Hey everyone. This is my first post on the forum, but not necessarily uninformed. I just spent the enire day browsing the forum, mainly because I made the account today, but also because I wanted to buy a CCC Balisong and wasn't entirely sure whether it's worth my time. I'm kinda in the market for a new knife, but I'm really undicided right now. Little background just for the fun of it.
I got my first Balisong from my brother. It was a red Wave model. Like $20. I got this when I was around the age of 13. It kinda scared me then, so I was never really interested in learning how to use it; I was more afraid of it than anything. Recently, though, I had gotten into flipping it after seeing a few videos online. I went to BalisongXtreme first, of course, and eventually became somewhat decent at it. I learned to whip around the knife and fell in love with the art entirely. I started increasing in speed and would always flip it; on the phone, on the computer, watching tv, you name it. One night a few months back, I was flipping it while on the phone and around midnight the bite handle suddenly fell off. It kinda scared me and I'm lucky it didn't fall on my exposed foot or anything. I examined it afterwards and noticed that this happened because the pins holding the blade to the handle wore out. That's my only problem with the knife. I still have it in my drawer as my first Balisong; almost a sentimental thing. I loved it, so I wanted another knife to flip while I saved up some money to get a Benchmade 42.
I'm short on money (my budget right now is about $55), so I was looking through Knifezilla (what else) for cheap Balis and came here to see if they're worth it. I have my eye on a Tach Bali model for like $24, and since I have some money left over (assuming I still purchase that) I wanted a folding knife. I kinda have a thing for filet knives too, so I saw Kershaw's folding filet knife and decided I needed it.
I LOVE the grip that Kershaw uses on this knife; it's the same as the one as the Kershaw Black Colt II. The only thing I disliked about the BCII is the the blade is a little short in my opinion and weak. Everyone in my family has one, and everyone has broken off the tip of this knife. Just a little bit off of it. Even so, I still use it. The grip and fact that it's a lock-back are what keep it a personal favorite of mine. Only problem is the stupid cheap steel... :grumpy:
So what it comes down to is this. I'm unsure if I really want a cheap Balisong, and I do need a new folding knife. So I've been looking around. I know I like Kershaw and Cold Steel. I don't like CRKT that much because of the grip they use on them and the locking mechanism isn't one of my favorites. My friend just bought an M16-13SF, and I like the idea of it. The tanto blade is kinda cool, but I just don't like the knife that much in general. I DO like the Kershaw mini-Cyclone (a little over my budget though), and the Kershaw Storm II, but I'm not a fan of the Kershaw Vapor for some reason. Just doesn't tickle me right I guess. That stupid filet knife does though, but I need a practical knife.
What I would like are some suggestions of good folding knives. Around $30-$45, possibly a lockback, or maybe a tanto blade. One of the two. I guess I'm focused on looks as much as usibility, as bad as that may be. But as mom always said, "If you don't love it, don't buy it."
Thank you ahead of time for your help and just even taking the time to read all the crap I've writen.
I got my first Balisong from my brother. It was a red Wave model. Like $20. I got this when I was around the age of 13. It kinda scared me then, so I was never really interested in learning how to use it; I was more afraid of it than anything. Recently, though, I had gotten into flipping it after seeing a few videos online. I went to BalisongXtreme first, of course, and eventually became somewhat decent at it. I learned to whip around the knife and fell in love with the art entirely. I started increasing in speed and would always flip it; on the phone, on the computer, watching tv, you name it. One night a few months back, I was flipping it while on the phone and around midnight the bite handle suddenly fell off. It kinda scared me and I'm lucky it didn't fall on my exposed foot or anything. I examined it afterwards and noticed that this happened because the pins holding the blade to the handle wore out. That's my only problem with the knife. I still have it in my drawer as my first Balisong; almost a sentimental thing. I loved it, so I wanted another knife to flip while I saved up some money to get a Benchmade 42.
I'm short on money (my budget right now is about $55), so I was looking through Knifezilla (what else) for cheap Balis and came here to see if they're worth it. I have my eye on a Tach Bali model for like $24, and since I have some money left over (assuming I still purchase that) I wanted a folding knife. I kinda have a thing for filet knives too, so I saw Kershaw's folding filet knife and decided I needed it.
I LOVE the grip that Kershaw uses on this knife; it's the same as the one as the Kershaw Black Colt II. The only thing I disliked about the BCII is the the blade is a little short in my opinion and weak. Everyone in my family has one, and everyone has broken off the tip of this knife. Just a little bit off of it. Even so, I still use it. The grip and fact that it's a lock-back are what keep it a personal favorite of mine. Only problem is the stupid cheap steel... :grumpy:
So what it comes down to is this. I'm unsure if I really want a cheap Balisong, and I do need a new folding knife. So I've been looking around. I know I like Kershaw and Cold Steel. I don't like CRKT that much because of the grip they use on them and the locking mechanism isn't one of my favorites. My friend just bought an M16-13SF, and I like the idea of it. The tanto blade is kinda cool, but I just don't like the knife that much in general. I DO like the Kershaw mini-Cyclone (a little over my budget though), and the Kershaw Storm II, but I'm not a fan of the Kershaw Vapor for some reason. Just doesn't tickle me right I guess. That stupid filet knife does though, but I need a practical knife.
What I would like are some suggestions of good folding knives. Around $30-$45, possibly a lockback, or maybe a tanto blade. One of the two. I guess I'm focused on looks as much as usibility, as bad as that may be. But as mom always said, "If you don't love it, don't buy it."
Thank you ahead of time for your help and just even taking the time to read all the crap I've writen.
