New 62 v. 42
What's the comparison in these two, differences and similarities ?
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The biggest difference it the handles, of course. The 42 had groundbreaking cast Ti one piece handles, which really sets them apart from any and every other balisong. The handles on the 6X are three piece - two sides and back spacer - of stainless steel. The 42 handles are very light weight, while the 6X handles are rather heavy. The lightweight handles make extremely fast flipping possible once you get used to them. Some people never did. The heavier handles of the 6X provide a more traditional and solid feel, which some people prefer.
The 42 has an integral blade stop for the open position. This has pros and cons. Pro - it is unbreakable, con - the blade stop takes up some real estate on the blade that could be used for the edge. The 42 still has tang stop pins for the closed position, susceptible to all the woes of tang pins, coming loose, flattening, wearing out the "cups" in the handle where they seat. The 62 has blind or "zen" pins, screwed into the handle channel. With the zen pins, there is less to wear out, and it is a more elegant design making less demands on the shape and grind of the blade. It does require pockets in the blade for the closed position stop that dictate a rather narrow width of the blade at a critical point were strength is most critical, but I've never heard of anyone breaking their blade at the base. If the pins ever do need to be replaced it is a simple matter to screw in some new ones.
The later 4X balis came with a spring latch, which was a rather ingenious innovation. Just squeeze the handles together, and the latch springs open. The spring holds the latch out of the handle channel. No more chipped edges from the latch hitting the blade. It did add some more length to the handle - small potatoes. The
The 42 blades were in various steels, 440C, 154CM, and I think some LEs were D2. The 62 is D2 standard. The 42 blades were beautiful in my opinion, but Benchmade's production processes have improved, and along with it the beauty of the grinds and the finish. The 62 has a rounded or crowned spine on the blade, very nice. The 62 has a standard latch, which I'm fine with. I'm used to it, and it allows for a more natural handle length.
In summary, the 42 - light, fast, cast Ti, iconoclastic, the 62 - strong, massive, better innovative construction (zen pins), nicer finish, better blade steel.1 -
Thanks po.
Are the blade measurements the same?0 -
Yes, virtually the same. 0 -
PO great piece, I'd want both after reading it Regards Bill
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Oh, yes, both are well worth having, both quite different from the other, and each is extraordinary in its own ways. I used to have dozens of balis, now only have a half dozen, but I have a 42 and a 62 both. 0 -
Po, I had no idea you were such a bali guru! That was a great read!
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Po - what's your opinion as to what's more durable for basic flipping (no dropping on concrete etc.). Zen V tang pins on the 4x v. 51? 0 -
Ha, I'm only an enthusiast, not a guru of the bali.
The zen pins are a more durable design. The tang pins on the 4X seat in a pocket in the Ti handle, which is subject to wear. On the 51 and 6X, the steel tang meets steel pins, less wear, easier to replace.
The 4X balis are quite durable though. I only spend maybe a few minutes a week flipping, but I've got an original 42, over ten years old, and the open lockup is still like new. I haven't read any complaints here from people who do flip a lot that the Ti pockets were wearing on their knives.0 -
Could someone please post pics of the tang stamps on the blade? A local shop has two model 62 for sale but on the side where it says D2ade in the USA instead of it being horizontal it runs vertical length wise on the blade. Is that normal? 0 -
Excellent write up..very informative. Thanks po 0
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