Help me choose a bali! (benchmade)

M

MateenCleaves12

Joined
Nov 26, 2001
Messages
148
Hello forumites, I need some help

I'm looking for a knife that is

Small
Cheap
Relatively lightweight
Benchmade of course:)
Would be a good all around blade profile, hunting, box cutting, and anything inbetween.
Easy to carry

I'm torn between the BM31 and BM42. Few questions:

Can the 31 clip come off?
Is the 31 made as well as other BM knives? (It looks cheasy in pictures)
It is "too" small?

Also, what is the cheapest place to find a 42?

One more question...

Do I want titanium or SS handles? I like the lack of weight on the TI ones, but is it harder to flip?

Sorry for all the questions, I did search for this, I'm just getting some christmas money soon and want a quality knife!

Thanks!

****Edited to add****

If anyone has a 31 or 42 or any other knife that fits my description for sale PLEASE email me. Thanks!
 
Hi there and welcome to the forums.

I will try to answer your questions as best as I can.

(1) The best all around cutter would be the 42 Weehawk or the 43 Collver Bowie. IMHO

(2) The 31 clip can come off because it is handle interchangable. I'd imagine you could just leave it off without any problems.

Is it made as well? I'd certainly assume so. Although I don't believe any of us around here have handled one, they are not in production yet, to the best of my knowledge.

Is it too small? It is for me due to my large hands. I can't flip any of my 3 inch models worth a crap due to the shorter handle lengths. It might be just right you you though.

(3) The cheapest place would be right here at One Stop Knife Shop. They will match the lowest price you find, and you'll be supporting the forums as well.

(4) Ti or SS? Unless you can get your hands on an older BM or Pacific, its going to be Ti, granted you want to stick with a BM. There are other brands but I am not as familiar with them as some of the members here. I have found that the Ti handles on all of the 40 series are long enough to gain momentum and swing wonderfully. I prefer them for richochet manuvers because they don't hurt my knuckles as much.
 
Thanks, if the clip comes off I'm going for the 31.

I'm not exactly new, I had a different name and had about 100 or so posts, but i forgot that password and I used an email account that is no longer active, so I had to make a new name.

I still cant decide...31 or 42....I'm looking at 31 as of now. I just wish they came with a sheath too.

Thanks a lot! Anyone else?
 
Welcome to the Balisong Forum...just a quick comment. I didn't pick up in your post if this is your first Balisong or not?? If you've used them for some time and know the "basics".., I don't think it matters too much..., but if you've never had a Balisong piece of any kind.., I'd definitely go with the longer blade...(so 42, 43, or 47).

I do think it's cool that BM is making the shorties again.., but I also think it's much easier to get started with Balisongs with the larger models. Just a thought...good luck!!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Not my first. I've gone through many jags and had a SWAT till I gave it to my friend for his birthday.

I know the basics and more, but thanks for the suggestion:)
 
I'll disagree on that point, simply because of the configuration of the blade... the utility blade has a sharper grind angle. The utility blade will taper at what looks to be a similar rate to those on the Jaguars. The weehawk is cool, and can be made to be quite sharp, but IMHO it's a lil bit wedgy to make a really great cutter.

I, too wish that the 31 was coming with a sheath. According to local law, I have to carry balis in a sheath on my belt. UGH!!!
 
Wow...the SWAT was a nice B-Day gift Manteen! My birthday is May 23rd by the way...:cool: ...any vintage B-SC, PCC or BM Custom would be OK :p ...I'd pay the shipping cause I'm just that kinda guy!!

Hope you have fun with whatever you decide on.., come back and let us know how you like it!


"Hunteres seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
I got my friend hooked on bali's too, and he had done the same thing I did. Bought many, many Jags. We're both really good flippers(ha) but I was the one who took a venture into a quality knife first. After he said he was going to buy 4 more jags (at the same time mind you) I decided I'd save him some money and get him a knife that would last.

Knowing myself, I'm gonna be flipping the thing all day long, (well, at least when Im not in school) so Im back into looking at the full length versions instead of the 31. I really like the 31 and its compactness, but I hate the blade profile and its too small to be a good flipper. So....now I'm trying to decide on a blade profile. 47 is out, I have 5 tanto folders sitting in my drawer because they're uselss besides fighting. So...bowie or weekawk. I'm trying to tell myself that the bowie is more practical (this will be my hunting knife also, nothing like scaring the deer away by flipping up in the tree stand all day long!) and the weekhawk isnt the best blade for that purpose. However, I LOVE the look of it.

Chuck gave me a half-resource on where to find a 42 for dirt cheap. So...if I can get the rest of this guys info I'm gonna go that route. If not, I'll probably order a 43.

I'm still looking for used/new knives...I know you guys have to have at least ONE 42 or 43 laying around you can spare...:D
 
The book Balisong by Campbell, Cagaanan, and Umpad suggests that the knife extends from both sides of your fist about one inch. I find this a good rule of thumb for me.
 
The one inch rule is probably oriented towards a self defense mode (fist load in the closed position) relative to the Philippine martial arts which is a major focus of the book in question (an excellent book BTW). Chuck pointed this out to me when I was wondering about the one inch rule a while back. This size works well for A-1 who probably has medium size hands, and that's fine. I have very large hands, however, and that means a six inch handle for me. I have a Parker Gypsy in that size, and I find it awkward to flip. It's not titanium, but steel, so that might make all the difference (the SWAT perhaps?). I'm not a hunter, but I hear the Culver bowie flips well, and if it's more suited to hunting, it might be a good choice.
 
I really think you'd be happy with either the 42 or 43 Mateen.., and if you are a hunter.., you certainly have a fixed blade somewhere around anyway???? :)

As I mentioned before.., let us know what you get and how you like it. I think the 42 handles a little better than the 43 (purely subjective).., and I like the SS handles better anyway cause I'm an old guy and used to them.

I'm not sure what Chuck gave you for a purchasing reference...???

But check out...

http://www.newgraham.com

Very good prices currently..., and good luck!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hutn what they [NEED]"
 
Yes I do have a fixed blade, but it isnt my hunting knife. I've always used an older style Gerber for hunting. Works wonderfully.

However, if I'm buying a nice knife it might as well serve the purpose of many things. As we all know the bali is a strong knife when all locked up, and I plan to use it hunting. Plus it will give me some entertainment while laying in the cabin at midnight "trying" to sleep.

Chuck gave me a name of a guy who is selling 42's for like 80 bucks. However he has a name and name only. Maybe if I feel nosey I'll look this guy up. However I think I've decided on a plain handle 43 and one of master clay's IWB sheaths.

Thanks
 
Well I've now decided on a plain handle, plain edge 43 with one of Clay's IWB sheath.

I chopped my beat up jag to the length of the 31, and I just cant flip it. Maybe if I start collecting I'll grab one.

I have other expensive hobbies, the biggest being paintball. I always come back to knives though...
 
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