The Balisong Collector's Secret Decoder Ring

The Balisong Collector's
Secret Decoder Ring

Understanding Benchmade's model numbering scheme for Bali-Songs is really not that tough.

The numbers go like this

BMxxABC

BM stands for Benchmade.

xx will be a two-digit number. Notice that all other Benchmade knives, folding and fixed, have three- or four-digit numbers. Fixed blades and conventional folders have three digits. Automatic folding knives (a.k.a. switchblades) have four-digit numbers. Within the Bali-Song line, these two digits specify the blade length and profile.

And ABC will be some combination of zero or more letters or numbers. These letters or numbers specify other options.

Let's Start With The Blade

Models BM3x-ABC have three-inch blades. The x specifies the blade profile. Currently, Benchmade is only offering one three-inch blade, the model 31.

Models BM4x-ABC have four-inch blades. The x specifies the blade profile. Currently, Benchmade offers six different four-inch profiles.

Click on the icon to see a picture. Each picture will open in a new window

Model Number

Blade Profile

Picture

BM31ABC
3" Utility

BM40T
4" Trainer

BM42ABC

4" Weehawk with unsharpened swedge

BM43ABC

4" Collver Clip-Point Bowie

BM46ABC

4" Modified Spear-Point with full-length swedge

BM47ABC

4" Diamond-Point Tanto

BM49ABC

4" American Kris

About Those Options

What about the ABC options codes? What do they mean?

Option codes can affect both the blade and the handle. No fewer than fourteen option codes exist. today.

Code
Option
Picture(s)

blank
Standard finish: brushed-finish Titanium handles and a brushed-finish blade.

Units manufactured before May of 2002 have "T" latches. Units after May of 2002 have plain spring latches.

A
Anodized Titanium handles with an orange-peel finish. The anodized finish is always a multi-colored finish. Some are very mottled. In others, blue, green, or purple will dominate. The handles are always a matched pair so that the coloration of the two handles matches nicely. It is not possible to specify the exact color from Benchmade. Some dealers have been known to sort their inventory and supply specific colors on order.

Blades have brushed-finish.

Units manufactured before May of 2002 have "T" latches. Units after May of 2002 have plain spring latches.

BLK
Handles have a black, powder-coat finish.

Blades have brushed-finish.

Units manufactured before May of 2002 have "T" latches. Units after May of 2002 have plain spring latches.

C
Add a pocket clip.

The pocket clip is standard on 3" Bali-Songs and the C options code is not used when specifying these models.

Blades have brushed-finish.

All C units have plain spring latches.

DM Special, limited-edition models with Damasteel blades and skeletonized, brush-finish, stainless steel handles with fancy spring latches.

S Add partial serration to the blade.

-SPL Special, very limited-edition models with highly-polished (almost mirror-polished) blades. The Benchmade Tang Stamp is engraved as is Les DeAsis signature. The handles are highly-polished stainless steel featuring select Cocobolo Rosewood inserts and a fancy spring latch. Thus far, only 25 such pieces have been made. All are BM49-SPL. The BM49-SPL was selected as the most collectible production knife of 2001 at international competition. These pieces are truly exceptional.

T
T is an interesting option code.

The earliest Benchmade Model 42 Bali-Songs were actually labeled 42T. The T stood for Titanium. However, Benchmade decided to use Titanium as the standard material for production Model 42 Bali-Songs, so the T was dropped.

Recently, the letter T reappeared to further distinguish trainer blades. Currently, the only available T model is the BM40T.

-01
-01 is another interesting code that Benchmade has used twice for different purposes.

A small batch of BM46 Bali-Songs were made with D2 steel blades. They are labeled -01. Other BM46 variants have 440C stainless steel blades.

Benchmade has also used -01 for two special Limited-editions, BM49-01 and BM31-01, with matte-finished stainless steel handles featuring Cocobolo Rosewood inserts and a fancy spring latch. The blades are polished, and have laser-etched markings.

-02 Limited-editions with matte-finished stainless steel handles featuring black carbon fiber inserts and a fancy spring latch. Two versions have been done so far: The BM49-02 in which the blade has a black, carbon nitrate finish, and the BM31-02 in which the blade has a brushed finish.

-03 Limited-editions with matte-finished skeletonized stainless steel handles with a fancy spring latch. The blade has a brushed finish.

-04 Limited-editions with anodized Titanium handles with plain spring latches. The blade has a black, carbon nitrate finish.

-05 Limited-edition with brushed-finish skeletonized Titanium handles with plain spring latches. The blade has a brushed finish

-09 Limited-edition with Devon Thomas Teardrop Damascus steel blade. The handles are skeletonized brushed Titanum. 4" Models have with plain spring latches. 3" Models have T latches.

What Are All These Different Latches?

Benchmade converted all production Bali-Songs to spring latches in about May of 2002. Some dealers may still be selling old stock with "T" latches. And, if you're buying a second-hand Bali-Song, it may have either a "T" latch or a spring latch. Three different latch styles are in circulation today: the original "T" latch, the plain spring latch, and the fancy spring latch.

Click on this icon to see the T latch compared to a plain spring latch.

Click on this icon to see the plain spring latch compared to a fancy spring latch. Fancy spring latches are found only on limited-edition special models, but not all limited-editions have fancy latches.

Different Boxes

Most standard-production Bali-Songs come in the familiar Benchmade Blue box from which we get the phrase, "keeping me in blue boxes." Click on this icon to see the standard Benchmade Blue Box.

The most exclusive special edition Bali-Songs, BM49-SPL, come in handsome, fitted wood presentation boxes with the Benchmade/Bali-Song butterfly logo laser-engraved in the top. Each handsome wood box is nestled in a fitted white cardboard box for further protection. Click on this icon to see the exclusive BM49-SPL box.

Until recently, other special edition Bali-Songs came in black presentation boxes with fitted foam liners. Click on this icon to see the black presentation box.

Those black boxes really don't fit right. They never have. They're not thick enough. You literally can't get the box to close all the way with the knife in it. Fortunately, Benchmade recently switched to these handsome bright sliver aluminum boxes. They made this switch with the introduction of the BM31-01. I'll bet the the first customers to receive this long box were certain that there must have been an error in their order because such a short knife wouldn't come in such a long box.

The Special Editions

Click on this icon to see the entire Benchmade 49 family. From left to right, the BM49-SPL, the BM49-01, the BM49-02, the BM49-03, the BM49-04, and the BM49-05.

Click on this icon to see the entire Benchmade 31 special family. From left to right, the BM31-01, the BM31-03, the BM31-03.

Benchmade has also produced limited editions of:

BM46-01 (D2 steel)

BM43DM (Damasteel blade)

BM31-09, BM42-09, BM43-09, BM47-09 (Devon Thomas Teardrop Damascus steel blades)

Current Production Models

BM31 and BM31-S

BM40T

BM42, BM42A, BM42AS, BM42BLK, BM42S, and BM42SBLK

BM43, BM43A, and BM43BLK

BM46, BM46A, and BM46BLK

BM47, BM47A, and BM47BLK

Model Number	Blade Profile	Picture
BM31ABC	3" Utility
BM40T	4" Trainer
BM42ABC	4" Weehawk with unsharpened swedge
BM43ABC	4" Collver Clip-Point Bowie
BM46ABC	4" Modified Spear-Point with full-length swedge
BM47ABC	4" Diamond-Point Tanto
BM49ABC	4" American Kris

Code	Option	Picture(s)
blank	Standard finish: brushed-finish Titanium handles and a brushed-finish blade. Units manufactured before May of 2002 have "T" latches. Units after May of 2002 have plain spring latches.
A	Anodized Titanium handles with an orange-peel finish. The anodized finish is always a multi-colored finish. Some are very mottled. In others, blue, green, or purple will dominate. The handles are always a matched pair so that the coloration of the two handles matches nicely. It is not possible to specify the exact color from Benchmade. Some dealers have been known to sort their inventory and supply specific colors on order. Blades have brushed-finish. Units manufactured before May of 2002 have "T" latches. Units after May of 2002 have plain spring latches.
BLK	Handles have a black, powder-coat finish. Blades have brushed-finish. Units manufactured before May of 2002 have "T" latches. Units after May of 2002 have plain spring latches.
C	Add a pocket clip. The pocket clip is standard on 3" Bali-Songs and the C options code is not used when specifying these models. Blades have brushed-finish. All C units have plain spring latches.
DM	Special, limited-edition models with Damasteel blades and skeletonized, brush-finish, stainless steel handles with fancy spring latches.
S	Add partial serration to the blade.
-SPL	Special, very limited-edition models with highly-polished (almost mirror-polished) blades. The Benchmade Tang Stamp is engraved as is Les DeAsis signature. The handles are highly-polished stainless steel featuring select Cocobolo Rosewood inserts and a fancy spring latch. Thus far, only 25 such pieces have been made. All are BM49-SPL. The BM49-SPL was selected as the most collectible production knife of 2001 at international competition. These pieces are truly exceptional.
T	T is an interesting option code. The earliest Benchmade Model 42 Bali-Songs were actually labeled 42T. The T stood for Titanium. However, Benchmade decided to use Titanium as the standard material for production Model 42 Bali-Songs, so the T was dropped. Recently, the letter T reappeared to further distinguish trainer blades. Currently, the only available T model is the BM40T.
-01	-01 is another interesting code that Benchmade has used twice for different purposes. A small batch of BM46 Bali-Songs were made with D2 steel blades. They are labeled -01. Other BM46 variants have 440C stainless steel blades. Benchmade has also used -01 for two special Limited-editions, BM49-01 and BM31-01, with matte-finished stainless steel handles featuring Cocobolo Rosewood inserts and a fancy spring latch. The blades are polished, and have laser-etched markings.
-02	Limited-editions with matte-finished stainless steel handles featuring black carbon fiber inserts and a fancy spring latch. Two versions have been done so far: The BM49-02 in which the blade has a black, carbon nitrate finish, and the BM31-02 in which the blade has a brushed finish.
-03	Limited-editions with matte-finished skeletonized stainless steel handles with a fancy spring latch. The blade has a brushed finish.
-04	Limited-editions with anodized Titanium handles with plain spring latches. The blade has a black, carbon nitrate finish.
-05	Limited-edition with brushed-finish skeletonized Titanium handles with plain spring latches. The blade has a brushed finish
-09	Limited-edition with Devon Thomas Teardrop Damascus steel blade. The handles are skeletonized brushed Titanum. 4" Models have with plain spring latches. 3" Models have T latches.