Originally posted by Richard S.
Microtech just came out with a new model of balisong thats designed so the latch never gets in the way(no more nicks on the edge).......around 200 U.S. good steel too, 154cm, or bg-42. ..............respects.
That would be the Microtech Tachyon.
However, the Benchmade Models 31 [new Shorty with Pocket Clip], the 42 Weehawk, 43 Bowie, 46 Spearpoint and 47 Drop Point Tanto, all have cast Titanium Handles, the new 31 is MIM Titanium Handles.
All of these handles have a Latch Gate built into them. Meaning, they are cast that way. They are similar in size to the older BM 10, 45, 44 and 48 [Utility-small, Weehawk, Tanto and Utility, respectively] but all of the older BMs did not have the Latch Gate designed so that when the cast of stainless steel was made on them there was a Latch Gate. That's when you would have alot of damage on the point and the latch itself from latch-slap.
The way I protect the older Samson Customs I happen to run into from time to time and the older steel handled Production BMs is to take a piece of thick, hard rubber and cut it a little too large for the channel. Then you push it in there with a scribe, etc. I use a Dental Tool for packing fillings.
It stays there if you cut it a tad bit too big for the channel.
In this picture, you see two twenty year old Samson Customs, they have thicker handles -they are on the left. They have rubber "latch stops" in the channel.
Going to the right, you see a BM Production Model 45 with the home made rubber latch stop.
All the way on the right is a newer BM Model 42 Weehawk and as you can see, there is something in the
casting that is not present in the other handles. That cross section prevents the latch from entering the channel where the blade does and prevents it from coming into contact with the tip of the blade.
