latch placement?

[Metis]

hey there.

i'm just getting back into bali's. with the hype on the BM42, which i'll probably HAVE to have, i got out my old favorite today. it's a decent cheepie, all stainless, only markings are 'japan' and 'surgical stainless' and has a spearpoint blade.

but get this...the latch is on the 'safe'/spine handle. now, every bali i see online has the latch on the 'bite'/blade handle.

is this an old style, just a variation, or a plain screw up?

i have to admit, i prefer it that way. i disengage the latch with my pinkie, ricochet off the handle, spin and then ricochet off the spine to the open grip. also, in reverse grip, i disengage/pinch the latch between thumb and forefinger, then just swing and catch, and the blade is facing away from me in an icepick grip.

am i just in a minority, or is this considered "wrong" by the popular bali community?

oh...i emailed Benchmade and they said if i bought a '42 i could send it in and have the handles switched for free to move the latch

be well,

rob

 

[Gollnick]

When the latch is on the handle that the sharpened edge of the blade folds into, that is called a "Batangas-style latch". When the latch is on the handle that the dull "spine" of the blade folds into, that is called a "Manila-style latch". If there is no latch, then the balisong is refered to as "latchless". If the blade is double-edged, then there is no distinction.

Nice to have you with us.

Think W!

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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com

 

[Metis]

hey, thanks for the rapid reply. guess i'll jump right in and ask:

which is the most popular, currently (or at least here in the forum), Batangas, Manila or latchless?

rob

 

[batangueno]

I'd say the batangas-style since these are the most common type.

 

[BalisongMan]

It's pretty hard to find a Manila style unless you switch the handles yourself. Of course you could take the road less traveled and just grab onto the bite handle (if it is batangas style) and flip it that way. If I ever got a second BM 42 I am going to send it back to have them switch the handles.

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Cameron

"Look deep, deep inside and you will find a place of anger, vengeance, and brutality. Go there. It is your last hope to conquer the truly wicked."

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