Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
Yes, the prototype is here!
The balisong design is deceptively easy-looking -- a blade, two handles, a couple of pins -- you don't even need a spring or anything. But, remember, I said deceptive. The difficult parts of making balisong are:
1) the relationships between the kick, the blade shape,
2) the relationships between the handle channels, and between the tang pin, pockets, and latch.
3) The pivot pins.
A properly-designed and well-made balisong should lock shut securly. Inside, the blade should hang suspended between the two handles. The blade should not move or rattle around and the edge must not touch the inside of the handles. The two handles themselves should not touch. The latch should be secure, but not so tight that it's impossible to open.
The handles should then pivot on their pins smoothly without wobble or play.
Finally, when open, the two handles should latch together securly leaving the blade absolutely rigid between them. Again, the handles of an open balisong should not touch (the handle of a well-made balisong never touch each other). Again, the latch should be secure, but no so tight that you need a vice to latch or unlatch it.
In these respects, Mr. Ralph has succeeded triumphantly. The joints are a little tight right now, but I'm sure that a slight tweak of the screws and maybe a few drops of Militec-1 will loosen it up perfectly. I'd rather have a balisong come out of the box a bit tight since I can always loosen it up rather than come out to loose which is irrepairable.
I'll post some more comments and a few pictures soon.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
The balisong design is deceptively easy-looking -- a blade, two handles, a couple of pins -- you don't even need a spring or anything. But, remember, I said deceptive. The difficult parts of making balisong are:
1) the relationships between the kick, the blade shape,
2) the relationships between the handle channels, and between the tang pin, pockets, and latch.
3) The pivot pins.
A properly-designed and well-made balisong should lock shut securly. Inside, the blade should hang suspended between the two handles. The blade should not move or rattle around and the edge must not touch the inside of the handles. The two handles themselves should not touch. The latch should be secure, but not so tight that it's impossible to open.
The handles should then pivot on their pins smoothly without wobble or play.
Finally, when open, the two handles should latch together securly leaving the blade absolutely rigid between them. Again, the handles of an open balisong should not touch (the handle of a well-made balisong never touch each other). Again, the latch should be secure, but no so tight that you need a vice to latch or unlatch it.
In these respects, Mr. Ralph has succeeded triumphantly. The joints are a little tight right now, but I'm sure that a slight tweak of the screws and maybe a few drops of Militec-1 will loosen it up perfectly. I'd rather have a balisong come out of the box a bit tight since I can always loosen it up rather than come out to loose which is irrepairable.
I'll post some more comments and a few pictures soon.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
