Does anyone actually use a balisong knife?

not2sharp

not2sharp

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
20,403
This is a topic that seldom comes up. The traditional balisong/butterfly knife was used as a pocket tool and weapon in the Philippines. Today, these knives seem relegated to little more than fidget devices. Let's skip over the flipping trick and competitive juggling and discuss whether these knives can perform as cutting tools. Are these knives practical for use and how does this folding mechanism compare with other locking mechanisms.

n2s
 
I like them a lot but the problem is that in many states they are considered the same as automatic knives and are illegal to carry. Back in the 1980's I used to carry a custom Pacific Cutlery with 4" Weehawk Blade. I even had it on my belt and carried it on airline trips and never got questioned once. I have a couple of them still but do not carry them. IMO, they are fully functional knives for most uses depnding on the blade style.

i-sRB3FLc-L.jpg


20200428_110438%20%281%29-L.jpg


20200428_105629%20%281%29-L.jpg
 
Last edited:
not2sharp said:
This is a topic that seldom comes up. The traditional balisong/butterfly knife was used as a pocket tool and weapon in the Philippines. Today, these knives seem relegated to little more than fidget devices. Let's skip over the flipping trick and competitive juggling and discuss whether these knives can perform as cutting tools. Are these knives practical for use and how does this folding mechanism compare with other locking mechanisms.

n2s
Click to expand...

I'm going to open this up a bit.

A lot of countries have had split handle designs similar to that of the balisong. I carried a split handled Swedish knife as a teenager. Perfectly legal in California at the time. Also had a Hackman, which I purchased in the 1970's, I think. Legal to carry then, but not now. Moreover, if you cruise back in time, there are pictures of split handled knives made in the 30's which have no relationship to any Philippine influence.

Cold Steel experimented with split handled designs. They had the "Black Rock Hunter"/. Ith had springs which had to be overcome to open the handle. Legal to carry but not fast to open, and I would not recommend trying to open it when inebriated. Cool knife, but I seldom do more than play with it a bit.

Overall, the split handle is a solid design, a folding knife which literally can't close on your hand. If the handle or the pins break, it still can't close on your hand. I wish they were not so readily identified as weapons. They are very useful tools.

Hackman and Black Rock Hunter.
MyTBkYQ.jpg
 
maxresdefault.jpg


I still have a Cold Steel Paradox boxed up somewhere.

I think the split handle design can lend itself to a nice portable chopper. Something like an eight inch chopper blade that folds into a 10" handle; it opens to the size of a machete, yet folds unobstructively into a small pack. Now if we can get Busse to make it, I can almost see the 1/4 pivot bolts now. The other nice thing is that the design lends itself to a more comfortable grip; you can add finger groves, palm swells and hooked pommels to help with retention. Add a couple of slots to join the top and bottom handles, and you would have to break the pivot pin before the knife completely fails. Infi and titanium would be a fun combination.

It is a shame that we have relegated these knives to a limited market. There is nothing wrong with a well toned sports balisong, but there is much more that can be done with these.

n2s
 
Last edited:
All folders seem to be fidget devices these days. It depends on the design but they can be good edcs. I keep a 51 in my rotation. Once you learn how to, they're easily one hand open and closeable. And, they basically have the strongest lock of any folder. Can't imagine what you'd need to do to get one to close on you when latched open.
 
I used to carry a Benchmade balisong in the 90s working as a stagehand. It was a gift from my Dad and it was the most reliable, safe, one-handed opening and closing knife I owned. Generally when I needed a knife, I needed to be doing something with that other hand too, so it was a good tool to have. I only ever used the icepick drop to open or close it, and it went through miles of tie line, duct tape, and assorted gack that needed to be carved up. I still have it, it looks and works great, but carrying it would be problematic with bali laws being both draconian and schizophrenic.
 
I sometimes carry an Schrade balisong my wife for for me for Christmas a couple years ago. I cut the latch off it because it got in the way.

I have learned no other trick short of drawing and swinging it open for use. This is as fancy as I go using my old Spyderfly back in the day.

I think they are pretty handy. Maybe not as easy as a flipper or OTF auto, but once you get used to swinging the knife open its pretty natural.
 
gerber-butterfly-machete-1327.jpg


Here is the general idea, but unfortunately, it's a Gerber. The design and materials are both way off, but it show what can be done with a little imagination.

n2s
 
I had a lot of them when I was younger!
Unfortunately they are banned in Canada, but I definitely miss them.
And yes they are great knives, very functional and fast to open.
 
I would carry and use one were I not in Washington State.

True joy to open one handed, and the lock will not fail.

They are the strongest locking folder I can think of. Too bad they can't be viewed by the legislature as the useful tools they are.
 
I would like to find a custom maker that wants to help me make a chopper (something like the Gerber, but with a better blade profile made of quality steel (5160, 3V) and a titanium/G10 handle that is truly ergonomic. I see this as an untapped market. A good practical place for overbuilt folders to go.

n2s
 
I carried a Pacific Cutlery balisong back in High School during the 80s. At the time I liked how I could open it compared to the usual Buck 110 style lockback or slipjoint. With the coming of opening holes & thumbstuds I moved on. Never got fancy with it, just knew how to open & close it & 1 or 2 tricks.
 
they are functional to use as a bladed tool for a utility blade or a weapon, but there's just better options available, i would tend to believe --- plus it may just be me but i wouldn't trust the latch, id want it in a sheath if its going to be pocketed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top