Batangas and manila? Whats the difference?

Joined
Sep 17, 1999
Messages
320
i keep hearing about balisongs with a manila style latch but i dont know what is the difference

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Eat $hit!!! 1.9 trillion flies can't ALL be wrong.
 
A Batangas-style latch is attached to the opposite handle. This is the most common style of latch.

definitions1.JPG


A Manila-style latch is attached to the safe handle.

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This, of course, raises the very important question of which handle is which. This is the big secret of the balisong cult. This is your initiation into the illumiated inner circle of balisong artists.

The "safe" handle is the handle that the unsharpened spine of the blade closes into. It's called "safe" because, on a single-edged blade, you can not be cut while holding this handle.

definition10.JPG


The opposite of safe is dangerous. The opposite handle is the handle that the sharpened edge of the blade closes into. (Some people call this the "bite" handle.) When manipulating a balisong, the artist must exercise great care when holding the opposite handle.

definition9.JPG


Notice, please, that in both of these pictures, I am holding the handle with the latch. Yet in one picture, I am holding the safe handle while, in the other, I am holding the opposite handle. The latch does not determine which handle is which.

On a balisong with a double-edged blade, such as a spear point or Kris, the opposite handle is the handle that does not have the latch attached. On such a balisong, the handle with the latch attached is not "safe", so it is called the "latch handle."

If a balisong has a double-edged blade and is also latch-less, then the handles have no names since there is no distinction between them.

You may want to review the terminology page on my web site.
http://www.balisongcollector.com/terminology.html



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Wow Gollnick, complete description with nice pictures. Say, I should ask some questions to see some more nice benchmades.
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Good post Mr. Gollnick.

Basic concepts that eveyone needs to understand about bali's. An important one.

Since Manila style balis's are so rare in this country I propose that we assume we are talking about batangas style unless otherwise stated.

The difference is important to those new to bali's. To you and me and the difference is well known, but to a neophyte it's not.

We're getting down to basics here, but what better place to educate and bring more people in the knowledge circle?



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Ron Knight
 
Thanks chuck!!! It all makes sense now

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I'm a Schizophrenic and so am I
 
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