Need help on bali-song.........

T

Tightwad

Joined
Jul 22, 2001
Messages
1,417
I don't have a balisong in my collection yet. The new Benchmade
model 31 really found my interest. I've ordered one but I'm not
sure it's my kind of knife. I prefer a large stockman.

Anyway, I'd like some opinions of just how useful a smaller
balisong would be.

Gollnick........are you there?????? Help!
 
Personally I think the smaller bali will be very useful. That's the main reason I have one on preorder. The larger 4" models are very useful as well my 43 is a real workhorse but I think sometimes the big blade gets in the way. I'm also betting on the fact that it'll ride a lot lighter in my Xtreme neck sheath. Of course you could just buy both a larger mod and a 31 (you probably will anyway once you hold one of them in you hand.)
 
Smaller Balisongs are very useful indeed. The only Balisong I hade for many years was a Model 30. This particular model is similar to the 31 in size, but has a slightly different blade and steel handles. It makes for a very quick flipper due to the smaller radius the handles have to travel and the 3 inch blade length is ideal for everyday chores, etc. I think you will find the 31 very useful, however, the smaller size does make for some getting used to. I had a 3 inch and had never flipped a 4 inch or larger. After receiving my 42 last year, I found it to be very slow to flip, in comparison. It quickly became my favorite due to the larger handles, for I have large hands.

The 31 will be a big hit, and with the addition of the reversible pocket clip and ideal "everyday" size, I think you will like it very much. Just give yourself some time to adjust to the different feel, if, infact you are use to a larger model. I hope this helps.
 
I'd like some opinions of just how useful a smaller
balisong would be.
Click to expand...

IMHO, much quicker into action than a large stockman patterened folder......;)..............

Edited to add: The balisong has a reputation as having the strongest lock-up of any folder ever made! A 3" blade will do about any chore called upon from a 'pocket knife' and I don't think you'd be at all disappointed. Make sure that your laws allow for a balisong-style knife to be carried and that you will only be using one hand to open and close it with :cool: or it probably won't be to your tastes.
 
I don't have a 31 yet. But for many years my favorite PC or BM bali has been the 68 or the 35. Same thing only with real (steel) handles as opposed to titanium. The smaller size is a lot more useful than the large one. My 35 is my best and favorite fish cleaning knife. I mean, I must like them. I lost two small ones on fishing trips and always got another one. Only problem I had at first was manipulation. I learned on a bigger knife. Once that was mastered the 3 inch was the knife I carried more than any other.
I can't imagine what it is going to be like trying to flip a ti handled 3 inch but I do have one on the way. IMOH ti is just too light for a bali. I do, however have hope that BM is reading their mail. Steel may not be gone forever from their balis.
 
Folk's, Thank's for your replys so far. I've never owned or handled a
bali song before. I usually carry a large stockman or camp knife ,but now
I have to use a cane to walk it ties up my right hand. That's why I'm considering
a bali song for my left hand. I carried a Bob Dozier small stright blade ,but since
Sept 11 my employer said no more stright blades. So a you can see I no longer
have two hands to operate a stockman and the bali song is as close as I can get
to very strong folder that is simple to use. Yes, I know there are other one handers.
I've spent a bunch trying to find one that will work for me ,but this darned arthitis is
a b!tch. I know I sure miss my stockman when I can't carry it. Thank's again.
 
A bali is definitely safer than your stockman was. They are kinda like folding fixed blades; however, if you boss had problems with a fixed blade he may/may not have a problem with a balisong. It's that very stigma that we are all trying to stop but it does still exist so ask him first (and play up the crippled thing I know I do;) )
 
Ok, it's close enough. I will confess to having had a model 31 for a while now. It's a great size for EDC. For manipulation, my hands are large enough that I prefer the 4" size for the really fancy stuff. I personally do a lot of interdigital stuff and I find I run out of handle on the shorter knives. But, I can still have a lot of manipulation fun on the 31. I find that a 4" balisong ends up being pretty long for comfortable pocket carry in many cases. The 31 is a lot more in line with what common pocket knives are in terms of size. The pocket clip is great.
 
Close enough to "sniff" :)

That little guy looks neat.., and I'm sure it's going to be a big hit for a user. Like Chuck my hands are pretty big.., and it's certainly not optimal for the "Total-Bali-Ballet-Stuff".., but those little 3" guys are great for carry and general use!! I think you'd love it!! Very light.., and the new BM sharpening methodology is pretty darned impressive!



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
is that pocket clip interchangeable (is that a valid word?)? i mean, can you take it off/on, change it to the other handle etc? i'm not so sure i'd like having it there, since i'm not alowed to carry it anyway...
 
The clip can be removed and/or swapped side-to-side for left/right-hand carry. I was skeptical about the durability of the clip since it's a bit thinner than most and I could see it bending or getting damaged. But, it's a Benchmade and BM has years and years of experience with pocket clips. So, not surprisingly, this one is great.
 
Not being a big fan of pocket clips it really is good news that the clip
on the 31 can be REMOVED. I was wondering about that. With a
a closed length of 4 1/4 " it is the same size as my stockman so it
should fit in my pocket just fine. Great!!!! Thank's.
 
I can do every move I know (except a Y2K roll-over) with my 2" bali, and thing has thin handles. I think I'm all set ;)

but really, an inch off really isn't that much. Two is, and it's still manageable, just difficult. this should be intermediate. And I mean 3" is PERFECT size for me, for cutting up boxes and so forth, which I do a lot of at work.
 
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