Hey guys. My interest in balisongs first started with this article in the mid-eighties with this article fom "The Gun Digest Book of Knives" that my mom bought me at a dollar book store when i was arund seven. I copied it here for however wants to read it with out permission, and if that pisses anyone with legal ties to the article off, let me know and I'll have it erased. Otherwise, heres a bit of nostolgia for those interested:
With Origins In The Ancient Philippines, This Unusual Folding Desin Shows Growing Popularity
THE BALI-SONG knife attracts attention wherever it is put on display and demonstrated. At a recent major knife show, some of the makers who were displaying their wares were a bit unhappy with the attention many of the visitors were devoting to the knives. Too many potential customers were attracted by the click-clack of the folder as its blade is flipped open and closed. Some other makers may not like the knife, but the customers obviously do.
The origin of the design seems to be the ancient Philippine Islands with the legend that one warrior ofthe Filipino martial art who was named after the god of war, Kali, managed to dispatch twenty-nine of his enemies with but a single folding knife. The knife is said to be the predecessor of todays Bali-Song: also called by the Filipinos, veintinueve, meaning number twenty-nine.
Todays butterfly style has been produced by a number of custom makers around the world. One visitor to the Philippines three decaes ago recalls the small shops surrounding many f the US military installations; thse shops often featured crude twin handle folders deftly demonstrated by little children. Many a serviceman cut fingers and hands trying to emulate the action. It takes a bit of practice to get it right.
The Bali-Song knifemakers, headquartered in Los Angeles, produce the modern version in a well-equiped and staffed machine shop; still, they are barely able tokeep up with the orders pouring n from all over the world. Who are the customers for the unusual design? They seem to be the typical knife user in the industry, with the additional emphasis on a host of martial art practitioners. The hunter, fisherman, backpacker, police officer and those who feel the need for some sort of big-city protection, but who do not wish to carry a firearm all seem to appreciate the blend of design, balance and quick responce from the Bali-Song.
Although the knife is produced in a factory, using production line methods to fill hundereds of rders each month, this particular model may qualify easily as a handmade knife. Many custom makers use machines and power equipment no less then the Bali-Song's factory. These blades all are ground by one of the best custom knife crafters in the buisness, Jody Samson. (Ok, Eric talking here. Don't we wish they still were? Boy, if only I had known then...)Samson handgrinds each of the seven blade designs at his own digs in Burbank and delivers the finished product to the assembly shop not so many miles away.
The Bali-Song blades are made of satin-finish 154CM stainless steel, ground from three-sixteenth-inch stock, then heat treated to a Rockwell hardness of 59-61C. The integral handles are machined from stainless steel, solid brass, or frm aluminum. Handles may be skeletonized-drilled out for minimum weight- or inset with any of a number of the traitional handle materials at the custmers choice.
As indicated, the knife is available in seven designs: general purpose blade, a drop point, what is termed a Bowie blade, a mariner-type blade, a stiletto, a dodified stiletto and Samson's own contribution, the Wee Hawk (Eric again-guess that answers that question)
Basically, the standard Bali-Song features a four inch blade, with an overall measurement of nine inches; 5-1/8inches closed. Current retail prices are rising along with the cost of raw materials, but the firm offers discounts to dealers and accredited martial artists.
The design consists of a blade and two grooved out handle halves. Closed, the two halves are locked over the blade, the simple lock near the blade tip. To open, the lock is flipped up andout, and the two handles pivot down on steel pins untill they meet, locking again in the down or open position, leaving the entire blade exposed so the knife may be used in the usual manner. What makes the design unique, is the opening and clsing action, which, when properly executed, is accomplished in a flash, with an audable sound. Closure is in a similar manner. Thus, the click-clack sound mentioned above.
The Bali-Song knife is strong, yeilding n movement or slop in its open, locked position. The two steel pivot pins and precision fit of the blade, handles and tang pin would sem to be among the strongest we have seen.
The Bali-Song is sold with either a leather horizontal carry belt sheath or a newer nylon pouch with Velcro closure that puts the knife snuggly and unobtrusivly against the hip. With practice, the owner rips open the velcro flap, grasps the knife and has it swung into open in a fraction of a second. Some find this kind of fast-draw a bit disconcerting at first but learn to appreciate its value after a few minutes.
The knife is a far cry from the old Filipino butterfly, somewhat crudely fashiones in some areas of the Far East. There are those who say the Bali-Song is too intimidating and should be banned from ownership. But for the usr, collector or martial-artist desiring an unusual and tough, well-made knife, the Bali-Song would seem to be a good tool to have along.
Les de Asis is the president and founder of the Bali-Song company of Los Angeles. In about 1975, he and his wife paid a visit to the Philippines to visit relatives. While there, he remembered and became reaquainted with the butterfly knife. He brought one back with him and those to whom he showed the knife were as enthusiaticas he.
Why not, he thought, find somebody to manufacture the knife here in the United States? It might be a good seller.
It was easier said then done.
Les de Asis spent the next two years developing and refining the design of what was to become the Bali-Song. He rented a small loft in an industrial building even before he had lined up the raw materials and the machines. He spent thousands of dollars on design, drawing, tooling and developing te craftsmen to produce his first knife. He invested all the money the family was saving for a home, a car, vacations and every cent he could afford to collect before a production line could be set up.
All the prototypes wer handmade, one at a time, but he was begining to gather some excellent craftsmen and machinists who have remained with him at the now enlarged facility. Development took about three years. De Asis was determained to produce a high-quality product before he began to market his knives.
Once he was satisfied with the design, the workmanship and quality-control system he established, limited production began. Les and his wife took the first tentative steps of showing some of the prototypes at local knife and gun shows. The results were almost overwhelming, remembers de Asis.
The couple spent hours demonstrating the action of the knives to the fascinated, sometimes hostile crownds who gathered around their display table. Writing orders is almost a full-time job at the shows.
Magazine advertisments and dealer inquiries bring in several hundered orders a month to be filled by the production line. The most pobular modle, by far, is the skeletonized stainless steel version with a utility blade.
Production is increasing as fast as the raw materials and the builders can fill orders. The market for the Bali-Song is rapidly expanding, despite its detractors.
Les de Asis declares he will not comprimise with quality.
Well, thats it. Thats what got me started (even though I took several years off). Whish i had put down the cash back then. Oh well, my first Bali-Song is expected any day now. Better late then never. Funy how the artile never mentined misses de Asis by name. Bastards. There are plenty of great pics, but I have no way of posting them. If any one out there has "All new 2nd edition The Gun Digest Book Of Knives", please post p58-61 so others can see the pic's. There is also an article on Jody Samson, but not a thing directly on his affiliation with Bali-Song. Hope yu enjoyed it, because I'm one hell of a slow typist, and this tok forever. Oh yea, spelling mistakes are mine, not necissarily Gun Digests.
With Origins In The Ancient Philippines, This Unusual Folding Desin Shows Growing Popularity
THE BALI-SONG knife attracts attention wherever it is put on display and demonstrated. At a recent major knife show, some of the makers who were displaying their wares were a bit unhappy with the attention many of the visitors were devoting to the knives. Too many potential customers were attracted by the click-clack of the folder as its blade is flipped open and closed. Some other makers may not like the knife, but the customers obviously do.
The origin of the design seems to be the ancient Philippine Islands with the legend that one warrior ofthe Filipino martial art who was named after the god of war, Kali, managed to dispatch twenty-nine of his enemies with but a single folding knife. The knife is said to be the predecessor of todays Bali-Song: also called by the Filipinos, veintinueve, meaning number twenty-nine.
Todays butterfly style has been produced by a number of custom makers around the world. One visitor to the Philippines three decaes ago recalls the small shops surrounding many f the US military installations; thse shops often featured crude twin handle folders deftly demonstrated by little children. Many a serviceman cut fingers and hands trying to emulate the action. It takes a bit of practice to get it right.
The Bali-Song knifemakers, headquartered in Los Angeles, produce the modern version in a well-equiped and staffed machine shop; still, they are barely able tokeep up with the orders pouring n from all over the world. Who are the customers for the unusual design? They seem to be the typical knife user in the industry, with the additional emphasis on a host of martial art practitioners. The hunter, fisherman, backpacker, police officer and those who feel the need for some sort of big-city protection, but who do not wish to carry a firearm all seem to appreciate the blend of design, balance and quick responce from the Bali-Song.
Although the knife is produced in a factory, using production line methods to fill hundereds of rders each month, this particular model may qualify easily as a handmade knife. Many custom makers use machines and power equipment no less then the Bali-Song's factory. These blades all are ground by one of the best custom knife crafters in the buisness, Jody Samson. (Ok, Eric talking here. Don't we wish they still were? Boy, if only I had known then...)Samson handgrinds each of the seven blade designs at his own digs in Burbank and delivers the finished product to the assembly shop not so many miles away.
The Bali-Song blades are made of satin-finish 154CM stainless steel, ground from three-sixteenth-inch stock, then heat treated to a Rockwell hardness of 59-61C. The integral handles are machined from stainless steel, solid brass, or frm aluminum. Handles may be skeletonized-drilled out for minimum weight- or inset with any of a number of the traitional handle materials at the custmers choice.
As indicated, the knife is available in seven designs: general purpose blade, a drop point, what is termed a Bowie blade, a mariner-type blade, a stiletto, a dodified stiletto and Samson's own contribution, the Wee Hawk (Eric again-guess that answers that question)
Basically, the standard Bali-Song features a four inch blade, with an overall measurement of nine inches; 5-1/8inches closed. Current retail prices are rising along with the cost of raw materials, but the firm offers discounts to dealers and accredited martial artists.
The design consists of a blade and two grooved out handle halves. Closed, the two halves are locked over the blade, the simple lock near the blade tip. To open, the lock is flipped up andout, and the two handles pivot down on steel pins untill they meet, locking again in the down or open position, leaving the entire blade exposed so the knife may be used in the usual manner. What makes the design unique, is the opening and clsing action, which, when properly executed, is accomplished in a flash, with an audable sound. Closure is in a similar manner. Thus, the click-clack sound mentioned above.
The Bali-Song knife is strong, yeilding n movement or slop in its open, locked position. The two steel pivot pins and precision fit of the blade, handles and tang pin would sem to be among the strongest we have seen.
The Bali-Song is sold with either a leather horizontal carry belt sheath or a newer nylon pouch with Velcro closure that puts the knife snuggly and unobtrusivly against the hip. With practice, the owner rips open the velcro flap, grasps the knife and has it swung into open in a fraction of a second. Some find this kind of fast-draw a bit disconcerting at first but learn to appreciate its value after a few minutes.
The knife is a far cry from the old Filipino butterfly, somewhat crudely fashiones in some areas of the Far East. There are those who say the Bali-Song is too intimidating and should be banned from ownership. But for the usr, collector or martial-artist desiring an unusual and tough, well-made knife, the Bali-Song would seem to be a good tool to have along.
Les de Asis is the president and founder of the Bali-Song company of Los Angeles. In about 1975, he and his wife paid a visit to the Philippines to visit relatives. While there, he remembered and became reaquainted with the butterfly knife. He brought one back with him and those to whom he showed the knife were as enthusiaticas he.
Why not, he thought, find somebody to manufacture the knife here in the United States? It might be a good seller.
It was easier said then done.
Les de Asis spent the next two years developing and refining the design of what was to become the Bali-Song. He rented a small loft in an industrial building even before he had lined up the raw materials and the machines. He spent thousands of dollars on design, drawing, tooling and developing te craftsmen to produce his first knife. He invested all the money the family was saving for a home, a car, vacations and every cent he could afford to collect before a production line could be set up.
All the prototypes wer handmade, one at a time, but he was begining to gather some excellent craftsmen and machinists who have remained with him at the now enlarged facility. Development took about three years. De Asis was determained to produce a high-quality product before he began to market his knives.
Once he was satisfied with the design, the workmanship and quality-control system he established, limited production began. Les and his wife took the first tentative steps of showing some of the prototypes at local knife and gun shows. The results were almost overwhelming, remembers de Asis.
The couple spent hours demonstrating the action of the knives to the fascinated, sometimes hostile crownds who gathered around their display table. Writing orders is almost a full-time job at the shows.
Magazine advertisments and dealer inquiries bring in several hundered orders a month to be filled by the production line. The most pobular modle, by far, is the skeletonized stainless steel version with a utility blade.
Production is increasing as fast as the raw materials and the builders can fill orders. The market for the Bali-Song is rapidly expanding, despite its detractors.
Les de Asis declares he will not comprimise with quality.
Well, thats it. Thats what got me started (even though I took several years off). Whish i had put down the cash back then. Oh well, my first Bali-Song is expected any day now. Better late then never. Funy how the artile never mentined misses de Asis by name. Bastards. There are plenty of great pics, but I have no way of posting them. If any one out there has "All new 2nd edition The Gun Digest Book Of Knives", please post p58-61 so others can see the pic's. There is also an article on Jody Samson, but not a thing directly on his affiliation with Bali-Song. Hope yu enjoyed it, because I'm one hell of a slow typist, and this tok forever. Oh yea, spelling mistakes are mine, not necissarily Gun Digests.
