BM 51 any good?

[Ross]

Is the 51 good enough to make the discontinuation of the 42 a non-issue?

I'm not a flipper, but I always wanted to learn and I've always been fascinated by balis. I always marvel at the custom stuff but for me, the 42 is iconic, it IS what a balisong is supposed to be in my mind. Beyond the fact that it's crazy for Benchmade to discontinue a knife that put them on the map in the first place and aside from sentimental reasons, was it really about time for the 42 to be put out to pasture? Or is the 51 different but not necessarily better?

[doga2236]

benchmade 51 isn't a bad balisong. The material like the g10 and the new spring latch mechanism owns. I knowthe 42 was this best but it was time for them to step it up with a newer style and a more refreshing look. It sucks coming in into the balisong worl and missing out on the 42, but im happy with my 51. I even bought the gold class version also.

[leatherman]

Pics?

[ultrahesh]

Not better than, or worse than the 42, definitely comparable though. My opinion is that it's the best production bali being produced right now. i love mine.

[slashncut]

what's the best flipper? the 42 or the 51?

[MoreBeef]

what's the best flipper? the 42 or the 51?



I think you already know the answer to that one...:bwah:

[leatherman]

Pray tell MoreBeef, please explain.

I have a 42 but not a 51.

[FaultyPly]

Well, the 42 is just butter. I neither have a 51, but I have a 32. The 32 seems a little tip heavy and not as grippy as the titanium. I can only imagine that the proportions are evern further off on the 51. I could be wrong though :x

[slashncut]

I think you already know the answer to that one...:bwah:

actually, I don't. never touched a 51 or a 32. All I know is that the 51 is much lighter, which I don't like too much because lots of my flipping has rollovers in them. I don't want to judge a knife without handling it first tho

[leatherman]

The lightness is a good concern. The lighter the handles the more effort there is to swing it properly, Physics is a dreadful mistress. :ross:

I tend to gravitate towards heavier handles, but I do like my 42. Some tricks are easier with light handles some easier with heavy. But there is a trade off when you go too light.

[silkworm]

For me the 51 is a better flipper, probably because it feels lighter and is much more grippy. I tend to hold it with a more relaxed hand thus allowing my fat fingers a little more dexterity than usual. Right out of the box I noticed a difference in the control I had over the knife. I measured less than an once in difference between a 42 and 51 so I don't know if it's all in my head or if the weight difference really makes a difference in controlling the knife. Regardless, I think Benchmade did a fine job designing the 51.

If you're on the fence about the 51 or the 42, give the 51 an honest try, say, flip it exclusively for a month or so, I think more people will like it.

[Takeiteazy3]

I have the 51, its a good flipper with a bit of breaking in because my previous bali was the K1.
but I would have bought the 42 if they werent discontinued.

[FaultyPly]

....probably because it feels lighter and is much more grippy.....

Hmmm. Most people I talk to say it isn't grippy enough. However, my 32 was extremely grippy out of the box. Now after use, it's has almost the reverse effect and I can't seem to keep a comfortable hold of it. How long have you been flipping your 51?

[ultrahesh]

i think that anyone who has handled both will not, in good concious, be able to trash either one. pesonal preference will definitely be the deciding factor. i think, having handled both, that the 42 has a slight edge over the 51. the 42 has better grip in relation to the length of the handle and the 51 is better in relation to the width. different styles will dictate different preferences. the 51 does seem to have some stalling issues when rolling, but i am used to the 42. i think that some interesting new techniques will become evident over the next while as talented flippers start using the 51. i wouldn't give up either the 42 or the 51. don't knock it 'till you try it.

[MoreBeef]

@slashncut and leatherman

My point was that the BM 42 was (and still is) the yardstick by which all other balisongs are measured. I've played with a 51 briefly (got to touch one in a store, they let me flip for about 5 seconds heh) and the 42 more extensively. My opinion (by no means expert) is that while the weight of the two knives is similar, the way the handles on the 42 (or any 4x) carry momentum is superior. That is why, slashncut, you can do the groovy things you do with the 4x series (everyone should check him out on youtube)

Not to say that the 51 is a bad knife, far from it. It is however not as good a flipper (IMHO) as the 4x series. But it's damn close and in the end, it comes down to personal preference. And, the 51 can do a trick that the 42 cannot...soooo

[Looseyfur]

they had to move away from the cast handles too much TI waste in the casting process I suppose, though I would love to hear someone from benchmade speak on it... so they moved on with the 51. IMHO it will never feel as right at the TI cast handle, but thats what I grew up on so to speak.

of course you can get used to everything from a holy grail to a piece of shit CCC but in my estimation the best weighted balisong, most comfortable, and most well rounded over all flipper is the BM 42.

Loosey

[David Brown]

I love my 51

[Looseyfur]

yeah I took a pass on a BM 51 passaround and I do regret it... not enough time in the day sometimes :( I am sure I will get the chance to own or at least try one out... so far the reviews are good it seems.

keep em flippin!

Loosey

[DOAlaboratories]

well just remember loosey, there's always a spot open for the godfather if you get time.

[Looseyfur]

well just remember loosey, there's always a spot open for the godfather if you get time.

thanks poodlehead... you are awesome. I dont care what haircut you have anymore.


L

[DOAlaboratories]

thanks poodlehead... you are awesome. I dont care what haircut you have anymore.


L

bwahahah. well, just let me know if you want to jump in, bossman.

[Looseyfur]

bwahahah. well, just let me know if you want to jump in, bossman.

thank you sir, your are a scholar and a gentleman, and a true ambassador of flipping, willing to share your custom augmented 51 with other flippers just so they can have a hands on review of the product.

thats really cool of you dude, and it doesnt go unnoticed.

respect-

Loosey

[DOAlaboratories]

well where's the fun in it if i'm the only one who gets to play with it? :devil1:

many more passarounds in the future, and hopefully one over here.

except the BB when i get it, that stays all to me. :demented:

[doga2236]

itll be awesome if they make a weehack version on the 51! what do you guys think?

[Ross]

itll be awesome if they make a weehack version on the 51! what do you guys think?

That would make me miss the 42 a lot less, I'd definitely buy one.

[Mr.LaBella]

I found them for a pretty nice price thanks to rangerover here:

http://www.gpknives.com/item/benchmade-51-balisong.html

Please Mods, don't ban me for auction spotting! :easydevil:

[beflipped]

itll be awesome if they make a weehack version on the 51! what do you guys think?

the weehawk blade design is ok but personally I hope they bring out a new bowie. perhaps like the shape of the 43 401. Love that curve

[farrier]

the 3/4 oz.less weight of the 51 really throws the timing off compared to the42.y2k rollover for example will really suffer! slightly shorter handle[ also a negative].similar feel to a ddr venturi ,which at sub 4 0z.,with a 4 and 7/8 handle [too short!]will never flip as well as the 42[ a 4.25 oz. bali with a 5.2inch handle!]it is all in the timing and the handle describes the distance and the arc.the 42 gives a leisurely and controllable arc you cant find in a shorter more frenetic bali.ex ; tachyon,venturi . a basilisk with spec closer to the 42 flips very well.you never see handle spec; only length of blade but blade travels inside of bite handle and then only' weight' is relevant.handle length and bali weight will tell you how bali will flip since we cant flip before purchase.

[Mr.LaBella]

I just got one and I like it! :madaddy:

[Mr.LaBella]

the 3/4 oz.less weight of the 51 really throws the timing off compared to the42.y2k rollover for example will really suffer! slightly shorter handle[ also a negative].similar feel to a ddr venturi ,which at sub 4 0z.,with a 4 and 7/8 handle [too short!]will never flip as well as the 42[ a 4.25 oz. bali with a 5.2inch handle!]it is all in the timing and the handle describes the distance and the arc.the 42 gives a leisurely and controllable arc you cant find in a shorter more frenetic bali.ex ; tachyon,venturi . a basilisk with spec closer to the 42 flips very well.you never see handle spec; only length of blade but blade travels inside of bite handle and then only' weight' is relevant.handle length and bali weight will tell you how bali will flip since we cant flip before purchase.

PS- please go and properly introduce yourself! :poke:

[cja245]

the 3/4 oz.less weight of the 51 really throws the timing off compared to the42.y2k rollover for example will really suffer! slightly shorter handle[ also a negative].similar feel to a ddr venturi ,which at sub 4 0z.,with a 4 and 7/8 handle [too short!]will never flip as well as the 42[ a 4.25 oz. bali with a 5.2inch handle!]it is all in the timing and the handle describes the distance and the arc.the 42 gives a leisurely and controllable arc you cant find in a shorter more frenetic bali.

I'd be more than happy to prove you wrong with a flipping duel. You use the 42 and i'll kick your ass with a 51. IMO the weight and other characteristics of a knife have VERY little to do with how good you can flip it, so long as it is relatively well balanced and symetrical. It pretty much all comes down to how skilled you are at flipping, practice, and how well adjusted you are to the knife. For example, check out brokenhorn90 on youtube. I guarantee the dude has never spent more than 10 bucks on a bali, yet he could out flip every last one of the noobs who talk up how good of a flipper the 42 is with his pos ccc's. IMO the only real tangeable advantage of a high end knife is durablility, and of course the cool factor. Bushings and IKBS are nice, and so are titanium handles, but none of that will give you any sort of advantage over a flipping a cheapo.

[Looseyfur]

I'd be more than happy to prove you wrong with a flipping duel. You use the 42 and i'll kick your ass with a 51. IMO the weight and other characteristics of a knife have VERY little to do with how good you can flip it, so long as it is relatively well balanced and symetrical. It pretty much all comes down to how skilled you are at flipping, practice, and how well adjusted you are to the knife. For example, check out brokenhorn90 on youtube. I guarantee the dude has never spent more than 10 bucks on a bali, yet he could out flip every last one of the noobs who talk up how good of a flipper the 42 is with his pos ccc's. IMO the only real tangeable advantage of a high end knife is durablility, and of course the cool factor. Bushings and IKBS are nice, and so are titanium handles, but none of that will give you any sort of advantage over a flipping a cheapo.

I have often issued a similar challenge and no one has taken me up on it... I told a certain TOOL I am sure you know well that I would flip an old crusty Jag I had and he could use his 42 or whatever and I would still whoop his monkey ass... I can get used to anything as long as it doesnt hitch up and swings well enough. It is all about the flipper though admittedly it takes less compensation in talent on my part with a solid 42 in my hands in so much as thats what I have flipped most and and most at home with. I would say it takes me about 10 mins er so to jump from a 42 or something similar in weight and size to something else...

admittedly though I HATE flipping small balisongs. I flipped a microtech tach belonging to a friend for a few days and though I adapted to the knife somehow I just didnt like the feel of it... not liking it was a factor in not really bothering to get to know it, and unlike most folks I wasnt sad to move it along back to my friend, where as most folks would have coveted their time with it.

BrokenHorn is a very under appreciated flipper in my estimation. He easily made my top ten flippers list. I have often seen him flipping a CCC kriss balisong in a fair amount of his videos and he really makes it look effortless even though to the trained eye we know full well hes flipping a 12 dollar piece of shit...

it is in fact talent over the tool in most cases.

Loosey

[MoreBeef]

I did/do pretty well with some knives that are regarded as trash by the knife geeks out there. My jag knockoff was actually pretty decent, the balance was a lil off but I adjusted to it. When the handles developed a crack it just wobbled way too much. My Bear and Son 114 is still going strong, although it seems to like to be lubricated alot. I've been improving, and using nothing but that knife to flip with. Practice makes a better flipper, not gear.

[nevil]

It is a matter of preference. I prefer the 51 over the 42. I am used to a light bali with nearly no play. I was excited to get the 42 but was disappointed. It wasn't bad just hyped up to be more than it was in my eyes. I really found the very round handles and lots more play hard to get used to. The spring latch was nicer, but that knife and I were just not made for each other.

I have a 46 that I feel the same way about flipping. But its such a looker I couldn't bear to let it go.