A variety of different handmade custom balisongs.

A variety of 1980's vintage balisongs, primarily from Japan and the Philippines.

Balisong may refer to different things: Balisong (knife), also known as a butterfly knife or Batangas knife Balisong (film), a Filipino film Balisong (song), a song by the Filipino music group Rivermaya Balisong (barangay) in Taal, Batangas, Philippines Balisong (band), a heavy rock group from Champaign, Illinois Category: ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (800x651, 163 KB) courtesy of Duane Weikum of EDC knives Copyright:EDCknives File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (800x651, 163 KB) courtesy of Duane Weikum of EDC knives Copyright:EDCknives File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links 1-blade_420. ... Image File history File links 1-blade_420. ...

Balisong

While the meaning of the term "balisong" is not entirely clear, a popular belief is that it is derived from the Tagalog Language words baling sungay (literally, "broken horn")^[1][2] as the original balisongs were made from carved animal horns. These knives are also referred to as "fan knives" or "click clacks." (See: Batangas Products) Tagalog (pronunciation: ) is one of the major languages of the Republic of the Philippines. ... REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Province of Batangas Region: CALABARZON (Region IV-A) Capital: Batangas City Founded: March 10, 1917 Population: 2000 census—1,905,348 (9th largest) Density—602 per km² (7th highest) Area: 3,165. ...

The use of the balisong is so popular in the Philippines that an urban legend exists about every Batangueño carrying it everywhere he goes^[3]. They are a pocket utility knife used by people of Filipino society. They have also been used to fight duels over matters of honor, although such practices have been discontinued for decades. An urban legend or urban myth is similar to a modern folklore consisting of stories often thought to be factual by those circulating them. ... REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Province of Batangas Region: CALABARZON (Region IV-A) Capital: Batangas City Founded: March 10, 1917 Population: 2000 census—1,905,348 (9th largest) Density—602 per km² (7th highest) Area: 3,165. ... A duel is a formalized type of combat. ... Honor (or honor) comprises the reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual or of a group. ...

publisher=www.balisongcollector.com | title=The History of the Balisong Knife | author = webmaster@balisongcollector.com | url=http://www.balisongcollector.com/history.html | date=n.d. | accessdate=2007-02-09}}</ref> It then most likely came into popular use in the Philippines through transference intercontinentaly to Spain, which coincides with the Spanish governance of the Philippines during that period.

There is, however, conjecture attending to the balisong being an 'ancient Filipino invention dating back to 800 AD', stating it to be the most ancient of weapons of the Filipino fighting system of Eskrima^[2]. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Construction

There are two main types of balisong construction: sandwich construction and channel construction.

Sandwich constructed balisongs are assembled in layers that are generally pinned or screwed together. They allow the pivot pins to be adjusted tighter without binding. When the knife is closed, the blade rests between the layers.

For a channel constructed balisong, the main part of each handle is formed from one piece of material. In this handle, a groove is created (either by folding, milling, or being integrally cast) in which the blade rests when the knife is closed. This style is regarded as being stronger than sandwich construction.

Parts

Bite Handle 

The handle that closes on the sharp edge of the blade.

Kicker (or Kick) 

Area on the blade that prevents the sharp edge from contacting the inside of the handle and suffering damage.

Latch 

The standard locking system, which holds the balisong closed. Magnets are occasionally used instead.

Latch, Batangas 

A latch that is attached to the bite handle.

Latch, Manila 

A latch that is attached to the safe handle.

Latch, Spring 

A latch that utilizes a spring to propel the latch open when the handles are squeezed.

Safe Handle 

The handle that closes on the non-sharpened edge of the blade.

Latch gate 

A block inside the channel of the handles stopping the latch from impacting the blade

Tang 

The base of the blade where the handles are attached with pivot pins.

Choil 

Small curve found on some balisongs just above the kicker, that allows you to sharpen the blade more easily.

Swedge 

Unsharpened spine of the blade that is angled to appear as if it were sharpened. (many spear point balis actually have an edged side and a swedge side instead of two sharpened sides)

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1522x1552, 195 KB) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

Filipino handmade 'balisongs'

Balisongs are still handmade in the traditional manner in the Philippines. Such knives are referred to as "Filipino handmade" (FHM), and their quality varies greatly. The typical FHM is a sandwich style balisong made from layers of brass or aluminum sheet assembled with pins. Frequently, the handles are inlayed with scales fashioned from rosewood, bone, horn, stag, or synthetic materials. Balisongs made for the tourist trade are typically of passable quality, but are mass-produced by semi-skilled workers and lack the durability and aesthetics of a knife fashioned by an apprentice to a master craftsman. For other uses, see Brass (disambiguation). ... Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ... Rosewood refers to a number of richly hued timbers, brownish with darker veining. ...

Through out the Philippines, the Balisong is also widely called the "Beinte Nueve" (Spanish termed for twenty-nine). In Batangas it is common practice to use Spanish numerals. "Beinte Nueve" in truth is the full length of a standard Batangas made Balisong, which is twenty-nine centimeters.^[4] When a Filipino is acknowledged as being from the province of Batangas, the next question commonly asked, "Nasaan ang Beinte Nueve mo!?" (Where is your Beinte Nueve!?)

Counterfeit Balisongs

An inexpensive Asian import.

Since the importing of butterfly knives into the United States was banned during the mid-1980s, inexpensive butterfly knives of good quality disappeared from the market and have become highly collectable. To satisfy the demand for inexpensive blades, a variety of Asian manufacturers -- primarily Chinese -- have flooded the market with cheap knives of inferior quality. These are the "balisongs" typically offered for sale at flea markets and swap meets. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (640x1024, 96 KB)Took these photos myself of a souvenier butterfly knife I got in Paphos, Cyprus. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (640x1024, 96 KB)Took these photos myself of a souvenier butterfly knife I got in Paphos, Cyprus. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ...

Inferior quality

Typical counterfeit Balisong with Zamak handles.

Most of these cheap balisongs have cast handles made of Zamak -- an inexpensive zinc alloy which is brittle and cannot withstand the stress of vigorous flipping. Zamak handles quickly chip, crack, and break. Pivot pins tend to fall out as they wear through the cheap handles. When torx style screws are used, they are untempered to cut costs, which means the screw heads will eventually shear off. Rather than polishing or anodizing the handles, or using a baked enamel finish, the cheap copies handles are either spray painted or given an inexpensive chrome plating which soon peels off, exposing the rough pot metal beneath. The blades may be stamped "Stainless Steel", "Surgical Steel", or "Rostfrei" -- but they are typically forged scrap metal which is untempered and will not take or hold a working edge. Counterfeit balisongs are much lighter than the average balisong, so lack the weight for the proper balance that serious manipulators require when doing tricks and thus are not used by professional flippers. But the low price (typically between $12 and $20) counterfeit balisongs are used by beginners to learn basic skills without damaging an expensive blade. Image File history File links 1-Zamak. ... Image File history File links 1-Zamak. ... ZAMAK is a trademark covering a family of zinc alloys, the primary components of which are zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper. ... General Name, symbol, number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 12, 4, d Appearance bluish pale gray Standard atomic weight 65. ... An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, and where the resulting material has metallic properties. ... TORX, developed by Camcar LLC of Acument Global Technologies (formerly Camcar Textron), is the trademark for a type of screw head characterized by a 6-point star-shaped pattern (in the same way that slotted heads, Phillips, Hex, and Robertson have flat, ×-shaped, hexagonal, and square tips, respectively). ... In a discussion of art technology, enamel (or vitreous enamel, or porcelain enamel in American English) is the colorful result of fusion of powdered glass to a substrate through the process of firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. ... Bright chrome is often used as a decorative feature on consumer products such as cars. ... An alloy of copper and lead. ...

Vintage imports

From 1981 to 1984, hundreds of thousands of butterfly knives were imported into the United States from a variety of countries, primarily: the Philippines, Japan, China, and Korea -- although a few were also imported from France, Germany, and Spain. The best imports were primarily from the metalsmiths of Seki City, Japan, who manufactured butterfly knives for Taylor (Manila Folder), Parker (Gypsy), Valor (Golden Dragon), and Frost (a variety of very inexpensive butterfly knives). Guttmann Cutlery in the Philippines exported a high quality sandwich-style butterfly knife marketed as the "Original Balisong", which featured a variety of scale materials and high carbon steel blades. This article is about the Korean peninsula and civilization. ... Seki (関市; -shi) is a city located in Gifu, Japan. ...

American butterfly knives

Balisong USA started manufacturing butterfly knives in the late 1970s, then changed its name to Pacific Cutlery in the early 1980s, before finally becoming Benchmade. The earlier knives featured a wide variety of custom blade designs (many of which were hand ground by master knifemaker Jody Samson, well known for making the swords in the movie Conan the Barbarian), as well as a number of exotic inlays for the handles (ivory, prehistoric ivory, scrimshawed ivory, mother-of-pearl, ebony, tropical woods, etc.) -- in mint condition, some of these early balisongs are worth thousands of dollars. Used, with skeletonized or micarta handles and the standard "weehawk" or "Imada high hollow" grind, they typically start at around $300 and go up from there. Unusual grinds, like the "scimitar", "cutlass", "kris", "weehawk tanto", "Spanish Bowie", or rare "mariner" cause the value to increase significantly. These early American balisongs are highly sought after by collectors, who frequently purchase them as investments and store them in airtight safes. Benchmade stopped producing custom butterfly knives in the late 1980s, but regularly offers "Limited Editions" with special features. Other American makers of commercial balisongs include Bradley Cutlery (Mayhem), Spyderco (Spyderfly), Roton (Monarch), Microtech (Tachyon), and SWAT (Tiger). A Benchmade Griptilian 551SBK knife. ... Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 film by director John Milius and is recognized as the acting breakthrough of bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A piece of nacre Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is an organic mixture of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of platy crystals of aragonite and conchiolin (a scleroprotein). ... Binomial name Diospyros ebenum Koenig ex Retz. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with novotext. ...

In the late 1990s, balisongs all but died. Benchmade discontinued their production knives and stopped taking custom orders. Benchmade did a final edition of custom Bali-Songs; the blades were hand-ground by Alan Elishweitz and Pat Crawford. The handles were old-stock (the last of it) and lovingly hand-finished by Vance. Customers could order just about anything they wanted for inserts. There were about thirty blades available. Benchmade literally couldn't sell the last blade; there weren't enough buyers. There were absolutely no custom makers taking orders for balisongs and the only factory option was the Charming Chinese Cheapies. The balisong was all but dead. Image File history File links Emblem-important. ...

Chuck Gollnick felt, though, that there must be a market and something had to be done. So he asked several custom knife makers if they would do a balisong if I could get them orders for twenty-five pieces. Most laughed and told him there wasn't a market for twenty-five custom balisongs. But knife maker Darrel Ralph agreed to give it a try. Chuck and Darrel called the balisong the Gemini because, a) Gemini is the twins referring to the twin handles on a balisong, and b) because it would actually be Darrel's second shot at making balisongs, while also a reference to America's second manned space program, Gemini. He and Darrel limited the number of options to limit cost.

Twenty-five blades sold in just a few weeks.

The stir among custom knife makers was huge. Many custom knife makers get twenty-five orders a year. To get twenty-five orders for fairly expensive knives in just a few weeks was incredible. This was, more than any other one single thing, the start of the balisong revival that we are enjoying today. It wasn't long before other custom knife makers began adding balisongs to their lineup and Benchmade decided to get back into the production balisong game.

Gemini created huge excitement and huge interest. Gemini also became a rallying-point for the entire community. The whole community (at the time maybe twenty-five or thirty-people, rallied around Gemini and that created a synergy. That caused the rest of the knife community to take notice of balisongs and our subcommunity.

In Chuck Gollnick's opinion, no modern balisong collection is complete without a Gemini. They are a significant inflection point in the modern history of the balisong, and balisong enthusiasts everywhere owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Charles Gollnick and Mr. Darrel Ralph.

Legal status

Because of its potential usage as a weapon, and possibly due to its intimidating nature and rapid deployment, it has been outlawed in several Western countries. The importation ban and widespread criminalization of the butterfly knife occurred shortly after the popular film, The Outsiders (which prominently featured butterfly knives in the same manner that Rebel Without a Cause featured switchblades -- coinciding with their rapid criminalization) was released.^{[citation needed]} For alternative meanings for The West in the United States, see the U.S. West and American West. ... This article or section contains a plot summary that is overly long or excessively detailed compared to the rest of the article. ... Natalie Wood and James Dean in a screenshot from Rebel Without a Cause. ...

• In Canada, the possession of a butterfly knife is illegal. (Unless grandfathered in before prohibition: [1])
• In the UK, The Butterfly Knife has been legally classified as an offensive weapon since January 1989.^[5] Possession of one is not a criminal offence, but sale, trade, gift, or purchase is prohibited. Any imported are liable to be seized and prosecution may follow. The exception to this are knives of this type over 100 years old which are classed as antiques.
• In Germany, the butterfly knife was outlawed when the Waffengesetz (weapons law) was tightened in July 2003 in the aftermath of the Erfurt massacre. Thus buying, possessing, lending, using, carrying, crafting, altering and trading it is illegal and is prosecuted by up to five years imprisonment, confiscation of the knife and a fine of up to 10.000€. Using a butterfly knife for crime of any kind - as any illegal weapon - is prosecuted by from 1 to 10 years imprisonment.
• In Hong Kong, the sale of full-size butterfly knives is illegal, but miniature versions can be legally obtained.
• In the Philippines, the sale of a 39-inch balisong is illegal.
• In some U.S. states it is illegal to possess and/or carry such a knife in public. In certain jurisdictions, butterfly knives are categorized as a "gravity knife", "switchblade", or "dagger" although they are also occasionally outlawed by name ("butterfly knife"). The knife is illegal in California if blade length exceeds two inches. In a recent US Federal Court case, Spyderco, Inc. pleaded guilty and was fined $75,000 for sending butterfly knives through the United States Postal Service.
• In New York, the butterfly knife has been determined to not be a gravity knife. ^[6]
• Butterfly knife trainers feature a special blunt and unsharpened "blade," and are legal in areas where butterfly knives are not.

Location of Erfurt in Germany The Erfurt massacre was a school shooting that occurred on April 26, 2002 at the Johann Gutenberg Gymnasium in Erfurt, Germany. ... FINE was created in 1998 and is an informal association of the four main Fair Trade networks: F Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) I International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) N Network of European Worldshops (NEWS!) and E European Fair Trade Association (EFTA) // The aim of FINE is to enable these... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... A gravity knife is a knife which can be opened solely by the forces of gravity or centripetal force. ... A switchblade (also known as automatic knife, switch, or in British English flick knife), is a type of knife with a folding blade that springs out of the grip when a button or lever on the grip is pressed. ... Bold text This article is about the weapon. ... A variety of different handmade custom balisongs. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... USPS and Usps redirect here. ... This article is about the state. ...

Prominent manufacturers

A benchmade model 42: the most popular butterfly knife amongst "flippers" due to its high quality construction, weight, and superior balance. It is the standard by which all other butterfly knives intended for manipulation are judged.

A variety of butterfly knives from Pacific Cutlery, now known as Benchmade. These blades are highly collectable, with values between $500 and $1200.

• Benchmade - Model 46DM, Model 42, Model 43-401^[7]
• Bradley Cutlery - The Mayhem.
• Spyderco - The Spyderfly, the Szabofly designed by Laci Szabo, and the planned Smallfly (a smaller version of the Spyderfly).^[8]
• Cold Steel - Arc Angel^[9]

Image File history File linksMetadata Benchmade42bali. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Benchmade42bali. ... Image File history File links Balisongs. ... Image File history File links Balisongs. ... A Benchmade Griptilian 551SBK knife. ... Spydercos logo Spyderco is a company, founded in 1978 by Sal Glesser and based in Golden, Colorado, U.S.A., that produces knives and knife sharpeners. ...

See also

• Gravity knife
• Switchblade, also called a Flick-knife
• Pantographic knife
• Batangas, Philippines

A gravity knife is a knife which can be opened solely by the forces of gravity or centripetal force. ... A switchblade (also known as automatic knife, switch, or in British English flick knife), is a type of knife with a folding blade that springs out of the grip when a button or lever on the grip is pressed. ... A switchblade (also known as stiletto) is a type of knife with a folding blade that springs out of the grip when a button or lever on the grip is pressed &#8211; a so-called OTF (out-the-front) design. ... A Pantographic knife, also known as a paratrooper knife, is a folding knife whose blade is fully enclosed by its handles when closed, in a manner similar to a balisong knife (commonly called a butterfly knife in western countries) - with which it is often confused. ... REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Province of Batangas Region: CALABARZON (Region IV-A) Capital: Batangas City Founded: March 10, 1917 Population: 2000 census—1,905,348 (9th largest) Density—602 per km² (7th highest) Area: 3,165. ...

References

is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 123rd day of the year (124th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• History of the Balisong Knife - from balisongcollector.com
• Video footage of the techniques for using a butterfly knife
• Legality checklist for various states in USA
• Online database of past and current balisongs
• BalisongInfo.com (Balisong knife information)
• Spyderco Fined by Feds
• France Balisong (french community of butterfly knife)