I'm making a bali, latch or no latch?

Chuck Gedraitis Knives

Chuck Gedraitis Knives

Joined
Dec 10, 1998
Messages
4,860
I am in the process of making a custom
bali-song, with integral bolsters. I milled out all of the handles last week, and am still deciding on insert material. I would like to know if I should add a latch or not. Opinions are appreciated, and maybe a few pros and cons.
Thanks,
Chuck

------------------
A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth
 
I think balisongs with a latch are better for flipping because it tells you where the blade edge is ,without the latch you get cut more but you never get the latch caught

TJ
 
Latch, for several reasons,

1. Slip that into your pocket and you'll know it right away...
smile.gif


2. Locked in the open position the blade is stronger and less likely to be moving around when you go to cut with it...

3. Safe handle is easier to identify..(as noted in previous post)

4. Latch openings, well you need one to do one...
wink.gif
and these are some of the fastest openings and my favourites...

I'd take a tip from the new BM42's and insert a small drill rod across the end to stop the latch from going down too far and marring the tip or edge of the blade, just drill a hole through one side of the handle and part way into the other side and press fit a very small drill rod material into place...just a thought.

G2



------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...
 
Definetly add a latch. my reasons have already been listed.

------------------
I have a sword in my pocket!
 
Latch...if you don't want it, you won't use it that much, but at least it will still be on the handles if you decide to use it/find an application for it. I prefer them myself.

------------------
Steve
(Third Mate for hire!)
 
The latch is one of the most difficult parts of a balisong. Compared to milling out the handle or grinding the blade, that may not seem so, but it is. The trick is the dimensions. A great balisong locks up tight, but not to tight. To unlock, you should have to squeeze, but not to much. It's that not to much part that's hard. You've got to come right to the edge without going over. If it's your first attempt, you might want to go latchless just to check everything else and then put a latch on number two.


------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
... Either that, or make it so it's made to be really tight, so you can grind back some of the contacting surfaces of the latch to "adjust" it (just make sure the tab is nice and long to give you room to make your adjustments... and then grind it back later)
 
Gollnick's basically said it all! The one's I've made so far don't have any latch as getting the balance, geometry, lock-up at the tang pin, and adjusting the blade kick were enough for me at this time! I fully agree that the latch is a whole new animal to work into the equation...........I might get around to one on the fouth or fifth knife......
smile.gif
 
I prefer a latch for reasons cited already. I have made two balis and both have latches. I might suggest that if you decide to tackle a latch, what I did was to use the drill bit used to drill the holes in the handles as a pin so that you can disassemble to adjust. I also left lots of material on the top of the latch and filed away what I needed to get a good fit. Then I finished shaping the latch head and pinned it to the handle. Good Luck!
 
I plan on making the bali with adjustable pivots,and will incorporate a latch, thanks for everybody's ideas. I cut out and fit cocobolo inserts yesterday. they will be attached with screws like scales on a knife. I will post pictures when I'm finished.
Chuck

------------------
A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth
 
Chuck, sounds like it'll be a beauty. I agree with what was said about adding a latch. And although there are some disadvantages, it's nice to have at least one latchless around. I have one sans-latch that is a whole lotta fun to flip around. It's quieter and there's no accidental latch ups or getting it slammed in the handles. And to tell the bite handle from the safe one, just file some grooves in one and remember which one it is. You'll get used it very quickly. Well, no matter what you come up with, I can't wait to see the pics.

------------------
~Dave

"One in the hand is worth two in the sheath"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top