Here's some of my observations on the steel issue...
First...I must clarify that I don't 'collect' balis, though I now own 4 of them, second I don't play with 'em, and I carry one for one reason only, to use if necessary as a 'last chance' SD piece.
I have some experience in that area, having spent a number of my earlier years in situations that I would today avoid at all costs, that was then, this is now. I have seen first hand, blades used in HTH bar brawls and clashes between others in the same lifestyle that I once lived.
If, for instance, one might encounter a large, enraged, drunk cowboy, in a parking lot asskicking contest at 2:30am, and he's much more then you can handle, and even though you've fought your best fight, he's obviously bigger, and meaner, and he says he's gonna snap your neck, and can likely do it, that's the time the ol' 110 Buck comes out and he gets shanked in a likely low area, ('cause you don't want to kill him), just stop the BS.
My recent purchace of a 42blk, was made even though I'd never seen or handled one, I just believed and bought into all the hype that I've seen here in the last few months, that BM was All There Is with balis. It is indeed pretty, nicely mfg'ed, a real show n' tell piece. But would I trust it in a situation as discribed above? No Way In Hell.
I can place the BM's pointy 3rd of the blade between my thumb and forefingers of my two hands, and actually apply some minor pressure, and watch this blade flex. Yes it's sharp, but it doesn't have near enough thickness to suit me. If you hit bone, and likely you will if you go for the thigh, or even a shoulder or arm bone, this thing is likely to break, and what you pull back is at that point a very sharp overpriced box cutter, which you may as well have started with. Does it have the weight and stiffness to get through a breast bone, if you have to go there?, I doubt it. It will sure cut, but again so will an Exacto.
I will continue to carry the (repinned) POS Jag that y'all seem to love to hate, and know that should it ever be brought to bear, that it'll do what it's supposed to do and likely remain in one piece for a second strike if necessary. The blades on both of the Jags I own are much more solid than the 42's is. And they are also sharp enough to shave hair.
I ordered my first Jag about 6-7 months ago. Total cost delived to my door, about 20 bux...the 42 come about one month back, total cost almost 120 bux...I'm still very happy with the Jag, not at all that impressed with the BM.
If you're going to make a knife that costs that much, it'd better be able to do what it's really designed to do. To quote Bro' Ocyrus, I want "one you can lift 'em off the floor with", if necessary. The 42 is way to fragile to even consider that.
As an added thought, I have learned to open and close my balis, very quickly and safely, with either hand, never taped a blade, and have never yet had a serious cut of any kind. So I guess that makes me a wannabe, unlike all you scarred and bleeding vets...but then I've practiced quickdraws and snapshots for years with my pistols, and never yet shot a hole in myself either. Some of you might ought to think about looking at another hobby.
Regards,
Phil
Cloaking Device: Reactivated
Lurk Mode: On
