Filipino dealers in U.S. "balisong" exposition ??

C

cua

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Dec 28, 2000
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okay, since balisong usually has a term that has a close assocaiton w/ the philippines. I wish to know, if in the history of U.S. knife related exposition . has there been any filipinos- direct from the Philippine
( bladesmith or businessman) that have tried specifically selling their Philippine made balisong stuff their in your U.S. shows w/ an a knifeselling booth (or something close to that ) ? or how about U.S. based filipinos knife dealers there , is their somebody that exist there so far that had actively mingling(in person, in shows ) w/ the balisong fraternity eversince? Plenty, few or none at all so far? Any feedback about this would be mostly appreciated. Thank you.
 
It is illegal to import a balisong knife into the United States. US Customs Regulations consider them switchblades and illegal to import.

Customs faces two problems: first, they've got bigger worries than balisong knives. Frankly, they just don't put much emphasis on enforcing this rule. They're more concerned about terrorists with trunks full of explosives, drug dealers with tons of white powder, and with politically sensitive issues like fur or other material from endangered species.

Second, there is no easy technical way to detect balisongs. Gas chromatagraphs, proto emission scanners, and imaging x-ray machines don't easily distinguish balisongs and attempts to train balisong sniffing dogs have so far failed.

So, enforcement is spotty at best. But, a noted French balisong artist had to borrow some of my balisongs in Atlanta after customs confiscated his as he entered the country.

Also, most of the major US knife shows take place in cities where balisongs are illegal. In fact, the only major exception that I can think of is the Oregon Knife Collector's Association show in Eugene, Oregon.

Enforcement is also spotty. Clay and I entertained a delegation of Atlanta's finest police officers last year. Let's face it: the city wants the tourist money and as long as nothing gets to out-of-hand, they're willing to bend the rules a bit for a weekend. But, it can be an uncomfortable position for some exhibitors.


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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
It's illegal to bring Bali's into the US? Man if they had checked my luggage from Thailand I would have been in a whole lot of legal issues.

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Things may never get better, but they can always get worse.
 
Okay, let us get some of this facts straightened out. IT is illegal to export balisong to the U.s. how about that! If that is a fact, that alone may be one major reason why no filipino maker( no matter how good maker he is) should forget going there for that purpose. It’s a self answering question then. so theres no reason too why somebody should pass the good technology or good matieral to some craftmen here, because where is the legal outlet for these high end things finally wholesale? What To boom an underground economy ? I don’t think it make sense to me. I wonder if that is one major reason why craftmens here just stick to tourist oriented quality. Cant blame them then. what a sad fact. isnt there a way around it?
 
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