New To the Knife Game *Need Expert Advice

[Spitta x Jets]

Ever since I was little I was inspired by people who could use knives. I feel like it's my time to experiment with the butterfly knives since those are the ones that fascinate me the most but I really have no preferences at the moment.

Since I'm a beginner I don't plan to spend much on my first knives, I searched around and found these 2 knives for a great price.

http://www.bladeplay.com/item--M-Tech-Twist-Butterfly--4956
or
http://www.bladeplay.com/item--M-Tech-Twist-Butterfly--6185

or
http://www.knifezilla.com/catalog/product3989.html
http://www.edmwi.com/home/edm/page_1211_199/new_darrel_ralph_design_mtech_xtreme_burl_folder_k.html

Now the 1st 2 links are the ones I mentioned as "the knives I've heard good about", cheap yet reliable.

I don't know about the 3rd & 4th link but as you can see, I've done my research on knife designers and decided to go with darrel ralph. The "M-tech Twist" seems like a nice decision for me but I can't tell the difference besides color within the first 2 links. If those aren't the authentic one would sum1 please provide me a link?
Thank You

 

[brets-ftw]

they are those are the two of three colors the mtech twists come in, you might want to take this over to the bali subforum btw

but some sad news teh mtech twists are extremely hard to find right now, rumor has it theyre being redesigned as the pivots were a little to weak, for a cheap bali i suggest some of the following

anything from bear and sons cutlery
any jaguar cutlery
Kimura I-IX (as in 1 through 9 not 1-9)
typhoon/tsunami kits

all of the ones ive listed have had lots of reviews, vids, mods, and pretty much anything you can imagine on the bali sub forums

 

[Spitta x Jets]

Thanks for your advice, fortunately I do have a site where I can buy the m-tech twist from, should I just wait till the improvements come or should I just buy the one I found?

 

[Tsujigiri]

Unfortunately, Balis seem to either be cheap $20 knives that will fall apart eventually, or expensive $300 knives that work well, but don't have special materials or manufacturing to justify the price. The Bradley Kimura series seems to be adding a middle price point to the market, though.

 

[Artfully Martial]

Yes, it's a shame the old Spyderfly isn't available anymore. That was my first bali, and my favorite even over a 41MC and Morpho.

I agree with Tsujigiri, the Kimura is probably the only decent brand new bali you have available to you. My ex-girlfriend used a Jaguar Master, I think it was, and it did ok, but really, save another month or two and get something that will last you. Also remember that, as long as you treat your knives well, and they're nice knives, they basically don't lose any value. If you buy a Kimura, take care of it (flip over a bed or something) and you need the money in a year and a half, ebay it and lose $10. It's worth it.

Alternatively you can search the used market for Spyderflys, Smallflys, maybe a really beaten up Morpho if you're lucky...and those Tsunami kit knives maybe too.

 

[MrPres]

Get yourself a Jaguar Bali. They are the best 'cheap' bali in my opinion. They have good weight, fairly good fit & finish (won't last forever, but if you have develop the sickness like the rest of us here, you'll be buying much more expensive knives before you know it), they look cool, and they're only like $20-30.

 

[Spitta x Jets]

yea thx for the advice people, unfortunately I just might go with the twist because of the pricing. Since this would be my first time, i'm not trying to spend a lot of money on something i might like or might not like.

 

[thedmasterr]

Go with the MTech twist (gun metal). I have it and I was very pleased with it. Decent steel (440C), torque screws, and balanced feel. Only complaint is that the clip can move into where the blade sits inside the handle, hitting the blade. I just keep a rubber o-ring on it to prevent it from rotating that far down.

Get the MTech. If you have the money, get the Bradley, but if you are looking for a decent, relatively cheap, bali, get the M Tech.