Bali Legality

Getahl

Getahl

Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
990
Now, I know that balisongs are either illegal or heavily restricted in many areas. I live in California, and I think the maximum legal carry length is something like 2", right? My real question is, why? Is it because most are double-sided (at least most that I've seen)?

They don't seem like they would be the most convenient weapon to use in a fight. Many other deploy methods seem like they would be quicker (autos, Emerson waves, studs, launchers and such). Sure, a quick flourish and the blade's out, but is it quicker? Are they considered dirks/daggers once deployed? I am unsure how tight the lockup is once the blade is deployed.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I've never really played with a bali. Truth be told, I was driving to work today, I had the Hide-a-knife thread in my head for some reason, and this thought materialized soon thereafter. I don't really have any interest in obtaining a bali, but I do have an inquisitive mind.

So, just why are balisongs illegal or restricted?
 
Because ignorant people enjoy passing laws that forbid things those people find scary, that's why.
 
Very much like switchblades, the restriction of balisongs is largely socio-political in nature, rather than practical. It's based on public perception, and what bad-guys like to use, especially gangs.

Balisongs are often seen in movies being wielded by thugs, and the theory for their use in cinema is largely connected with why gangs use them: The twirling action is often very dramatic and scary looking, making them intimidating.

In reality when it comes to deadliness and combat, they are nothing special at all. Know what's faster into action than a switchblade or a balisong? A fixed-blade!

I always smelled a bit of racism in the ban as well, as the balisong tends to be associated with Latino and Southeast Asian culture. This is not entirely implausible in light of many weapon bans being made in post-emancipation 1800's, and the ban on purpose-built gravity knives and switchblades shortly after WWII (the aforementioned knives were popular in Germany and Italy)

While I don't care for balisongs myself either, I'm very thankful their not illegal here in Maryland (good ol' rock-solid "penknife" loophole)
 
glistam said:
Very much like switchblades, the restriction of balisongs is largely socio-political in nature, rather than practical. It's based on public perception, and what bad-guys like to use, especially gangs.

Balisongs are often seen in movies being wielded by thugs, and the theory for their use in cinema is largely connected with why gangs use them: The twirling action is often very dramatic and scary looking, making them intimidating.

In reality when it comes to deadliness and combat, they are nothing special at all. Know what's faster into action than a switchblade or a balisong? A fixed-blade!

I always smelled a bit of racism in the ban as well, as the balisong tends to be associated with Latino and Southeast Asian culture. This is not entirely implausible in light of many weapon bans being made in post-emancipation 1800's, and the ban on purpose-built gravity knives and switchblades shortly after WWII (the aforementioned knives were popular in Germany and Italy)

While I don't care for balisongs myself either, I'm very thankful their not illegal here in Maryland (good ol' rock-solid "penknife" loophole)
Click to expand...

very well said, sir :thumbup:

and +1 on the FB
 
Hi all,

Thank you for the responses. I really was unsure what kind of reasoning these laws were operating off of.

Thanks again!
 
glistam said:
In reality when it comes to deadliness and combat, they are nothing special at all. Know what's faster into action than a switchblade or a balisong? A fixed-blade!
Click to expand...

This is sadly true. Balisongs and switchblades get a bad rep because they are flashy and can be hidden in the handle of the knife. What people don't realize is that a fixed blade can be just as easily concealed in a sheath. When it comes down to it, the fixed blade will always be the fastest to draw and will do just as much damage. Unfortunately, people fear things they don't understand and will never accept that not everyone carries a knife to do harm to other people.
 
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