What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of the balisong?

shootist16

shootist16

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What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of the balisong? It appears that the locking mechanism should be strong and reliable. Of course I have been known to be wrong on occasion. ;)

I admit almost no experience with balisongs so i would like to hear from you. What are considered the strengths of the design? Everything has a weakness so lets hear those as well.
 
Strengths would have to include strength of the lock and speed of opening. Of course, with consistent practice I bet there are many knives that would be the equal of the bali in speed. Plus it's much more fun to play with that any other knife I've ever seen. I mean, I bet a D/A OTF auto would be fun to fire, but there's only so much you can do with it...in, out, in, out...with a bali, there's a lot of variety.

Weaknesses? All I can think of is the bad reputation the balisong has among the ignorant masses. :rolleyes: Of course I'm not a science person, maybe some of the engineer-types, makers, and more experienced collectors could offer other weaknesses?

Could it be considered a "weakness" that the blade profile can't be wider than the handles, in order to allow it to close? I don't think so, but maybe in others opinions...
 
It is supposed to be the strongest lock mechanism. It is almost as strong as a fixed blade. Depending on who's knife it is (pot metal handle cheapies don't count.)
I don't think it opens as fast as an auto, but I always cut myself if I try to flip it like some of the pros in this forum.
The big draw back is the unfair negative image portrayed in the liberal media.
 
i think i would agree totally with peace frog about the strenght and weakness...

and to deputy tom: i don't know how fast a bm910 is, but i refuse to say that a latchdrop with the best suited bali is slow! i believe that with the right hands, a bali can be opened faster than an auto.

by the way: what is that type of knife (like the bm910) called? with that opening machanism...
 
Don Rearic posted a wonderful discourse on the speed of opening a while back, in a discussion about the speed of a bali's opening. You should all re-read it.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177358

And to further add to the argument, the bali can be opened one handed from many angles, and in the right hands, from all angles (safe handle, bite handle, latch, tang facing foward, back, up or down). Not something easily done with the traditional folder, since not getting in the way of the blade's opening arc is crucial to the opening speed.

Among the other advantages are very simple mechanical contruction. One of the safest ways to transport a folding knife with it's built in edge protector. And if one handle breaks, the bali can still be used as a knife.

The biggest negative, aside from the sterotype, is that bali's are outlawed as a legally carried knife in many cities. Thus placing the bali owners in those areas on the other side of the law if they carry one.
 
Hi Tom.., Happy New Year!

Boy I'd have to really disagree with you on this.., and I don't want to start a "What's Faster than What" thread.., just some questions??

You said your friend proved to you that the 910 (which is a Tip-Down Carry Striker I think?) opened in 1/3.., or three times faster than a Balisong???

Firstly, I wanted to ask how this was proved..., for example are you talking about both of you standing there knife in hand.., and someone saying Go?? Even in that case I don't think any auto is three times the speed of a latch-drop when done by an experienced Balisong person.

I also don't think that is any real test for deploying a weapon anyway...., but let me give an example. About 6-7 weeks ago I actually did something similar to what you are talking about.., although I'd like to hear what the measuring technique was? A bunch of guys (and two girls..lol) actually raced me. This "speed drill" was done from the carry position.., which in this case was front strong side pocket for the folder and auto people, and a horizontal "Extreme-Kydex-Belt-Sheath for me (thank you Clay..lol).

I was 41-2 in getting the Balisong into deployment position. The knife I used was a 4" model with a Manila latch, latch-dropped into a reverse Ice-Pick grip, which I also consider a better postion than most pocket carry folders end up in when drawn for speed. About 10-12 of these opponents had autos. The two losses were to the same guy with the same knife. He was very good at the "Wave Technique" employed by the Emerson Commander.., and although the differance was negligable.., he did beat me both times. No auto came that close.., and the second closest deployment was a BM 550 (Griptilian) gravity- snapped quickly into a reverse grip because of it's Tip-Down carry.

Just for the sake of "reality"..., I'm not that quick anymore (I'm 54).., and my reflexes are obviously not as good as when I was much younger. The guy with the BM 550 was pretty impressive.., because I've done this lots over the years..., and he was very quick and smooth with his hands (and about 22-23...lol).., but still didn't beat me in two trys. VERY QUICK though!

My guess is that Clay, Chuck, Tony, Cameron, Dave, McCann.., and a few others on here would have given the guy with the Commander a better contest than I did.., but the Commander does deploy very quickly when someone has worked on it and reinforces the top rear edge of their carry-pocket (I knew there was an "excuse" lurking somewhere). :rolleyes:

Anyway.., no matter how I frame it.., I do have to disagree that "speed of opening" is a Weakness for a Balisong.., in fact I'd say it is one of it's great strengths because it can be opened quickly into more varied and effective fighting positions than any folding knife ever dreamt of...


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
When I read this thread it seemed to Me that the Author was soliciting opinions ,so I replied with My opinion.I must have been mistaken.All I got for My effort was a lot of grief.Please forget that I even visited this forum and don't quote Me in Your posts from now on.Thanks,tom.
 
Lock strength is definately a positive for the balisong. Narrow blade profile could be considered a weakness, but if ground properly its not really an issue. One weaknes I've wondered about was a lack of a guard. Those little bumps (not sure of the proper name) just behind the ricasso dont seem big enough to slow down your hands in a dedicated thrust to something hard. Regarding the legality, I wonder how people would react to a 3.5" blade balisong w/ a sheeps foot or wharncliffe shaped blade. I have seen custom balis w/ a guard, but they are rare.
 
...simply a totally different perpective. Most of us have been goofing around with this type of knife for a long time.., and obsess over the efficiency with which we can deploy them.

Also the post I made was obviously a gathering of "friends" for fun.., and in "real life" danger.., it's really all about the experience and confidence you bring to the scenario anyway.

I would say this though :)..., if you want to surprise your friend.., get the sheath I mentioned:

http://www.BalisongXtreme.com

Practice a little.., and come back and tell us the look on his face when he's still getting his BM 910 out of the jeans while you are engraving "Tom Was Here" on the toe of his shoe. :)

See ya....hope your Holiday Season was great and thanks for writing back!!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Originally posted by Elwin
Regarding the legality, I wonder how people would react to a 3.5" blade balisong w/ a sheeps foot or wharncliffe shaped blade.
Click to expand...
I wish the type of blade could be the difference of being a legal carrying knife or not. Unfortunately blade style and length doesn't matter in most of the area bali's are outlawed. :(

Speaking of that: For you California folks. are bali's under 2" legal?
 
The only major structural drawback to the bali that I see is that it takes a hell of a beating upon opening. Even in a simple windmill the force of the tang pin hitting the holes is pretty hard, and it is fairly expensive to machine a well-made bali that takes a beating. Of course, autos are even worse in that regard, but compared to a simple folder I would hold that as a drawback.
 
Originally posted by ExamonLyf
when he's still getting his BM 910 out of the jeans while you are engraving "Tom Was Here" on the toe of his shoe. :)
Click to expand...

And who doesn't HATE that?;) :p
 
Heck that works for me Tom..., when I get "scared".., my first thought is a fixed blade, and I've be flipping the Lazer-Bat-Blades for a loooooooong time in conjuction with martial arts and just trying to keep in shape.

If I get really scared.., people should worry more about tripping over shell-casings than how quickly I can get a Balisong ready to go. :eek:


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
>Its weakness is its slow opening.It has lots of flair in the right >hands but Anyone can open a BM910 in a third the time it takes to >open any brand bali.

Yep.. and both go from open to closed during a blink with time to spare. Not exactly what I'd call a weakness.

Almost all of you here will agree however, that the balisong's greatest weakness is that it's so damned addictive. To own, to manipulate, to collect, to discuss. Thousands upon thousands of hours, dollars, and fleshwounds have been invested in these little twirly things.

Will the madness never end??
 
I am an old auto nut. Recently got bit by the bali bug and bottom line, bali's are more fun. I am still learning and have a long way to to go, but I am having fun all the way.
The fastest opening auto is the Microtech CTII, an OTF. The button is in the middle of the handle and as it is drawn from the sheath the button is depressed with the middle finger, which means as soon as you grip the knife, your finger is on the button. Whalla, an open blade in a firm grip. You can call this one quick draw, and I doubt that even the best of the best bali swingers could beat it. I hope to be in Oregon for the April show, anyone care to meet at high noon?:D
 
I may be ignorant about Balis but the main weakness that I see is the straight and fairly narrow handles. They don't seem to be very secure in the hand. Keep in mind that I've never even handled a HIGH quality bali. Just some pakistani POS balis from the swap meet. Even those are down right addictive once you start fliping them.
 
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