Hmm..a master? Well,I've been doing stuff with the balisong since 1983-4.Back then,amongst friends and others,I was only 1 of several "masters".But you have to realize,there's so many people using balisongs,and many of them can be considered to be "masters" in their own rights.I've seen Clay's site,and yes,he's a master in his own ways,although I may disagree with a lot of what he does.I'm not one for doing moves which take a long time and involve a lot of almost useless moves (flash techniques).I prefer to keep it pretty straight and simple,with only a minimum amount of flash.
Over the years,I've seen many people doing their tricks with the balisongs,and a lot are damned good...hell,I've even taught quite a few people myself,mostly friends and a few aquaintances.Back in our beginning days,Jeff Imada had just put out the first Balisong Manual,but we hadn't seen it yet,so we were left to figure out things on our own.
We ate,drank and slept with our blades,and sat for hours watching television and practicing the newest moves (and the old ones)in order to make them second nature.There wasn't an hour which would go by (except when in deep sleep)when you wouldn't hear the sounds of the handles clicking together.We even played with them during our regular D&D game sessions,and even created a version of them to use as weaponry in the games.
After we had already gotten down pat what we considered to be the "basics",we started creating many other moves,constantly striving to make the balisong maneuvers into an art form.We created a lot of great moves during those days.It was shorly after this that we got to see the first Balisong Manual.We saw in it all the basics which we had figured out ourselves,and realized that our newer moves were well beyond the basics.
Years later,I picked up a copy of the Advanced Balisong Manual,and noticed that some of our newer moves were in there.There were also a lot that weren't.I didn't care for some of the moves Mr. Imada showed in that book,because I figured they weren't all that useful for my style.But,I have to hand it to Mr. Imada,he brought the art of the balisong to many people with his books.He is a true master,and will always be respected by myself and other for his methods and styles.
I can understand how someone can think of themselves as a master,but for many it can only be a "local" thing.Until such time as they can get together with others who can teach them many new things,sure,they can be a master in their own little world
Now,as far as a competition goes,it is a great idea.But,it would be tough to put together.One thing anyone should consider when putting one together is,in many states,even though balisongs are "illegal",some of these same states do allow standard "martial arts competitions".Some of these include kata shows with different weaponry,which are almost always judged.What we would be doing with a balisong competition is very much the same in almost all respects.The only main difference is a lot of us don't belong to any "school".But,it's a possibility that we can use the same methods these other competitions use in order to get it allowed in many states.
Of course,we would need a panel of well known balisong users & makers to become the judges.There could be several types of contests which would also show how good a participant is in skill.But first,the panel would have to set up a list of standard "basic" moves,and a list of what would be "intermediate" moves.Anything else would be considered "advanced".
For a participant to advance in the competition,they would have to show their skill and knowledge in the basic category.If they have all the basic moves covered,they would go into the intermediate category.There,they are judged in the same method.After a participant is set solidly into either of these categories (which just implies the total level of their skill),they can participate in a "speed" contest,doing certain moves as fast as they can without screwing up.Another is "smoothness",where they have to show proper grace when performing the moves.Then,they can perform all of the moves in their skill level in whatever order they wish,as long as they keep the knife moving,with only a brief pause to show the proper ending of the move.This is basically a "freestyle" contest,but only using the moves considered to be standard for the skill category.
Anyone that shows that they know everything in the intermediate category is considered to be "advanced",although they should be able to perform at least one move that could be considered to be advanced.If there is a list made of standard advanced moves,they can be judged on their knowledge and skill with the moves.If they pass that,they go into a challenge where they show any moves that they have which aren't on any of the lists.After this,they too are judged on speed,smoothness and the first form of freestyle.After this,they are judged on a full freestyle,in which they perform any and/or all the moves they know,in any manner they choose.
I think that these ideas are good for at least a start,and are fair for the judgement of each individual's skills.The only problem I can foresee right off-hand is the fact that not everyone has the same name for any specific move.This would have to be solved before any type of contest could happen.
You could probably have someone as an advisor show each person each move once and tell them what it's name will be for the competition.This would be the easiest solution as far as I can see.
I hope this has helped spark some ideas in those who could be instrumental in putting a competition together.And one last thing,you could always have the judges who are users of the balisong show their stuff as a special exhibition to the rest of us
