handle strength

D

DeLightsabor

Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Messages
81
Hi Ive heard, what seems to be, horror stories about handles breaking on balisongs and was wondering if the problem might be solved if the hole were taken out. If that doesn't work, should they upgrade their steel or use other materials.

The main reason I posted here is to ask, what would be the best material for making balisong handles out of ( I realy hope my jag dosn't break)

excuse the choppyness of my writing, its been a long day talking and thinking about the girl I aske...

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A genius learns more and more about less and less until he/she learns absolutly everything about nothing

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~Daniel a.k.a. DeLightsabor~
 
The place where balisongs handles tend to break is at the base of the fork.That is the weakest area of the handle.
It happens because of the constant stress being put on the handle when the blade is in motion and being flipped around.It also happenes because many knifemakers make sure that a small flat section of the tang is able to hit an area in the spine of the handle.This is done so that the edge of the blade will stay away from cutting into the spine of the handle.
Unfortunately,due to the constant force of the tang hitting the handle and the stress put on the forks,the fork area takes the brunt of actual abuse to the knife.
As in the case of some knifemakers these days,the handles are being made out of titanium,which is the best available material right now.Stainless steel is strong as well,but eventually it too will crack from stress.Lesser grade materials will stress the quickest,and nothing can really be done about it.
It would be good if knifemakers would offer replacement handles for a decent price...and if any are,I haven't heard about it.I've been out of the loop for too long.



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*The* Lunatic Puppy
It wasn't me...It was my *good* twin..
My "inner puppy" made me do it..
 
I have broken several jag handles during flipping along with pins ,I just replace them using the tips from clays site .Jag handles are made from a cast metal ,like a mixture of cheap metals in a pot ,I think the best balisong handles are made of brass .Brass is heavy and swings well and is strong enough for balisongs

TJ
 
Brass is a good handle material,since it is not only strong,it is also flexible enough to take the stress a lot better.But,some makers don't use the brass as much for handles.The only real problems with brass is that it scratches easily and it's heavy.
I wish more makers would start using brass a lot,since it is cheaper than titanium,it holds up well and does look good if taken care of.Overall,it'd make for some good knives again that are good quality at good prices.


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*The* Lunatic Puppy
It wasn't me...It was my *good* twin..
My "inner puppy" made me do it..
 
Yeah, but the cups(where the tang pin engages the handles when open) dent real easily on brass. That's why steel and Ti makes for a better handle material. Ti being more resiliant than steel.

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Steve
(Third Mate for hire!)
 
I have a brass handled bali and it is lovely .. However, it is true the cup wear is worse than other material. Maybe a brass handled bali with special tempered SS pad on the tang cup? And the inside where the kick 'kicks' .. to reduce wearing ..
 
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