- Joined
- Oct 16, 1998
- Messages
- 2,395
Recieved my Benchmade model 42 from Northwest Cutlery on Wednesday. Fit and finish are excellent. It feels so good just to know that Benchmade is back producing quality, medium priced Bali-Songs.
Things I like:
The Ti handles - they don't beat up your hands when you are working fast. Even though they are light, they move well as long as you make definate movements with your wrist, which helps improve your technique really. Ti also offers a better grip when your hands get sweaty than steel does. They flex really nicely, making latch-up very positive.
When I first heard that the handles were cast Ti, I was dubious, but the square corners at the back of the blade channel seem to indicate that they are not milled.
After a couple hours of swinging and some tri-flow, the pivots are very smooth and quiet.
The finish on the blade is excellent. I really like the longer clip on the new Weehawk pattern. It is much more graceful visually than the 45.
What I don't like:
The Ti handles - they don't have enough mass to work as effective flails. You'd have to nail somebody right in the nose with it to even distract them. You could bruise the knucles of a momma's boy but you won't break any fingers or numb any nerves on a really bad guy.
The blade, though quite sexy, is on frail side. Also, you get just a hair less cutting edge than on the 45 with a hair more handle length. The blade on my custom Weehawk is a hair longer, and the handle is 3/16" shorter.
The stuff I like far outweighs the stuff I don't, and as I said, I feel a big sense of relief that it is possible to buy a great Bali-Song again. I will be looking forward to new blade profiles with great anticipation.
Now, wouldn't it be great if Benchmade would crank out a production Magnum Bali-Song with a 5" blade ground from 3/16" stock? With a semi-spearpoint blade that could legitimately be sharpened on the false edge?
Things I like:
The Ti handles - they don't beat up your hands when you are working fast. Even though they are light, they move well as long as you make definate movements with your wrist, which helps improve your technique really. Ti also offers a better grip when your hands get sweaty than steel does. They flex really nicely, making latch-up very positive.
When I first heard that the handles were cast Ti, I was dubious, but the square corners at the back of the blade channel seem to indicate that they are not milled.
After a couple hours of swinging and some tri-flow, the pivots are very smooth and quiet.
The finish on the blade is excellent. I really like the longer clip on the new Weehawk pattern. It is much more graceful visually than the 45.
What I don't like:
The Ti handles - they don't have enough mass to work as effective flails. You'd have to nail somebody right in the nose with it to even distract them. You could bruise the knucles of a momma's boy but you won't break any fingers or numb any nerves on a really bad guy.
The blade, though quite sexy, is on frail side. Also, you get just a hair less cutting edge than on the 45 with a hair more handle length. The blade on my custom Weehawk is a hair longer, and the handle is 3/16" shorter.
The stuff I like far outweighs the stuff I don't, and as I said, I feel a big sense of relief that it is possible to buy a great Bali-Song again. I will be looking forward to new blade profiles with great anticipation.
Now, wouldn't it be great if Benchmade would crank out a production Magnum Bali-Song with a 5" blade ground from 3/16" stock? With a semi-spearpoint blade that could legitimately be sharpened on the false edge?
