TYPHOON project

rapidboy1 · Post by **rapidboy1** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 8:15 pm

I had a problem with my original TYPHOON kit (lack of squeeze) and Darrell Ralph very kindly sent me a replacement so i decided to make the original one latchless (squeeze then not a problem) and also to play around with the handles.

I used the TYPHOON template and after about an hour at the bench drill i think it came out quite well.
The slow bit was deburring and cleaning cutting paste out from all the small holes.
It actually reduces the weight quite a bit and more importantly gives a lot more grip.

The "wings" (sorry i don't know the correct terminology) had to go cus they cut the shit out of your hand when flippin (really nasty nips) so i ground them off and it makes it a lot sweeter to swing.

Still a lot of final finishing and polishing to do.

Having never owned a balisong before i was quite impressed at the design ,its really quite a useful blade ,not as good as my Kershaw as an EDC but a credible "user" none the less.
This is a pretty good knife regardless of it being a kit or a balisong.

I was wondering how the TYPHOON's compare to the other balisongs out there.
Where does spending more money on say a BM make a difference ? ,blade steel ? ,balance ? ,fit and finish ?

I think i will try a "Milled" handle version some time ,anyone else got pic's of of their project's ?

Cheers
rapidboy

BennytheBlade · Post by **BennytheBlade** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 1:38 pm

awesome job.
looks like you really worked hard to get it the way you want it.

As far as where does the price of a bm come in and how does it compare.
Well, the blade steel is a factor, and then there is also the overall fit and finish is just a bit better. Before the prices of the BMs went up, I woulda told you to get one, but now you can get 2 typhoons for the price of a BM...

HTMLBali · Post by **HTMLBali** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 8:32 pm

very nice work rapid......

Not to dis your work in any way, but I can see the handle/blade weight ratio becoming a problem......Also it might have been a wiser decision to find a way to smooth out the tang, or "wings" as you called them, instead of taking them off. I know in some tricks the tang can come in handy for marks, spin, or even grip.......

Just my opinion though

Although very nice work.......

rapidboy1 · Post by **rapidboy1** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:43 pm

The handles are still pretty heavy and the grip has improved so much over the original (i lost it a few times with the plain handle version and fucked up my woman's wooden floor

).
Removing the tang was inspired by FivePointOhh's Project 43 thread.
I havn't got into any serious manipulation so a lack of tang it's not a problem yet but i still have a "stock" version.
I may dull the blade on that one and give some fancy flippin it a try.
Any advice on where to learn some moves?

stepdaddy · Post by **stepdaddy** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 4:09 am

Well I guess since my Typhoon is still apart in the box it came in I shouldn't get into it to much but: First let me state the BM handles are Ti and the Typhoon are SS. I think the Ti cost a little more. The fit and finish on the BM's is top of the line for a Production co. The customer support is also awesome. Dollar for Dollar the BM is a great choice. With this said from the reviews I've heard the Typhoon isn't a bad choice and if assembled correctly with the Bronze washers the Typhoon is a great entry level flipper for the money.

Last I would've advised one to round off the tang and not remove them alltogether. But other then rolls I guess it's up to the owner. Enjoy your knife and when ya get enough money to add another consider a BM and let us know what ya think.

SD

HTMLBali · Post by **HTMLBali** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:05 pm

I do agree with you rapid that the skeletonized handles make grip much better.......Although its not always grip ya want for those fast moving high flying moves

Do not fret......use what you have to learn and become better.....then do like everyone else....break down and buy a BM