I have just recently purchased a model 42 from a local BM dealer (much to my wife's chagrine). I know that this is probably a dead horse that has been beaten beyond all recognition, but would any of you fine gentlemen (or women) be so kind as to give your opinion as to whether or not the BM 51 is better/comprable/worse than the fabled 42? The dealer I found had a couple more 42's left and I am trying to decide if I should stockpile some 42's or go with the 51?

I'll beat on that horse a bit.

While they are both great knives, the 42 is a far better flipper imo. The 51 is too light. It makes it more difficult to do rollovers and such.

If you are going to be doing less flipping and more edc, the 51 maybe better because of the light weight, the blade grind, and the pocket clip. But, like I said if you're going to be flipping it a lot and doing more than simple openings, then the 42 is better.

Yep, it's been discussed here many times, but I don't mind offering my opinion again.

I have been into balisong knives since the early 1980s, but never bought a Benchmade until last year, when I got my first 51, and my first 42 a couple of months later. My reason for pointing this out is to say that I didn't flip a 42 for several years, as many bali lovers have. So, basically, it's not the knife I became used to before it was discontinued and replaced by the 51.

So for me, the lighter weight and blade grind of the 51 make no difference whatsoever, simply because my hand muscles' "flipping memory" isn't dialed into that one knife. Or, at least I like to think so. It's possible that a lot of 42 flippers also work with other balis, which would tend to negate that argument to some extent.

The things I like about the 51 are: the lighter weight, the quieter action and especially the beveled scales. The handles of the 42 make a lot of noise, and the flat edges tend to pinch the skin and are generally less comfortable in my hand. The beveled scales of the 51 don't pinch at all and feel more ergonomic to me.

And I can't help believing that, had the 51 become the standard for a number of years, then replaced by the 42, the situation might well be reversed. This can be due to a phenomenon that sociologists refer to as "The RC (resistance to Change) Factor. But that's just my opinion and can never be proved.

The only real objective advantage the 42 may have over the 51 is durability, but that has yet to be proved, too. And the main reason there could be a difference is construction, i.e., cast handles vs. scaled handles, different latch spring, tang pin vs. zen pins, etc. On the other hand, I've heard of 42 handles that developed voids (gas bubbles) when cast, which the fabricated handles of the 51 can never have.

I know a couple of folks who have been pretty down on the 51, but have started to come around to it. I love mine and carry it every day that I don't carry my 42 (the 51 gets the lion's share of EDC, though.)

In the end, I love both of them and refuse to choose either as better than the other, since both are world-class knives. My 32 also gets its' share of pocket time. And, to be honest, I have a feeling that the 53 is going to crap all over both of them, once people get used to the handles.

In the end, it comes down to what is best for the person whose hand is flipping. Find a 42, flip it, and decide for yourself. And please, let us know what you think

I guess it really depends on personal preference and what you plan to be doing with it. I'm curious, just to offer the OP a perspective point, how you would describe your use of balisongs Doctor? I'd also like to ask Ranch what he wants to do with the balis.

Personally I don't really use mine for very demanding edc tasks, or martial arts. I use them more for a lot of momentum based flipping moves, like helixes, behind the 8ball, cherry picker, chaplins etc. In my opinion it can't be argued that a lighter knife like the 51 is better for that momentum-based style of flipping. It's just not. However, the lightness makes moves like the full twirl a breeze.

If you are just doing basic openings it doesn't really matter which one you choose.

Like I said in my last post, if you don't plan on flipping a lot and just want to edc, the 51 may be better (although I edc my 42 as well). If you want a balisong that performs equally across all flipping moves, from rollovers and twirls to complex aerials, the 42 all the way. Just my 2 cents, but that's what I think. I have a lot of quality balis (benchmade and other) and I give them all their share of flipping, but the one I always go back to is the 42....and I don't think it's because it came out before the 51.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Helix,

You're far more qualified than I am about that, man. I do a few momentum and release moves and learning more, but I don't practice anywhere near enough to count myself as more than a decent beginner. I don't flip a lot, but it isn't only about EDC, either. But I'm not likely to zip over to the arena and throw down some challenges anytime soon, either. And I admire you guys who do.

Thank y'all very much for your repsonses. They have been extremely informative. Up to this point, I have mostly just used the knife for failed attempts at flipping and the few edc tasks that have arisen. I do plan to continue to practice my flipping so as not to suck as hard, but at the moment it is simply the most badass edc knife I have ever owned.
The one advantage that I could think of with the 51 is that it doesn't have that classic "bali look" (if such a thing exists) and might be a bit less conspicuous when used in an edc setting.
I will also note that I am a long time enthusiast, first time owner which would not qualify me to comment on either knife's flipping merits. The multiple bandaids on my hands will also attest to my inexperience. How did you learn most of your flipping tricks, Helix?

I'm not nearly to the level of some of the guys on the arena. I'm more at the intermediate level I guess.

Back in the day before youtube existed I learned a bunch of moves from Jeff Imada's Advanced Balisong Manual. Now that youtube is around though, there are tons of great video tutorials out there and new moves being invented.

This is a really great resource if you want to get into all the fancy flipping:
http://www.brokenbrains.us/are...topic.php?f=9&t=2097

Slashncut (who happens to be one of the most skilled flippers on the net) put together that list and it includes some of the best tutorials from different sources out there.

edit: btw, if you think you'll continue to be a balisong enthusiast. I think it's worth having both the 51 and the 42. Like I said they are both great knives, but one is better for certain things and the other is better for different things. If you really get into it, balisong (or any knife) collecting can be kinda additive and you'll probably end up with both at some point anyway.

Wow, that's a great list Helix, thanks. Three of the guys whose YouTube tutos I've especially enjoyed are CalviNNation, Cutlerylover and Bitehandle. I think I remember Jedi here as being familiar with Cutlerylovers' stuff, too.

I hope it isn't a bad practice, but I often convert some of those clips to mp4 and load them up to my iPhone so I can watch whenever I like. I'm sure those guys would rather have the YouTube hits, but I make sure I do that on the computer when watching at home.

Now you mention it, Helix, I remember working on a thumb roll a while back, and found (after many tries with the 42 and 51) that it worked easiest for me when using the 32. No idea why, it was just easier for me, which is weird because I have pretty big hands.

RanchPhilosopher, you can avoid a lot of band-aids by taping the edge of your blade with duct or electrician's tape. Also, you may consider a trainer, which is basically the same knife with no edge or point on it. Price is usually the same as the regular knife. What a lot of people do is buy a second knife and grind the edge off to make their own trainer. It's a common practice.

Helix: I will most certainly be in the market for a 51...just as soon as I'm sure that my wife won't try to kill me in my sleep for buying another knife, haha.

Doctor: This may be a stupid question...have you had any problems with the tape adhesive staining the blade? Also, I have been searching like mad for a 40tr to help keep my blood on the inside, but thus far the search has been unfruitful.

It's not a stupid question and, no, I haven't had that problem and here's why: Naptha (lighter fluid.) First of all, I only tape when I'm flipping, not for EDC so it never stays on for long. Second, the lighter fluid is awesome at removing sticky, gummy dirt, etc. luthiers have used it for decades for cleaning and repairing guitars that accumulate oily finger gunk everywhere.

And I never do any crazy flipping if I'm out carrying because I'd never do, say, a Hellish Around the Bend maneuver if I needed to use the knife with any alacrity. It kind of defeats the purpose of carrying. A quick opening flip is impressive and gets the knife ready to use in very short order. I can open a bali in the time it takes for the average person to flip off the safety and open an auto. Flipping, to me, is for show.

Then again, I'm sure there are hundreds of guys who can make people run and hide with their bali skills, but I'm nowhere near confident enough!