Monarch availability?

WrongFriend

WrongFriend

Joined
Jul 6, 1999
Messages
1,151
I've been using/playing with Tachyon for about a month now. It's satisfactory enough for lightweight, and sharp feature. My BM42 serves me as well.

As a balisong knut, I just came to think of other side, a really tough balisong disregarding other advantage. Monarch seems quite adequate, but here's my concern.
Is it possible to export it outside US? How many models do they have, and what is their price range? Is there room to order some additional custom feature like blade length, handle length, handle cross section, and/or side holes?

Thanks in advance, and I really appreciate if anybody can show how recent Monarch balisongs look like, feel like.
 
If other (online) dealers get them, you can order from one of those that sends international.

Try searching for 'Monarch' in this forum, and you should get most of the information you need. :)
 
The Monarch line is currently 5 models: Plain Edge, Serrated, and Dagger. Plus 2 smaller 3" versions in Utility and Tanto. The Dagger, and the 3" ones are still not in production but will be as soon as the existing backorders for the Monarch is filled and processed. I have not received one of the new ones so I can't personally say that the problems are resolved. However, having spoken to people that have received the new Monarch, it seems to have been resolved.

Rich has gotten a few orders from Japan, but is investigating the legalities of importing a bali into that country. Your best bet would be to email him to find out.

Prices are $129 for the Monarch; $145 for the Dagger, and $125 for the 3" versions. To see them, use this link:

http://www.knifemart.com
 
Thank you, guys. I found knifemart's site with international shipping description in it. As far as legality, there seems no problem. Blade within 6 inch, non-auto knife is legal in inporting, selling, buying, and owning. An auto is defined as a folding knife of power assisted opening that does not include gravity nor inertia.

I'll contact them, or ask some Japanese dealer to contact the manufacturer.

Seeing pix on knifemart site, I have one concern. Those knives in the pix seem to have no second tang pin, no kicks on the blades. How do they keep the edge from contacting inside of handle? I tried search command of BF, and found some posts about the problem.
 
Originally posted by WrongFriend
Those knives in the pix seem to have no second tang pin, no kicks on the blades. How do they keep the edge from contacting inside of handle? I tried search command of BF, and found some posts about the problem.
Click to expand...
A pronounced kick isn't necessary. The Monarch's blade has been reprofiled to be a bit thinner so that the tang alone will stop the blade from hitting the channel wall. The older production models had the belly falling below the tang line and thus was causing the problems described. The blade has also been shortened a bit to resolve the latch hitting the tip issue.
 
Hey, I have two questions about the small tanto, hopefully you know the answers, Tony! The picture on knifemart is pretty sub-optimal - is the tanto clipped? and does it have a curved edge or straight (the main edge, not the point edge)?
 
Felix: The tanto has a clip, and that why it seems to have a "hump" on the spine. As far as the edge, there is a slight curve to it rising to the tip, so it's not totally straight. Please remember that the final blade profile has not been deteremined, but the clip will remain for sure.
 
I don't know about anyone else, but I've yet to see a production Monarch where the blade didn't hit the inside of the handle.
 
Hey Chuck: Talk to Cameron. He has one. They do exist. AND one of the three that I own from the original production run doesn't hit the inside of the channel wall.
 
Hey guys,

I received one of the F.P.R. Monarchs in a trade with Madscientist. (Thanks M.S.!!)
Since it says on the add from Knifemart.com, that these knives come with a lifetime warranty, and it seems very fashionable nowadays to return your balis in for warranty work.. (I'm thinking of sending back one of my Kelgins..), I was wondering if ROTON will fix the problem of the blade hitting the handle.
Let me know..
Blade420:)
 
Richard has promised to fix all of the defective ones. I returned all of mine quite some time ago and haven't received anything back.
 
Originally posted by Gollnick
Richard has promised to fix all of the defective ones. I returned all of mine quite some time ago and haven't received anything back.
Click to expand...
Damn, that sucks...
You know, it seems to me that this Monarch idea (at least in the first place) wasn't very thought through... Or was it? If so, what went wrong?
I hope the next 'generation' is better - I'd really like a beefy bat blade. :D
 
Well, I'm like Chuck, waiting on the return of a "repair". Rich will honor his warranty for those F.P.R. as long as the owners are not happy with them (I'm keeping one as is for posterity).

As to the "why did this happen?" question. Two part answer. One) They rushed it to meet the demand. Everyone wanted one and Rich wanted them to get out the door. 2) The Monarchs were made by a shop with little to no balisong experience, so the various subtleties of the pivot pin having to be perfect, or the relationship of the latch were missed and not caught. Issues that have been addressed. The shop is like BM in the way those guys have been hooked on the bali. They now understand the mechanics of it, and as users, know what to look for.

Still, the biggest lesson is th strength of Rich Kicklighter's character in his willingness to bite the bullet, and admit a mistake and correct that mistake before continuing. It's a very expensive lesson for sure, but I'm sure the Monarch line is that much better for it. Still, would love to get my hands on one and say for sure, if for nothing else than to erase the past....
 
Originally posted by tonyccw
Well, I'm like Chuck, waiting on the return of a "repair".
Click to expand...
Well, you know, if almost every damn Monarch was 'misshaped', and almost all of those that got one returned it, Rich probably has some work to do. ;)
But at least it's a good thing that they do try to fix the damage.
 
Posts from forumites made up my mind in two ways. As for buying, Monarch is a must. But as for time to buy, I got more hesitating.

There have been lots of improvement in design, and production. The improving process is still continuing. So if I wait around a month or two, everything could be even better?

Another reason. I don't doubt their warranty things, but any small fixsation will demand the knife 10,000 miles flight over the Pacific Ocean.

Last but not least, thank you, forumites for your knowledgeable opinions and experiences. My BM 45 got close to it's end of life. Hope Monarch can take her place before she's gone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top