custom Jag by Mer

kongfused · Oct 26, 2001

Yea!

Another 'Mer' Balisong in the making...
Mer is performing intensive surgery on my old busted, out of alignment classic Jag. The blade was in good shape, but the handles were totally abused. (you know the story)

He's retrofitting a set of high polish, stainless handles with purpleheartwood inserts. I'm sure that he'll post comments and pictures when he's complete.

The neat thing about it, is that he said that he can finish the handles in about a month!

-j-

Allistar · Oct 28, 2001

What I'd really, really like to see are some custom handles w/ koa wood inserts. That would be SO sweet...

does Mer do totally custom knives or just handles? if I could get a custom balisong w/ koa wood inserts for the same price as this benchmade I'm interested in.. I might be interested.

Dawkind · Oct 28, 2001

It depends on what BM you're interested in..........I'm afraid the price for a set of handles, with an insert material, is more than what you can buy the BM balis like the 42, 43, and 47 for. If it's the 49-01 BM you're interested in, you could probably commission a custom bali with Koa inserts from a custom maker like Dobruski or Erickson.

Allistar · Oct 28, 2001

Originally posted by Dawkind
It depends on what BM you're interested in..........I'm afraid the price for a set of handles, with an insert material, is more than what you can buy the BM balis like the 42, 43, and 47 for. If it's the 49-01 BM you're interested in, you could probably commission a custom bali with Koa inserts from a custom maker like Dobruski or Erickson.

Erm. If only I had a job.

Now to decide: buy a regular BM bali 47 Plain Edge / Satin Finish Coating. or save upo even MORRE for a custom bali...

McMahan · Oct 28, 2001

Hey Allistar, good to see you took some time away from the [H] to visit the boys here on the Balisong forum. LOL, in two days youve gone from wanting a Jag to considering a custom bali!

The more you hang out here and learn about all the cool knives you can buy, the more money you will see slipping from your pocket. Anyway man, good luck on deciding on something and have fun on the forums.

ExamonLyf · Oct 28, 2001

Welcome to the Forums Allistar...hope you enjoy!!

"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"

Allistar · Oct 28, 2001

Originally posted by McMahan
Hey Allistar, good to see you took some time away from the [H] to visit the boys here on the Balisong forum. LOL, in two days youve gone from wanting a Jag to considering a custom bali! The more you hang out here and learn about all the cool knives you can buy, the more money you will see slipping from your pocket. Anyway man, good luck on deciding on something and have fun on the forums.

Don't remind me. This is about to become as much of an addiction as the HardForums.

But instead of draining me of my life, Bladeforum's going to drain me of my money.

I'm considering either a custom bali or a BM.

What exactly is a tanto blade? and does the bm 47 have titanium handles like the 42's?

And I know you said that New Graham has good prices but do you know anyone that has bought from them? They have really, really good prices compared to knifezilla.

McMahan · Oct 28, 2001

Im not sure that there is a strict definition of a tanto blade since there are many variations, but in all cases the tip of the blade is cut at a sharp angle, as opposed to a curve. The tip design is primarily used for stabbing, and is usually very hard to break off as opposed to some other blade styles.
The 42, 43, and 47 all have titanium handles. Basically, the only difference between the three is their blade style, other than that they are the same knife.
I seem to remember some of the guys here saying they had bought knives from New Graham and were pleased with the service. I primarily buy my knives through the Cutlery Shoppe (http://www.cutleryshoppe.com/index_catalog.html), they were slightly more expensive than New Graham the last time I checked but their service is top-notch. Their website is down for modifications right now but you can give them a call and they will hook you up.

tonyccw · Oct 28, 2001

Originally posted by Allistar
And I know you said that New Graham has good prices but do you know anyone that has bought from them? They have really, really good prices compared to knifezilla.

Michael Dye of New Graham is a fair and straight up person to deal with. I've never had a problem dealing with him. Service was excellent.

UnclePhilthy · Oct 29, 2001

Originally posted by tonyccw:

Michael Dye of New Graham is a fair and straight up person to deal with. I've never had a problem dealing with him. Service was excellent.

>>Second that...very personable and easy to talk with. I was extremely pleased with their service, and as far as I can find, their prices on new BM's are pretty unbeatable.

7Cain · Oct 29, 2001

Originally posted by Allistar
What exactly is a tanto blade?

The origin of the tanto came about when a Samurai broke his katana. Being resourceful the Samurai would construct another handle for the broken tip of his sword and re-finish the point on the remaining portion of his katana giving birth to the tanto and the short sword (though commonly referred to as a "wakizashi" in the U.S., there seems to be no connection with this word and today's Japanese languages). Ironically when a Samurai performed "Sepaku" (ritual suicide) he would use the broken portion of his old katana (and from what I understand, this is the only purpose of the short sword) to impale himself upon.

Today, it seems that manufacturers define a tanto blade by it's angular shape and ridged spine (or "Mune").

Even though the traditional/ceremonial tanto does not necessarily have an angular belly, most manufacturers have made this angular cut a standard for todays production tanto.

AND WELCOME TO THE FORUMS, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU!

Allistar · Oct 29, 2001

Originally posted by 7Cain

The origin of the tanto came about when a Samurai broke his katana. Being resourceful the Samurai would construct another handle for the broken tip of his sword and re-finish the point on the remaining portion of his katana giving birth to the tanto and the short sword (though commonly referred to as a "wakizashi" in the U.S., there seems to be no connection with this word and today's Japanese languages). Ironically when a Samurai performed "Sepaku" (ritual suicide) he would use the broken portion of his old katana (and from what I understand, this is the only purpose of the short sword) to impale himself upon.

Today, it seems that manufacturers define a tanto blade by it's angular shape and ridged spine (or "Mune"). Even though the traditional/ceremonial tanto does not necessarily have an angular belly, most manufacturers have made this angular cut a standard for todays production tanto.

AND WELCOME TO THE FORUMS, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU!

Wow, a life story and a welcome all in one. Thanks.

This seems like it's going to be an expensive hobby.

Again, thanks all of you.

Allistar · Oct 31, 2001

Originally posted by Dawkind
It depends on what BM you're interested in..........I'm afraid the price for a set of handles, with an insert material, is more than what you can buy the BM balis like the 42, 43, and 47 for. If it's the 49-01 BM you're interested in, you could probably commission a custom bali with Koa inserts from a custom maker like Dobruski or Erickson.

How could I get in touch with either of these Custom Makers? And do you think (rough rough estimate?) the price would be the equivalent of a bm 42 or 47?

kongfused · Oct 31, 2001

Eric/Mer's e-mail address is:

maier2112@earthlink.net

Best to talk to him about price. You will pay roughly the same amount to a little more as a 42 or a 47. However, you need to supply the blade. IE, you'll want to send him a blade that you want handles for. It really depends on what kind of handles you want, and what details you want. Inlays? High Polish? Latchless?

The amount of detail is left your imaginiation and the amount of craftsmanship that Eric can mill with his metal machines. Shoot him some e-mail.

He's a very nice guy and is very reponsive to e-mail. Best of luck!

-j-