Need input on new balisong

Ivan Campos

Ivan Campos

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 4, 1999
Messages
2,501
Hello

Me and the guys at Korth are starting the project of a balisong to be released still this year.
At this point, I need all the input you can provide me on what would you like to see in shuch bali.
Any information will be appreciated - and I promise this fForum will be the first place I'll post a pic of the proto!
Thanks in advance.

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Ivan Campos
Full-time knifemaker...finally!


http://www.bitweb.com.br/users/campos

Visit Cutelaria Hoje - The first Brazilian virtual knife magazine
(English/Portuguese)
http://www.cutelariahoje.com.br
 
GOOD LORD, will you people just stop?!?!?
wink.gif

TOTALLY ENTIRELY just kidding there. Competition is allllllllll good.

So if you're doing multiple bali's, I'd like to see the following:
1) a 2.5"-3" model, so I can carry something legal.
2) a 4" model
3) a 5" model
all could have removable latches, or have a latch an option.
All MUST have:
-a latch gate
-adjustable pins
I want to see:
-A weehawk tanto blade (PLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE)
-titanium handles (I love the weight)
-skeletonized handles, or something that looks cool. but it MUST look cool- because Darth Detori said so!
wink.gif

-interchangeable blade (some may disagree), and different blades available
-a concealex/kydex sheath (please?)
-zero play

if you go for one size, go for 4.25
 
Here's a couple of ideas...

-For blade styles I'd like to see some kind of clip point and a utility style. And I'd also like to see a weehawk tanto.

-I'd like to see a 3 inch, a 3.75 inch, and a 4.3 inch. That way you have something legal, a good midsize that would be legal most places too, and then the old full size for those that just like doing manipulations.

-For blade steel I would go with ATS-34 or 154-CM (they're basically the same). Maybe 440c, though I don't know too much about it. Stay away from any of the AUS steels, because they suck at holding an edge.

-Satin finished blade. Don't bother with any kind of black coating because it will wear off too easily.

-Hmm... for handles I would like to see titanium with an insert. You know, where the insert is in the middle with about an inch left over on each end. We already have enough skeletonized, so I'd like something different. Maybe micarta or G-10. You don't want something too delicate or people won't flip it for fear of chipping the inserts. I don't know very much about micarta so I'm not sure if it'll stand up to the stress, but I do know that G-10 will be very durable. Also, don't worry about weight because titanium is light enough to have an insert and still be light enough to flip.

-Adjustable pins and a removable latch.

-MUST have a latch gate. There is no excuse for not having a latch gate. It is the simplest thing to do to prolong the life of a balisong for many years.

I noticed you're location is in Brazil, will you be shipping the knives here in parts to be assembled. The stupid customs officials won't let you import balisongs because they considder them to be switchblades. Also, do you have a target price range? I'd like to be able to know in case the materials I've chosen would cost too much.

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Small minds discuss people,
Average minds discuss events,
Great minds discuss ideas.
 
Wow! Yet another bali!! Well the more the merrier as they say.
biggrin.gif


Ok, well this time, I think a 5" bladed, stainless steel (or maybe brass) handled balisong (preferably milled from one piece). With a nice drop point style tanto blade. Oh, and for those people who like to ship these things in pieces for some strange reason, make it fully user disassembleable (is that actually a word?
smile.gif
). I think a standard (but removable and reversable) latch would be great, nothing too fancy, just a good solid knife that will last you for years. Handle inserts would of course be a nice option, especially if they could be unusual colours such as, purple, blue, green, etc. Maybe you could somehow round the latch end of the handles, giving the whole (closed) knife a kind of friendly, round appearence? I'm not sure how the latch would work then though....

Anyway I'm sure you'll get many more ideas in this thread, and they'll no doubt all be a lot better than mine.
wink.gif



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Jay/GuyInBlack
ICQ - 2678683

"I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable,
I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free
because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do"
 
I would like to see a spear point. Handle inserts would be nice as well.

What I would really like to see is someone mass produce customs.

Have 10 different blade profiles, skelotonized handles, and handles that would except an insert mass produced. We could just order from the menu then.
wink.gif


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kicker.gif

"The best is born of history and tradition."

Chung San
 
Thank you all for your fast answers!
Just an explanation: Korth is a team of two brother knifemakers and - even though hey can make every single bali to the customers' needs, what I am trying to do is to set the parameters for some stardard models.
What do you think of this:

- BG - 42 blade steel as standard

- 3", 4" and 5" blade lenghts

- milled titanium handles in three patterns: single middle inlay, double inlay and skeletonized

* _ four-piece construction 0.093" thick titanium handles with some optional overlay

- some 6 standard blade profiles to choose from w/ or w/o serrations

- standard Concealex sheath for inside the pants use and with an attachment for a JSP harness

- fully disassembles using four pivot pins

- latch removable/reversible

and, pricewise, US$ 250.00 for it with the four piece handle and US$ 350,00 for the milled version with some sort of inlay.

What I need to know, also, is:

- 6 better blade shapes

- someone please explain to me what in the world is a latch gate!


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Ivan Campos
Full-time knifemaker...finally!


http://www.bitweb.com.br/users/campos

Visit Cutelaria Hoje - The first Brazilian virtual knife magazine
(English/Portuguese)
http://www.cutelariahoje.com.br
 
Whoa, that sounds great. I didn't realize it would be a custom. BG-42 is an excellent steel choice. As far as blades... I think a lot of people would like a weehawk tanto, spearpoint (single and double edged), kris, bowie, weehawk, and utility. A latch gate is a piece of metal inserted below where tha latch is connected to the handle that only lets the latch travel to a 90 degree angle from the handle. Otherwise there is a chance it will hit the blade and ding it up. What will the options for inserts be?

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Small minds discuss people,
Average minds discuss events,
Great minds discuss ideas.
 
Thnaks for your opinion on the blade shapes. under some size limitations, we will also be able to make full custom blades, anyway.
Regarding the inserts, probably they could be made of G-10, some micartas, carbon fiber, some Brazilian woods and the fancy stuff, eventually, like MOP, ivory, etc, for one that is not going to see too much hard use.

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Ivan Campos
Full-time knifemaker...finally!


http://www.bitweb.com.br/users/campos

Visit Cutelaria Hoje - The first Brazilian virtual knife magazine
(English/Portuguese)
http://www.cutelariahoje.com.br
 
I second JGardenerA on the blade styles; good variety there.
And I am SO getting a twin insert with a weehawk tanto blade. It's my dream bali. Now I just need that dream job...
wink.gif
 
I forgot to ask... will there be damascus blades? I know it'll probably cost quite a bit, and I don't have a job, but it would be nice looking at pictures by Gollnick or someone. Though, I'm not sure if they have Damascus BG-42 blades, as I don't have much experience with damascus.

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Small minds discuss people,
Average minds discuss events,
Great minds discuss ideas.
 
Yes, there will be baldes made in damascus, as customers' orders. e will probably be using Damasteel stuff for them.
But we better have the first proto assmbled before thinking about it, right?

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Ivan Campos
Full-time knifemaker...finally!


http://www.bitweb.com.br/users/campos

Visit Cutelaria Hoje - The first Brazilian virtual knife magazine
(English/Portuguese)
http://www.cutelariahoje.com.br
 
Wow Im impressed!
Kris blade. Spearpoint and Imada High Hollow are blades Id like to see. ALso, a production Bali under $75 of sound quality would be a Godsend. Im sure this is most likely an impossibility for you but, a man can dream cant he? Full repair/replacement warranty would be nice as well.
Thank you for your interest and asking us forumites for our ideas

Respectfully Yours,
Nate

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"Pardon me if I appear, to see beyond the now and here...to try to save myself, Im not one to pin the blame I just can't take more of the same" The Kenny Wayne Sheppard Band
 
Ivan,

Make a removeable pocket clip on it! I have a custom one with a small clip and it functions perfectly!!!!



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Markus Blattner

Austria
 
whatever you make, i'm sure it will be nice.
smile.gif
all the ideas so far seem great.
however, i'd also like to add a second request for a production bali under $75. if you need to use steel instead of titanium, or make solid titanium handles without inserts, that's fine, but for those of us who can't afford expensive customs an affordable bali would be great!
peace.
aleX.

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"i flip you... i flip you for real..."

"come and get one in the yarbles, if you've got any yarbles."
 
My vote goes for the following:

1. Removable/switchable latch
2. Latch gate
3. 3/16" blade thickness at least
4. Fatty handles (just to give the Ti a meaty feel)
5. 3½" and 4½" models
6. Kriss blade (note: it must look "wicked"
smile.gif
)
7. A solid Ti handle... no skeletons... no inserts... no nothing, just Ti. Powdercoat for grip.

No matter what the design is, priority numero uno is no blade wobble. Followed by durablility (which go hand in hand actually). I think that many would agree with me on this one.

Good luck with design! And thanks for contributing to the new Balisong craze!

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~Dave

"One in the hand is worth two in the sheath"
 
Maybe a US$ 100,00 (or around this) bali with a 440C or K-100 4 1/2" blade and stainless handles? I think this could be done in this price range, keeping all the inherent Korth quality that will be shown by its more expensive brothers. This would be more limited in blade shape and with no inserts but would work just as well.
If there is anyone interested, please e-mail me and we will discull this project as something parallel to the titanium one.
hey, cameron: if you really want a fully serrated kris blade, I bet the guys at Korth can do it. Just ask and you will get one.



------------------
Ivan Campos
Full-time knifemaker...finally!


http://www.bitweb.com.br/users/campos

Visit Cutelaria Hoje - The first Brazilian virtual knife magazine
(English/Portuguese)
http://www.cutelariahoje.com.br
 
Maybe a US$ 100,00 (or around this) bali with a 440C or K-100 4 1/2" blade and stainless handles? I think this could be done in this price range, keeping all the inherent Korth quality that will be shown by its more expensive brothers. This would be more limited in blade shape and with no inserts but would work just as well.
If there is anyone interested, please e-mail me and we will discull this project as something parallel to the titanium one.
hey, cameron: if you really want a fully serrated kris blade, I bet the guys at Korth can do it. Just ask and you will get one.



------------------
Ivan Campos
Full-time knifemaker...finally!


http://www.bitweb.com.br/users/campos

Visit Cutelaria Hoje - The first Brazilian virtual knife magazine
(English/Portuguese)
http://www.cutelariahoje.com.br
 
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