Getting started in Balisong

shootist16

shootist16

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Dec 25, 1998
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Believe it or not I am just now getting into Balisongs. :( I plan on buying a Benchmade balisong, haven't decided which one yet and the trainer. My experience tells me that a trainer is a must have.

What recomendations do you have for a beginner? Any books or videos that are a must have?
 
There are a number of inexpensive Bali's out there. Jaguars are pretty good starters. There are also some great sites listed through out here sell inexpensive ones, Knifezilla for one. I just got a catalog from Smokey Mt. knife works and they have some bears on sell. As for books, check out some of Jeff Imada's manuals, I found mine at Barnes and Noble book store. If you've never manipulated a Bali before, one suggestion, tape the edge of the blade with duct tape, and /or lay in a supply of bandaids. You're probably going to hear this alot, but go ahead and get a BM, believe me they will take the punishment.
 
Shootist16, I think Clay was being a bit modest there... in addition to looking at the reviews on balisongxtreme.com, there is a wealth of techniques and tips there.

Lots of knife reviews on balisongcollector.com as well. As far as the benchmades go, I think you can't go wrong with any of the 4x series.

Good luck!
 
Personally I would buy a BM 40 series (whichever blade you like best) some miltech 1, and a sheath from clay. All of these can be found at knifezilla.com.

I would skip the trainer, use some electrical tape and go to balisonxtreme.com to learn. The way I see it, no pain, no gain. I hardly use tape, even with new tricks. You might get cut a few times, but make sure you have the right handle and you'll be pretty safe. BM's come sharp, so if you do get cut it will heal fairly quick. With some neosporin it should be good to go in 3 or 4 days.
 
Well, if your heart is set on getting the BM's, get the Trainer first and practice, practice, practice. You will avoid all the little injuries us "oldtimers" had to go through. And once you mastered the flips, buy whatever model appeals to you, and go live blade.
 
Nybble is right. Clay's sight has better content then any of the media they review. Real class A if you ask me. Get a BM4x and tape it. You'll save yourself some money. Put it toward a Extreme Kydex sheath from Clay. They're the bomb. And welcome fresh fish are always great.:D
 
Good to have you here shootist16. So what took you so long? :D
You've really been given just about all the good advice to be given. Although I'm one of those guys who doesn't believe in bali-trainers. I think a person needs to learn to fear, and then respect the blade, which will only come with lots of cuts. :D Then again, I like blood-sausage too, so my opinions are often just that... mine. :D
 
Dennis, all good advice, the Imada books, Clay's site and Chuck's, too. I got a trainer and am having fun with it. I mark the blade edges with chalk to verify hand contact when I'm through practicing. Our buddy in Michigan can fix you up.
 
Originally posted by MateenCleaves12
.....BM's come sharp, so if you do get cut it will heal fairly quick. With some neosporin it should be good to go in 3 or 4 days.
Click to expand...

You got THAT right. Got my Model 43A just the day before I started heading out for Christmas travel, and practiced/played around with it a little. Paying attention, I could even flip it out of hand a little and didn't get cut. (Just starting out myself, Dennis) I just paid CLOSE attention to it and survived. Then, one day during the holiday trip, I had just opened it (maybe to use it, don't remember), closed it with an easy manipulation, but didn't pay much attention. Started to grab the opposite handle to squeeze and latch, and basically grabbed live blade. :eek: :eek: Cut the shiite out of my pinky finger, right at the pad, across the fingerprint. OWWWWW! That is the first cut that was deep enough that when I looked at the blade later, there was blood left on the edge. :eek:

Taped it up with a band-aid, with a little betadine (after washing it out with alcohol.... :eek: again!). Now, two days later, the band-aids are off, and the cut is about 90% healed. Yep, Benchmades come shaaaarrrp nowadays. :D
 
Cool Dennis...good to have you among us Lazer-Bat-Blade devotees :)

You have all the advice you need for now.., but welcome, and have fun with it! Happy New Year!



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