Is the balisong the answer for a tough knife?

[Lycosa]

Ben makes a great balisong. Alas, I sold me.
I'd say $200. and up.
rolf

 

[wazu013]

Cardoso knows his Balis.

 

[PURPLEDC]

You're correct, there is no lock fail.

However, all balisongs have a decent amount of play along with OTFs, so that might hinder their performance. In addition, handles on most models don't provide a very substantial grip. I think your best bet is a lock-back or button lock as the toughest mechanism.

Where are you getting this information? I have owned several balisongs that have not a single hint of play in any direction. Well made and designed balis will not have play. In fact a good example is the benchmade 53. If you get play in that knife then your probably missing the pivot screws.

 

[Taroh JPN]

Thank you Lycosa
I'll try to get in contact with him.

 

[Liljimmy51]

All balisongs have at least a slight play in the handles, this helps the motion of the knife. But high quality bali's, like benchmade and microtech, have NO play in lock-up. These companies actually build these knives for use. A balisong is a very strong mechanism. You would have to break the handles, pivots or pins to fail. Some other mechanisms can fail just by dirt being in them. Many people consider the balisong to be like a fixed blade in the open position, but you must rememeber HIGH QUALITY, and high quality is not cheap.

Also make sure to check your local laws about balisongs, due to Hollywood using the knife in every gang movie it had motivated them to be illegal in many places. Yes, a high quality balisong is tough, but expensive also. If you manage to break one of the quality ones, you need to only carry fixed blades... Nothing else will work for you

 

[Charlie Mike]

This is the answer!

[video=youtube;aaHggq5DMgA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaHggq5DMgA[/video]