Question from a Newbie. Also saying hello

T

The One

Joined
Dec 26, 2001
Messages
4
Hello to all. I would like to introduce myself I'm 19 and am in the NC Army National Gaurd. I like knives but dont consider myself a collector I just like to have different kinds. My favorite has to be my Benchmade (Mel Pardue 3550 Auto). Dont hate .

Well, my question is I'm looking at getting a Jaguar Balisong (I wont to get a 30 dollar knife before I cut my finger off with a 150 dollar one :D ) and was wondering where is the best place to get one. I heard knifezilla and Balisong World are good. Any suggestions. Also is a Jaguar a good beginners Balisong.

Thanks
 
Welcome to the fold. Hope you'll stay even after you've found what you were looking for.

Answer: Yes, Jagaurs are a good beginner bali. You may have read the overwhelming advise to buy a BM so that you'll won't need to buy another, and that too is good advise. But there's nothing wrong with the Jaguar for it's price, and as a first and only bali. The blade is a good using blade. The handles are slightly heavy and flip very nicely. The poor tang pin of the Jaguars can be easily remedied. Clay has a wonderful site for this:

http://www.balisongxtreme.com/baliplanet2/tip.htm

And if Clay likes them, that's good enough for me.


~ Sorry to barge in here and edit, but I just had to fix the link.
 
Welcome The One............

The Jaguar will last long enough to get you obsessed....... and as Tony mentioned, they can be easily fixed when the pins go south on ya'............ and they will.............soon.

But honestly, get a Benchmade as soon as you can because, cutting your finger off with a $30 knife is WAAAAAAY more embarrassing than cutting it off with a $100+ knife.
 
I have actually been using that screen name on different boards for about two years now.

Also where is a good place to get get a Bali. Knifezilla Baliworld any good??
 
Knifezilla just can't be beat in my opinion. Josh has grade "A" customer service and has never let me down.
 
Welcome! Everyone else has given you good advice, and they know more than I do, so I'll just nod and smile in agreement. ;) :D
 
Howdy, I agree with the advise given here.
Aside from that, you'll notice that alot of people here are Benchmade addicts, and for good reason, as those are fine knives. However, I've had jaguars for longer than BMs and actually prefer them over the more expensive knives on alot of occasions. Aside from the pins, the rest of the quality is pretty decent.

Later,
Henry
 
And please consider that a BM bali is much closer to $100 than $150 if you shop wisely. If you don't like it you can sell it in the exchange for not too much less than you paid for it.
 
Welcome The One! The advice you've been given is, as always, very good. I don't think there's any right first balisong, as the first one serves little more purpose than to get you addicted. :)

Just weigh out whats important to you...

Jaguar:
$30
Stainless Steel - Good and heavy to help build strength in your fingers, and toughen those knuckles, but slower.
Expect it to break, but fixing it generally makes it better than when you bought it.
When it gets older, it won't lock tight open or close.
As it begins to "die", manipulating the loose wobbly handles will be tough
More available at local knife shops and online than higher-end balis.
Life - anywhere from 1-3 years, depending on how you've treated it.

Benchmade 4x:
$125
Titanium - Very light and very tough.
Very precise, smooth action for those more complicated manipulations.
Very tight and consistent lock up, open and close.
Good warranty
Life - I don't know of anyone who has had a 40 series break yet, if someone has, I'd like to know about it.

If you actually do the math, it's cheaper in the long run to get a benchmade, but for some people, $125 just isn't an option.

You're most likely more confused than you were before you read my post. :D I hope you find something that suits you. Have fun flippin'!
 
I agree with the others have said too. When the pins do go south, Clay's method should set you right again. There is another option too.
You can send your blade to Eric "Mer" Maier http://www.maierblades.com
and he'll fix you up with a nice set of handles and pins that won't fail!

Mike
 
Welcome to the Forum The One.., nothing to add from me..., the Forumites have said it all!!

Come back and hang out when you can.., and good luck with whatever to decide on!

Happy Holidays :)



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Thanks for all the great advise. I have decided to go with a jaguar for my first Bali. http://216.71.158.68/webcat/product78.html

I went with this one from knifezilla.

Who knows maybe once I get addicted i may get a BM.

On a side note I went to the local knife shop and saw the BM42. Looked nice but didnt care for the anodizing though.
 
Glad you stopped by, nice to have you with us even if it is for just a short while:cool: .

Ditto the above remarks!

I know what you mean about the anodized handles, I liked them, but was'nt real sure if I wanted to own them. To each his own right?;)
I prefer the natural look of Titanium, it is timeless!:D

We all hope you stick around and visit regularly.

:)
 
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