Looking for Information on this Bali

ZENGHOST

ZENGHOST

Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
3,834
Howzit, people? I'm new to the forums, and although I've always liked balisongs I'm still a newbie. I have a BM43 on order that was going to be my first bali (I wish that damned thing would get here already), but yesterday I acquired an old bali from a friend. I posted a pic at this address http://www.flex.com/~buddha/balisong.html (sorry, don't know how to post pics here). I'm looking for any kind of info on it. I know the pic sucks, but on one side it has the bali-song/butterfly logo with "INTERNATIONAL SERIES" written under it, while on the other side of the blade has ©1985 PACIFIC CUTLERY CORP. JAPAN. It has black plastic resin inserts, but I'm not sure what the blade/handle material is. I'd appreciate any kind of info on it. Thanks.

-ZENGHOST
 
Balisong.jpg


Looks to be a PC. I'm a newbie as well. But that seems to me to be an older bali. Keep it in good condition.
 
That's a model 158 if I'm not mistaken. The handles are die cast zamak with plastic inserts. Like to say the blade was 440c, but not 100% sure.
 
to post pictures do this
[~img]http://www.flex.com/~buddha/pictures/Balisong.jpg[/img]

without the little ~ i had to add that so that the code would show.
 
Balisong.jpg


I don't know what model it is, but it looks like my BM 259. It's a Pacific Cutlery international model, probly came out much before my BM 259. Stainless Steel handles, very heavy. I'm probly not completely correct, but others will be.

Edited to add:
Funny, I try to help a guy out and 5 other people beat me to the post while I was typing. :D
 
hehe...to slow...i type without looking
 
take good care of that one...and if you do manage to break the handles then it would make a great project for Mer
 
Originally posted by tonyccw
That's a model 158 if I'm not mistaken. The handles are die cast zamak with plastic inserts. Like to say the blade was 440c, but not 100% sure.
Click to expand...

My first impression was 440c as well, although I'm not familiar with "zamak," what type of material is that?

The knife actually isn't in the greatest of condition. Someone did a real bad sharpening job on it and so the edge is in need of some work and one side of the blade has a lot of heavy scratches on it. And since it was sitting in my friend's drawer for the last fifteen some odd years, it has a few rust spots on it. Any recommendations for preserving/maintaining it, or maybe a way to fix it up a little? Mykl--you mentioned someone named Mer?

-ZENGHOST

ps...you guys are on it, thanks for the quick response and the warm welcome.
 
Yes, welcome!

Zamak is just some cheap die cast pot steal, from what I know.

Mer - aka. Eric Maier does custom re-handle jobs for ya! Take a look at his site, there's some really nice handles there.
 
I checked out Mer's site and was very impressed with his work. My only question is, is my knife valuable/collectible as it is? I wouldn't want to change anything if it is (even though I'm dying to hand it over to Mer for a little customization).
 
well I don't know a whole lot about older balis so I can't really tell you much, but if it already has some major problems with the handles it probably isn't that collectable. Don't quote me on that...would I send it off? In an instant.
 
Zenghost: It is a collectible in that they are irreplacible as they are no longer made. Still, in dollar amounts, I picked up several similar bali's recently in much better condition for around $100 each. Hope that helps.
 
just ask yourself would I rather be able to flip it and use it to death or leave it sitting in a box somewhere hoping it'll be worth some real cash someday.
 
Being a user, not a collector, I would send it to Mer. Think of it this way. You would have a semi-custom for not much money. But its your knife. Its up to you.
 
Thanks, guys...appreciate your input. I haven't made my decision yet (and probably won't for a while), but what you said helped.

-ZENGHOST
 
Hey ZENGHOST,

I traded one just like that to Mer for $100 credit on the work he's doing for me..
It was in damn near perfect condition..
He's going to re-do it and finally have a Mer re-handle for himself..

He's been so busy doing everyone elses, he never got a set made for himself...:(
 
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