I just got a BM 42 and I think I'm disappointed. First, being my first bali, I thought something would come over my like when I got my first Sebenza. Second, I'm not sure my Bali is AOK. That's where you guys come in. Seeing that this is my first bali, some of the following things I mention may all be normal. If so, let me know. There is lateral blade play, which may be necessary for the blade to swing freely. The latch won't latch unless you press the handles tightly together. I assume this is to make the bali as firm or close to a fixed blade. Also, the 42 I got doesn't have the type of steel it is. I know the first ones were 12c27 and that they were switching to 440c. I'm not sure that I'm going to keep the 42. It depends on what replies I get regarding my concerns. Basically, is my 42 normal or should I send it back. Thanks for replies.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
My first Balisong: I think I'm disappointed.
- Thread starter kutch133
- Start date
Mykl Clark
Banned
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2000
- Messages
- 2,714
You will give me the 42 (waving hand like old jedi mind trick)
Is there any blade play when it is latched? Other than that it sounds okay?
Is there any blade play when it is latched? Other than that it sounds okay?
First point, the blade play should not be there, especially out of the box. Good news is its not a terminal problem, as adjusting those handle screws should take care of it. If they don't, then you have an issue.
The handles will lossen up (in regards to latching and unlaching) with use as the parts need to break in some, also normal (and not a bad thing, this allows the cups to fit percisly the pin on your bali). Give it a few days of use and maipulation, and you should be ok.
Lastly, if it desn't say 440 on the blade, its likely not. Both are great steels, 12c27 actually was developed as a cutlery alloy. Not the "super" steels like ATS, but then, it will sharpen more easily (and possibly more keenly), and the edge is more likely to roll when dropped as opposed to chipping like some of the more brittle stainless "high end" steels. 12c12 cuts well, sharpens well, and isn't all that likley to weather on you.
Basically it sounds like a quater turn with a torx driver (visit Sears and "sample" if you don't want to buy one) and you should be set to go. No major concerns outside of a little maintnence and use. Have fun !
The handles will lossen up (in regards to latching and unlaching) with use as the parts need to break in some, also normal (and not a bad thing, this allows the cups to fit percisly the pin on your bali). Give it a few days of use and maipulation, and you should be ok.
Lastly, if it desn't say 440 on the blade, its likely not. Both are great steels, 12c27 actually was developed as a cutlery alloy. Not the "super" steels like ATS, but then, it will sharpen more easily (and possibly more keenly), and the edge is more likely to roll when dropped as opposed to chipping like some of the more brittle stainless "high end" steels. 12c12 cuts well, sharpens well, and isn't all that likley to weather on you.
Basically it sounds like a quater turn with a torx driver (visit Sears and "sample" if you don't want to buy one) and you should be set to go. No major concerns outside of a little maintnence and use. Have fun !
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Messages
- 148
Sounds like you have an out-of-the-box benchmade. Flip it for a few days, lube it with some Miltech 1 and then come back. 10 bucks says its a perfect knife then.
The BM bali's I've used are very stiff out of the box. Flip it around for a day and it loosens up.
The handles are supposed to have to be pressed together a bit, but only a *firm* squeeze, not a "grip" squeeze.
Also, blade play is normal when it isnt latched. Latch it up and she should be solid as a rock.
My 43 says 440c on it, oposite side of the Bali-Song logo on the tang. If it says the blade steel, thats where.
The BM bali's I've used are very stiff out of the box. Flip it around for a day and it loosens up.
The handles are supposed to have to be pressed together a bit, but only a *firm* squeeze, not a "grip" squeeze.
Also, blade play is normal when it isnt latched. Latch it up and she should be solid as a rock.
My 43 says 440c on it, oposite side of the Bali-Song logo on the tang. If it says the blade steel, thats where.
Should definately lube it. Almost anything will work okay; I use RemOil, works pretty well.
But, if you can't tighten it enough to remove the blade play, you should return it and get another. The blade of my bm43all, despite the thing having some _serious_ alignment problems, only moves about a quarter milimeter (the tip moves about a quarter mm, that is), if I'm not squeezing the handles.
But, if you can't tighten it enough to remove the blade play, you should return it and get another. The blade of my bm43all, despite the thing having some _serious_ alignment problems, only moves about a quarter milimeter (the tip moves about a quarter mm, that is), if I'm not squeezing the handles.
.
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2001
- Messages
- 423
As long as it passes the latch test on Clay's site it's fine. Don't send it back. It's the bomb knife.
Clay's site:
http://www.balisongxtreme.com/baliplanet2/tips/10-31-99.htm
Clay's site:
http://www.balisongxtreme.com/baliplanet2/tips/10-31-99.htm
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2001
- Messages
- 26
Sounds just like my 42 to me. I've yet to tighten down the handles on the blade, its a little too free when unlatched, but latched it locks up solid. I havent seen a 42 w/ the steel type on it, and all of the 43's I've seen have the steel type on them. Go fig.
Oh and I second what Mykl Clark said. Only u want to send it to me
Chris
Oh and I second what Mykl Clark said. Only u want to send it to me
Chris
- Joined
- May 15, 2001
- Messages
- 522
Your 42 is being a typical 42, nothing more. Lubing and cleaning, plus a healthy regimen of manipulation, will break it in real nice. If that doesn't work, send it back to BM and have them adjust it. After tightening up the handles, things should be fine. I just sharpened mine, and the results weren't all that great, but that's due to operator error, and faulty equipment . Next time, I'll send it in to BM, or buy a Spyderco Sharpmaker.
. Next time, I'll send it in to BM, or buy a Spyderco Sharpmaker. 
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2000
- Messages
- 5,811
I have seen your posts on many other branches of the Forums.., and they are always thougtful, intelligent, and well written.
Balisongs are sort of a "different animal".., and it does take some time to get the feel of what the good ones are like. If no one else said it.., your new 42 should lock up very well from being firmly held.., latched or unlatched. If you are gripping the handles with the pressure you would apply to "use" the knife to cut.., and you have blade-wobble.., just call Travis at BM and they'll get you another one in a heartbeat.
If your concern was a perception of "slop" when the handles are "Butterfly'd"
...no big deal at all..., and all the advise you heard here is on the nose!
Some lubing and flipping and you'll be off to the races and drawn back here to obsess with us Bali-Nuts !
As some said..., if you are really having to use a "King-Kong" grip to close the latch.., and/or open it with excessive effort.., then it does have a problem..., but no fear with BM as I'm sure you know.., they'll fix ya right up!
Come back and give us an update.., and have fun with it! Nice to see you visit the Bali-Forum....take care and Happy Holidays!
"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
Balisongs are sort of a "different animal".., and it does take some time to get the feel of what the good ones are like. If no one else said it.., your new 42 should lock up very well from being firmly held.., latched or unlatched. If you are gripping the handles with the pressure you would apply to "use" the knife to cut.., and you have blade-wobble.., just call Travis at BM and they'll get you another one in a heartbeat.
If your concern was a perception of "slop" when the handles are "Butterfly'd"
...no big deal at all..., and all the advise you heard here is on the nose!Some lubing and flipping and you'll be off to the races and drawn back here to obsess with us Bali-Nuts
!As some said..., if you are really having to use a "King-Kong" grip to close the latch.., and/or open it with excessive effort.., then it does have a problem..., but no fear with BM as I'm sure you know.., they'll fix ya right up!
Come back and give us an update.., and have fun with it! Nice to see you visit the Bali-Forum....take care and Happy Holidays!
"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
Mykl Clark
Banned
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2000
- Messages
- 2,714
pay no attention to futrdreams...he has the droids you are looking for...give me the 42 and your problems will be solved
Really yours is fine have fun and let the addiction begin.
Really yours is fine have fun and let the addiction begin.
Mykl, like the Jabbas, Jedi mind tricks do not work on me. Nice try though.
Pete, nice post. Thanks. Its like you said, the Bali is a different animal that a first timer doesn't know what to look for. I am used to the tight tolerances of my Sebenza.
Thanks all, feel better now.
Pete, nice post. Thanks. Its like you said, the Bali is a different animal that a first timer doesn't know what to look for. I am used to the tight tolerances of my Sebenza.
Thanks all, feel better now.
- Joined
- May 6, 2001
- Messages
- 458
if all else fails, mer has been pretty good in offering to make new washers for the 42s to take up what slack there is in between the handle forks. (I still haev to get back to him on mine... but there's quite a bit of slack... I can see about 1 to 1.5 mm of light between the handle and the washer)
The problem with tigtening is that the fork goes from straight and paralell to being bent in, so ratehr than actually being tightened, it gets "pinched." With mine, it's just not a feasible option to tighten it... it's either floppy or siezed up. Granted, my handles weren't the most finished product to come out of their shop...
Too bad, too. BM makes some great stuff. (Loving my new axis lock 942)
Oh, well... welcome to the fun stuff. Slop aside, I can't help but flip mine around whenever I pick it up.
The problem with tigtening is that the fork goes from straight and paralell to being bent in, so ratehr than actually being tightened, it gets "pinched." With mine, it's just not a feasible option to tighten it... it's either floppy or siezed up. Granted, my handles weren't the most finished product to come out of their shop...
Too bad, too. BM makes some great stuff. (Loving my new axis lock 942)
Oh, well... welcome to the fun stuff. Slop aside, I can't help but flip mine around whenever I pick it up.