I give you, the Model 42 Latchless!

Samurai6

Samurai6

Joined
Oct 16, 1998
Messages
2,395
I could'a mowed the lawn this weekend, but instead I did something more worthwhile:

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My thanks to the forum member who gave me the inspiration, though I don't remember who it was.

I put some light thumb grooves in the safe handle for indexing without the latch.

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Here is a comparison with the model 45 so you can get an idea of how far the handle length was reduced.

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Overall, a very worthwhile customization effort. I like it. Fits in the pouch now too.

[This message has been edited by Steve Harvey (edited 08-21-2000).]
 
Great work!!!
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You really did a nice job of customizing and I'm sure the modifications work well.
smile.gif
They say the most sincere form of flattery is to copy someone else's work and I'm sure there's goin' to be some copyin' goin' on!
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Phat!

I'll definitely get that done to one of the one's hopefully coming my way!
Veeerrrrryyyyy pleasing to my eye
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Man, if this forum wouldn't have been, then we'd be out there all alone and tinkering, now we just can share our ideas.

I LOVE this place
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Be well!/Jonas aka 2Sharp

"May all your detonations be expected"

The coolest bar in the world: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/8373/index.html
My knives!
 
Oooo!!

Are the handles the same length? Are they perfectly flat on the bottom? What did you use to do this? Email me! natedone@hotmail.com
 
Yup, the handles are exactly the same length, and flat on the end. The end of the free handle is concave under the latch pivot, but there is enough stock there to file it flat and still have a nice thick cap on the end. Then I just cut the safe handle off the same length. The inside length of the blade channel is the same on both sides. It worked out great.

I used a new bimetal hacksaw blade to cut the latch gates off with, then used a mill bastard and fine cut files to finish the ends. I finished the ends with 240, 320, then 400 grit wet dry paper.

There were some small casting inclusions in the ends, but luckily they came almost completely out before I was done.

I used a 1/8" round file to cut the thumb grooves.

I think a latchless bali is much cleaner and quieter to manipulate. The handle is still of perfectly adequate length when open. The handle to blade ratio is greatly improved as far as esthetics go.

I would say that the only drawback is the fact that this makes the handles even lighter. It is a little harder to feel where the handle is all the time because it gives you so little clue from the weight.

Cast Ti is tough stuff. You need new hacksaw blades and sharp files.

Thanks for all the compliments! I won't be doing this for anybody else. I am not a pro, and the risks of screwing up somebody else's knife are too high. Besides, it took me two hours and I would have to charge what my Saturdays are worth, making the price of a 42L around a thousand dollars.
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[This message has been edited by Steve Harvey (edited 08-21-2000).]
 
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Wow, that looks really good. That seriously looks like a professional customization.

Thanks for sharing
 
Thanks Steve,

"ain't machine shops coool"?

I'm a big fan of the Latchless, gonna have to play with that some day.
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Catch you on the flip side!

Sabo 29
 
I knew it would work. That's a great looking job and done with fairly simple, available tools.

Proof of concept.

Nice.



------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
It looks awesome! You did a very nice job! I will have to look into this for one of mine.

I also like the idea of the ridges on the safe handle. This will make it easier to identify which handle is which without the latch and add some grip.

Once again, congrats on a job well done.
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John
Webmaster of BalisongFans
home.san.rr.com/balisongfans

[This message has been edited by Payback (edited 08-22-2000).]
 
Steve,

Man of Man, that is an excellent job and the word "excellent" does not even adequately describe this. This work is simply amazing for the tools you used.
 
I told you it could be done Nate
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congratulations again - it looks sweet. I want one now..

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<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
As much as I dislike latchless Balis, I must say you did a great job on the conversion.

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Clay
www.balisongxtreme.com
Because......
getting 'em open
is half the fun!
 
Outstanding work! I like the look of this so much I may have to replace the 42 I already got rid of.....just to make a latchless out of it!

Bob

------------------
"The search is half the fun!"
 
Great Job Steve Looks nice. Gives me ideas for the custom..
This would work great in the kydex sheaths that Kevin is having made.
Any comments on the gripper grooves?

[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 08-22-2000).]
 
If gripper grooves go on both handles, make sure that you can tell by feel which side is "safe" and which side is "live".

Hi, Darrel how was the Vaycay?



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~ JerryO ~

Cogito Cogito Ergo Cogito Sum
 
Thanks for the compliments everybody!

I think the shallow thumb grooves that I put on the closed side of the safe handle are great. As you can see from the top picture, I put some deeper grooves in the open side. I am normally oppossed to such grooves because they cause more discomfort than they are worth, but in the case of a latchless balisong, which is not going to be a great utility knife, I think they are worthwhile. They offer more grip on a handle with no contours.

From a coolness point of view, one might put traction grooves on the open sides of both handles, but on the closed side of the safe handle only. This would offer lots of traction when open and you usually don't need indexing once the knife is open, and still have an index feature when the knife is closed. I recommend shallow, non-aggressive grooves for both the open and closed sides. The indexing grooves I put on the closed side are almost deep enough. I think the open side grooves are deeper than they need to be.
 
That is just FREAKING AWESOME Steve! You Da Man!

Now just wait until you see what Darrell and I are working on. You will love it!

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
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