Well, I got both knives in, and have been playing with them. Just a bit of the "back story."


I had a 42 years ago, along with a couple of other Bali's form other companies (Microtech, Spyderco). By far the 42 was the favorite of the bunch. It was one of the black handled models sold a few years ago. I sold it (I believe to BenchmadeNut) some time ago.

A few months ago, I got back into the whole Bali scene. I got a 51 and a week later got a 32. I have been watching this whole 51 verses 42 debate unfold.

I just got a 42, since they were discontinued. Playing with both side by side, here are my thoughts...

Both are well made and in their own ways, very attractive knives. Of course the 42 is heavier than the 51. The 51 also has the addition of a pocket clip.

Now, the fist issue any Bali lover has to ask, is how does it flip?

We all know how the 42 works. It is the gold standard for Bali's, and is the butterfly knife by which all others are judged, even customs. So how does the 51 hold up? Pretty well actually...

The reality is this, if you have been flipping a 42 for 10 years, and you pick up a 51... You will have some issues. That being said, if you have a 51 for a few months then pick up a 42 the same will be true. The different in the handle mass will change your timing. Also, I have found that twirls and more advanced moves work better with the 42. Latch drops, etc... The greater handle mass assists with these tricks. That being said, it is not impossible to do the 51, it is just a bit different.

On the flip side (no pun intended) any tricks that involve bouncing the handle off your hand or fingers are more comfortable with the 51 than the 42.


Both make noise when flipped, however the 51 has a different sound, than the classic walk and talk of the 42.

In time, people will be flipping the 51 just as well as the 42, it will just take some timing adjustments.

When it comes to carrying the knives, the 51 puts the lights out and tucks the 42 into bed. The 51 carries like no other, and I would go so far as to say that the Benchmade 51 and the 940 are the most pocket friendly knives I know of. Also the addition of the pocket clip to the bite handle gives an additional cue when opening and flipping, which I find an added safety feature.

In the end, people are blaming the 51 for killing off the 42. Not a fair way to judge the knife.

At the end of the day, which one would I choose?

For my needs, I would go with the 51. I am a beginner when it comes to flipping. So the learning curve involved with it is smaller than more experienced users. There is no unlearning for me. Also, the carry issue is an important one for me.

If you don't have a 42, by all means track one down while you can. After that, relax and realize there is still a light on the horizon, and some good flipping to be done with the 51.

thanks for your post mark: just the kind i expected lately

quote:

On the flip side (no pun intended) any tricks that involve bouncing the handle off your hand or fingers are more comfortable with the 51 than the 42.

I'm beginner too. And I feel that learning tricks with 51 goes forward somehow safer for me. Yes it flips faster but it is not so dangerous like 42 when it comes to slipping/spinning out of control. I don't know how to explain this, most probably it is just my subjective opinion but I feel that lighter knife can cause less damage. So there is more confidence and I'm very comfortable with 51.

Good post Mark, thanks.

Thanks. You just helped me decide on which bali would best fit me. It helps to know that the 51 is pocket friendly. Mark, do you feel like the 42 is made with higher quality material and the 51 is a little pricey considering how much less Ti it has?

Is the 42 made with higher quality material?

No.

You have Ti liners, G-10. An upgrade in steel to D2. I also paid $20-30 less for the 51 than the 42.

Any quality knife from a quality manufacturer will run between $120 and $180 today, for a base price.

If it were selling for $200+ I might say something about price.

I like both equally. Nice post.

HMM,GOOD POST I LIKE MY 42..............

punisher.....have you tried or own a 51 yet?

After reading many reviews on the 51 vs 42, I have a couple of comments from a relative beginners standpoint. That is, while I've owned balis since the early '80s I consider myself a novice "flipper" or "manipulater." Anyway, now that I have both knives, I didn't bother with the standard comparisons, I just kind of went with what I feel.

First of all, the 51 has no tang pin. Rather, the tang is shaped to meet a standoff in the handle. This, along with its' lighter weight, is why I think the 51 is quieter and feels less "clunky" than the 42.

Another big difference for me is the beveled handle edges on the 51. The edges of the 42 where the handles meet when opening and closing feel sharper, especially when manipulating the knife. They tend to pinch the skin, whereas the 51's handles don't. This makes the 51 feel more comfortable in my hand.

The sandwich construction of the 51 bothers me not at all. I have no proof but, that design may well be part of the reason it feels so comfortable to me - there may be some kind of flex (you can squeeze them together) that the 42 will never have, with its' machined, U-channel design. Again, I am a relative novice who still practices rollovers and aerials with duct tape on the blade so, I don't know if the extra rigidity of the 42 makes that much difference. Since I'll never be a "challenge-crazed bali-wielder," I'll never know until one of those admirable folks clue me about it.

I wouldn't presume to recommend one of these over the other. After all, everyone has their own preference as to overall design, handle construction and, especially, blade design. But for me, the 51 gets the nod. It's just more comfortable and easier to carry.