Is a collection incomplete without a switchblade/balisong?

displacedtexan said:
Ignorance is dismissing classes of things because you personally don't want them. You're the one calling them trash and gimmicky crap, not me.
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That is again, poor logic. I gaurantee that you hold opinions on subjects, that others would claim as ignorant, and I bet you couldn't care less.

I am dismissing two classes of knives because I have personally examined many different examples of each, and found them gimmicky crap. So, nothing you have said (or could say) is going to change my mind, or my opinion. If you like 'em, more power to you. I don't, and sorry, but that doesn't make me ignorant or biased. I came to a conclusion based on my personal experiences. You don't like it, suck it up and move on.

Anyway, let's drop it before a mod comes in and drops us.
 
I felt like I needed first hand experience with all types of knives so I got a balisong and an auto before they were legal in Texas.
 
Quiet, I'm not trying to anything but what about the old auto pen and jacks?

Here a CAMILLUS or Schrade paratrooper knife, it had a function, it wasn't gimmicky and probably saved the lives of hundreds if not thousands of Airborne Infantry during WW2.

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Or one of these, again not gimmicky, made with a purpose in mind and it wasn't for a hoodlums or miscreants.

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Just because it doesn't speak to you doesn't mean it's useless and gimmicky, there are first responders and LEOs who carry autos and use them to save lives.

JMHO & 2¢ worth.
 
Balisongs gimmicky ? Give me a break , ya maybe dollar store/ swap meet items but same goes for all. If you don't like them DON'T buy them. Balisongs have stood the test of time and will be here long after our years .
 
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If you collect case swayback jacks, you don't need autos and balis in your collection. However if you call your self a KNIFEKNUT, then you must have one of each. You cannot appreciate the world of knives without experiencing an auto and a bali. There are BS autos and balisongs, but there are others that are serious tools.

I got rid of my BM42 but kept my BM31. It's a nice small useable size, strong as a tank and light weight. I bought the BM42 because its a classic, but it was a little to big for ready carry, not the BM31. Traded the BM42 for a classic Hubertus switch blade with stag scales...yes it was not equal in value to my BM42, but the stag was sweet and I am 1/2 German and that switch is a 100+ year classic design. I also have a BM Stryker auto, another classic, plus an OTF classic POS from the 1980s.

Guess what, history has caught up with me, they are now legal to carry in both states I live near.

If you think autos and balis are POS toys and not serious tools...you don't know Jack...Daniels :)
 
I like the idea of having as many styles of locks/mechanisms in my collection as possible. My first "good" knife was a benchmade balisong and if I were forced to choose between including a balisong or an otf in my collection I would go for a balisong all day long. OTF's feel a bit like a novelty to me. But if you want an otf just to flesh out your collection get one of the $30 lightning otf knives and spend more for a nicer balisong.
 
CapitalizedLiving said:
This thread made me think about autos, I went looking for some info on the Black Knife and found this:

http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php/49478-History-of-the-quot-Black-Knife-quot

Interesting stuff, although I have no idea how true any of it is.
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That was a great link, I used to work with Charlie's cousin in PA we talked about him a lot and his cousin used to have a few examples which was the first time I'd ever seen one or held one, I was quite impressed and although I didn't get one I did get a BM AFO and Mini Reflex because of the black knife, I really appreciate the link with the history as I do see these knock offs at the shows and now I can out the fakes using my newly gained knowledge. :)
 
KyleMS11 said:
The way i see it if theres a knife out there that you want that you dont have its incomplete. Theres always a knife out there you will want
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Although I've been more guilty than most, right now I'm quite content. :)
 
I started out with a heavy interest in Autos aka Switchblades. I had only seen the cheap chinese stuff prior to finding Bladeforums, long ago. I soon discovered Benchmade, Microtech and Protech, and had a small collection. I'm now down to 3 Protechs (God Father, Runt and Stinger), and 2 Microtechs (Scarab and LCC). Gimmicky? Heck, yeah! Trash, Heck no. Same with the one Balisong I own: Microtech Tachyon II. They really are just for fun, as they don't work "better" than any other knife I own. They do have some advantages, but that's not always enough to outweigh issues of practicality or even legality.

Buy what you like. Like what you buy. All else is irrelevant. No collection is complete while you are still living. :D
 
Not really.

I don't own either, for the simple reason of pesky laws. If I was legally allowed to carry a switch blade and balisong, I would have both.

The auto would be a Scharade GEC made out the side traditional.
 
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I wanted to add that it really depends why you collect knives. For me I collect to use but if that were the only reason I would only have 4-5 knives because that would cover all my needs. The other side of my appreciation / obsession of knives is the craftsmanship involved in making a tight tolerance, ergonomic, well functioning tool. A large part of my collecting has been trying out different styles of locks as well as different styles of fixed blades with different uses. This means for me my collection needs one example of each to be complete. On the flip side if your very nieve and believe all the things you see in movies, by all means stay away from balis and autos. They are evil and will hurt you!!!!
 
FDE, very true, the first thing you gotta ask yourself is, "Why do I collect knives?" If you can answer that, then you got the answer the op.
 
I was in a pawn shop today and noticed I was lacking in the traditional dept so I came home with this little thing...

 
Nice peanut Matt, I'm still waiting for the first traditional folder you make, maybe a nice friction folder with that antler you got, I can see it now the first waved friction folder and next the first waved traditional... :)
 
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