[silver_pilate]

Wow. Nice collection of balisongs you've got. I've never ventured into that area. Mostly I buy what I can legally carry. I may have to purchase one or two, however. You know....just to hone my madd butterfly skills. . I've got a number of older knives given as gifts or inherited, but I mostly go for tactical folders now days or fixed blades that catch my eye. Cold Steel is another manufacturer I forgot to mention, and I believe they also make a few balisongs in their line.

I'll have to check out those axis locks. I've never actually handled one. My first Viele actually had the smoothest action I've ever seen, however, the clip tore from the micarta as a result of a manufacturing flaw, and they sent me a new version with a revised pivot mechanism. Smooth, but not quite as smooth. The SERE 2000 by Al Mar is another seriously smooth operator, but a bit big and better suited for tactical and uitility work. I got the SERE Operator as a camp knife, but it actually conceals quite well, so I'll carry it on occasion.

If you're looking for a good source of knives, basically any brand, let me know and I'll send you some information on Knives Plus in Amarillo. They have a store in town that is retail, but their mail order division is where it's at. They have the best prices I've seen overall and actually serve as the distributor for many on-line stores. Let me know.

Good talking with ya.

--nathan