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Question for Mr. Thomas of Kershaw

B

Bayoublaster

Joined
Aug 20, 2005
Messages
1,067
I was wondering has Kershaw ever thought about producing a balisong? There is a market for high quality balisongs and I think with all of Kershaw's innovations they would fit right in.
 
Bayoublaster, I can't say it is a pattern that has been a topic of discussion in our new products meetings. I guess I would have to wonder if a bali would have any volume capabilities.
At Kershaw, we try to be as original as possible. Another bali-song......I just don't know. It sounds like it could be a cool LE project. Tell you what, I will bring it up in the next meeting.
Anyone else have thoughts on a Kershaw bali?
 
Something in the lines of K.O. with recurved handles and Offset-like blade. No need for another weehawk or spear bladed bali.
 
If KO designs it, I'm behind it...

The market is DYING for a good quality mid priced balisong.

Hang around the bali area of the forums for awhile (if you don't already)--this is what you'll see probably by five new people a week:

Q: I want a good balisong--what one should I get?
A: You should get a 42 (120) or a Spyderfly (70)
Q: But I don't have enough money for those! How about this 12 dollar CCC?
A: No--that'll break in a week. You need to save up another year and get the 42
Conclusion: Gee, I wish they made a decent bali designed by Ken Onion that used Sandvik 13C26 that cost roughly 50 dollars to cover the gigantic market gap..

Okay, they may not say that last part, but that's what I'm thinking. Both of my favorite companies make very popular balis, so why not Kershaw, which has a rapidly growing place in my collection (I've got an ET on the way...which will be my fifth I guess?).

Also, if you do pitch the idea, make it for a realistically sized knife...I'd like a 3 inch blade, honestly...I have large balis, but granted that they're already illegal here, I mean, there's no way I could EDC them. But then, people EDC the manix, so maybe I'm just weird.

In any case, there's a very real gap in the market...
 
I agree with Artfully Martial.

I think Kershaw would make a great Bali, and I think it would be awesome with the same Sandvik steel that is on the Kershaw Storm.

I know they could make one to fill the gap. I just know they could.

I would order one if Kershaw made a Bali. I don't have any Bali's right now just because of that. I don't want to spend $120 on one when I'm not sure if I'll like it.

If it cost me $50-$60 I would buy one.
 
I have never owned a Bali-Song and have no need for one. But, they fascinate me. If Kershaw offered a solid Bali for $50 or less I would buy one just to see what they are all about.
 
It'd be interesting.

But, I suspect it would need to be a real limited edition. Probably 500 or less, as I see the market actually being small. Plus, such small numbers keep values (as well as interest) up.

Bali knives seem to sell to two basic groups in my experience: early twenties people and the really committed fans.

The first group seem to be mainly low end buyers (the "$50 for a knife - nuts!!" crowd) while the second group can be rather critical but will pay for a superior product (which I assume a limited edition would be, especially from Kershaw).
 
A Kershaw balisong would definitely interest me, especially if Ken designed one. Particularily because of Kershaw's tendency to release variations, both in colors/styles, and in materials/quality. One with inexpensive materials like Sandvik steel and aluminum, one with high end materials like S30V and titanium and G10.
 
I don't know guys...every knife store I visit has 20+ different CCC balis. Somebody's buying them...we might be tempted to say something like "Well, of course they'll spend 20 dollars in the store for a CCC, but what makes you think they'll spend 50 dollars?"

Well, the fact is we don't know that they will or won't....for the most part, you either get a CCC or a 100+ dollar Benchmade...you have to go from 20ish dollars to 120 ish dollars, 6 times as much.
 
Ooh, ooh, how bout an A/O Bali? Go ahead Thomas, I won't even charge for that one:D
 
If they wouldn't be as plain as BMs are... and well under $100... and 3" (less than 9 cm are legal here)... oh, they would be perfect for me!
 
Well, this generation of Benchmade balis is coming to a close, I believe...they've cancelled (for quite awhile) their entire lineup except the 42, and now have introduced the Morpho, which is a G10 bali that I think may be the shape of things to come:

32d2.jpg


Picture from www.knifecenter.com
 
Joe Dirt said:
I agree with Artfully Martial.

I think Kershaw would make a great Bali, and I think it would be awesome with the same Sandvik steel that is on the Kershaw Storm.

I know they could make one to fill the gap. I just know they could.

I would order one if Kershaw made a Bali. I don't have any Bali's right now just because of that. I don't want to spend $120 on one when I'm not sure if I'll like it.

If it cost me $50-$60 I would buy one.
Click to expand...
This sums up my thoughts as well.

If there were a $50 Kershaw Bali out there, I'd get one.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Well, this generation of Benchmade balis is coming to a close, I believe...they've cancelled (for quite awhile) their entire lineup except the 42, and now have introduced the Morpho, which is a G10 bali that I think may be the shape of things to come:

32d2.jpg


Picture from www.knifecenter.com
Click to expand...

I have never had any interest in Balis, but I did get to handle this Benchmade and it is the smoothest knife I think I've ever had in my hands. I will not pay this much for a Bali, but if something similar was offered from oh, Kershaw, for even 1/2 the price, I would get one to see what all the fuss is about. (I did like the size, hint, hint...)
 
I would love to see a bali with slightly curved handles and a blade like the Random Task. That would be very sweet indeed.
 
I would like to see a bali from kershaw, I mean Microtech makes one along with Benchmade, Spyderco, Cold steel and some other productions. But to find a good one for under 100 would be nice.
 
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