There are loads of butterfly knives on the market. On the time of writing this text, we’ve got over 300 butterfly knives in inventory at Blade HQ, and that quantity is barely rising. Discovering the fitting one for you is usually a problem, so we’ve compiled our listing of the perfect butterfly knives for everybody.
“Butterfly Knife” vs. “Balisong”
Earlier than we get into it, it’s price mentioning that “butterfly knife” will not be essentially the most correct time period. The extra correct time period is “Balisong,” which is a portmanteau of the Tagolog phrases baling, which suggests folding, and sungay, which suggests horn (the commonest deal with materials in Filipino balisongs). Balisong can also be the title of a barangay (like a village) in Taal, Philippines. My coworker Gian is from the Philippines, and he advised me that Batangas, the province the place Taal is positioned, is legendary for creating these knives. Whether or not the barangay is called after the knife or vice versa is misplaced to historical past, however both method, the trendy balisong was born in Taal. Due to this fact, it’s extra appropriate to name the knife a balisong, and I invite you to take action. This text (and many of the balisong content material we create) makes use of the time period “Butterfly Knife” as a result of the numbers present that the majority of you studying this googled the time period “Butterfly Knife.” However now you realize higher!
Nevertheless, there may be some debate as to the place the primary balisong was really made – both within the Philippines round 800 AD (so legend says) or in France within the late 1600s as a modification to the Pied du Roi, a ruler/protractor that shares its title with the unit it measures. Pied du roi actually interprets to “Foot of the King,” so you may most likely guess the unit is inside a rounding error of the imperial foot.
Trendy balisongs are a bit shorter than that, however you have to admit they bear placing resemblance to the ruler/protractor. Traditionally, these gadgets may have ended up within the Philippines together with European explorers across the similar time. It’s nonetheless unclear the place the primary balisong knife was made, however we do know the next: the time period “balisong” is distinctly Tagolog, the balisong discovered its approach to America through the Philippines, and balisong flipping has its roots in Filipino martial arts. So so far as I’m involved, the Balisong is as Filipino as adobo!
Alright! With out additional ado, let’s get into the perfect butterfly knives!
Irrespective of the place you’re in your flipping journey, the Lucha is a good choice. It’s prepared proper out of the field for flipping, and it’s larger-than-average measurement makes determining weight distribution simple. The metal handles are simple to regulate when flipping quick or sluggish, and the 14C28N blade will retain its form even after onerous drops. If you happen to drop it too onerous on its tip, the tip should still break, however a chipped balisong is worn by hard-core flippers as a badge of honor. Welcome to the membership! The Lucha is available in a ton of colours, coach variations, and even an ultra-premium titanium and carbon fiber variant!
If you have already got a Lucha and wish to attempt one thing new, you don’t essentially have to purchase a brand new knife. Because of the Lucha’s growing aftermarket, you may change your scales out for titanium, attempt channel aluminum, play with inlays, and extra. The Lucha is the biggest modding platform within the knife trade right this moment (R.I.P. Benchmade 51), making it simple to construct your dream knife. The mix of a flipping efficiency, infinite customizability, and effectiveness as a slicing device makes the Lucha a drive to be reckoned with!
Because of knife laws, the overwhelming majority of balisongs are USA-made, and that always instructions a prohibitive price ticket for folks simply testing the waters. Bear & Son is nicely conscious of this, they usually provide an answer. The 114 is their flagship balisong, and it is available in nicely this aspect of $50. And for that worth, it’s filled with flipping-friendly options. Not like many balisongs in its worth bracket, this one has TORX {hardware}, permitting you to regulate your pivots to your liking. The handles have a pleasant epoxy coating and skeletonization, making for simple grip and easy flipping.
After all, at this worth level it’s important to make some concessions. It doesn’t have fancy bearings or bushings, simply washers. As an alternative of a extra premium blade metal, it sticks with 440C. Aside from that, nevertheless, it’s a strong knife throughout. It’s not going to win any competitions, but it surely’s a good way to search out out if the balisong is the fitting talent toy for you!
One of many largest names in customized balisongs is Eldon Talley. His Talisong design has dazzled flippers for years now because of its very good construct high quality and design, but it surely was at all times hand-made in his store, and every knife would price north of a grand. That was till Eldon teamed up with Flytanium to create the Talisong Z, an in-line manufacturing knife you should purchase right this moment. It’s crowning function, the function that makes it my favourite balisong, and the one balisong knife I personal, is its channel aluminum handles.
As an alternative of scales being bolted collectively, the Talisong Z has a channel milled into every of its handles that the blade sits in when closed. Which means whereas flipping, you’ll by no means snag on a screw, spacer, or something. The one floor you might have for many of the deal with is the superbly knurled surfaces, making it simple to seize. One of many balisong neighborhood’s favourite options of the Talisong Z is you could get it with both bearings or bushings. Some folks favor the velocity of bearings, others the management of bushings—however both method, you may have a Talisong Z that matches your model!
I’ve heard it known as “the Lamborghini of balisongs,” and I’m inclined to agree. The Chimera is an ultra-premium balisong, boasting titanium scales, carbon fiber liners, powder metal blades, bushing pivots, the entire 9 yards. It’s onerous to speak with footage or phrases, however while you choose it up, you are feeling such as you’ve picked up a grasp knifemaker’s magnum opus.
An attention-grabbing function of the Chimera is its latch. Severe flippers have a dilemma – take away the latch for flipping efficiency or go away it there for protected carrying. HOM Design determined to repair the issue altogether by designing a latch that may collapse into the chunk deal with. That method, you are able to do all of the tremendous tough methods {that a} latch would get in the way in which of, after which tuck your balisong neatly in your pocket afterward.
Annually at Blade Present in Atlanta, Blade HQ places on BaliComp, the world championships of balisong flipping. BaliComp opponents do something you may think about, and lots of belongings you can’t, with their knives, and for that job they want the crème-de-la-crème of balisongs. There are lots of completely different knives used, however by far the most well-liked mannequin is the Squid Industries Krake Raken.
Squid Industries is an organization run by hard-core flippers, and the knives they make are constructed to competitors spec. The Krake Raken has among the tightest tolerances on any channel balisong, making the flipping expertise simple, quick, and controllable. To maximise flipping efficiency, the Krake Raken employs a latchless design and a slender total profile to make quick, tough, and compounding methods simpler for grasp flippers. If you wish to compete with the perfect on the earth, the Krake Raken is a good device for the job.
Generally we get so hung up on bushings, pins, building, and latches that we overlook what balisongs are – knives. Knives have edges, and edges lower folks. What if you wish to take pleasure in all of the enjoyable of balisong flipping with out the danger of slicing (or dropping) your fingers? That’s the place a coach is available in, and the Squidtrainer V4 is among the greatest. It’s constructed to the identical requirements because the Krake Raken listed as the perfect competitors balisong, however you should utilize it with out concern of slicing your self.
Many balisong trainers, like those you may get on the mall, are sometimes so poorly balanced and cheaply made that they smash the flipping expertise. Squid Industries is dedicated to creating certain that doesn’t occur, so that they pulled out all of the stops for the Squidtrainer. It’s constructed, assembled, and weighted similar to a competition-grade balisong, so while you’re able to step right into a reside edge, will probably be a breeze.
The overwhelming majority of balisongs are constructed to be flipped. Scratched handles, uninteresting edges, damaged ideas, and worn finishes are to be anticipated. Then there are some who deal with the balisong as a canvas for artwork, that occurs to be nice for flipping too. A type of is Aaron Gudgel, the maker of the Franken Forge Voltaic.
These balisongs command very excessive worth tags, however they arrive with options, supplies, and a focus to element to match. For instance, most balisongs have a regular weight distribution they arrive with, and if a flipper doesn’t prefer it, they have to get one other knife. The Voltaic has an revolutionary deal with with internally accessible pockets that home the included brass weights. That method, the flipper can transfer the middle of steadiness up and down alongside the knife to his or her desire. That is however one of many many small options that make the Voltaic a really premium balisong! In order for you one, nevertheless, get it while you see it. There’s only one man making them, and he can’t sustain with the loopy demand!
Honorable Mentions
Nabilis Vulp
Designed in collaboration with balisong influencer Will Hirsch, the Vulp gives a number of superior options: a channel aluminum deal with, a bushing pivot, and a bonkers worth of solely $65. It was a robust contender for Finest Balisong Coach!
Bear Ops Bear Tune VIII
This one combines milled metal handles, a spring-loaded latch, a bearing pivot, USA manufacturing, and a 154CM blade multi function reasonably priced bundle. It’s not fairly as reasonably priced as its brother, the Bear & Son 114, but it surely’s an awesome discount in its personal proper!
Benchmade 85
Benchmade is commonly credited with popularizing the Balisong in America, they usually make some nice ones! Nevertheless, Benchmade has discontinued lots of its balisongs lately, and the mighty 85 is the final one nonetheless in manufacturing. It’s an unimaginable knife!
REVO Nexus
REVO Knives are a subsidiary of Blade Runners Techniques, identified for making among the greatest balisongs in existence. The issue is BRS struggles to maintain up with the insane demand for his or her knives. However REVO makes the Nexus, and it has most of the similar trimmings as its larger brothers!
Conclusion
Whether or not flipping is your factor or not, any true knife lover should have a balisong in his or her assortment. Not solely are they extraordinarily cool, however they’re an essential a part of knife historical past. And while you get one, don’t simply stare at it! Decide it up and be taught to flip it! It’s enjoyable, and lots of methods are surprisingly simple. The truth is, we’ve got video tutorials that educate you the way to do some primary methods. Get these down, and also you’ll be expressing your individuality by means of the flash of a balisong very quickly!
