Custom BM blades

Lawrence

Lawrence

Joined
Nov 6, 2001
Messages
44
Hello forum, I was chasing Balisong links and came across one that showed the different types of blades BM can put on a pair of handles.
(Scimitar, weehawk, spearpoint) you get the idea! There was no info on how to order these blades. Anyone here know of the 'Custom order' info for Custom BM blades?

P.S. If you are interested on viewing my newest Bali, check knifezilla.com then click on Batangas originals. There you will see the Kriss that I now own.

Thanks a bunch for the help on this matter
 
BM no longer takes orders for custom pieces, they stopped doing this quite a while ago. The only way you're going to get a BM custom (at the moment) is off the secondary market.

I notice that you are an Investigator, what is it that you investigate?
 
You have discovered what we've all been trying so hard to find. Those blades, and the handles that went with them, constitutes the bulk of what is now fondly referred to as Custom Benchmade Bali's. Benchmade pulled out of that Custom line as a regular production sometime in 1991/92 after subcumbing to massive pressure from anti-balisong witchhunting. After that, they were made to individual order. But supply took a fatal drop when Jody Sampson (long time custom blade grinder) decided to leave the firm. There've been several makers since Jody that've put out some blades. The last was in 1998 when Allen Elishewitz made a batch run of 17 tanto blades.

Any finds these days are celebrated with postings (last being Blade_420 with his Bowie). And often snapped up for around $300 to $400 a piece. Sometimes much more depending on condition and options.

As for BM getting back to those blades; very unlikely. They've scrapped most of the machinery for the handles because of age and upkeep cost, and have heavily invested in machinary for the new series of "customs", the Model 49.
 
I'm going to update this shot as I have added several other blade styles to my collection beyond these......
View
 
Dudley, what bali is that tanto (the 2nd from the top center column) I seem to have found one laying around the house the other day. Weird huh?

Mike
 
Originally posted by madscientist
Dudley, what bali is that tanto (the 2nd from the top center column) I seem to have found one laying around the house the other day. Weird huh?

Mike
Click to expand...
Good find.

There are two versions of that tanto. Best way to tell is the handle width. The one in the pic comes from the Custom shop and have handles that are over 1/2" thick with rounded edges. While the other is the Model 44 production unit, handles are about 3/8" thick (around the same thickness as the 42) and have a flat profile with a sharpish edge. Another thing is the tang grind lines. On the customs, they will have that flat termination, while on the 44, it's curved.
They almost look the same from the top down otherwise.
 
Well since I have Both :-) I can compare Yeah it's the custom, I think it does the 1/2 inch handles (actually maybe a bit thicker than that) Though the edge still hasn't recovered from the previous owner.

Mike
 
I'll have to look around my house, maybe I'll get lucky and dig up something... Not. :D

My apologies for doubting you....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top