use doing so than a standard bali. As w/the standard bali, it just takes practice to get the hang of it.

Here's a video of Michael Janich the designer of the Janisong (as well as the Yojimbo) demonstrating how to use it.

Janisongs come up occasionally here on the Exchange as well as on EB (if not openly described as a bali), on ACK (a couple sold recently there) and on JerzeeDevil (that's devoted to balis).

You just have to keep looking and grab one for the "right price" and in the "right condition" when you see one.

Thank you, price has kept one from being in the stable so far, great video. Kinda hoping someone on here who owns one might post too with there thoughts, you know to say its terrible so I can mark it off my list lol, probably just the opposite though with my luck.

 

[sgt1372]

Thank you, price has kept one from being in the stable so far, great video. Kinda hoping someone on here who owns one might post too with there thoughts, you know to say its terrible so I can mark it off my list lol, probably just the opposite though with my luck.

See my PM re pricing.

Don't think you're going to find anyone saying that "it's terrible." It's just different. I think many people buy them as a curisoity and don't actually use it, since so many that come up for sale are listed as "new" or "like new."

I've played a bit w/mine and sometimes get confused w/the orientation of the handle and actually find it easier to know which way to hold a regular bali (safe side is always the one w/o the latch) but I'm not skilled enough to do tricks w/it or standard balis.

I just bought it because it was "different" and seemed an essential addition to my Spyderco and bali collection.

The only Spyderco bali that I am still hoping to buy is the Szabofly.

 

[VashHash]

It's a shame the janisong isn't sold officially in the US.

 

[nephron]

See my PM re pricing.

Don't think you're going to find anyone saying that "it's terrible." It's just different. I think many people buy them as a curiosity and don't actually use it, since so many that come up for sale are listed as "new" or "like new."

I've played a bit w/mine and sometimes get confused w/the orientation of the handle and actually find it easier to know which way to hold a regular bali (safe side is always the one w/o the latch) but I'm not skilled enough to do tricks w/it or standard balis.

I just bought it because it was "different" and seemed an essential addition to my Spyderco and bali collection.

The only Spyderco bali that I am still hoping to buy is the Szabofly.

That might be the most expensive of the lot, I would love one for the collection but doubt I will ever be able/want to spend that much. I recently spent $350 on a rainbow and that kinda hurt at the time, but who knows......

 

[sgt1372]

That might be the most expensive of the lot, I would love one for the collection but doubt I will ever be able/want to spend that much. I recently spent $350 on a rainbow and that kinda hurt at the time, but who knows......

A Szabofly sold on ACK late last year at my price limit of $500 but they typically sell for much more.

There were a few other knives that I wanted that sold recently there too. So, I need to start trolling ACK daily in order not to miss out on any of these knives again.

 

[kwick72]

I got one about a month ago (Ebay), it's a bit chunky in hand and a little awkward to use than a regular bali. knowing that you always have the "safe" handle is nice to know.
Wanted one really bad when they were first released disappointed when they were only available overseas.
I figured it was only a matter of time before they would be here in the states on the secondary market.