Improvements on the BM42?

MicroFanatic

MicroFanatic

Joined
Feb 13, 2000
Messages
287
I just received the BM42A and have played with it for awhile now and figured I would post some personal improvements in which I think would totally enhance this knife.

1) Since the blade is relatively thin I would go ahead and make the false edge a sharpened one for the utlimate bali fighter.
2) Bevel, bevel, bevel. I would bevel all of the exterior edges of the handle as well as the interior part of the handle. Also, beveling the latch would be a nice touch. This would make for a much more comfortable grip when held tightly and when manipulated.
3) The base of the back of the blade (below the false edge) needs to be beveled as well. This would allow for many hours of playing without tearing away the skin on the index finger. I know, if you're a true pro this part of the blade should not make contact with your index finger anyway....yeah right.
4) Traction grooves around the handle (when blade is locked in open postion) to allow a more positive grip.
5) Thumb grooves applied around a more ergonomic guard would increase the grip for penetration purposes.
6) For purely cosmetic reasons, I would like to see the small holes in the handle countersunk like the larger ones. Also, I prefer the orginal style countersunk holes (the ones that look oval in shape) to these perfectly round ones.

These would be the improvements I would make on this knife without changing the blade or handle material. What do you all think? Any other suggestions? Fire away.
 
Those are all good suggestions.

If you don't feel up to it yourself, I'm sure that bladeforums member Frank Recupero would be happy to do all of that for you. His website is on my links page.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
I too would like to have my false edge sharpened and always wanted a balisong with thumb grooves since I love saber grip.

HOWEVER, a beveled spine is SHEER GENIUS! I look at this nasty callous ion my index finger joint and laugh at my self for not seeing it earliuer >_<

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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]


 
If you tried beveling it yourself, with a file let's say, how would you get the satin finish on the blade back? Sanding then crocus cloth?

Nate
 
You could use a dremel with a stone attachement, or a stone file, then finish with 320 - 400 grit wet or dry.

Grooves would be easy with a small hobby file. Ti is soft. Just go easy. Whatever you do cannot be undone. Thumb grooves would not enhance a saber grip very much on a straight handle like the 42 has. Even if they were extreme enough to provide a lot of friction, all it would do is tear up your thumb as it slipped over them.
 
Whats a dremel? I have a die grinder. Same thing? The die grinder spins EXTREMELY fast though... I'd probably kill myself if I tried using it on something so small.
 
You've got to be extra careful machining titanium!!!!!!!! The sparks it can throw are as hot as the surface of the sun-4500`- 6000`!!!!!!It can ignite and, like magnesium, it creates it's own oxygen as it burns so you cannot extinguish it! Most work is done by 'bumping it' a little at a time or going slowly; files are the way to go if you haven't worked with it before......NOTE: Sorry about the mistake on my part but the bottom line is if you're going to use power equipment on this substance you must be careful!!!!!!! Thanks for the correction on my chemistry error, Dudley

[This message has been edited by Dawkind (edited 08-03-2000).]
 
Dawkind,

Your chemistry's off here. Neither Magnesium nor Titanium. "Create their own oxygen" They are metals in their elemental state, containing no oxygen. That is to say, if you placed magnesium un nitrogen (no oxygen) and heated it up it would not burn. You can extinguish magnesium, just not very easily with water. Titanium MAY be be flammable though, but I would bet on it.


- -
 
I reprofiled a Jag, both handle and blade. I rounded the whole spine of the blade, and must admit, it makes those fast flips and rhicochetes (sp? I dunno) much less painful. I definatly agree with the counter sinking, and may have to try it myself. E
 
Ti burns much like Mg. It's difficult to ignite (which is why it get's used in jet and rocket engines), but once it gets going, it burns very hot and is difficult to put out.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Here are the modifications (that I shamelessly stole from MicroFanatic
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) I will possibly make to my BM42-S (if it ever comes
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):

* Sharpen the swedge
* Round off/bevel the back of the blade below the swedge
* Possibly bevel the handle/latch (if I think they need it...?)
* Possibly countersink the small holes if I can find a way

Will any of these mods forfiet the BM warrantee? My creation of my franken-bali is going very well, I'd almost rather mod a bali than swing it!
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Once I actually get my 42 I may rethink some of these, we'll see. Or will we?
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could you find a way to countersink a Jag handle(the oval handles)???

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QuickSilver--"you just gotta be quick....."
 
Bevel the inside of each oval with a dremel-like hand held. Not really counter sunk, but the same idea.
 
The thumb grooves on the guard would have to be low profile as to not tear up the thumb. But, a more ergonomic guard (more akin to a thumb ramp - however keeping the guard appearance as close as possible) is what I'd really like. Now if only BM would put out so many 42's with the screws ground down (like the old custom ones) for that great clean finish.
 
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