balisong?

[sidecutter]

just exactly what is the attraction of balisong style knives? i dont get it. too many parts, flimsy, and mostly cheap junk. but i can be convinced otherwise. paul

 

[nate3993]

butterfly knife is the same thing. 2 handles that roate to lock and the open and closed

 

[tltt]

They(even the good ones) can be made very cheaply and the locking mech. is second only to fixed blades in strength. The good ones tend to wear better than many older styles of folders also. They were originally marketed for the above reasons..

The younger generation seems to like them better for their unique opening style, although that wasn't an original selling point till the late 70's- onward.

Their niche status and odd legal standing are why we don't see many nice ones anymore.

 

[folderfan2093]

They(even the good ones) can be made very cheaply and the locking mech. is second only to fixed blades in strength. The good ones tend to wear better than many older styles of folders also. They were originally marketed for the above reasons..

The younger generation seems to like them better for their unique opening style, although that wasn't an original selling point till the late 70's- onward.

Their niche status and odd legal standing are why we don't see many nice ones anymore.

i think they got a bad wrap. it's all that stuff they showed in the movies really got sheeple worked up about them. kitchen knives are cheaper just as easy to conceal and if someone was hell bent on using a knife for violence (or wanted to maximize their profit for robbery it'd be cheaper and more efficient to buy/use a kitchen knife)

 

[orthogonal1]

too many parts, flimsy, and mostly cheap junk.

Too many parts? A bali can be made with 7 parts: blade, two pivot pins, two stop pins, and two handles. Not many folders with only 7 parts.

Flimsy? Maybe the too common cheap ones are comparatively flimsy, but any of the better ones I'd put against any "tough" knife you desire in a test.

I became interested in them again due to dexterity issues - balis can be operated without fine finger movement control.

 

[mdauben]

just exactly what is the attraction of balisong style knives?

Exotic knife design, flashy one-hand opening, impossible to close on your hand while open.

i dont get it. too many parts, flimsy, and mostly cheap junk.

Benchmade Model 42 Bali-Song. Machined titanium Handles. 154CM stainless blade. Excellent fit and finish. $280 MSRP.

Just like anything, you can find cheapo examples that are not worth spit, but that is a fault of the manufacturer, not the style.

 

[yablanowitz]

i think they got a bad wrap. it's all that stuff they showed in the movies really got sheeple worked up about them. kitchen knives are cheaper just as easy to conceal and if someone was hell bent on using a knife for violence (or wanted to maximize their profit for robbery it'd be cheaper and more efficient to buy/use a kitchen knife)

So did switchblades. All that applies to them as well. It doesn't have to be reasonable, it's the law. And in fact, most knife crimes are committed with cheap kitchen knives.

As for the balisongs or butterfly knives, even some of the inexpensive ones are very good knives in a utility sense, but their primary attraction for most is the toy factor. They are fun to play with.

 

[beluga]

There are also custom / hand mades balisongs that I'm pretty sure will make you comment "WOW".

Besides that, it's really fun to flip balisongs. The fancy combos are not that practical for everyday use, but it sure is fun to do.