My son wants a balisong

[Rookie]

I don't want to buy a cheap piece of crap, but I don't want to break the bank. What's a good but reasonable balisong?

 

[Gabriel]

Bladerunner Systems Replicant is really nice. I had one for a short time and thought it was a beautiful knife, but I just didn't need a balisong.

 

[RAMBOCAT]

I think BENCHMADE still makes several good ones.

 

[MindfulMan]

Bear OPS makes decent knives at a reasonable price.
Please check out this balisong.

Link: Bear OPS Bear-Song II Butterfly Black G-10 Knife (4.5" Black) B-200-B4-B - Blade HQ

 

[BFR50-110]

I think BENCHMADE still makes several good ones.

They do however their most affordable balisong is still over $200.

 

[MadBomber]

Bear OPS makes decent knives at a reasonable price.
Please check out this balisong.

Link: Bear OPS Bear-Song II Butterfly Black G-10 Knife (4.5" Black) B-200-B4-B - Blade HQ

PM Brad of Brads Knives....your life will be easier...

 

[RAMBOCAT]

Remember, with few exceptions, you get what you pay for; especially when it comes to knives (fixed blade or folding).

 

[kawtech87]

When I was a kid (about 10 or so) I begged my dad to buy me the Benchmade Balisong in the display window at the men's toy shop in Nashville. I wanted it so bad. What I didn't want was a scar on my thigh the exact size of a Benchmade 42's blade that is probably about half an inch deep or deeper. Deep enough the knife stood up on its own while stuck in my leg.

Not saying don't get your kid the blade, all I'm saying is maybe start him with a trainer.

 

[tradertator]

When I was a kid (about 10 or so) I begged my dad to buy me the Benchmade Balisong in the display window at the men's toy shop in Nashville. I wanted it so bad. What I didn't want was a scar on my thigh the exact size of a Benchmade 42's blade that is probably about half an inch deep or deeper. Deep enough the knife stood up on its own while stuck in my leg.

Not saying don't get your kid the blade, all I'm saying is maybe start him with a trainer.

That's exactly what I was thinking too. Like you, I've learned that lesson the hard way, and have the scars to serve as a reminder.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

When I was a kid (about 10 or so) I begged my dad to buy me the Benchmade Balisong in the display window at the men's toy shop in Nashville. I wanted it so bad. What I didn't want was a scar on my thigh the exact size of a Benchmade 42's blade that is probably about half an inch deep or deeper. Deep enough the knife stood up on its own while stuck in my leg.

Not saying don't get your kid the blade, all I'm saying is maybe start him with a trainer.

That's exactly what I was thinking too. Like you, I've learned that lesson the hard way, and have the scars to serve as a reminder.

Even the decent trainers are expensive.

Don't bother with the cheap ones on Amazon, they're absolute trash. They don't have the feel of an actual bali at all... and are very poorly made.

 

[kawtech87]

Even the decent trainers are expensive.

Don't bother with the cheap ones on Amazon, they're absolute trash. They don't have the feel of an actual bali at all... and are very poorly made.

Yep

Benchmade 62T Balisong Knife Trainer Stainless Steel Butterfly (Red Dull) - Blade HQ

This one should do nicely until he is ready for a live blade. If he ever decided he wanted a live blade after playing with the trianer. Honestly Balisongs are not very practical for much more than flipping. If all he wants is to learn how to flip the trianer is all he will ever need. Not saying they aren't cool I still have mine. I don't try airials anymore but it's still fun to flip.

 

[BuddieReigns]

Sometimes when I think I want one, I see the prices of a decent one, and then it makes me wanna try one of the fake benchmade clones you see on youtube and whatnot.

 

[danielocean03]

Sometimes when I think I want one, I see the prices of a decent one, and then it makes me wanna try one of the fake benchmade clones you see on youtube and whatnot.

Please don't buy knife clones of any brand, ever, period.

Cheap clones/copies/fakes are stolen designs taking the money out of honest, hardworking folks' pockets.

A clone isn't going to be a decent knife, the price difference is reflective of the quality of materials and workmanship in the final product. The genuine article will have a warranty and a resale value should you decide to sell it later, the clone will have nothing.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Please don't buy knife clones of any brand, ever, period.

Cheap clones/copies/fakes are stolen designs taking the money out of honest, hardworking folks' pockets.

A clone isn't going to be a decent knife, the price difference is reflective of the quality of materials and workmanship in the final product. The genuine article will have a warranty and a resale value should you decide to sell it later, the clone will have nothing.

In most cases, I could agree with this, but Benchmade has made this very difficult.

They made the best Bali ever with the BM42. Then, inexplicably, stopped making it. So now the value has shot up 350%.

Their other balis don't compare to the 42, causing other companies to do what they can to recreate it and fill that void.

I've never seen a market with so many clones to choose from with this knife... to the point where they get reviewed as seriously as the original.

They created demand, not supply.

 

[Bradsknives]

^^^^^^^^


Horse Crap!

 

[Bradsknives]

Please don't buy knife clones of any brand, ever, period.

Cheap clones/copies/fakes are stolen designs taking the money out of honest, hardworking folks' pockets.

A clone isn't going to be a decent knife, the price difference is reflective of the quality of materials and workmanship in the final product. The genuine article will have a warranty and a resale value should you decide to sell it later, the clone will have nothing.

Absolutely spot on!

I'm out of rep or you would have received some.

 

[flatlander]

Absolutely spot on!

I'm out of rep or you would have received some.

I got him.
BTW, didn't we have this discussion a while back right here on INGO ?
The same people will be arguing how it's a victimless crime shortly I'm sure

Bob

 

[ArcadiaGP]

^^^^^^^^


Horse Crap!

I can't believe I didn't think of it this way. You've truly shown me the light with your eloquent and thorough rebuttal.

I got him.
BTW, didn't we have this discussion a while back right here on INGO ?
The same people will be arguing how it's a victimless crime shortly I'm sure

Bob

I'll repeat, I own the knife in-question. What are the potential buyers supposed to do when a company doesn't supply (or re-release) an item that set the standard in it's genre? People want to buy it, but Benchmade won't make it. The BM51, 62, etc... all pale in comparison to the 42. It has a following. I see weekly threads in the Balisong subreddit of people willing to shell out $450-550 for the damn thing.

Third-party companies have sprung up to create custom titanium scales and addons for other Benchmade knives to try and replicate what the 42 brought to the table. The weight of the handles, the spring in the release...

If you ask a company to continue providing the amazing product they introduced... and they don't... it's up to the free-market to step in and fill that void.

 

[rhino]

I don't want to buy a cheap piece of crap, but I don't want to break the bank. What's a good but reasonable balisong?

How old is your son?

Will this be a toy or a using knife or both?

If he's an adult and it's going to be a using knife, then you should bite the bullet and get a Benchmade (or a midtech or custom). He's going to be disappointed by anything else.

You should also get a trainer to match it.

If it's going to be a toy, or your son is younger, I'd get a trainer and then if he doesn't lose interest over time, the real knife.

 

[Rookie]

He's 14. I want something that is relatively inexpensive, but not complete trash. Odds are, he'll flip it a few times, and throw it in his drawer. $200 is not what I'm looking to spend.