Why this fascination with kris blades?

Gollnick

Gollnick

Musical Director
Joined
Mar 22, 1999
Messages
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Recently, an advertisement for CCC (that's Charming China Cheapie) balisongs offered several different blade profiles including a so-called kris that made my almost want to vomit. All blade profiles were one price except the KK (krappy kris), which was a couple of bucks more.

One of the most common questions I receive is "where can I buy a kris balisong like the one in that movie Face Off?"

I understand why collectors seek out great kris blades. A great kris is, perhaps, the most difficult blade profile to make. Great kris blades are very rare. A great kris is the masterpiece of a top-rank maker.

But, let's face it: a kris is not a very practical knife.

Being double-edged, they are much more demanding to manipulate and the range of techniques possible is limited. Only a really skilled artist can get down and really have a good time with one.

They're not very useful for every-day cutting tasks. I'd hate to, for example, gut a deer with one. Even opening a box with one is pain.

They're very difficult, almost impossible, to really sharpen.

And, given the above, it's very difficult to explain one you might happen to have with you as "a tool for routine chores."

So, I ask, what is it about even CCC KKs that has everyone so fascinated?

Oh, and please, no vauge answers like "They're cool", "I like 'em", or "I just want one." Tell us why they're cool, why you like 'em, why you want one.

Think W!


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Gollnick wrote:
Oh, and please, no vauge answers like "They're cool", "I like 'em", or "I just want one." Tell us why they're cool, why you like 'em, why you want one.
Click to expand...

Hey, I like em
smile.gif
(kidding) They're more practical as a collectors item I would presume. Since the blades are hard to make, they probably have more collectible value.(I'm not refering to the CCCs but the gorgeous Kris Dawkind posted here a week ago).

I did buy a Kris recently to see what all the fuss was, and am very sorry I did. It really is a POS!

-Howdy

Gore more years!

[This message has been edited by Cpt. Howdy (edited 11-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Cpt. Howdy (edited 11-21-2000).]

the UBB ferry strikes again.


[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 11-21-2000).]
 
In part, I think you may have answered your own question. That is, given the difficulty and effort required in making a Kris blade makes them more appreciated and rare/difficult to obtain.

Also, due to their unusual shape/pattern somewhere over time they seem to have developed a certain mystique. (They remind me of a "flame").

I agree they are quite impractical, as are Corvettes, and Z3's etc. However, they remain desirable by collectors. Many want what is a challenge to obtain.

Personally, they are one of my least desirable blade patterns. I opt for the long clips, spear points, and bowies.


Just my $0.02

Thanks
 
I like my blades like I like my women......

........ sharp and cuuuuuuurvy.

------------------
Clay
www.balisongxtreme.com
Because......
getting 'em open
is half the fun!
 
Pretty much any blade that you see is fairly straight, you have the occasional recurve but it's not of the entire blade. I think it is just something a lot different than the norm, the fact that it looks menacing and is very dangerous (especially while manipulating it). I don't think I'd ever buy another "flame" blade and I certainly would never pay the money for a kris. Just my .02

------------------
Cameron

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"Look deep, deep inside and you will find a place of anger, vengeance, and brutality. Go there. It is your last hope to conquer the truly wicked."
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A few of my balisongs
My Photopoint album
 
The kris profile doesn't do anything for me. Don't get me wrong; I would love to own that Samson kris that you were showing. That would be for what it is and who made it, not that it is a cool looking blade.

Now the Bowie profile is another matter. Maybe I'm just strange.


------------------
Doubt is an uncomfortable condition,
but certainty is a ridiculous one.
 
>> I like my blades like I like my women......
........ sharp and cuuuuuuurvy.

Sense I am married to a Filipino women, and all of my best friends are married to Filipino women, I can assure you, that they have curves that do not end. Very much like the Batangas made Kris blade. They are just a work of art in perfection.

One thing people seem to be reaching out to the Asian culture for, is their sense of flow. We know all about rhythm and angles, but we do not know the way of a river. Where every cause has a equal reaction.
Thanks, JohnR7
 
Gollnick,
Why the craze over the Kris pattern? Most likely for all of the problems that you mentioned. But then its like that with so many things in life.

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Usual Suspect
http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/arkhamdrifter/index.html
 
Ha, I love it! "Where can I find as Kriss like in Face/Off?" When I first got the CCC, it was supposed to be one that had a different blade that was symmetric. I had ordered it from Action knives and they said it was imported from Italy. However, unlike the picture shown, I received the familiar 4" POS flame crap, and believe me, I was dissapointed.

The reason why I like kris is simply because it is different and rare. Kris blades appeal to me because they are usually only seen on daggers and swords. Also probably because they look menacing.
tongue.gif


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Dave

My collection
 
Personally I do not like kris style blades on balisong. More often than not they are poorly made, unsharpenable, and an insult to real kris/keris. I do like real kris and keris. Kris and keris are very good for the jobs they are made for. Real kris and keris (not these crappy flame stainless junk) are beautiful pieces of craftsmenship that have a power within themselves.
 
I loved the challenge of trying to find one for my collection.....
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.....Anybody have a 4" they want to get rid of???
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Thinkin' W, Chuck!
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View


[This message has been edited by Dawkind (edited 11-21-2000).]
 
I simply wanted one for my display because, as you said, they are so hard to come by. Now granted, not everybody can be as fortunate as Mr. D but recently I picked up a Kris bladed Batangas from our good friend Sniperboy and
biggrin.gif
I am pleased to say that I was more than happy. Beautiful lines of the blade hold my attention extensively! Agreed, I wouldn't want to sharpen the darn thing.

I feel rarety is the dmanding influence of this blade design. I mean, if everyone could get a Diablo then what would be the point!? I feel very lucky!

THANKS S!

Best regards,

Sabo 29

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"Catch you on the flip side"!
 

Hi!

I'd have to say that I like kris blades simply because they are so asthetically pleasing. The smooth lines...the curviness...uh, anyways, is it an inside joke or something? Because I for one would love to know where I could get a kris like the one in Face/Off.
 
Looking at good examples of kris blades, I would like one as a collector, but it's not a high priority.

I think the question that is meant to be asked is "where can I get that evil-looking butterfly knife with which the bad-ass bad guy does that cool **** ..." Whoever is looking for a Face/Off knife is driven solely by the example shown in the film, not by any sort of advantages in the design.
 
Bakedpotato, I don't think the knife in Face/Off was in black chrome; I think it was in regular chrome. But I did like the knife, and it did have a lot to do with the fact that it had a kris blade. Why I like them? Mostly because they look so cool and fierce. But like Chuck said, the kris blade is not a very practical blade, and if you were pulled over with one, it would be hard to explain. The kris would make a good defensive weapon though... curves are dangerous.
 
Uh, aren't most bali blades impractical as compared to other utility/tac folders. The BM weehawk isn't exactly the best style for utility and day to day chores. Does it work? Sure. Is it a sweet blade? You bet. But you could do a lot better with a folder than a bali if you're looking for good geometry. It's not the designers fault, it's the handles that restrict enginuity(is that spelt correctly?).

Steve
 
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