Stupid freaking latches...

N

NaTeDoGG

Joined
Jun 30, 2000
Messages
369
Latches suck. For instance, take the BM68-S I just got NIB from Susan. There are washers that keep the tang and ricasso from getting scratched, the blade never rubs against the handles. But the latch rubs all over everything. The latch is the only thing that makes it worth less the more I use it.

Yes, I tried tape. But I'd have to tape up the whole knife to stop everywhere the latch hits. I count 8 places the latch hits the handles and blade. It can screw up the tip and the edge of the blade, even with tape.

The scratches I have so far are faint, yes, but considering I got the knife today... in a week it'll be quite torn up.

I guess that's what I get for flipping a nice bali as a user, I know. But I think that latch needs some redesigning. A latch gate helps some but still damages the latch itself and also adds even more length to the handles.

I'd like to find a nice latchless BM bali. Probably would have to be custom though, right? custom = $$$ + rare
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I'd just about die for a 5" BM latchless spearpoint. Or even a 4".
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(3"? hehe
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) The handle to blade length ratio would be perfect also, since the handles can end right after the tip of the blade.

How rare are latchless balis like this one? Is super-freaking-rare an understatement?
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[/rant]
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[This message has been edited by NaTeDoGG (edited 08-05-2000).]
 
I am currently figuring out how to make a latch gate for my 30s, it is freakin' hard since the handle blade ratio wasn't designed for a latch gate. I hope to come up with something that works soon but I'm not going to @%$# up my bali, maybe I'll just try out my designs on my 7.5" Bear. Will keep ya guys posted.

BTW, you could always drill the latch pin out if you don't even want a latch at all, and don't want to pay all the $$$ for a custom.

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Cameron
"It takes a killer...to stop a killer"
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http://home.san.rr.com/balisongfans/galleries/kile/index.html
 
The latch can be removed from a 42 quite easily. Just remove the Torx screw. The pin is not pressure fit. You may need to use a pin punch (less than $5 at Home Depot) and a hammer to gently tap the pin out if it's just a little tight. When to piece of metal are pressed together and the surfaces have not been polished, they tend to gall together. Ti has a tendency to do this. So, you may need a pin punch and a bit of tapping to break the latch pin free. It shouldn't be to hard. This is not like the pivot pins.

Putting the latch back on later if you change your mind should also be easy.



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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 wouldn't drill out my latch on my 68, it is too nice. But the 42 I might, considering I can put it back with (relative) ease.

But I'll have a bali with an extra long handles and channels for a latch... I'd really like to find a 'real' latchless... Susan? Is your SWAT team busy at the moment?
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oh god.. my SWAT team is too overworked at this time
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but you might want to ask Gollnick if the handle to blade length ratio for latchless balis are the same.. I hang my head in shame as my swat team has not acquired a latchless.
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but my impresion is that the custom handles are milled in numbers and in the same legnth, they just dont drill out the canals for the latch.

as for the spearpoint.. may it be 3 or 4 inches. patience my friend
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. I have not held but SEEN a 5 inch spearpoint custom.. OUCH.

until then just mummify your latch on that 68s. If you look at my franken bali page you will see an AMAZING latch game mod done by booshank.. he rules. and he;s a mech Eng too. I htin khe has instructions for making em there too for those of yo uinclined.

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<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
and what about latch drops? those alone justify a latch.. oh the heresy!
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<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
I'm not a big fan of the latchdrop. I once had to have a Model 45 removed from my foot as a result of a latchdrop gone bad.

Anyway, the handle design of a proper latchless balisong is dramatically different. The channel ends abruptly. cutting that end is a challenge for a machinest. And, because there's no latch, the handles are a bit shorter.



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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'm sitting here reading this and looking at my BM42. Couldn't you remove the latch, and then cut off the ends of the handles. Removing the channels for the latch up to the latch gate. If you were careful, and polished it off, you would have a solid finished end on your latchless balisong. Then the handles wouldn't be too long. Just a thought.
James
 
Susan, I read about the latch mod Booshank had done.. The description is hard to visualize though. :/ As for patience... looks like I have no choice eh?
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I could live without latch drops.
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JamPrit, thats a pretty neat idea! But the latch gate is only in one handle right? The other handle would still be open-ended.
 
to me, making latchless balisongs is easier than cutting out a latch gate

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QuickSilver--"you just gotta be quick....."

[This message has been edited by Quicksilver27 (edited 08-06-2000).]
 
Just remember to somehow IDENTIFY your bite handle (for practical purposes ofcoruse) with a bump or a dimple or somethign cause I knwo sometims I dont even look at my hands anymore when I flip switch hhands and all and sometimes I go WOAH when I feel the latch hit my pinky finger.. translation: I didnt know I was holding the bite handle.. and STOP. lest bloood comes.. but for normal show I guess it is all good.

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<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
NaTeDoGG,
Put Locktite on the latch, each side,where it connects to the pin,don't have to use a lot. close bali,wipe off excess,wait a few seconds,open,it will be stiff,work latch until you like it. latch will no longer slap around,this last for quite awhile!Repeat as needed.Think you will like it.
jim
 
Originally posted by jim_l_clifton:
NaTeDoGG,
Put Locktite on the latch, each side,where it connects to the pin,don't have to use a lot. close bali,wipe off excess,wait a few seconds,open,it will be stiff,work latch until you like it. latch will no longer slap around,this last for quite awhile!Repeat as needed.Think you will like it.
jim
Click to expand...

That is a pretty dang good idea. I'll have to try it! I'll post results.
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Susan, good point about the bite handle... I might have figured that one out the hard way!
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I guess I'll just have to take a glance when I pick up the knife.

JamPrit & BalisongMan, so the latchgate is in both handles eh! The latchgate is cast as part of the handles right, so if I cut off the handles right after the gate there would be no seams, correct?

What do you all think about converting a BM42 to a latchless by whacking off the handles right after the latchgate? How much length would this trim from the handles? Man I want my 42!
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If you have the right tools and know what you're doing, it should be quite trivial to make a sawed of 42. But, I wouldn't just saw it off. I'd use a milling machine to round the end a little bit, break the edges nicely, etc, and then polish it up to a really nice finish.

Yeah, you could make a really nice latchless out of a 42.

If you don't feel up to it yourself, my friend Frank Recupero might be able to do it. Maybe there are other makers and modifiers who would do it and do it right.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
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