latching and pivotting

[nybble]

I was wondering how you all deal with pivotting. That is, waving the open bali around holding it with just your index or middle finger and thumb. I tend not to latch my bali while I'm manipulating it and so I was practicing the pivots with the bali unlatched. This has proved difficult (as the handles will open unless I am quite careful) and I am wondering if it is even possible to do with speed and confidence.

Otherwise, do you latch your bali open? The pivot is often useful to transition from forward to backhand grip, how do you latch in the forward grip?

Thanks for your thoughts on this!

 

[Clay]

I do a lot of latch/un-latch practice......... especially when doing my pivot drills.

Forward grip latching/un-latching is usually handled by just a sweep of the Pinky.

For the Backhand grip I go with the Index finger, or the Thumb (usually open with one, close with the other).

When doing the pivot drills I always latch the Bali open as the whole purpose is working toward the quick transition between forward/backhand grips. My fingers normally position in the ridge between the handles.

 

[nybble]

Thanks for the tip Clay, I'll wait for my tachyon to come in before playing around with that. At this point, I think the edges on my bali's latch are sharper than the blade. Hope my pinky develops the strength for it.