I know this gets discussed to death. There are schools of thought that one should learn from cuts and pain to manipulate a knife. Other mindsets are to practice on a trainer. For basic maneuvers I think it's ok to use a live blade. For aerials/rollovers, I think a trainer has a beneficial role.

I have tried CCCs that last only a few weeks (hitting ceramic tile is unforgiving). Unfortunately, the CCCs are made of diecast steel that cracks, like Zamak handles on the 1980s Benchmade Balisongs.

My BM 40TR is solid and has been almost indestructable except for the tang pin that came loose - Lifesharp fixed it. However, they have become cost prohibitive. I got my daughter 2 trainers, a 24 cm Kamagong FHM, and a Spyderco G10 Smallfly - she has claimed the 40TR for herself, also. I have a Kamagong 29 cm trainer myself.

I have sold a few knives and I get asked for recommendations for what to use.

[U]Here are my recommendations:[/U]

Bradley Kimura - Use a sander and make the edge dull and take the point off. It's virtually indestructable. For under $100, you can afford to modifiy this.

FHM Trainer - preferable with the rounded blade and holes in the blade, but pointed tips are ok, also. The negative is that they require a break in, but now that I have almost 2 dozen of them, I just loosen the handles in the open position ever so slightly and add oil. You can see my break in method if you want to go the slow route - > Youtube titaniummd (How to break in an FHM).

Knifekits - Tsunami or Typhoon, if you can still find one.

Benchmade 40TR - for the crazy prices, I don't think it's a good option. I have seen them for $300+++ If you can find one for $120 or less, snatch it up. NOT for much more than than.

I have limited experience with Bear and Sons trainers. I bought one for my Godson but I cannot attest to the torture that I subject them to receiving. You can certainly buy one of the Bear and Sons Balisongs and make those dull, too, in theory but I don't know how well they hold up, either.

Some people recommend just using tape to cover the blade but I have had limited success with that, and the point is still very sharp.

Good suggestions for people who want to use trainers. I have a couple of the Knifekit sets. I even cut some carbon fiber inserts that Steve sent me for one of them, but never got around to finishing it.

It's probably easiest to dull a Kimura or some other cheaper bali than to put together one of the Knifekits. You could even hit the edge and point with a file and be flipping in a few minutes.

I did that to one of Kimura "seconds" I bought from a dealer on BF. Even took it a step further and mirror polished the blade. Too bad I can't remember where I put it

PS Good thing I know where two of my 40TR's are

i flip a cheetah daily,cheap but it works..
kinda like a trainer,i find my self flipping in the house,drives my spouse nutz..

And for those of you who can't find trainers just remember:
Tape is your friend!

I wonder if trainers are legal in Canada?

quote:

Originally posted by N2KNVS:
I wonder if trainers are legal in Canada?

They are.

quote:

Originally posted by N2KNVS:
I wonder if trainers are legal in Canada?

training bras are illegal in canada? lmfao

Somebody once suggested the Typhoon Knifekit as a trainer. They're supplied as trainers, I suppose, because the kit is shipped with a dull blade. I bought a couple of them a while back, but I don't remember paying $189.95 for them!

Looks like ALL balisongs are going up in price

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...Fj7I&feature=related

I'm starting to look for a trainer for myself right now and this one seems to be getting good reviews.

G]