Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
Our friend Darrel Ralph has posted some excellent pictures of his Gemini prototypes as well as some new CAD renderings. There are twenty great photographs of actual Gemini prototypes. Here is the link:
http://www.darrelralph.com/ddr/bali/first.html
Two prototype Gemini pieces are shown. Both have skeleton handles. One is basic. The other has elaborate file work and a nuggeted treatment on the handles. The first is typical of an entry-level Gemini. The second shows considerable optional upgrading. Mr. Ralph hasn't fixed the final pricing on the file work and nuggeting yet, but the extensive treatment show will probably add something on the order of $750 to a Gemini. Again, those prices will be fixed shortly.
There are also several new CAD renderings of insert Geminis. The skeletonized handle design is actually considerably more complicated to make than the insert handles will be (Mr. Ralph told me, "The insert models are a breeze"). So, he's focused on the skeleton design. You can see from the drawings and pictures that the insert model has the same blade and the same basic handle shape as the skeleton design model.
The same unique file work and nugget treatments will be available on insert pieces too. So, inserts are looking good too.
Keep in mind that if you have elected Ti handles with inserts, the same anodization can be applied to the handle before the insert is installed. (I think those marron micarta inserts in blue anodized Ti would look great.)
Very shortly, Mr. Ralph will be sending me the prototypes for final approval and he'll be finalizing the prices on the new options. At that time, he'll ask you to make final selections and bring your deposit up to 50% of total price with our friends at The Edge Equipment, Mr. Ralph's dealer who is handling all of the money.
Right now, you do not need to make any changes with The Edge Equipment. If you think you want to change your selections or consider some of the exciting new options, please hold those requests for just a couple more weeks until we call for the final selections and deposits. This way, we can do it all at once.
The prototypes will be numbered AP1 and AP2 (there may yet be a third proto numbered AP3). At least one of the prototypes will be sold. Considering the number of enthusiastic Darrel Ralph collectors out there, I expect it to bring a considerable price. The exact details of that sale have yet to be determined. Of course, I'll keep you posted so that any of you who might be interested can consider that opportunity.
Those of you who have Geminis on order are doubtlessly interested in a schedule update. As I said, the prototypes will be reviewed in the next couple of weeks. By the first week or so of March, you can expect the call to come for final selections and deposits. Then, you'll have thirty days to make those final selections and bring your deposit up to 50% of the final price. (So, adjust your budgets accordingly.)
Mr. Ralph will shortly begin working on "production" Geminis. The order of delivery will NOT be based on serial number (bummer for me) and will NOT be based on the order in which they were received (again, bummer for me). The order of deliver will be entirely up to Mr. Ralph. He has indicated that it
will be largely determined by the availability of materials and the complexity of each piece.
Remember, these are very much custom balisongs. With these exciting new finish options, with skeleton handles and various insert materials available, Ti and Damascus handles, Stainless or Damascus blades, etc., each Gemini will be very custom and each Gemini owner can be very proud of his unique Gemini balisong.
Each Gemini is handmade entirely by Mr. Ralph. He has no army of assistants and he doesn't contract out major subassemblies or operations. He expects delivery of the 25 numbered pieces to take 12 to 18 months. So, some of you will still have to wait over a year and a half for your Gemini. I'm Sorry. I know that that's tough. But that is the nature of custom knives.
Mr. Ralph is very excited about this project and very eager to work on it. He has assured me that he will do everything except compromise to accelerate the schedule.
By the way, if you'll look back at the original schedule I published, it called for prototypes in January. So, we're only running a few weeks behind. This is absolutely amazing to me. I've never worked with a custom maker who runs anywhere near on-schedule.
Now, some of you who did not get in on the original ordering for Gemini may be wondering if you can still get in on this outstanding project. Well, when the time comes for folks to make their final orders, some may decide to drop out either because their situation has changed or because they just don't like
the knife. In either case, their blades will become available. There is already a short waiting list, but I'd still encourage you to get in touch with The Edge Equipment and get added to that list so that if several spots
do become available, you'll be in line. This is first-come, first-served. So, don't hesitate.
Mr. Ralph has indicated that after Gemini, he intendes to keep making balisongs. So, I think there's an exciting new name in balisongs.
By the way, I'm gonna try to talk Mr. Ralph into letting me take one of the prototypes to The Oregon Knife Collector's Show in April, so you may be able to see one there. Otherwise, I'm certain that he'll have one at the Blade Show in Atlanta in June.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
http://www.darrelralph.com/ddr/bali/first.html
Two prototype Gemini pieces are shown. Both have skeleton handles. One is basic. The other has elaborate file work and a nuggeted treatment on the handles. The first is typical of an entry-level Gemini. The second shows considerable optional upgrading. Mr. Ralph hasn't fixed the final pricing on the file work and nuggeting yet, but the extensive treatment show will probably add something on the order of $750 to a Gemini. Again, those prices will be fixed shortly.
There are also several new CAD renderings of insert Geminis. The skeletonized handle design is actually considerably more complicated to make than the insert handles will be (Mr. Ralph told me, "The insert models are a breeze"). So, he's focused on the skeleton design. You can see from the drawings and pictures that the insert model has the same blade and the same basic handle shape as the skeleton design model.
The same unique file work and nugget treatments will be available on insert pieces too. So, inserts are looking good too.
Keep in mind that if you have elected Ti handles with inserts, the same anodization can be applied to the handle before the insert is installed. (I think those marron micarta inserts in blue anodized Ti would look great.)
Very shortly, Mr. Ralph will be sending me the prototypes for final approval and he'll be finalizing the prices on the new options. At that time, he'll ask you to make final selections and bring your deposit up to 50% of total price with our friends at The Edge Equipment, Mr. Ralph's dealer who is handling all of the money.
Right now, you do not need to make any changes with The Edge Equipment. If you think you want to change your selections or consider some of the exciting new options, please hold those requests for just a couple more weeks until we call for the final selections and deposits. This way, we can do it all at once.
The prototypes will be numbered AP1 and AP2 (there may yet be a third proto numbered AP3). At least one of the prototypes will be sold. Considering the number of enthusiastic Darrel Ralph collectors out there, I expect it to bring a considerable price. The exact details of that sale have yet to be determined. Of course, I'll keep you posted so that any of you who might be interested can consider that opportunity.
Those of you who have Geminis on order are doubtlessly interested in a schedule update. As I said, the prototypes will be reviewed in the next couple of weeks. By the first week or so of March, you can expect the call to come for final selections and deposits. Then, you'll have thirty days to make those final selections and bring your deposit up to 50% of the final price. (So, adjust your budgets accordingly.)
Mr. Ralph will shortly begin working on "production" Geminis. The order of delivery will NOT be based on serial number (bummer for me) and will NOT be based on the order in which they were received (again, bummer for me). The order of deliver will be entirely up to Mr. Ralph. He has indicated that it
will be largely determined by the availability of materials and the complexity of each piece.
Remember, these are very much custom balisongs. With these exciting new finish options, with skeleton handles and various insert materials available, Ti and Damascus handles, Stainless or Damascus blades, etc., each Gemini will be very custom and each Gemini owner can be very proud of his unique Gemini balisong.
Each Gemini is handmade entirely by Mr. Ralph. He has no army of assistants and he doesn't contract out major subassemblies or operations. He expects delivery of the 25 numbered pieces to take 12 to 18 months. So, some of you will still have to wait over a year and a half for your Gemini. I'm Sorry. I know that that's tough. But that is the nature of custom knives.
Mr. Ralph is very excited about this project and very eager to work on it. He has assured me that he will do everything except compromise to accelerate the schedule.
By the way, if you'll look back at the original schedule I published, it called for prototypes in January. So, we're only running a few weeks behind. This is absolutely amazing to me. I've never worked with a custom maker who runs anywhere near on-schedule.
Now, some of you who did not get in on the original ordering for Gemini may be wondering if you can still get in on this outstanding project. Well, when the time comes for folks to make their final orders, some may decide to drop out either because their situation has changed or because they just don't like
the knife. In either case, their blades will become available. There is already a short waiting list, but I'd still encourage you to get in touch with The Edge Equipment and get added to that list so that if several spots
do become available, you'll be in line. This is first-come, first-served. So, don't hesitate.
Mr. Ralph has indicated that after Gemini, he intendes to keep making balisongs. So, I think there's an exciting new name in balisongs.
By the way, I'm gonna try to talk Mr. Ralph into letting me take one of the prototypes to The Oregon Knife Collector's Show in April, so you may be able to see one there. Otherwise, I'm certain that he'll have one at the Blade Show in Atlanta in June.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
