"Butterfly" knives ; opinion(s)

A

Allen E. Treat

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Oct 4, 2001
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I've owned my share of these "pseudo
gravity" knives ( Benchmade & various foreign make(s)) : I found that they are alot like pianos ; best demonstrated by people proficient in their use. I've NEVER been able to deploy them in as rapid
a fashion as any common knife ( even
my Spydies ; ironically, Spyderco is making one called the "Spyderfly") I
just don't get it, to me they're like autos, all "flash". To me, you could employ even a fixed blade faster & vanquish an opponent with a "butterfly" ( or, if you have a gun, shoot'em! ;)) What's the attraction?
"martial art(s)"?, a "fear factor"?
Some things, In My Opinion, defy logic. What's you forumite(s) "take"
on these?

AET ;)
 
Edged toys,:rolleyes: I really don’t care for them, my knives are for cutting not for juggling:D
 
At one time, they were a great alternative to automatics and afforded the luxury of one handed opening.

Then someone went and put thumbstuds on folders.

I find balisongs lack the comfort, speed of deployment, many safety features, and most of all, versatility of present day tactical folders in my opinion.

Then again, not everything in life has to be practical or understood by the mass.

They still have a fun factor and great for those who want to dedicate their time and effort to knife fighting martial arts; particularly Phillipino martial arts.
 
Some folks think they're slick, when I was growing up they were just considered to be slimey. I'll never own one, I'd rather have a razor edge Yo-Yo. :p
 
I have a bunch of cheap ones, mostly to play with when I am bored. I have developed some skill with them over the year, but still think they are mostly for fun. I could never picture myself spending the money for a good one(ex. Benchmade, Microtech, Etc..) For $20 or so, yes they are worth having, But $200 nahh, I'll take a nice tactical folder or fixed blade. BUT I do plan on buying one of BOSS's. B/C the price is right and the quality has to be superior to the ones I currently own.:)
 
You do know that this Forum has a very active Balisong forum with lots of active members, right? Just 5 listing down from this Forum. Not bad for a forum that focus on just one specific type of knife for discussion, not a overall generalized topic of discussion.

No invites necessary to ask the same question over there. Although, granted you'll probably get a heavily biased positive answer.

For nothing else, there is one irrefutable fact: the modern butterfly is still the strongest folding knive you can carry without going to a full fixed blade. Fixed blades may be faster on the draw, but they're not practical for carry.
 
I have 1-2 (oops left off the zeros), 10-20 and must say they are awesome. It's one of those things that are hard to convince people of it until it's really tried. i used to have the same mentallity when I first came to the forums, that they were nothing more than sparkling toys. Then I got a decent one and gave it a try. visited clay's page here and the rest is history. three years later i have one tattooed on my back.

That being said I'm more a user than a flipper to be honest. the bali is one of the safest folder designs thought of yet. My balis are hard working razor sharp beauties. I've had too many liner locks and lockbacks fail on me to ever worry aobut that again.
 
As soon as WOW Inc's Cheetahs come out I'm definitely buying one. Only 20 dollars and although the steel is 420j, the knife looks to be put together well. I don't need my toy to cut, just hold together while I spin it around very quickly:)

Last I heard they should be shipping the 1st week in december.
 
I love butterfly knives. There have been alot threads about the best lock-up on a folder. The frame-lock won, but now that I think about it, a is butterfly is really a fixed blade in it open postion.

I got my first butterfly knife when I was 14 it was $11 and I got an $8 bailsong book with like 50 different diagrams. I can only do the 5 fastest moves. That knife made a sweet click-clack when I swung it around. I also thught that the knife would make an effective weapon open or closed.

The axis lock and the speedsafe assisted technologies are very interesting. I have a Kershaw Whirlwind and it flips open fast, it is easy to close with one hand, and the handle fits the hand perfect. my pentegon opens fast as light. I think knives are getting getting faster, but like Allen said no folder will ever be as fast as a fixed blade.
 
Allen, if all we owned were fixed blades, thing would get boring. The balisong has a lot of history and culture behind it. And, it is a lot of fun to learn the different manipulations. It takes a lot of practice to become proficient. What's wrong with enjoying different styles of knives? They are interesting enough that well known custom makers, Darrel Ralph and Larry Davidson, to name a few, are producing some awesome balisongs. Maybe they got bored with fixed blades and folders. You should give one a try, you might just find out that you like having fun with a new style knife.
Kinda like if there were only 1911's, no Glocks or Sigs or wheel guns. ;)
 
A knife is a knife is a knife... :D

Those who dismiss a certain style of knife miss out, leaving more for the rest of us! Just imagine if everyone wanted that ivory micarta PC weehawk :O :D

To denigrate the butterfly knife as not as 'worthy' as, say, a tactical folder is immediately evident as foolish at best, and PC to a rather unsavory extent.

I invite anyone with misgivings about the balisong knife over to my site. Peruse the butterfly section. I submit that very few collections of tactical folders, same-same autos and popular folding knives have the soul and artistry of this collection of balisongs.

Also, the dexterial enjoyment of a butterfly knife; the opportunity for interaction with the knife, is one notch above even an auto. Each knife has a different approach, a different flip; some easy to handle, some beautiful but maybe with a mind of their own (we have all experienced this! :) ). I subsequently submit that, with the manual interaction one has with a butterfly knife, the relationship with the balisong can be considerably increased from a standard folding knife.

Is it a toy? No more so than my computer, or car, or palmpilot.

But a lot more fun to have always on hand :D :)

YMMV

-Michael
 
Balisongs are about the most versatile knife there is, with the exception of a swiss army. They have the ease of carry of a folder, and when locked open, are as strong as a fixed blade. They can be used as a weapon while closed, if anyone has seen the 6' metal bar keychains you can use for self-defense (i can't remember the real name for em) a Bali will work just as well, with no damage to the knife. They can also be used as flails,as opening them onto someone can easily break fingers. And they can also be used as a deterrent. My balisong is my EDC, and though i'm not proud of having to pull it in a fight...the one time someone pulled a knife on me, i flipped out the balisong, and he reconsidered. Anyone can pretend to be macho with a fixed blade, but it takes skill to do so with a balisong. And besides...not everyone wants to be Crocodile Dundee.
 
Originally posted by Mordechai
[Balisongs]can be used as a weapon while closed, if anyone has seen the 6' metal bar keychains you can use for self-defense (i can't remember the real name for em) a Bali will work just as well, with no damage to the knife...
Click to expand...

You mean the kubotan, developed by the legendary Karate master, Tak Kubota. I carry one 'cause they're so cheap yet effective, and less messy and lethal as a knife...kinda like legal brass knuckles.

Let's not forget that there are many folders than can also be used effectively in this fashion including: Spyderco Gunting, Gerber Covert, Spyderco Police...
 
If you love to play with knives bali's are the most fun to play with.

Who can complain when titanium and steel meets. There are alot of high quality balis out there.

Now if Tom Mayo would make a bali maybe we could all agree.

:) :)
 
What everyone has said about the usefullness of balisongs is true. That said my EDC consists of a fixed blade, a slipjoint and a one handed folder (though soon to be replaced by a small balisong) I love balisongs. Unlike regular knives, balisongs arn't just about the knives themselves but what one can do with them. Its best to almost think of it as an artform.

A bali can be drawn as quick as a regular folder by a skilled person. That is also part of the apeal. Anyone can open a regular one handed folder, but it takes skill to manipulate a balisong. I use balisongs because I enjoy it. I like to practice and learn new moves, challenge myself and really get to know the knife and how it responds to my movements. There is really nothing else like it in the knife world. I have my fixed blade and regular folding knives for utility purposes, I have my balisongs because I love using them and derive a lot of joy from manipulating them.

Give a good one a try for a while and see what you think. Some people will never understand and will not appreciate it, but those who do usually become die hard balisong lovers.
 
Chefget Nice balis at your site care to donate a few to me? Maybe just one would be ok. Kidding aside Balis are "fun" and whats makes something thats fun evern better? when you can use it as a tool or in everyday life. Like owninig a Ferrari it fn as hell to drive and heck look at this it gets me to work too...
Don't knock it till you try it if you get the hang of the bali you'll have fun and something challenging to learn, i like most any knife style and carry folders every day plus a fixed blade but not much challange in learning to open a folder or draw a fixed blade from a sheath, but the bali there some challange not to just be able to do it but be able to do it with style.
 
Originally posted by NGK-Webmaster
Don't knock it till you try it if you get the hang of the bali you'll have fun and something challenging to learn, i like most any knife style and carry folders every day plus a fixed blade but not much challange in learning to open a folder or draw a fixed blade from a sheath, but the bali there some challange not to just be able to do it but be able to do it with style.
Click to expand...

Let me just play the devil's advocate, just for the sake of starting sh*t, and present this question:

If it takes that much effort and challenge to learn to merely open it, is it efficient?

Just remember, traditional martial arts are notorious for many inefficiencies which prompted Bruce Lee to change the "classical" way of viewing martial arts. Two of his objectives were "keep it simple", and everything must evolve...this certainly applies to knives.

I'm not dissing the balisong now, I'm just merely stating a question and putting a different perspective on it. Truth is that I have a great fondness for the traditional martial arts and beauty in forms and katas, rituals, and the discipline and dedication involved in mastering movements.

It all boils down to one's objectives.

FTC

P.S. Did I adequately cover my ass with my last politically correct paragraph? ;)
 
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