Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
I have just been contacted by a well-known and respected custom maker who is interested in doing a balisong project.
We're still discussing the details of the project, but one thing is clear: to make just one or two would be very, very expensive. The price would come down dramatically if we could do say twenty five pieces.
All 25 would have to have the same blade size and profile. The handles would all be the same size, but you could select between skeleton or insert handles with a variety of insert materials available. The initial proposal is to do the handles in Ti, but stainless steel and brass are being discussed. If we go with Ti, you could select an anodized color. For example, an Iowa State University graduate might want to have the handles anodized bright gold and add red micarta inserts. Go Cyclones!
You could select either a Batangas or a Manila latch (no latchless, it's a different part). And, you could select your desired finish (bead blasted, satin, mirror-polished, etc.).
The price we're thinking about right now is in the $350 - $450 range (which will, of course, vary with the options you select).
We haven't worked out a lot of design details at this point, so I can't get specific.
If there's enough interest and we move ahead, the first prototype is probably four or five months away. After the prototypes are approved, it will probably take something like six or eight months to complete 25 pieces since it would be all handmade custom work. A substantial early deposit will be required.
So, my question to y'all is this: is there enough serious interest out there? Remember, the target is 25 pieces.
I'm not asking for your signature on any lines right now, but just a show of hands: how many would be seriously interested in and would be willing to pay for and wait for such a balisong?
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
We're still discussing the details of the project, but one thing is clear: to make just one or two would be very, very expensive. The price would come down dramatically if we could do say twenty five pieces.
All 25 would have to have the same blade size and profile. The handles would all be the same size, but you could select between skeleton or insert handles with a variety of insert materials available. The initial proposal is to do the handles in Ti, but stainless steel and brass are being discussed. If we go with Ti, you could select an anodized color. For example, an Iowa State University graduate might want to have the handles anodized bright gold and add red micarta inserts. Go Cyclones!
You could select either a Batangas or a Manila latch (no latchless, it's a different part). And, you could select your desired finish (bead blasted, satin, mirror-polished, etc.).
The price we're thinking about right now is in the $350 - $450 range (which will, of course, vary with the options you select).
We haven't worked out a lot of design details at this point, so I can't get specific.
If there's enough interest and we move ahead, the first prototype is probably four or five months away. After the prototypes are approved, it will probably take something like six or eight months to complete 25 pieces since it would be all handmade custom work. A substantial early deposit will be required.
So, my question to y'all is this: is there enough serious interest out there? Remember, the target is 25 pieces.
I'm not asking for your signature on any lines right now, but just a show of hands: how many would be seriously interested in and would be willing to pay for and wait for such a balisong?
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
