International Series balis were made for few years, until their import was outlawed. So each year there was a change made to keep up with the calendar. I've seen a couple from '86 and '87 as well.

quote:

Originally posted by hotsoapy:
seems to me that importing butterfly type knives into US became forbidden in 1987. which is also the year Pacific changed to Benchmade. is it possible this is one of the final productions from that era?

There were talks that after the Japanese production was stopped all the stencils were left behind and a lot of fakes were made using the genuine etching equipment. This can be one of those.

so in essence a rare well made counterfeit perhaps. worth $500?

Not in a lifetime. While International Series balis are more or less rare I don't see anybody paying more then $200-250 for one that is NIB.
For $500 or less you can get a beautiful handmade Balibalistic (if luck is on your side and you can find one ).

quote:

Originally posted by RxEnergy:
I'm not TeamBenchmade, but thanks for the comparison

Handles don't look right. Check out this catalog page from that era:

http://www.pbase.com/balisong/image/39110101/original

I've never seen any PCC or Benchmade bali with that hole pattern. Same goes for the sheath.
Even if it was real, the price is way too high for "International Series".

pretty damn close steve....don't be so modest! you know your stuff

guess I just thought because of the price sombody was trying to pull a fast one.
this may be Pacific cutlery after all.

That is an international series bali with cast stainless steel handles. On the reverse side near the end of the upper swedge has the year 1985, Pacific Cutlery Corp. and Japan printed. I have one and mine has the edge reprofiled by myself since it was unsharpened when I purchased it long time ago. The handles are approximately .600 thick, the blade thickness is .175 and weighs around 8-8.5 ounces. It is a PCC made in Japan. If someone offer me one now, I would pay no more than 175-200 for one. Just my 2 cents

anybody know the model number?