Balisongs

Reeper22

Reeper22

Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
630
I know many jurisdictions have restrictions specifically on balisongs. I believe they were designed as weapons but I don't get why current laws target them. They don't seem to be most dangerous in any way more than a manual folder in any way. They take longer to deploy than a manual folder. There's no way that someone can unlock and flip open a bali faster than a decent folder. Are there any reasons why legislators target this type of knife other than its historic design use?
 
I suppose it's because the balisong design simply looks like a weapon. After all you don't see as many people EDCing their 42 do you?

The design more or less encourages flipping around, which looks dangerous (think all those Chinese spear/sword dances). They can indeed be opened with lightning speed though.
 
I EDC my 42 and my Morpho. Not for a "weapon" but for an unbelievably effective utility knife. When locked into place it is as if it is not a folding knife at all. That is to say that it is as "sturdy" as a fixed blade when locked open. It is an easy, one handed opening, utility knife. That is all.
If we wanna talk about "weapons" we can include the ink pens that many carry just as much as a balisong or a lockback or a fixed blade, ect.
 
Reeper22 said:
I know many jurisdictions have restrictions specifically on balisongs. I believe they were designed as weapons but I don't get why current laws target them. They don't seem to be most dangerous in any way more than a manual folder in any way. They take longer to deploy than a manual folder. There's no way that someone can unlock and flip open a bali faster than a decent folder. Are there any reasons why legislators target this type of knife other than its historic design use?
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i see your point, but you're mistaken with the "there's no way..." there's a few who can. in fact, if i'm already holding them, i can open my Kimura as fast as i can open my wife's Blur (spring assisted folder). my Bali doesn't have a pocket clip and my BM710 does, so YES i can get my BM710 out faster than my bali. however, if my Kimura had a clip, it'd be just as fast as any folder.

i do agree, though, that the stigma attached to them is foolish and based on ignorance. a fixed blade makes a much better people poker
 
I think historical use is enough justification for lawmakers to consider balisongs more as weapons than tools, relative to a normal folder. They were originally intended to be used as weapons and I don't see how that fact is no longer valid. To me, speed of deployment has nothing to do with the banning of objects considered "lethal weaponry".

I do agree that the stigma attached to knives in general is foolish. A bad guy isn't going to be stopped by a piece of legislation saying he can't carry X and Y. At the end of the day, knife laws seek to protect everyday citizens by taking knives away from would be criminals but all they really achieve is taking knives away from the people the law was designed to protect.
 
Kenix said:
They were originally intended to be used as weapons and I don't see how that fact is no longer valid.
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Uh, no.

They are a pocket utility knife used by people of Filipino society.
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The butterfly knife appears first documented in a 1710 French book, "Le Perret", where an intricate and precise depiction of a butterfly knife is outlaid, explaining that the device was developed in the late 1500s as a utility knife
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balisong_(knife)
 
Weirdly enough it has to do with one handed operation of the knife, same reason automatics are illegal everywhere. These knives were out there long time before the invention of a tactical folder. Most folders required a two handed operation. Now to say that the law doesn't make sense in today's world where most knifes are operated with one hand, would be reasonable. However once the ban on something passes it is very hard to get rid of it, at times it is the equivalent of political suicide. Opposition will surely claim you are easy on crime when the next election comes. Granted most people who think things through will not be swayed by that logic, however I do not need to point out how many people are that easily persuaded. Even if not, you almost always stand to loose more then you would gain if you do take any kind of action. And inaction would most often not harm you at all.

And in the right hands (not mine) the balisong could be lightning fast, and very disorienting if you didn't expect it.
 
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