Tachyon compared to BM42/43/47

[Gary W. Graley]

Just wondered now that there are some amongst us, what your opinions were in regard to the flipping characteristics between the two knives? I have had the BM42, traded off and now have a BM43, just like that blade better, the BM42 was nice but didn't care for the weehawk. So what do you guys think? The BM's are pretty light and with the open frame of the Tachyon I wondered if it they're too light?

The blade certainly looks nice on them! And from that other warning post about the Latch configs, some people are tending a healing hand because of how sharp they are! I carry butterflys to work at times and one guy that didn't want to try one saw a butterfly comb I had, my daughter bought it for me a while back. Cheapy, thin metal handles and a plastic comb but it flipped ok. This guy thought WOW a butterfly that I Can't hurt myself with! Famous last words it turned out, he flipped it SO hard the back of the handle broke skin on the back of his hand, ya never know about some people!

G2

 

[tonyccw]

Gary, here's what I posted about the Tachyon's flipping abilities on another post. Aside from the bushing being bronze instead of brass, I wouldn't change a word:

Originally posted by tonyccw
It feels very well, thank you. Those of you that own SWAT's aluminum version will understand what I mean. The sandwich design shared by both balis leave very little gap in the handle to tang assembly, and results in a bali that flips with little to no rocking sensation during manipulation. And with the sandwich construction, you'll never have to worry about the handles coming out of alignment because one of the forks is being stretched. If it ever gets loose, just give the torx screws a little tighening, and you should be good to go. The handle alignment is the tightest I've seen in a bali. Those titanium slabs does a wonderful job of elimanating any handle flex.

The action is smooth, and can be contributed to the two thick brass bushings between each handle and the tang. It, however, lacks the elongated sensation that the 5" SWAT handles provides when swinging. The short 4 3/4" handles are grippy and light. But the shortness of the handle means the top of the latch is digging into your palm in the foil grip position, when the bali is locked in the open position. But it is exteremely comfortable when held in the ice pick grip. But, for some reason, latch drop moves require a real precise execution and a little more effort than usual.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks Tony, I had read that but didn't know the direct comparison to the BM models, never had one of the SWAT ones yet. But that Tachyon is drawing me for the blade sake right now!
G2

 

[tonyccw]

Sorry. To better answer your question: Most BM's bali will have that slight rocking motion when manipulated because they tend to develope gaps in the handle forks with use. Now, if you've ever had your BM 43 at just the right tension on the trox screws, you'll notice that the rocking motion is minimal to non-existent. That sensation is what's there with the Tachyon. It's solid, so the only motion is the lateral swinging of the handles. And the only way to describe that sensation is "eerily smooth". That may also explain the required preciseness required to do a latch drop, as the handle will only travel in one tangent.

It's also real quiet too. The titanium handle slabs are so tightly put together, there's just not room for reverbarations. The handle clacks sound muffled.

As for the handle speed, it's a little faster than the BM 43, mostly due to it's shorter handle length.

And the blade is a MT version of the clipped bowie. Guess if you like the 43, it'll also appeal to you.

Overall, a real nice balisong. Makes me rethink the need for heavy handles.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

AH ok thanks Tony, what I was looking for, hmm have to count the pennies up and find out who might happen to have one available?
G2

ps
will have to work on that latch drop, one of my fav openings though!