My 2nd Knife ==> Utility Balisong

I almost didnt click on this one because it said Balisong in the title. Im just not a fan but I am real glad I took a look.
Your workmanship is superb and attention to comfort is second to none. Also I'm amazed at how well it fits together when in open position. You pulled it all off! Nice work! I cant wait for #3
 
That is really nice ! I woudn't mind owning that ! Hard to believe you had no problems with the talonite blade as I understand they are not easy to work with!:thumbup:
 
I dont mind balisongs, but that is incredible. I would love to see a tutorial.
 
judging from your pictures, it looks like you've got one smooth-flipping bali with no blade play. i'm amazed that on your second knife, you got the basic geometry down on a curved-handled bali - and with such tight tolerances!

the tang pins hidden under the cf when the knife is open give it a very clean appearance. going for dual tang pins was a great idea, but it looks like in the closed position, one of the pins could've been placed in a better spot since it's not in contact with the handles. besides that, great work!

out of curiosity, what phone do you have? i've never seen phone pictures of that quality before.

always great to see new balis and bali-makers here.
 
i love it...i love th4e fact that the handles are just "kissing" each other and that there are no gaps between the handles in the opened position. makes it look like a fixed blade. very, very precise engineering sir. excellent job.
 
Looking good.

The balisong is a deceptive design. It looks so easy, just two handles and a blade. There's no spring components, no intricate lock. But I've talked to a lot of makers who have said that their first balisong was one of their most challenging projects. Everything has to be dimensionally correct. It's a difficult and challenging knife to make.
 
HAKViking, I just noticed that you put the latch on the handle on the side where the blade is unsharpened, while most or all balisongs have their latch on the handle on the side of the sharpened edge.
 
Wow! Never in my wildest imagination did I expect this much feedback! Leatherface, cybrok, SterlingHammer, John R. Fraps, bikermikearchery, kimjune01, Jared Stenoien, howiesatwork, samhain73, DrThunder88, Bruce Bump, heisler, alejandrino, Bailey Knives, Ripper, revkon, saint o'killers, Gollnick and SharpOne- thank you all for your kind comments and feedback!!!

To answer some questions/comments:

cybrok and SharpOne: Yes, it’s true that most balisongs has the latch on bite handle, but the designed I used, which howiesatwork pointed out (thank you!), is a Manila style latch- and it just works best for me personally.

SterlingHammer and samhain73: Yes, it’s really only my 2nd knife. No BS. The advantage I have had is that I have been doing mechanical engineering and some steel work earlier. But this is the first time I made a tool- a knife.

kimjune01: I bought all the materials, except for the Talonite and Titanium from www.knifekits.com. The pivots for the blade are using 1/4” pivot barrel which comes with 8-32 screws. The pivots used for the latch are 3/16” pivot barrels which came with 4-40 screws. Then I guess you are referring to the angle of the blade grind. Most of it done just by hand and towards the end, I used my Edge Pro knife sharpening system to get the angle as perfect as I possible could get.

heisler: Yea- that would be nice! Not sure if Benchmade would be interested... But nice idea!

alejandrino: I realized that Talonite with the right equipment, carbide drill bits and ceramic sandpaper, is not more difficult to work with that other metals. That’s my personal experience and now I just love Talonite!!!

Bailey Knives: I actually have thought about making a tutorial. The problem is time. I have a 22 month old daughter and my son is only 1 week old. So we are very busy at home now. But I will keep it in mind.

revkon: Yes, you are correct- very smooth, with no blade play at all. But not correct regarding the stop pin in closed position. I guess it just looks like it’s not in contact with the handles in picture… But it is and the pin is in the perfect position, otherwise the locking latch wouldn’t well work both in open and closed position. oh, yes- my mobile phone is the Sony Ericsson K800i 3.2MP

Thanks and Regards,

HV
 
I AM IMPRESSED BY THE ALMOST IMPERSECPTIBLE (Is that a word?) seam between the handles. That is the Mercedes Benz of seam line ups and a very nice piece of craftsmanship. Can't wait to see your future knives.
 
I like it a lot, especially the smoothly finished and fit handle in the open position. It's just mind blowing that it's only your second knife!
 
Such a good looking knife, I am just surprised with the limited tools an engineer would have at home, nice job.
How good a utility blade is it? I am sure you have been testing it on everything by now.
 
HAKViking;4771700 alejandrino: I realized that Talonite with the right equipment said:
And I suppose with limited access/knowledge in knife making (not that that is apparent!:eek: ) Talonite or Stellite would be a great idea, since you don't have to figure out how to heat treat it, Just get it shaped and sharpened, and it's ready to roll. \Great idea.
Click to expand...
 
With these kind of designs bouncing around in you head make sure we see the next one gezzz great job !! I am like a couple others on here it is the only Balisong I have ever liked it just looks practical and the design utterly amazing for your second knife. I have to ask do you have a background in the tool & die industry ?
 
Hi T-BAG, Mikjk, Shadetree Phenolics, dlpierson, 8thsinner, samhain73, heatride! Thank you all for your comments! This is very encouraging I must say!!!

8thsinne: Yes, I have been testing it a lot! Honestly, I must say it seems like it’s a very good utility blade- so far so good. Then even if the blade thickness is .13”, the knife performed very well even in the kitchen! Just had to try! :)


samhain73: Actually, to use Talonite was a suggestion from flatgrinder here at Bladeforums.com. Since I have a Talonite knife and have read about it on the Internet- first I thought that it would probably be way too difficult to work with using my limited tool set. But then I am the kind of person that likes to make things difficult for myself, since I like a challenge and to solve problems. But as it showed, it was not difficult at all to work with Talonite. And yes, I like the fact I don’t need to heat treat the blade! :)

heatride: No, I do not have a background in the tool & die industry. My background is very versatile and I started to fix things at home as a kid. I guess I have always been kind of a handyman. Once when I was 16 years old, I worked as a radio/TV repair man. Then I have a M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering, but also practical experience. During my studies, I use to work as a mechanic at a factory and maintaining/repairing their machines. Then I worked for a short period as a mechanical designer. I have also been working with sales, in marketing, with technical support etc. And today, I work in manager position in the IT industry.


One thing is for sure, all your fantastic feedback is really encouraging and I will definitely make more knives. But it will take some time in-between each knife. Because first of all I have a normal 9:00- 5:00 job, 5 days a week. Then we have a 22 months old daughter- which I spend as much time with as I can. Plus my wife just gave birth to a boy- so lots of work at home and at this moment sleepless nights and no time off at all. But we are happy! The only time I use to get for myself is during late evenings/nights and then I work on my projects. I spent 30- 60 min at each session, or some times a couple of hours. This knife, from start to end, was done over a period of 5 months. So at this moment- not exactly a mass production. :)

Thanks and Regards,

HV
 
Good lord. Those handles match up *perfectly* when open. Hot damn. Usually you leave a gap, or have to leave a gap, but through careful selection of handle angles, you've allowed for something else.

That is amazing. It doesn't even look like a balisong when open. What a perfect utility knife. You've got some serious talent going there. With such little experience and such limited tools, you've matched some of the finest work I've seen. Great things lie ahead for you in all aspects of your life, I'm sure, if this is any indication.
 
It looks like the latch passes through the other handle then slips back to lock, in the open position. I've never seen one done like that before. That is an cool safety innovation. If you're using the knife and your hand slips, it doesn't unlock it, it latches it tigher.

Excellent design and execution.
 
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