Spyderfly?

[WORKER#9]

I have decided to cut myself up real bad by learning the ancient art of the Balisong. So I just ordered a couple of Spyderflys. There Rainbow Spyderflys. I got a smokin deal!!!

Any experts here on what a beginner should know or do?

The Spyderfly looks well made, Is it as nice as it seems?

Looking forward to my new toys, which will be my first Balisongs ever.

Any comparison pics so I can gauge size.

Thanks

[WORKER#9]

Crickets chirping...




Will I be the only member with a Spyderfly? I will report back once it arrives!;)

[zenheretic]

Crickets chirping...




Will I be the only member with a Spyderfly? I will report back once it arrives!;)
No but you asked for experts. :p

Scott (smcfals) is the most outspoken on the balis around these parts. He would say the Spyderfly is differently balanced than other Balis, so a beginner switching from a traditional bali to a 'Fly might have some troubles.

Of good news is the trainer 'Fly coming down the pipes. ;)

[smcfalls13]

Any experts here on what a beginner should know or do?

Well you have two options. Either peruse the various Balisong sites which feature videos of different tricks and combos you could learn(Try edcknives, they have a section of Balisong videos that are in my opinion easier to use than the others), or you could just start flipping and see where it takes you.;)

One hint of advice, ALWAYS know which handle is the bite handle. Nothing is more unpleasant than doing a ricochet with the wrong handle, especially with a heavy Bali like the Spyderfly.



The Spyderfly looks well made, Is it as nice as it seems?

The Spyderfly is like the cockroach of Balis(I mean that in a good way:p ) It's not the prettiest Bali out there, and it's "just" stainless steel, but the darn thing is indesrtuctible. Mine has received quite a beating, and still flips exactly the same as when I got it.

It's more reasonably priced than other production Balis(of which there are slim pickings to begin with) but to be honest, flips entirely differently(which isn't necessarily a bad thing.)

The Spyderfly is very easy to flip, because it's high weight help provide a lot of momentum for rollovers, aerials, and finger twirls. Being a little heavier though, you have to give it a little more force. Stainless steel Balis in general require more energy to start, but once in motion, they do all the work. Titanium Balis are easier to flip quickly, but require more concentration and energy.

Think of it like this, a SS Bali is like a tractor trailer. Takes a while to get it up to speed, but once you do, it'll be going for a while. Titanium Balis are like sports cars, quickly gets up to speed, and stops on a dime, but requires more gas

Hope that analogy sort of makes sense.:confused:



Any comparison pics so I can gauge size.

Mine is currently in pieces because someone was asking what size the washers were, and I've been too lazy to put it back together:o ;)

Good luck, and make sure you've got plenty of band-aids:D

[mr.vu]

One hint of advice, ALWAYS know which handle is the bite handle. Nothing is more unpleasant than doing a ricochet with the wrong handle, ...
Ditto on that. I still have a lump on my middle finger from a really hard ricochet off the blade edge. That was almost four months ago.:eek:

Vu

[WORKER#9]

Thanks! for the info so far, I am kind of excited.

The Bite handle? What is the bite handle? I am not scared to be a total beginner. So this little gem is an important start.

It is also cool to know the difference between steel and titanium.

I can hardly wait now. I am really looking forward to my Spyderfly, a knife with a little risk for my hands. COOL.


I read once that Sal's son is a rockstar with the Balisong!:cool:

[mr.vu]

If you have your bali closed, it would be the handle covering the edge. Typically it is also the handle that contains the latch.

Vu

[WORKER#9]

If you have your bali closed, it would be the handle covering the edge. Typically it is also the handle that contains the latch.

Vu

Excellent, so this is the handle you want to hold on to. The other handle being the main flipper.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Might I suggest you buy a real crapie or junkie $6-$10 balisong...cause your going to be dropping it a lot to start....expect the crap knife to fall a part in no time at all....but maybe stay together long enough to pick up some really cool techniques, you could also tape the blade edge with some electrical tape or even dull the edge on the cheapie bali (not the spyderfly) with a file...another suggestion...COUNT ALL FINGERS BEFORE AND AFTER TRAINING just to make sure you have all the ones you started with when your done!!!Enjoy:p Doc:D

[mr.vu]

Found these pics, he calles the "bite handle" the "opposite handle". Holding the bite handle and having the blade close on your hand will result in getting cut.

http://www.balisongcollector.com/quickStart/definitions.JPG

http://www.balisongcollector.com/quickStart/cut.JPG

http://www.balisongcollector.com/quickStart/safe.JPG

Vu

[Mike Sastre]

Michael Janich has got the definitive DVD on the balisong in "Mastering the Balisong" from Paladin press. It's an updated version of his older video, with two hours of everywhichway you want to swing one of these. In addition to the slo-mo, you get veiws from head-on, each side, and overhead. Outstanding value at $50.

[WORKER#9]

I got my Spyderfly tonight. What a beauty!! The workmanship is incredible. I will post some pictures later as it seems no one has ever taken a picture of one.

And one more thing, man do I suck at flipping....:eek:

[WORKER#9]

Michael Janich has got the definitive DVD on the balisong in "Mastering the Balisong" from Paladin press. It's an updated version of his older video, with two hours of everywhichway you want to swing one of these. In addition to the slo-mo, you get veiws from head-on, each side, and overhead. Outstanding value at $50.


Thanks for the heads up on the video, it looks like I will need it.:o

[jaislandboy]

congrats Worker9!......I'm by no means an expert but I have a Rainbow Spyderfly which I enjoy knifesturbating with:p ! Many years ago I bought a Jeff Imada book on Balisong manipulation....most I know is to hold the safe handle and some rudimentary flipping.....my only other bali is an old Pacific Cutlery knife that is too short for easy flipping......you might want to make sure your wearing some shoes (steel toe ones, preferably)....when you practice flippin'.....have fun and be careful!;) :D

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/4691/flysnow0214jp.jpg

[Shanged]

I just got mine today, Great knife I love the way it looks and feels. When locked up or completely open it's real solid, though when the handles are free to move there is play between them and the blade. The knife came very dull, I couldn't get it to take any hair off my arm, hardly even cut through paper. I guess this is alright, since it's my first Balisong and I don't want to cut myself, I was just expecting more. Maybe when I get some skills I'll send it into SFO for some treatment. I love it regardless ;)

[denn]

listen closely to what smcfalls13 and mr.vu tell you, holding the safe handle for starters is the first step in bali-safety. also, pay close attention the the post by mr. vu. and understand the pictures :)

i'm personally reasonably good with a bali as well (had a BM31 once), and you can do some very neat things with it (ask Eric Glesser, he's a bali-wizard too......), but don't jump in the deep right away, because you, someone else, or your furniture is going to get cut.

here's some pointers where to start training/playing:

- put bandages on the table in advance (trust me :) )
- safe and relaxed, yet 'strong' handle grip, and stay away from the edge
- practice basic openening and closing first
- practice some swinging around with such a momentum that the knife closes and opens every now and then
- practice the 'helicopter' to get a feel for the balance-point of the 'fly

leave the reverse-grips and latch-drops for later, ok?! :D

enjoy!

denn

[Bayoublaster]

I really like mine. I highly recommend it but it does handle slightly different from more traditional balis.

[denn]

it sure does, my Ti BM31 was light as a feather and almost perfectly balanced (i remove the useless clip).

the Spyderlfy i handled once was way heavy, way big and had an odd off-balance kind of momentum-thing going. not quite sure how to explain it better.

it's definitely not your run of the mill bali, and i'm pretty sure it's way harder to master than a standard Benchmade 42

[tonydahose]

I just got mine today, Great knife I love the way it looks and feels. When locked up or completely open it's real solid, though when the handles are free to move there is play between them and the blade. The knife came very dull, I couldn't get it to take any hair off my arm, hardly even cut through paper. I guess this is alright, since it's my first Balisong and I don't want to cut myself, I was just expecting more. Maybe when I get some skills I'll send it into SFO for some treatment. I love it regardless ;)
mine was the same way. i think it might have to do with the rainbow coating they put on it.

[bigkahunasix]

It must be something with the coating because mine came hair popping sharp.
I bought mine to relive some of my youthfull insanity, and I did. I had not played with a bali since retireing my BM, after I discovered Spyderco. That was about twenty years ago. After many, many bandaids I can have some fun with it and not hurt myself too much. Just relax and enjoy(and watch your bight handle). The 'fly is heavy but stable and smooth which makes a good beginners bali. Have fun and remember to count those fingers before and after.:eek: :) Bigk6