Summing up the BM42

D

drjones

Joined
Sep 6, 2000
Messages
913
Allright, folks. I've decided that I need a BM42. I have some questions for you:

1. I've read here of several people (many people?) having problems with poor finish quality - rough holes on the handles, poorly sharpened or unsharpened blades, etc. How widespread is this? This seems to be mostly on the earlier 42's. How long has the BM42 been on the market? If I buy one now, is it likely that BM has worked out their poor Quality control?

2. Kydex sheaths - they look cool, and like something I would want, but how does the knife stay in there? It looks like it's barely hanging in the sheath!! Does it hold the knife VERY securely? I would DIE if I lost my new baby Benchmade! Or even worse, since I live in California, if it fell out in front of a cop or other authority figure! Wow, that would suck!

3. Handles - to anodize or not to anodize? One minute I want the anodized, the next I think I want plain. What do you all think? Which looks better? I know it's just personal preference, but I want to know your opinions. Any problems with the finish quality of the anodization?

Thanks a lot in advance!!!
Strati Vourakis
evourakis@csus.edu
 
I dont have one just yet, so I cant answer #1, but for #2 Kydex holds it very very firmly. only a good yank at it would get it out. I may consider selling some sheaths if I'm any good at it when I get some concealex. As for #3, its really a matter of personal preference. I'm very much a fan of silver so thats the color i'm getting. that and you can anodize it another color from the point anyway and you can thermally oxidize it. the other thing about the anodized handles is that it eventually rubs off. but once again its really a matter of preference. get one anodized, one not
 
I like the bm42 by far. But don't get the anodized, it just looks like sh*t IMHO (EDIT: I've already scratched the area of the handle where the latch is closed, and on a 1st production too!
frown.gif
). Can't go wrong with silver
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------------------
~Howdy

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much [he] learned in seven years."
-- Mark Twain

[This message has been edited by Cpt. Howdy (edited 12-17-2000).]
 
Kydex and concealex make great sheaths. As far as BM quality, my new 42 is ok. There are some rough grinds on the latch and latch gate, but the thing is solid and swings like no other. As far as the blade is concerned, the grind lines are average, nothing that a little wear can't fix...also, a sharpmaker does an effective job at putting a bite back on the blade. I like mine, it's defintely better quality than the handmade ones I've purchased in the Philippines....I like mine enough that I decided to get another one with the blue anodized handles. Sure the finish will probably wear, but it just looked so pretty under the light. Hopefully, BM will start bringing new extra blades to the market so that you can inter-change them with the new 42. In all my dealings with BM, if you are unhappy with your purchase, they will make it right.
 
1. My 42 only has a few rough spots on the latch. I'm not too picky about that as it will get beat up anyways and it flips like a freakin' dream. My 42AS finish isn't quite as nice, but it's a first pro. run, so it's numbered and that helps a bit.

2. Kydex--don't know
confused.gif

Master Clay's xtreme concealex--absolutely kicks a$$. I love it, my neck sheat is all kinds of solid, and the belt sheath is quite nice also, eventhough it doesn't get used near as much as the neck one does, and you can't get much better concealment than a neck sheath for this one. Oh yeah, his sheaths are rock friggin solid too
biggrin.gif
.

3. If you want it to look pretty, get anodized. If you want to USE it, don't. The anodized finish will eventually wear off and that would look like **** IMHO. I would go with the buy both idea that was stated earlier, I did, and I intend to pick up at least one more of each.

Hope that helps make your decision.
 
DR JONES!!!
tongue.gif


despite my whining about the BM42, I have to say that everyone must have one.. kinda like a horrible first significant other =1. But yeah personally I didnt liek the 42A cause the handles annoyed me so I sold mine. (thus the SB collection was lessened again) and if I a mnot mistaken you need special machinery to interchange blades so I do not think BM ever plans on doign that. They did at first but scrapped the idea.

I think it is rather foolish since you can make more money that way (see tamiya model cars) - you'd rather not spend the money on another knif than buy a 'cheap' second blade. but anyways.

I have yet to buy any new run BM42's.. are they coming out yet? I bought 2 of them in the first run.. one was fine.. the other I had to send back cause it looked liek a mutated frog.. the latch did. I recently got ont that was new stock I think and it looks fine.

As per your question on Kydex. I love the stuff.. back a few months back I could tell you who to go and when but now there are so many talented guys I review it is really hard.. it is up to you and your tastes.

As per your question on retention, there is less risk of your knife falling if it is a 42 as opposd to say a 45
frown.gif
(sigh.,..) and after consulting with all the people I reveiew reterntion is just as important as speed.

I woudlnt carry my bali any other way but in plastic armour.

------------------
<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]


 
Although the BM42 does have its low points, I have to say it is still definitely one leap ahead in terms of the other current production balis. Even though it might not have perfect fit and finish, the function is definitely unparalleled.

------------------
Dave

My collection
 
Blade sharpness is an extremely subjective question and I refuse to even talk about it anymore. Some people are just whinners in this respect. I probably own more BM42s than the rest of y'all combined and none of mine has failed to shave hair out of the box.

The handles on the 42 are cast and BM has had some problems with very minor roughness in some of the inside edges of the casting and some very minor imperfections in the holes. But, nobody has yet shown me anything at all terrible.

If anyone has a BM 42 with a terrible defect, I challenge you to post pictures. If you don't have a digital camera or scanner, then send me the knife and I'll take the pictures. If it really is a bad defect, I'll pay the shipping both ways. Heck, if I really like the defect, I may trade you for a good one.

So, folks, post up or shut up.

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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
The 42 is a smmmmmmokin' Bali, I don't care what anyone says.

~ Cosmetics?? Who gives a rats @$$, as long as it flies.

~ Color?? What diffeence does it make?? It's a tool.

Truth is, they'll outlast just about any Bali thats available out there today. What more can you ask for in a tool??


Concealex.... ahhhhhhhhh Concealex. Personally, for the longest time I hated even the thought of the stuff. Then I made myself a sheath. Now I wonder how I've survived all these years without it. It opens up a whole world of different carry options.

------------------
Clay
www.balisongxtreme.com
Because......
getting 'em open
is half the fun!
 
drjones:
wrapped in plastic? it's fantastic!!!
tongue.gif

*snaps a finger and points at drjones*
but ofcourse mon ami.

------------------
<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]


 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Gollnick:
none of mine has failed to shave hair out of the box.
</font>
Click to expand...

I have tried this, literally. Sorry, the blade was not sharp enough
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It is very sharp though, just not razor.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
The handles on the 42 are cast and BM has had some problems with very minor roughness in some of the inside edges of the casting and some very minor imperfections in the holes. But, nobody has yet shown me anything at all terrible.
</font>
Click to expand...

I will try to get some postings of mine, the edges are rough, and not to mention one of the pin handles does not bind the blade no matter how much tension I place in the torx screw. Also, the holes drilled in the handles are uneven/crooked. What Im trying to get at is that the 42 is not perfect. But it's pretty close!

Just wanted to poke holes
smile.gif





------------------
~Howdy

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much [he] learned in seven years."
-- Mark Twain
 
Cpt. Howdy,

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I have tried this, literally. Sorry, the blade was not sharp enough</font>
Click to expand...

I am reminded of a man who went to the local car dealer. He explained that he wanted a fast car. The first car he'd owned had been a Geo Metro and it hardly even went. So, he traded it for a Camero and that was quite a bit faster, but still not good enough for him. His current car was a Dodge Viper and, while it was the fastest of the bunch, it still wasn't as fast as he wanted. He concluded by saying "I want the fastest car you've got!"

The salesman said "Well alright!" and sold him a Lotus Esprite they happened to have.

This particular Lotus had, for the past year, belonged to the dealership's own master mechanic, his personal car. The master mechanic had tweaked it to absolulte peak peformance.

So, you can imagine everyone's surprise when, a few hours later, the man returned with the car complaining that it wasn't fast enough and could barely climb even small hills.

Feeling personally insulted by these charges, the mechanic grabbed the keys, lept into the car, and left the lot in a cloud of Z-rated smoke. Minutes later, he returned with a speeding ticket for 130 in a 65. "See, it's fast!"

Amazed, the man took the car back and drove off.

The next day, he returned with a speeding ticket of his own -- 10 MPH in a 40 minimum zone. "It is the slowest car I've ever owned," the man complained, "I want my money back!"

The salesman reassured him, "I know this is a very fast car. I'm gonna get to the bottom of this." So, he took the car out for a little test drive of his own. He returned saying "I've never felt G forces like that in my life! I think I heard a sonic boom! There's nothing wrong with that car."

By this time, the owner of the dealership had heard of the problem and resolved to fix it. He took the keys and invited the customer to go on a test drive with him. However, as they walked to the car, the dealer handed the keys over to the man and said, "This time, you drive."

They pulled off the lot doing about eight MPH and merged into traffic at maybe ten to a blare of angry horns. They drove past the dealership and around the block with the car unable to get much past maybe twelve MPH and barely able to climb even the small hill they encountered.

It was at this point that the owner explained to the customer that "You have to press the accellerator pedal."

It other words, Captain, Maybe it is your technique that is flawed.


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
It's a neat little parable. But the 42 is still *not* perfect. I imagine the Geminis wil be just a little bit superior, but yet lacking in some way also. Sorry, Im just a perfectionist. Do you know how many 4port routers I went through this month before I found the *right* one? Hehe, Im on a first name basis with the Fry's customer returns dept.
smile.gif




------------------
~Howdy

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much [he] learned in seven years."
-- Mark Twain
 
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