Balisong throwing

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Oct 8, 2002
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Hello, I'm new to this section. I don't consider myself a thrower though I enjoy doing it now and then. Not with throwing knives but with junks as I try to achieve the way of feeling the knife first.
Now there's this question of mine about balisongs. Are they suitable for throwing or not? I'd say that if the knife is decently balanced and tightly locked it could do the trick (in fact I oftenly did with mine). But I heard stories about people claiming they can throw a balisong even with the handles unlocked, but I tend not to believe them.
 
They are not designed to be thrown. You may get away with it once or twice in something soft. They will eventually break when they hit something hard.

Bobby
 
Balis aren't the best throwers because they are very handle heavy and the joint makes them weak after a few impacts. As far as throwing unlatched, I don't know how to do it so the bali will stick, but Clay describes how to throw a bali in a latch ditch effort or as an impact weapon here. I've never tried it (don't have enough balis to risk it), but it does look interesting.
 
... one of Lynn Thompson's employees throws the Arc Angel balisongs and looked like they threw fine. Of course, the latches were closed so the handles would go funny all over the place. Apparently, that would constitute abuse of the knives relative to the Cold Steel warranty although they did want to show how tough their knives are made. Why buy an almost $200 balisong if you can't do what's demonstrated on the video? It's beyond me. Go figure.
 
I would not throw any folding knife as it is inherently weaker at the join. you might damage the knife. Full tang fixed blades can stand up to it tho. I would stick to throwing knifes designated for the purpoose, or make some cheap ones from bar stock and a benhc grinder.

Not that the fittings for a thrower are sparse--for a reason. the fittinngs on a niceknife are not meant to take the abuse of throwing or even dropping.
 
Originally posted by shmoopiebear
... one of Lynn Thompson's employees throws the Arc Angel balisongs and looked like they threw fine. Of course, the latches were closed so the handles would go funny all over the place. Apparently, that would constitute abuse of the knives relative to the Cold Steel warranty although they did want to show how tough their knives are made. Why buy an almost $200 balisong if you can't do what's demonstrated on the video? It's beyond me. Go figure.

Think of the cold steel videos as the EXTREME abuse the knife can take. Once. maybe twice.. if you're lucky three times.
It's still not what the knife was designed for, and therefore WILL fail sooner or later. Cold steel likes to show off. I think it's interesting, and that they're great videos/demonstrations, but I would not expect it day in and day out.

No matter what you do, a fixed blade will work better as a throwing knife than any kind of folder. Use the tool for the job. If you're REALLY stuck, sure.. go ahead, throw the bali. It might work. Good for a last resort. I still fail to see why you would want to, besides for something different, unique... If that's the case, buy a cheap bali, and practice with that.. maybe with a soft cardboard target, and lots of padding where it will drop.

Once you get good, then maybe every blue moon, haul out a bali, and throw... just make sure you throw it well, and it should be okay.

That's my take on throwing balis.

I used to throw folders quite a bit., and have destroyed some lockbacks.. but they were pretty cheap ones, so I didn't mind.
 
When I went to Philippine last year, I asked massage at the hotel. She happened to be from Batangas, and kindly showed me her balisong. It was worn, but still sharp. We talked about balisongs for about an hour. She said she often threw her balisongs for fun. She didn't seem to be more interested in balisongs than average Batangas people. Well balisongs are not designed to throw, but it's possible.
 
The stresses on throwing knives are huge. Check out most of the "professional" throwing knives...basically slabs of steel.
 
I did it myself and it is tons of fun.
It is pretty easy, too. since they are so handle heavy you can actually perform something like a sword slash and just let go in between. uhm... sounds strange, doesn't it? what I mean is that it is well suited for any so-called "no-spin" techniques. I have thrown mine over a distance of ... say 4 to 5 meters, which is about 15 feet.
Got them stuck with consistency and a loud "chunk" ;)
btw go for cheap crap, though - you really don't want to do this to expensive knifes.

Ookami
p.s.: had to throw mine in the dust bin, because balis are now banned in good ol' Germany :(
 
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