Kershaw. Please make a KVT balisong.

[PURPLEDC]

Now that kershaw has some experience in the balisong market and with balisongs becoming more mainstream these days I think it would be amazing for kershaw to offer two new balisong designs. One to kill the Flipping competition and the other to kill the EDC competition. And with the success of the KVT system in the 0560/1 and Tilt a balisong would really make a great platform in which to really show off how smooth KVT can be. Please guys, if there is any company that can make a balisong that would kill in every category its kershaw.

 

[Apec]

Now that kershaw has some experience in the balisong market and with balisongs becoming more mainstream these days I think it would be amazing for kershaw to offer two new balisong designs. One to kill the Flipping competition and the other to kill the EDC competition. And with the success of the KVT system in the 0560/1 and Tilt a balisong would really make a great platform in which to really show off how smooth KVT can be. Please guys, if there is any company that can make a balisong that would kill in every category its kershaw.

Yep. I'm pretty sure Kershaw could win over Benchmade. All they had to show after discontinuing the 42 was an ugly piece that did no justice to Marlowe's design and an overpriced SS handled 62.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Yep. I'm pretty sure Kershaw could win over Benchmade. All they had to show after discontinuing the 42 was an ugly piece that did no justice to Marlowe's design and an overpriced SS handled 62.

to benchmades defense marlowe had some say in that design and its based off of his mongoose model that aside from materials is identical in size and shape. Personally I love it as a little EDC balisong. And the bearing system is pretty nice on it. But I think kershaw could destroy it if they wanted to.

 

[Chris_Himself]

Yep. I'm pretty sure Kershaw could win over Benchmade. All they had to show after discontinuing the 42 was an ugly piece that did no justice to Marlowe's design and an overpriced SS handled 62.

The 62 is a better knife than the 42, especially considering it's $50 less. Titanium does not cost that much more than 303 or any of the other aircraft grade steels. The 42 handles were case, then milled into shape leaving toolmarks and uneven holes. The 62 feels like it was built with more precision.

If Kershaw made a balisong, it wouldn't hit market until at least 8 months later than it was announced. The 62 came out only after 4.

Of course it'd be fantastic, but saying Kershaw is better than Benchmade is just shooting yourself in the foot two times.

By the way, I own one.

 

[Tsujigiri]

If Kershaw made a balisong, it wouldn't hit market until at least 8 months later than it was announced. The 62 came out only after 4.

How is that an accomplishment? They can decide to announce it whenever they want. Someone could choose not to reveal details and just unveil their product right before they had them ready to ship. And Kershaw is going to reveal details later after the Microtech fiasco, so I guess they'll be just as good as Benchmade now.

I'm not convinced about the 62... A lot of people liked the 42 because it was titanium, channeled, and had a spring latch. They got rid of all that with the 62 and just made something more like the Kimura, except way more expensive. Funny thing is, people were saying that SS is too heavy for a balisong when the Kimura came out, but now that the 62 is out people are saying that heavier balisongs flip better. Titanium is pretty special for a framelock vs a steel framelock, but now that the 62 it's almost no better than steel? Could it be that it has more to do with the brand and how well they can influence demand than the product?

In any case, I'd like to see more Kershaw balisongs. They've proven that they can do balisongs and they've proven that they can do high end knives; an upgrade to the Kimura (and I don't mean another version of the Kimura, I mean a completely different knife) seems very possible.

 

[Chris_Himself]

How is that an accomplishment? They can decide to announce it whenever they want. Someone could choose not to reveal details and just unveil their product right before they had them ready to ship. And Kershaw is going to reveal details later after the Microtech fiasco, so I guess they'll be just as good as Benchmade now.

I'm not convinced about the 62... A lot of people liked the 42 because it was titanium, channeled, and had a spring latch. They got rid of all that with the 62 and just made something more like the Kimura, except way more expensive. Funny thing is, people were saying that SS is too heavy for a balisong when the Kimura came out, but now that the 62 is out people are saying that heavier balisongs flip better. Titanium is pretty special for a framelock vs a steel framelock, but now that the 62 it's almost no better than steel? Could it be that it has more to do with the brand and how well they can influence demand than the product?

In any case, I'd like to see more Kershaw balisongs. They've proven that they can do balisongs and they've proven that they can do high end knives; an upgrade to the Kimura (and I don't mean another version of the Kimura, I mean a completely different knife) seems very possible.

Tsugiri, all your points are completely valid. I am not anti-Kershaw at all, I'm being purely factual. The fact that BM can release a prototype and produce the production runs at such a fast pace is an achievement by all means. The MT fiasco sucks, thats for sure, but Microtech customers are Microtech customers, and Kershaw customers are Kershaw customers and the loyal ones will stay Kershaw customers for sure after that situation. I actually like the MT Matrix very much, but I will never buy one out of respect for KAI.

Regarding your comments on the 62 and 42.. the original Bali-Song Inc. balisongs were SS and that demographic actually weren't too fond of the Ti model when it came out either... it's just hard to produce a knife with the same level of quality for the same money as time goes on. Yes the 62 design is a cost-cutting initiative, but the 42 was one over the factory handmade ones back in the day as well. Benchmade is continuously evolving it's lineup and they are not as customer driven of a company as KAI is. That isn't to say that I'm entirely 100% on only SS balisongs, but theres more to them out there than just flipping, you gotta balance it out with cost effectiveness for the company, good pricing, and of course, it needs to hold up well over the years too. Maybe the 62 will be more structurally sound against daily usage than the 42? Who knows.

If you search my past posts, I've asked for a ZT balisong a few times in the past and I'm very much in-tune with the OP's wish as well, but when someone blindly goes out and attacks a company that STILL produces them with a long legacy of making them, I take the tiniest smidgeon of offense to that.

In my opinion based on the past months, KAI has a lot on their hands lately and they've pretty much agreed with me by not releasing new product this year and working on actual production instead of prototyping. They are the most capable people to run their business and the best we as knife enthusiasts can do is wait and give feedback. Thomas and crew have proven that no matter how much crap we sling at them for whatever business decision they make that we don't agree with, they'll always come out on top and still continue to provide customer service that doesn't get watered down with the increasing amount of customers they gain each day.

 

[Tsujigiri]

Tsugiri, all your points are completely valid. I am not anti-Kershaw at all, I'm being purely factual. The fact that BM can release a prototype and produce the production runs at such a fast pace is an achievement by all means. The MT fiasco sucks, thats for sure, but Microtech customers are Microtech customers, and Kershaw customers are Kershaw customers and the loyal ones will stay Kershaw customers for sure after that situation. I actually like the MT Matrix very much, but I will never buy one out of respect for KAI.

Regarding your comments on the 62 and 42.. the original Bali-Song Inc. balisongs were SS and that demographic actually weren't too fond of the Ti model when it came out either... it's just hard to produce a knife with the same level of quality for the same money as time goes on. Yes the 62 design is a cost-cutting initiative, but the 42 was one over the factory handmade ones back in the day as well. Benchmade is continuously evolving it's lineup and they are not as customer driven of a company as KAI is. That isn't to say that I'm entirely 100% on only SS balisongs, but theres more to them out there than just flipping, you gotta balance it out with cost effectiveness for the company, good pricing, and of course, it needs to hold up well over the years too. Maybe the 62 will be more structurally sound against daily usage than the 42? Who knows.

If you search my past posts, I've asked for a ZT balisong a few times in the past and I'm very much in-tune with the OP's wish as well, but when someone blindly goes out and attacks a company that STILL produces them with a long legacy of making them, I take the tiniest smidgeon of offense to that.

In my opinion based on the past months, KAI has a lot on their hands lately and they've pretty much agreed with me by not releasing new product this year and working on actual production instead of prototyping. They are the most capable people to run their business and the best we as knife enthusiasts can do is wait and give feedback. Thomas and crew have proven that no matter how much crap we sling at them for whatever business decision they make that we don't agree with, they'll always come out on top and still continue to provide customer service that doesn't get watered down with the increasing amount of customers they gain each day.

Yes, I agree with you that Benchmade is the king of production balisongs. It just seems like a bad move to take out the features that most distinguished their most popular model, and then sell it for such a high price. I mean, they've got a patent on the spring latch, why not use it? If the 62 is an indicator of the kind of knife they're moving towards now, that's something that any other company could make. If Kershaw got into higher end balisongs, I think it would be serious cause for worry for Benchmade if they want to keep selling the 62.

 

[Chris_Himself]

Ahh I see, your angle was to up the ante.. because we both know Benchmade is capable of better. Well Kershaw has the technology and their own patents on some mindblowing technology..

If they made a KVT powered balisong it might be too fast though! It'd also probably be like $400, but hey I'd pay it in a heartbeat if the quality was there.

 

[PURPLEDC]

I just think a ZT version of the hinderer Firewhirl with KVT would be unbeatable. COME ON KERSHAW!!!!

 

[Scurvy092]

Tsugiri, all your points are completely valid. I am not anti-Kershaw at all, I'm being purely factual. The fact that BM can release a prototype and produce the production runs at such a fast pace is an achievement by all means.

No it's not, it is just a scheduling accomplishment. When Springfield debuts new models or versions of the XD pistol, they are available in stores within the next week. It's not super human feat of engineering, they just don't debut anything new or show prototypes until they are literally loading them on the truck.

 

[jayinhk]

I for one would love a ZT or Kershaw bali! I like my ZT 200 better than any of the Benchmade folders I've ever owned.

 

[Halfneck]

I'll vote for a balisong with speed assist. Just give it a slight nudge & it flips itself!

 

[PURPLEDC]

How is that an accomplishment? They can decide to announce it whenever they want. Someone could choose not to reveal details and just unveil their product right before they had them ready to ship. And Kershaw is going to reveal details later after the Microtech fiasco, so I guess they'll be just as good as Benchmade now.

I'm not convinced about the 62... A lot of people liked the 42 because it was titanium, channeled, and had a spring latch. They got rid of all that with the 62 and just made something more like the Kimura, except way more expensive. Funny thing is, people were saying that SS is too heavy for a balisong when the Kimura came out, but now that the 62 is out people are saying that heavier balisongs flip better. Titanium is pretty special for a framelock vs a steel framelock, but now that the 62 it's almost no better than steel? Could it be that it has more to do with the brand and how well they can influence demand than the product?

In any case, I'd like to see more Kershaw balisongs. They've proven that they can do balisongs and they've proven that they can do high end knives; an upgrade to the Kimura (and I don't mean another version of the Kimura, I mean a completely different knife) seems very possible.

I dont think it has anything to do with brand influence or the fact that some will follow a companies products blindly. I think the real issue is the two major groups that balisong enthusiasts fall in. The young and the old. The older crowd like myself tend to like the steel knives because they grew up on them. Its what we cut our teeth on and many were upset when BM switched to Ti because it is very light and even though its strong for its weight its still not as strong as some varieties of steel. The younger crowd was introduced to balisongs with the 42. And just like the older crowd its what they know and have experience with.

If you follow many of the threads on the 62 those who prefer the steel knives are not the flippers for the most part. And if they are they are from the older generation. It really just comes down to which camp is doing the talking. But if you look closely the younger flippers seem to not want anything to do with the 62.

I think its a shame. I love those older knives. And I love the fact that BM has gone to old school materials in a new school design. I also like the T latch over a spring latch. I however dont feel its fair to compare the 62 to a kimura. First off with the 62 your getting a premium steel, Zen pins and a satin finish. The kimura has a less expensive bead blast finish, and sandvik blade. And as far as people saying that the 62 will flip no better than a kimura are only looking at the weight and materials. They are not thinking about how that weight is distributed. If you look at the 62 it actually has larger spacers than a kimura and the handles are tapered much more to push that extra weight to the back of the handles.

But I will agree that kershaw makes an amazing product and I would love to see what they could do with a balisong when they have full control over its design.

 

[PURPLEDC]

No it's not, it is just a scheduling accomplishment. When Springfield debuts new models or versions of the XD pistol, they are available in stores within the next week. It's not super human feat of engineering, they just don't debut anything new or show prototypes until they are literally loading them on the truck.

Yep but there is more than one way to skin a cat. And actually kershaw is pretty smart with how they operate. Trade shows arent just to sell product but to gauge and generate interest in a product. Lets say kershaw did what you stated and had product ready to roll at the time of the trade show. They would have almost no data to gauge interest and wouldnt know how much of a product to make if at all. By them making prototypes of knives and showing them at shot and blade they will know by dealer response a rough gauge of if its gonna be a success. Knives are risky projects. Things like the 0560 which are closely based on designs that are proven in the market tend to be a sure thing. But the more obscure knives like the echelon you never know if its gonna take off or tank. The trade shows help the company gain the feedback they need. Bottom line is you dont want to crank out 3000 units of something if everyone who looks at it cringes. But on the flip side of that I dont think its wise to show a knife at a show and not release it before the same show next year. Some people get tired of waiting. But I dont own a company so I know nothing of the trials and tribulations of set backs and design changes. And I can appreciate a companies desires to get it right before releasing it. To many companies are quick to push an unproven product out the door and use its target audience as the guinea pigs.

 

[Ryanol]

I can't get over the fact that in a post apple marketing world so many knifemakers don't come with the heat right at unveiling. I know the wait on the 62 caused me to cancel my pre-order.

Btw I don't believe kershaw has ever "released" a balisong- couple that with some remarks about shying away from automatics/non traditional styles and the crazy market for frame lock thumbers...I just don't see it.

 

[Misanthropia]

Benchmade/Kershaw arguments aside, don't "flippers" dislike when Balisongs are too smooth? I was under the impression they liked a little bit of friction because it gave more feedback and felt more controllable. I thought one of the arguments against the 53 (besides the unweighted handles) is that it was too smooth for flipping. However, I fully support an EDC balisong from Kershaw, but I think the market is limited. They're still illegal in far too many places.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Benchmade/Kershaw arguments aside, don't "flippers" dislike when Balisongs are too smooth? I was under the impression they liked a little bit of friction because it gave more feedback and felt more controllable. I thought one of the arguments against the 53 (besides the unweighted handles) is that it was too smooth for flipping. However, I fully support an EDC balisong from Kershaw, but I think the market is limited. They're still illegal in far too many places.

It really depends on the flipper. I dont think smooth is the word the but fast would be better. Smoothness is great. But speed can trip some guys up. It all depends on the person. The trend I tend to see is that people who cut their teeth on something are not very open to trying something new. But guys just getting into the market are willing to check out the supposed "latest and greatest". Plus collectors love gadget factor. And if you look at custom balisongs bearing or bushing pivots have almost become standard fair and people always ask "does it have IKBS?". Plus many guys who crap on bearing pivots have little to no experience with them. You can crank on the pivots of a 53 and slow it down if you want. Its not like a pivot system where you cant over tighten it. I think the 53 gets a bad rap for no real reason. Flippers hate it and rip on it all the time. But they forget that it wasnt designed for them. It was designed for the balisong enthusiast who wanted a light weight, legal length EDC that had some designer weight to it. They rip on it but easily forget that it was a marlowe design. The 53 flips just as bad as the marlowe mongoose. But you wont catch any of them bad mouthing marlowes work.

 

[BladeChick777]

I Want A Kershaw Balisong.
For Sure.

 

[DrOpPoInT1110]

Man, I would be all over a kershaw/ZT bali especially if they incorporated the KVT system. Make it carbon fiber/ti handles with a spring latch and a premium blade steel and I'd buy multiples!

 

[toker]

No it's not, it is just a scheduling accomplishment. When Springfield debuts new models or versions of the XD pistol, they are available in stores within the next week. It's not super human feat of engineering, they just don't debut anything new or show prototypes until they are literally loading them on the truck.

- That may be true of previous XD models, but the XDs is still not available after debuting at SHOT 2012.