What is the attraction to 3 in balis?

K

KNIFE THROWER

Joined
Nov 16, 1999
Messages
244
I have one, a BENCHMADE. Not really sure which model. It has flush pins and the standard hole pattern steel handles. The blade is a polished utility with no swedge at all. I have had this knife for three years or so. I have been trying to like it, really. I find it way too small to manipulate well. The handle length is too short to use,as a knife, confortably. I have small hands for a six ft tall, 190 lb guy. I just don't get it?
When I bought it I thought that it was a 45 and made an offer based on the owner's description. When he showed up with the knife I bought it with out even checking it out. It was not what I wanted but kept it all the same, trying to like it. Am I missing something?

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Later, Jim
 
I really like the 3" version. I have a PC68, PC10, & a BM35. Maybe I like them better, be cause that's what I'm used to using,since that's all I've had until last Feb. when I got a BM45 and then in May when I got a BM42.
I find that I'm quicker with the shorter handles, which makes them lighter than my BM45. When I started using the 45, I thought, man this thing weighs a ton. But, that was good training for the longer handles of the 42, which is as light as the 3" and has more to hold onto, like the 45. The 42S is my daily carry, now. I am curious what a 3" Titanium like the 42, would be like.
 
Hi Jim,

While I agree that the shorter knives are more difficult to manipulate fluidly, I find they are very handy to carry in the pocket, which is my favorite way to carry any folding knife. That's why I like the 3"ers! My heavy 4" custom model kinda drags the pocket down if you know what I mean.

I've actually gotten pretty good w/the little guys, and like them enough to have a custom one on order!

Bob

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"The search is half the fun!"
 
3", 4", or 5" depends on the size of your hand. Ladies, especially, often find the 3" better for them. Anything below about 3" is generally a novelty. Anything above 5" is generally a novelty. (Yes, I know: there is someone who is going to post saying how their six incher is perfect for their unusually large hand. The key word in that sentence is someone... singular. There's one in every crowd.)

Several months ago, I started a smaller lady out on balisongs. She was having troubles with a BM42. I kept coaching and coaching and she kept trying and trying. Then, I saw the problem. The 4" 42 was just huge in her hand. So, I dug around in my gym bag and was fortunate to find a 35. I'm not a big fan of three inchers myself. I can work 'em, but they just don't seem as nice to me as four inchers. But, for her, the 35 was perfect.

I'm also not a big fan of five-inchers myself. I can work 'em, but they just don't seem as nice to me as four inchers.

I can work a 27 incher if you'd like. I have a nice little 2" Kelgin piece that I can work a bit. But, I find that for the majority of people 3-5" is right with most of those finding 4" perfect.

It's like tee shirts. A few people need XXS to avoid having the thing drag on the ground. Some need XS. Some more need S. A lot of people wear M. A really big bunch of people wear L, a really big bunch more wear XL. Some need XXL, and a few have to get to XXXL to cover their excess.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Give me a bali of any size and I will figure out a way to manipulate it. I can do finger rolls and aerials with my keychain balis up to my foot long bali, I hope to get a FHM that is several feet long (possible a kris) and I know I will manipulate that. I do think I like the 4" the most but I don't have a problem with a smaller or larger size (no I really don't practice or enjoy the keychain bali manipulation but I can do it so once in a while I'll do it).

It's just like anything, it's all in how you perceive it and what attitude you have towards it, it you say "It's too small and hard to manipulate" then every time you pick up that 9,10,11,30,35,67,68,69,custom 3", or the custom 5" (and up) bali you won't succeed because you've told yourself that you won't.

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Cameron
"It takes a killer...to stop a killer"
uriel.gif

A few of my balisongs
My Photopoint album
 
well being somewhat new to this, I've really only manipulated 5"ers and I tend to find them flying out of my grip now and then when doing finger rolls. i'm about 6'1", average hand size. hmm.

and you can actually manipulate those dinky things?!?!? wow!
 
I like the 3" model for finger rolls. They roll over ever so nicely. I use my PC 68 especially for this purpose.

I have large hands but I like the way it rolls. Aerials are kinda sweet too.
smile.gif


Sabo 29

[This message has been edited by Sabo (edited 10-07-2000).]
 
Speed, the need for speed, the smaller ones really fly fast and finger rolls are easy and quick. The latchdrop opening is lightening, like the small knives a lot. The longer handles on my BM42 are sometimes cumbersome on some of the openings I do, but overall I still like it...

G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...

G2 LeatherWorks
 
I don't care for swinging them, but they make dandy little utility knives I think. Sort of the equivalent of a pocket knife for small jobs, kind of a bird and trout balisong.
 
Yes Steve, I very much agree. They are indeed a great pocket knife. Easy on the pants pocket. But I find them easy to manipulate upon extraction adding to their value.

Everybody has a size of blade that they prefer 4", 5", whatever...I think that the 3" while it may not be the "all around" perfect blade length for the balisong, has a valuable place in our attraction to the split handled knife that we love so much. Regardless of your hand size or the particular use of your tool.

Regards,

Sabo 29
"Catch you on the flip side"!
 
I'm in agreement regarding the ease of carry issue. My little BM30 rode as an everyday-carry piece for three years in a custom leather, horizontal-mount (copy of custom leather BM Bali sheath) sheath I made for it. That little succa was just right for about every application I threw at it. I'm hopeful that BM will make a 3" ti-handled, updated version.

Professor.
 
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