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- Sep 21, 2000
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How did the balisong originate? where? I might do this for a question for a class i'm in called Inquiry on the Internet. that and I'd just like to know anyway
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The origin of the balisong?
- Thread starter Darth Detori
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2000
- Messages
- 294
The origin is not sure.
The oldest knife I know which looks like a balisong is dated from the end of the 18th century (179?). It's called "Pied Du Roy". I found it in a Cutlery Museum in France.
There's a photo there :
http://www.balisong.net/en/history.htm
Most of people think that the balisong comes from the Philippines. That's true that the name "balisong" and the fashion came from here. But the idea of the knife, the concept of separating the handle in 2 mobile parts... some people think it comes from Europe (the Spanish would have brought it to the Philippines Islands).
If in your search you find relevant points which can explain some periods of the dark history of this knife, I'm interested in the info
You can also find a History page in Chuck's site (www.balisongcollector.com).
Guillaume
------------------
www.balisong.net
The oldest knife I know which looks like a balisong is dated from the end of the 18th century (179?). It's called "Pied Du Roy". I found it in a Cutlery Museum in France.
There's a photo there :
http://www.balisong.net/en/history.htm
Most of people think that the balisong comes from the Philippines. That's true that the name "balisong" and the fashion came from here. But the idea of the knife, the concept of separating the handle in 2 mobile parts... some people think it comes from Europe (the Spanish would have brought it to the Philippines Islands).
If in your search you find relevant points which can explain some periods of the dark history of this knife, I'm interested in the info
You can also find a History page in Chuck's site (www.balisongcollector.com).
Guillaume
------------------
www.balisong.net
Gollnick
Musical Director
- Joined
- Mar 22, 1999
- Messages
- 29,258
It needs to be updated with recent detail information, but the conclusions on my history page, that I believe the balisong is originally European, probably French, in origin and probably came to the Philippines via a Spanish sailor or soldier are still the best theories I have.
You may also want to look at the very interesting and very historic balisong that is currently on display in The Balisong Collector's Vault. But, do so promptly as I'm going to take pictures this weekend to change it early next week.
The recently "published" book Heart Of The Butterfly, offered a theory of a middle eastern origin, but no hard evidence.
My European theory is just that, a theory. I'm always looking for new facts. If anyone has any new information to contribute, please do.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 02-02-2001).]
You may also want to look at the very interesting and very historic balisong that is currently on display in The Balisong Collector's Vault. But, do so promptly as I'm going to take pictures this weekend to change it early next week.
The recently "published" book Heart Of The Butterfly, offered a theory of a middle eastern origin, but no hard evidence.
My European theory is just that, a theory. I'm always looking for new facts. If anyone has any new information to contribute, please do.
------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 02-02-2001).]
Martial Arts weapons were banned in the Philippines when they were under Spanish Rule. About 103 years ago, when the Filipino people were "liberated" from the Spanish by the American people, the ban on martial arts weapons was droped. At about that time, a man from France helped the people in the Batangas area to start up a knife making industry.
You would have to understand the Filipino people that they are not really what we would call in America "self starters". But when someone gets them started, they are very fast learners and very hard working people.
After WW2 a lot of the Knives were made from surplus war materials. A lot of the soldiers brought them back from the Philippines when they returned from fighting the war there. But it was not really untell the 30 years later, when Taylor-Frost Co was importing Balisong Knives from the Philippines and Japan, that they really began to gain in popularity. They did a lot to promote them at the time, and the prices were cheap.
Then James Taylor split with Frost. He bought the Case knife company. I have a hand written correspondance from him at the time, talking about all the wonderful things he was going to do with the Case company. It was short lived though and Zippo finally ended up with the Case Knife company.
From what I can tell, the Frost company then went to importing China and Taiwan made knives in parts and putting them together here in this country. The knife market was then flooded with dirt cheap knives and their popularity really took off.
But customs to this day, will not allow a Butterfly knife to be imported when it is assembled. So the better quality collector butterfly knives are just not being imported right now. I am working on taking customs to Federal court, so at least the Government will know where we stand on this issue.
So not to toot my own horn or anything, but there is a $200 fee to file in the Federal Court System. So if you buy from my web site, then you can know I am doing more then just selling you a knife. I am going to be doing my best to defending your rights in the Federal Court System. Thanks, JohnR7 www.BalisongKnife.com
You would have to understand the Filipino people that they are not really what we would call in America "self starters". But when someone gets them started, they are very fast learners and very hard working people.
After WW2 a lot of the Knives were made from surplus war materials. A lot of the soldiers brought them back from the Philippines when they returned from fighting the war there. But it was not really untell the 30 years later, when Taylor-Frost Co was importing Balisong Knives from the Philippines and Japan, that they really began to gain in popularity. They did a lot to promote them at the time, and the prices were cheap.
Then James Taylor split with Frost. He bought the Case knife company. I have a hand written correspondance from him at the time, talking about all the wonderful things he was going to do with the Case company. It was short lived though and Zippo finally ended up with the Case Knife company.
From what I can tell, the Frost company then went to importing China and Taiwan made knives in parts and putting them together here in this country. The knife market was then flooded with dirt cheap knives and their popularity really took off.
But customs to this day, will not allow a Butterfly knife to be imported when it is assembled. So the better quality collector butterfly knives are just not being imported right now. I am working on taking customs to Federal court, so at least the Government will know where we stand on this issue.
So not to toot my own horn or anything, but there is a $200 fee to file in the Federal Court System. So if you buy from my web site, then you can know I am doing more then just selling you a knife. I am going to be doing my best to defending your rights in the Federal Court System. Thanks, JohnR7 www.BalisongKnife.com
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2000
- Messages
- 943
I've contacted the other two, but John. So I was wondering if I could quote you (what you just said) in a research paper for this class 'inquiry on the internet'. I MIGHT put the paper online, if only for convenience of the class. reguardless, you will be credited
>>I was wondering if I could quote you
You can if you want, as long as you put down that it's just a forum message, I do not have any formal training at all to be able to establish how accurate the information is.
If anyone is interested, I have two pages of information I am putting together to present my case in Federal court against US Customs. You can find that at: http://home.neo.rr.com/johnr7/customs2 also I have another page at: http://home.neo.rr.com/johnr7/customs thanks, JohnR7 www.BalisongKnife.com
[This message has been edited by JohnR7 (edited 02-22-2001).]
You can if you want, as long as you put down that it's just a forum message, I do not have any formal training at all to be able to establish how accurate the information is.
If anyone is interested, I have two pages of information I am putting together to present my case in Federal court against US Customs. You can find that at: http://home.neo.rr.com/johnr7/customs2 also I have another page at: http://home.neo.rr.com/johnr7/customs thanks, JohnR7 www.BalisongKnife.com
[This message has been edited by JohnR7 (edited 02-22-2001).]