Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
I did indeed visit Benchmade this morning. I met with Rick Thatch, Vance Collver, and several other Bali-Song enthusiasts there. It was a very interesting and very fun visit. There's nothing like flipping balisongs on the factory floor at Benchmade. I think this is possibly the only factory where flipping balisongs is not only allowed but encouraged.
Anyway, I have seen the new fixturing for the BM42. Thanks to the great new design and the great fixturing, they can assemble one in just a few minutes. It does, however, require a press to install the pivot pin. Do-it-yourself disassembly is conceivable, but you'd need a punch to drive the pin out. You see, the torx screw screws into the center pin, so removing the screw does not disassemble the joint. The other fact is that since that pin itself is installed with a press resulting in a friction fit, each time it is assembled and disassembled, there will be degradation. So, swapping blades it's not something you'll want to be doing every day.
On the other hand, the new pins are really well built. They're machined out of solid stock right there in the factory. I predict no pin breakage problems for Model 42s. That, to me, is much more important than swapping blades left and right. It is nice to know, though, that if you ruin your blade somehow, a new one can be installed.
What about rummors of delays??? Yes, they are having some difficulty with the Ti handle castings. But, they don't expect this to delay things more than a few weeks. Keep in mind that they are way ahead of the original schedule.
I have to say again, I remain very impressed at just how light those Ti handles are.
The good news for all is that I've seen stacks of parts being assembled into 42s. They are coming.
Benchmade has been overwhelmed with orders. Demand is exceeding expectations. This may delay your favorite dealer from getting all the pieces he ordered right away.
I also saw Benchmade's newest CNC milling machine in action. It's very fast.
I saw their cutting lasers in action. I am constantly amazed at how fast those machines can cut through thick sheets of stainless steel and at what a great edge they leave.
I saw what so many people, myself included, have been asking for, a tip-down carry Axis Lock folder, the 720. This could displace the AFCK as my daily-carry folder.
And, I saw some other interesting new models that I don't think I'll comment on.
It was a great visit and I was please to hear that the new 42 is only slightly delayed. It's great to see how well made these knives are even deep inside.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
Anyway, I have seen the new fixturing for the BM42. Thanks to the great new design and the great fixturing, they can assemble one in just a few minutes. It does, however, require a press to install the pivot pin. Do-it-yourself disassembly is conceivable, but you'd need a punch to drive the pin out. You see, the torx screw screws into the center pin, so removing the screw does not disassemble the joint. The other fact is that since that pin itself is installed with a press resulting in a friction fit, each time it is assembled and disassembled, there will be degradation. So, swapping blades it's not something you'll want to be doing every day.
On the other hand, the new pins are really well built. They're machined out of solid stock right there in the factory. I predict no pin breakage problems for Model 42s. That, to me, is much more important than swapping blades left and right. It is nice to know, though, that if you ruin your blade somehow, a new one can be installed.
What about rummors of delays??? Yes, they are having some difficulty with the Ti handle castings. But, they don't expect this to delay things more than a few weeks. Keep in mind that they are way ahead of the original schedule.
I have to say again, I remain very impressed at just how light those Ti handles are.
The good news for all is that I've seen stacks of parts being assembled into 42s. They are coming.
Benchmade has been overwhelmed with orders. Demand is exceeding expectations. This may delay your favorite dealer from getting all the pieces he ordered right away.
I also saw Benchmade's newest CNC milling machine in action. It's very fast.
I saw their cutting lasers in action. I am constantly amazed at how fast those machines can cut through thick sheets of stainless steel and at what a great edge they leave.
I saw what so many people, myself included, have been asking for, a tip-down carry Axis Lock folder, the 720. This could displace the AFCK as my daily-carry folder.
And, I saw some other interesting new models that I don't think I'll comment on.
It was a great visit and I was please to hear that the new 42 is only slightly delayed. It's great to see how well made these knives are even deep inside.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
