Any THR bali flippers?

[Soap]

I'm familiar with most of the flippers from Bladeforums. I was curious to see if there are any bali lovers here on THR. If so, do you EDC your bali? What is your preferred fighting/quick utility opening?

 

[BerettaNut92]

I think 10-Ring might have one, but he can't carry it since we're behind enemy lines

It's in his blood

 

[Drjones]

I have a BM 42s but cannot carry it because my communist government, which is SO much smarter than I, knows how infinitely more dangerous and deadly my BM 42s is than any other knife.

 

[vertigo7]

I've also got a Benchmade #42 and have been having a lot of fun learning to flip it. So far it's only bit me twice, just enough to let me know that I'm not paying enough attention (it's called the bite handle for a reason). I don't carry it yet, mainly because I know I'll get bored somewhere and absentmindedly start flipping it... Right now, I'm working on teaching myself a move mockingly dubbed the Sissy Twirl.

 

[Joe Demko]

I have several (three or four, can't remember) that I bought back in the 80's. They were Pacific Cutlery's (now Benchmade) top o' the line models at the time and were damned expensive, especially on what I was making as a teacher in those days. I used to flip them, but haven't even had them out of the storage container in years.

 

[JohnBT]

I think I can still flip one, but I've never carried one. I started practicing in the '50s with a nice homemade one my dad brought back from the Philippines at the end of WWII, but he won't let me borrow it long enough to get real good. He won't let me borrow his two saps from his state police days either.

John

 

[45R]

Did somebody say Balis

 

[SapperLeader]

My brother Murnax lurks around here, and hangs out over on bladeforums and is into balis. He tried showing me, but it was fairly hopeless. I was able to get a few basic opening moves down and that was it. Surprisingly, our younger sister really got into it for a while and was picking up new movies rather quickly. Its one of those things Im thinking about giving another try at, because Id really like to learn a little more than the basics.

 

[tyme]

I like my recently acquired bm42. When I first got it, I carried it all the time, against my superego's direction since bali carry is illegal in TX. Since the novelty has worn off, I'm usually happier carrying a spyderco police instead.

The bm42 may be cooler, quicker to deploy, and more useful than the police, but it's not exactly low drag -- physically, or legally in most places.

Only one bite so far, and no ER visits.

 

[Ham Hock]

I have a pacific cutlery bali song.

I am fairly adept with it. I suffered many minor cuts learning it.

I used to have two and I looked really badass working two at a time. The cheaper one fell apart as I was flipping it. Now I am not nearly as badass as I used to be :-(

 

[The Undertoad]

Yep. I'm PeaceFrog from bladeforums. I used to have a good sized balisong collection, now I just have my trusty old BM 42 and a typhoon.

SapperLeader - Hi! I didn't know Murnax had a brother. If all goes according to plan, I'll be meeting him at the BBQ next weekend.

 

[SapperLeader]

Undertoad, yep, Im Murnax's big brother . Im picking him up from school next friday, so he can go to the bbq. Sounds like a fun get together, but I have to work saturday.

 

[Soap]

Very cool! I didn't there would even be this many with bali experience.

 

[Kharn]

My younger brother flips'em a bit, he has two cheapos at the moment. Are the Benchmade 40T trainers good? I want to get him a practice/training bali for his birthday (it'll be his 21st birthday present), but I have very little experience/expertise with knives in general.

Kharn

 

[The Undertoad]

Kharn - I haven't handled one personally, but all I've read about them says they are high-quality. Basically a BM4x series balisong with a training blade. I've abused my 1st-gen 42 PLENTY - and it's still in great shape.

 

[Soap]

I have a 42 and a 40T. The 40T is EXCELLENT for learning how to do new moves without being stressed about mutilating your fingers.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I got mine when they were still in LA before became Pacific Cutlery, Wee hawk blade. Cost me 180 dollars and took 8 mo to get. Longest I ever waited for a weapon of any kind. Also my belt sheath is one of the hand made ones. When it came open package gave quick look and flipped Wrong handel cut fingers real good Wife at time thought very funny still have knife ,wife gone. Cant use any more fingers don t work like they should . Carry Cold steel R 1 now can grip it and faster to draw

 

[Drjones]

Balis and autos are two of the most addicting knives out there....

 

[Black Majik]

Heh... took me a night to learn how to flip the balisongs. I was bored at a friend's house, and he showed me how to use it.

One sided balis for me. No double edge ones. ouch

 

[VaughnT]

I want a bali!

I used to flip one years ago, and really like the 'cool' factor, but I got out of them for practical purposes.

What's a good make/model for a beginner? Any recommended books or vids on the subject?

 

[Soap]

I would get a 42 if you're brave or a 40T if you want to be cautious. Then get onto http://www.balisongxtreme.com and learn all the techniques.

 

[The Undertoad]

Yep... I'd say get whichever of the BM4x series you like most. And Jeff Imada's books are good, or www.balisongxtreme.com like Daniel said, that's where I learned most of my manipulations.

 

[IRONFIST]

I used to be able to work two BM blades at once, but I lost one and the other is cracked in spots and is just plain worn out. I will probably replace them and get back into it someday. Flipping a Bali is very hypnotic to me and I would do it to de-stress and mellow out. My wife called them my "Adult-baby pacifiers" and I think she was right. I am playing with my old BM while I am typing this. Old habits die hard...