"Butterfly" knives ; opinion(s)

An Emerson Wave will have them all beat, including the balisong.
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Well, I said 'Regular folders'. The wave feature of Emerson knives make them non-regular folder, don't they ?

My suggestion, buy one BM bali, start flipping and cutting with it, treat it as an EDC, and tell us your opinion.
 
Balis are very practical.
Balis are a lot of fun.
I have carried a bali of some type daily for over thirty years.
One three inch BM has been used to clean thousands of fish.
Several balis I own have been used for field dressing many deer and one elk.
Balis are as practical as any other type of knife.
What is a bali? A bali is an unconventional folder that happens to be a lot of fun.:D
 
Originally posted by beluga
Well, I said 'Regular folders'. The wave feature of Emerson knives make them non-regular folder, don't they ?
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I disagree. They're still regular folders with a specific special feature. Any folder that has a protrusion near the pivot that can be used to catch a piece of clothing can be opened in the same manner (I can "wave" open my Terzuola ACTF with it's thumbwheel). I wouldn't go as far as seperating a folder as a non-regular folder for every specific feature.
 
Originally posted by Full Tang Clan
An Emerson Wave will have them all beat, including the balisong.

But no doubt it's more enjoyable, and dramatic, dare I even say intimidating, to watch a balisong being flipped open rather than a folder.
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That's only half the story. I'm more than willing to sacrifice a split second of opening speed, and go with the added strength of a opened and locked balisong than a single axis folder.
 
The balisong is my favorite type of knife, for the same reasons others have expressed perfectly above.

To those who have made the observation that the balisong is not as comfortable as some of the more contoured folders: I have to admit that this is true as far as it goes, but comfort isn't that big an issue with a small folding utility knife. A balisong's handle is usually plenty comfortable for either long-term light to medium use, as well as short-term hard use. Most premium bali handles are at least as comfortable as a Sebenza, if not more so.
 
My premise of posting this thread
was to have a creative discussion,
not "..got my new "widget" today.."
or the monotonous thread(s) of the like. I don't find "Bali-flippers"
psychotic weirdos or the use limited to martial artists, I LIKE KNIVES! My personal opinion(s) aside, I think We have disseminated
the argument(s) for/against the "butterfly". All I can say is POST ON FORUMITE(S)!

AET ;)
 
Like them or not, I'm just glad that there are so many different options in knife styles and materials to make it interesting and fun. There is something out there for everybody, fixed, folder, balisong, auto and "fantasy" knives like the Gill Hibben designs. If you don't like one style, keep looking and you'll find the one that works for you.
 
I disagree. They're still regular folders with a specific special feature. Any folder that has a protrusion near the pivot that can be used to catch a piece of clothing can be opened in the same manner (I can "wave" open my Terzuola ACTF with it's thumbwheel). I wouldn't go as far as seperating a folder as a non-regular folder for every specific feature.
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That's true, but I just don't find a folder that's designed to be open when you draw it as a conventional folder (emphasis on 'I').

May be the word "regular" and "non-regular" is not suitable. "Conventional" and "modern" might work better ?
 
From a practical standpoint it's somewhat true that the Bali-Song isn't totally on top, though I would invite you to consider that a well-built Bali-Song can be superior even to a Spyderco Chinook in terms of "Lock strength".

I am a knife collector, and for the most part I buy my knives to enjoy... a Bali-Song is just a different kind of knife (and a fun one at that) in my collection.

Would I wave it around to try to scare some hood? hell no. Would it be the first thing I'd go for if the chips were really down? Probably not. But it's fun, and it slices. So it combines good fun and utility values.
 
Originally posted by beluga
That's true, but I just don't find a folder that's designed to be open when you draw it as a conventional folder (emphasis on 'I').

May be the word "regular" and "non-regular" is not suitable. "Conventional" and "modern" might work better ?
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But at what point do we begin and end categories for comparisons?

Obviously folders vary in a wide margin: lockbacks, linerlocks, Axis, Lever Locks, Speed safe features, Lake and Walker safetites, Waves, Kinetic openers,...and the quality and materials vary in between these categories.

Same with balisongs. You can't compare the cheap, die-cast ones typically made in the Phillipines, to the more expensive and precision made old Pacific Cutlery/Benchmade ones. Then there are traditional blades, large bowie, weehawks, wide tapered handles, narrow tapered handles, skeleton handles, rosewood,...in the 80's they even had balisongs with ball point pens inside each handle!

I don't think there is a way to quantify which is the best because, as we've seen here it at this thread, it comes down to personal preferences, objectives, skills. For example, I may lack the manual dexterity to open a balisong as fast as I can flick a linerlock. Where as others may be able to flip a bali, faster than locating a thumbstud.

What I hope we can do is look at each objectively for advantages/disadvantages of each and come up with solutions to existing problems with each type of knife rather than accepting the status quo.
 
I think this is a very interesting thread I must admit.
My opinions on this are as follows.
Number of good quality knives bought = none, I have cheapies, throwers and swords.
The reason for this is any cheap folder I did get loosened up real quick locks broke etc, I know there are ppl here who will say that I should have bought a better knife, And yeah your right maybe I should have. But based on my experience allbeit limited I wasn't going to spend that sort of money on a knife.
Number of balisongs bought = 9
The very first I found in a shop a cheap piece of zamak crap, but it locked up tighter than any lock knife I ever had and although the steel wasn't very good I still used it every day for general tasks, opening letters, cooking, boxes, trimming nails etc
Then my GF bought me a BM as a gift near christmas last year,
I should point out here that after visiting clays site and trying a few things I was addicted, totally addicted I flipped non stop for weeks on end often from 5pm to 4-5am I occassionally stopped to eat but rarely, anyway after a month it broke only because of the intense flipping it recieved.

The first day I got this little envelope handed to me (she didn't wrap it) I ripped the thing opened and found plastic wrap around so I cut it of not thinking too much about it and there she was a BM43
She was sharp I dropped it of the end of the bed and she went straight through her two jumpers and stuck into the floor (wooden) WOW she stabbed me once in the palm and sliced my finger open all in about 15 minutes.

Now firstly who of you who do not own balisongs find your knives so addictive and fun that after a cut you would go straight back to using her?

I flipped Aria for about 8 months and she broke this time I was foolish but she held up to the same crap that zamak thing did ten fold she wasn't ready to break of her own accord by a long shot.

She still locked up perfectly even though I wasn't even using thread adhesive.

I flipped her constantly everyday so much that my boss banned me from using in work due to the noise factor, I still brought it in ( I used her during the working day )
You gotta realise that a balisong isn't merely fun, If your depressed and playing with a big bowie your gonna give ppl the impression that you want to slice your wrist or something, A balisong makes you feel better inside it takes much concentration to use effectively when executing very difficult moves, This heavy concentration can almost be described as a trance like state of meditation ( for me anyway ) It brings you out of your darkness and makes you see things in a better light.
I can spend ten minutes filpping and be happy where as any body else depressed would need prozac and that is still isn't guaranteed to work.
I am not kidding here ppl a balisong isn't just a tool or a fun thing it is medicinally beneficial to the body, from any perspective any body can see that flipping a bali would maybe stop or slow down arthuritus it keeps the fingers strong and coordinated, but while involved in heavy manipulation of a balisong you are massaging the whole body.
5000 years of accupressure has proved it is a use full and very effective way of healing the body of much ailments, All of the following benefit from using a balisong.
eyes,pituitary gland, stomach, kidney, thyroid, sinus, ear, lung, shoulder, gallbladder, intestines, liver, pancreas, testis, penis and or uterus and ovary, and colon.
So you see if you follow the chinesse method it is much more than just fun.
And to be honest since I started flipping I haven't really been sick.
Back to the price and quality thing I haven't owned one but anybody who can use a korth will tell ya there is nothing smoother, it is very heavy duty razor sharp, perfectly balanced, uses a system that has yet to allow blade play of any kind, extreme heat and cold conditions have not affected it in any way and basically there hasn't been one thing found to be fault on it. Now this is a custom which isn't cheap but before my first balisong I would never have considered getting one myself Now however I want it.
I have knife designs which will cost over $1000 dollars and I am not phased by the price because not only am I getting a knife which will last a life time but it is a work of art in it's own right.
I view a balisong very much the way the japanesse view there katanas, with much respect and bueatifull to look pieces of art and not only that, I am sure many other baliflippers will see that you form a bond with your knife you know it and every part of it you know what it can and cannot do, it has a personallity and you have to respect it as more than a tool or a simple utility blade.

Each one of my balis have there own personallity and preference of things to do, don't believe me ask the guy who's knife saved his life.

I think I will end with that word....

A balisong gives life

Edited to add this is me basically after one year on practice.
http://balisong.glx.net/playVideo.php?ID=157
 
Originally posted by Full Tang Clan
in the 80's they even had balisongs with ball point pens inside each handle!
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Sorry, I think you are referring to the Taylor Masters balisong, which used pen shaped handles to disguise the bali. There were no ink cartridges in that bali, so it only writes in blood.
 
One thing that has been alluded to but not alright stated is that flipping a balisong is a great way of increasing hand strength, dexterity, and coordination.

The first aid techniques it teaches you are quite valuable too... ;)

Mark
 
Originally posted by Allen E. Treat
My premise of posting this thread
was to have a creative discussion,
All I can say is POST ON FORUMITE(S)!

AET ;)
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Looks like your premise was a success Allen. :)

The bali takes a bit of practice to open efficiently. Do you remember the very first time you tried using the thumb stud to open a folder? It took a little practice also, or it did for me anyway. :)
 
looks like us bali fans have taken over your thread, i wonder why no one but us is posting anymore, it seems to be getting kinda boring arguing with nothing.... maybe its because you guys know we are right... thats one hell of a post there 8th :)

your thread has been...
MMAowned.jpg


watch it now, this forum is next :)
 
Originally posted by Hawaiian


The bali takes a bit of practice to open efficiently. Do you remember the very first time you tried using the thumb stud to open a folder? It took a little practice also, or it did for me anyway. :)
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Hurrmmmmm I remember launching the knife across the room then my memory gets a little fuzzy....
 
Thought I'd put in my .02

I like em too!!

I have been using them since I was 14, so thats about 20 years now and it was a great way to pass time, learning to flip and and manipulate it. That being said, now that I am older and work in a business environment I can't be pulling out and flipping open my balisong at work to open mail...raises toooo many eyebrows, so I carry a small woody Sebenza now for weekday carry, but my knife of choice is my MT Tachyon, which I carry with me nights and weekends and I can tell you, I would put this knife up against just about any folder for quality and solidity. Just like in folders there is an enormous difference between a cheap balisong and a quality one. It's like comparing a $20 dollar walmart special to a mayo, or sebenza, maybe even more of a difference. Anyway, I don't spend a lot of time flipping it anymore, but I can open it quickly, one handed, which comes in handy all the time, Especially if I'm up on a ladder or something.

So anyway, to each their own...so long as nobody tries to push their opinions on ME!
 
I absolutely love balis, but being a Canadian, unless I want to break the law, I can't own one. The way they look has always appealed to me and the solidity of their lockup is unsurpassed.

If you want to talk about the practicality of a knife, the bali seems a lot more practical than a bowie to me. I don't see too many people posting about how they don't see any good reason to own a bowie.

By the way, I love bowies and I am not picking on them at all. My point is that practicality is not always the prime reason to own something. Sometimes it is enough just to love something for what it is.
 
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