What is the best handle material for balisongs? -HELP-

M

mmtmatrix

Joined
May 15, 2000
Messages
353
I know what you all are going to say - That's going to be subjective to who you ask. That's not exactly what I am asking though. (I know a bit about knives, handles and chemistry) -- but I am wondering what handle material lasts the best over time [ex. Brass, Aluminum, Steel, Titanium, Zamak], I know that Zamak is at the bottom and steel is near the top, but what is the order? I also know that you might be saying well it depends on the style and maker, etc., etc., but I am just looking for a general over all comparison. I also know that they all have different weight ratios and different feels, which I know about -- I am just curious to there latching open/closed ability and how it holds up with time.
Thanks for the help I really appreciate it,
Thanks again,
M
 
>>Brass, Aluminum, Steel

Steel will rust out the fastest and Aluminum will not be far behind. Brass holds up the best. You see building with copper roofs that hold up pretty good. Brass hardware and hinges hold up well.

I have a friend who is a airplane mechanic. He says that on an airplane if you have a area you can not get to and keep it maintained, the aluminum will rot out pretty quick.

The problem with a lot of knives, is what holds up the best, does not take a very good edge. Material that will take a good edge, does not usually hold up very well.

That is why Case claims their process for building a knife is better using chrome. They claim you get a good edge, & a material that will hold up well.

A good blade will hold an edge for up to three weeks. The Pakinstan knives are known for talking a good edge but not being able to hold it through the day. That is why peoplw who use Pakinstan knives need to carry a file to touch up the edge of the knife during the duration of the day.
 
My vote would go to titanium as it's corrosion proof, very resilient, stronger and lighter than steel, and holds up under stress. My $.02's worth as I feel you get what you pay for and Ti is more expensive than the others.......
smile.gif
 
My rating is this:

1.)Titanium
2.)Steel
3.)Brass
4.)Aluminum
5.)Zamak

Titanium is first because I have yet to dent the cups on my 42. Yeah, there are marks, but no reduction in ability to lock. Steel is second. I do not own a steel handle bali, but am now machining 303 stainless for handles and it seems that it would hold up. By the way, if anyone is looking to trade one of their 45's for an auto (like a cupid), I'd be more than happy! Sorry, just had to include that. I also hear that some peoples 45's are still locking tight...so that's why I give steel the #2 spot. By the way stuff like 303 stainless doesn't rust, so you really wouldn't have to worry about that. Brass comes in third. As I understand it, brass holds up about as well as aluminum. I like the brass better because if I had the choice to decide between to materials that hold up about the same, I'd pick the one that's heavier (I like the weight of it) and to me, brass is more attractive looking. Aluminum took 4th for the previous reasons and zamak is worthless, IMO.

------------------
Steve
(Third Mate for hire!)
 
Another thing I like about Ti is its coefficient of friction. It has a very tacky feel to it, even when you palms get a little clammy after those arials with a live blade.
wink.gif
 
I'd have to say that for handles,titanium is the best.It won't wear out as easy as the rest.A good steel is good,but after a while it'll crack around the tang grooves if you open it a lot.But it's cheaper than the titanium and more available.A good aircraft aluminum is ok,it's light and strong,but needs a good amount of care.Brass is heavy,but it'll last a long time...my old C.I. 1200 Cho No Shi is still holding up fine with a little cleaning from time to time.
Anything else I wouldn't consider to be good at all,except for maybe a good chromed alloy.
 
Brass is pretty soft and ductile (it stretches). Alum is pretty soft too only more brittle than brass -- unless used in an alloy. Alu alloys are used in guns and bicycles. Titanium is tough and light. I'm not sure how light I want the grips on a BaliSong. Seems like more weight makes for better centrifigal force/momentum. Zamak is a zinc alloy. It's not ductile, nor soft. Smith & Wesson uses zinc alloys in their semi-autos. I have an older BenchMark with Zamak handles. The weak point in the knife is the pins.



------------------
PowerderBurns' Black Powder & Muzzle Loader Forum
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by epigram79:
Titanium is first because I have yet to dent the cups on my 42. Yeah, there are marks, but no reduction in ability to lock.</font>
Click to expand...

I have had to put my BM42 in a vice and smash the tang pin a little because it would no longer lock up in the open position.
 
I don't know what all the fuss is about brass; personally, I hate it. Sure it looks nice, but it's weak, and I really hate constantly cleaning out my fingerprints from it.

I haven't really handled a lot of titanium pieces, but I hear its really really easy to scratch. It's also very light, and although this isn't necessarily bad, I've always liked the weight of SS.

But to really answer your question, Malcolm, I think titanium would outlast SS.
 
You know, I've heard a few people say that Ti is easy to scratch but I have NEVER experienced this with any Ti I have owned. I've dropped my 42, sent it flying into walls, doors, and concrete and I haven't seen ANY scratches appear on the handle. My father has one of those Ti framed revolvers and it gets tossed around when he cleans it, laid on concrete at the gun range, I even saw him drop it when he was stripping it down to clean it. It still looks great. Ti is stronger and lighter than it's equivilant in stainless steel. Heck, the Acura Integra Type R has a Ti shift knob. My buddy put one on his Civic and it still shines like the day he put it on. He wears some pretty heavy rings too and I've seen them scratch up his Stainless E-Brake handle but not the Shift knob.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top