OK Your chance to help me desing a new Balisong!

Here are my ideas:

Blade Types:
Tanto, simalar to the Stryker (ok, that isn't original, but I looks great)
Spear
drop tip(or is it drop point... ? )

Handles:
Stainless steel
I like skeloton handles... just do it a little differet.
Inlays... I think that would only be cool with G-10 or Carbonfiber!
Must have a latch gate!

Pins:
Big
Strong
and Replacable!

I agree that the best would be to have the ability to change/upgrade the bali with different parts... like upgrading a car with aftermarket parts!! I have spent thousands on my car in after market parts!!
You should sell like two base modles... and skeloton handle, and an inlay handle modle. Then sell different plade shapes, diffenet handles, handle inlays of different matterials, extra pins, and even cool latches!! and anything else!!

I'm telling you, I would be all over this!! it is really easy to spend a lot of money... one step at a time!!

sorry about that bad spelling :)

Shrubba.com
 
I am partial to silver colored handles, skeletonized, strong metal. I like the tanto a lot, but wee-hawk is right up there, wee-hawk tanto is okay but not as great as them on thier own (IMHP).
Strong pins is definitely a must, tang pin needs to be just a touch softer metal than the handles so that the handles only flex and do not bend. Possibly a tang pin that is 2 pieces, one screws into the other, and than, with the tap of a hammer, snap together pretty tight (but still loose enough to interchange w/ other tang pins).

A unique tang style would be cool, something that catches your eye whenever you pick up your bali. Interchangeable handles would be cool but might get a little bit cost ineffective for the manufacturer (Mike).

Cameron
 
Persoanlly, and I am a little surprised that this hasn't been mentioned yet, but I would like to see a thicker blade than whats out there now (preferably like the older Valor butterfly knives). A Bali is a great utility knife and should have a nice thick spine to safely handle ANY chore. Also I prefer weehawk style blades.

I also agree with the replaceable pins idea.
Of course with this being a Mike Tuber design, it would probably have a good warranty on it anyways.

Jonathan
 
I disagree completely on replaceable pins. I say "Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time."

None of the examples I held up in my first post in this thread has field replacable pins. The BM42 does not. Put good pins in up front and forget about replacable.

And this interchangable blade stuff... I don't get it. If I want two different blades, I'll get two knives. And what's the deal anyway? Why do you change blades? Do you get up in the morning, look out side and say, "Gee, it looks like a sort of a Tanto day today." While I like the idea of offering several different blade geometries, I don't see the need to make them field-interchangable.

The same thing is true of inserts. It's hard enough to make 'em stay in place. They don't need to be made to come out.

What I do want to see is a good balisong with a training blade not for manipulation practice, but suitable for combative training and play.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
I would like to see a 4.5 inch shallow clip point with .110 or .125 inch thickness. AUS-10 for the aforementioned durability issue. Flat ground, because shearing power would be nice in a bali.

Handles are a matter of opinion, but i tink that a machines steel with Titanium Nitride finish would look really cool and protect the knife as well. Heck, why not coat the blade, too?

Anyone thought of coating the pins with something like Teflon? It would seem to make the hinge smoother. Speaking of pins, make them thick, like 1/4 inch thick. Make the handle wider as well. Balis never seem to be wide enough to get a good grip on.

As for inserts, forget is. KISS. The fewer parts, the fewer breakages.

And as far as Chang's clip idea, that could work.
 
All I want is a balisong, with handles that dont break or loosen, latches that dont get in the way or blades that dont bend or chip easily. Basically i want it to last, I dont care about design, I dont care about what type of blade, I just want a quality, balisong that will last for more than 2 months of wear.

SiliconJester
orbital@utm.net
 
At this point, everything I'm saying has been said. I'd like to see some quality steel in both blades and handels, as well as strong and servicable pins. I think for mid range sales, pins are the way to go, and the selling point. Since the BM-s have the aboutahundredbucks range covered, and Jags have the $15-$30, something in the $50-$80 range of quality and dependable blades is probably the way to go. Thats were I see myself looking anyway, as I feel Jags and BMs serve the other ends. Unless you can get BM quality at Jag price... now thats a water mark.
 
Well, I'm gonna agree with everyone about making them tough. Strong pivot, and tang pins and quality materials are essential. But , I would really like to see some different blade types and handle shapes. If I want a weehawk or tanto, skeleton, I'll buy a BM. I want to see spear points, clip points, daggers, bowies, and most of all, a recurve. Imagine a CT II blade on a quality balisong. Now that'd make my day. The only way to get any of these blade style is to pray you can find an old custom Bali-Song. Fill the void BM has left, as opposed to trying to copy what they're doing.
Troy
 
My ideal Bali-Song would be like the old Bali-Song USA,micarta insert,latchless,and a flatground blade like the Imada High Hollow. The flat ground blade is easyer to get realy sharp if the blade is 1/4 inch thick.It should be a 5 inch blade.
 
Strong pins! I don't want replaceable ones, I want ones that won't need replaced.

Design it however you like, I will not discriminate on the basis of blade shape, handle design, color, race, creed or religion. Just want a knife that can take the punishment that only a rookie can give.

How far are you away, Mike? Just curious.

 
Originally posted by Gunstocker:
The flat ground blade is easyer to get realy sharp if the blade is 1/4 inch thick.
Click to expand...

WHOAH! 1/4 inch blade? I think that would severely mess up the balbace which is so important to balisong-ing. It shoucl have a 5 inch blade, though, none of this pansy 3.25 inch crap
smile.gif
.

I think a spear point would be cool, but it woul have to be quite dull on one side for me to use it. And make it really shiny, too.

"Look at the pretty sparkles, mommeeeeEEEEEEE!!!"
 
Consider a sort of Weehawk spearpoint or Weehawk Stiletto in which the second edge on one side is replaced with a false edge (keep in mind that a false edge is sharp) that goes only 1/2 to 2/3 back.



------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
If you're going for a mid-range price on your knife, how about making it stand out from all the other mid-rangers? Personally I'm tired of all the Jags being either high polish chrome or gloss black. How about something original, maybe a powder coated non glare blade. Also, don't make the handles too light by adding too many cut outs. I got my hands on one bali that was so light it was hard to just open it one handed.
Just my two cents.
 
Stilletto Raggio, thanks for pointing out my error, I ment to say - 3/16". This is the thickness of all my customs.
 
Alright, I'm no pro, but I've been doing this long enough that I know what I like and what I'd spend my money on. This is my idea:

1. For the blade, Weehawk shape, 440C Stainless, no serrations, 4 1/2 inch length.

2. For the grips, Stainless, choice of skeleton or inlay, since I prefer to use skeleton for practice and to carry, but inlay is more of a collector's piece and something for demonstrations, in my opinion, width needs to be similar to that of a Jaguar.

3. No ball bearings, no interchangeable blades, no replaceable pins, none of that junk.

4. Solid made and with a good warranty. If it is designed by someone who knows how tough they should be, and they fall apart, I want to send it back and let someone else fix it. I'm a balisonger, not a handyman.

5. The pivot pins should be made to last for years. The tang pin should be a softer metal than the grips, and a latch gate is a good idea, as that's the main problem with my bali, is that stupid latch contacting the blade and nicking it up.

6. Also a latchless version would be interesting, but I wouldn't use it as a main design.

7. I personally don't like sheaths, as they are made to cover the blade of a knife, and a bali folds up, which eliminates the need for one. I carry mine in my pocket, and any good balisonger should be able to draw it in a flash from their pocket. Grab it, pull it out, latch drop open. Simple. Saves the balsonger money, saves you money and time, and gives the balsonger one more thing to work on and master.

8. Two levels of balis would be nice, one line for $40-$50, and one for $80-$100. Standard and Pro lines. And make some Custom ones too and let people design them exactly how they want. Like a chart or table of blades and grips and all and let them make one step by step and charge a nice sum like $150 or so that way. That might not give you alot of profit at first, but over time you would probably be able to amass enough money to make a Custom Shop. Also, radical custom designs are yet another way, other than good quality, to get your company's name well known.

9. A nice heavy would be nice, perhaps 7 1/2 to 8 ounces, at least for one line of knives. The extra weight would give it better momentum for manipulation.

10. Here's a few ideas I would like to see in a Custom line:

Ninja Bali - Tanto blade, all black contstruction, solid steel grip with no inserts or skeleton pattern.

Well, that's really all I could think of for now. Here's some other ideas:

Make a line of traditional balis, without the mirror finished blade, using brass (alloy for strength?) grips with hardword inserts, such as rosewood or mahogany. I'd buy one for sure. Maybe two. And put them in a hardwood box with traditional Philipino lettering on it, like the original Batangas knives.

Well, I hope that helps. But like many others, it's not so much the pretty custom design that matters, it's simply whether or not it's made well. I don't collect them, so I'm looking for something full functional and tough as nails. Good luck!

------------------
«<MŀL§T®ØM>»
Inventor of the Single Flip Catch Twist Single Flip Twist Double Flip Triple Twist Balisong Opening
Maelstrom_79@excite.com
ICQ #: 52737578
 
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