Monarch vs. Benchmade

S

Sniper Wolf

Joined
Jul 1, 2001
Messages
4
Hey, I was looking into buying a higher quality bali(higher than my jag, doesn't say much) and I was looking at either the monarchs or the b42's. Does anyone have any preference. As far as flipping and usability goes, which one feels better. Also, which one will end up lasting longer?

Thanks
 
Well, BM is tested and everyone knows that BM balisongs will last a long time, especially the 42. The monarch just came out a couple of weeks ago, I don't know who has them but I haven't seen any reviews or comments on them, it looks and sounds like a good, sturdy balisong but it needs to be put to the test. :)
 
I'm waiting to hear how the ATS-34 responds to being dropped. It's a great steel as far as edge retention, etc, and is pretty tough overall, but I think it is still more brittle than the sandvik 12C27 used in the 42 or the 440C they'll be using in the 43, so the tip is more likely to be broken if it gets dropped. Granted, 5/32" thick is tip-top... that's a damn thick blade, so it will very likely make for a damn fine working knife, as long as the point isn't so important. Who knows... maybe round off the point when it breaks, for a "safety blade" that'll cut but not puncture anyone...

Well, that's my two bits, anyway.
 
Welcome to the forums S.W.! The Monarch won't be available for a couple more weeks but what Chuck said after he got back from the Blade Show, and the conversation I had with the gentleman that's producing them, they'll be one to definitely check out.
 
What caught my eye on them was that they have heat treated pins. And that right there says a lot. In my experience with any cutlery, heat treated will me it will hold up a lot better to the stress and should last longer than the knife. But then again, I'm still learning about balis.
 
ATS-34 more brittle than 440C? Not in my experience. I've got several knives in ATS-34 and it is much more abrasion resistant imo.
 
Hoplophile, 'more brittle' means 'more likely to break if dropped' - abrasion resistance is something different.

--JB
 
"ATS is about six to eight per cent tougher than 440-C." That is a direct quote from custom knife maker Bob Engnath. I think the higher molybdenum content of ATS-34 is why.
I have broken a 440C Tanto, and 440C boot knife, both from dropping them from a height of 3 ft. (Unintentionally of course) My clumsy butt has dropped my ATS-34 BM AFCK considerably more than either of those 2 and it hasn't broken yet.
The heat treat will probably have more to do with brittleness than whether it is 440-C or ATS-34. Most knife makers and companies like 440-C over ATS-34 because it is cheaper and easier to work with.
I personally prefer ATS-34 to 440-C. :p
 
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