What's the Deal with Balisongs?

[Tok]

I mean why they're banned? Personally I really don't see that they are any deadlier/more dangerous than other folders. And for its opening and closing methods, I could only say that they are so cool to look at... but what's more??

 

[beluga]

According to the law, balisongs are considered as automatic knives since they can be opened fast (using centrifugal action of gravitational action). According to me : politics !

 

[Tok]

Originally posted by beluga
According to the law, balisongs are considered as automatic knives since they can be opened fast (using centrifugal action of gravitional action). According to me : politics !

Exactly. That's why I think the ban doesn't make any sense at all. Under that rationale, they should ban all fixed blades, because they are even faster to "open".

 

[Gollnick]

You're asking politicians, the same folks who argue about the meaning of the word "is", to use common sense.

http://www.balisongcollector.com/laws.html

 

[jhokie]

I can assure you that I can open pretty much any of my folders faster than I can my BM 43A ballisong. They're really not any faster to open, it's just that silly bureacracy of ours at work. Ballisongs are looked at as evil, when in actuallity they're not any more dangerous than any other knife. All the fancy openings and stuff doesn't do anything in a knife fight, it's all for show. Just a quick and simple opening, but it's still not any faster than any other tactical folder.

 

[enkidu]

I think the thought process goes something like this: "But it looks much more dangerous than a normal knife! Why would anyone need a knife that looks scary when you open it? Isn't the only use for such a knife to threaten or to kill people? Think of the children!"

Followed by the passing of laws written by intellectually constipated cowards; laws which worsen security for everyone in order to give the illusion that "something is being done" by the aforementioned cowardly morons. Of course, we are the people who consistently vote said cowards into office.

sigh. Apologies if this post belongs in whine and cheese or in some other forum.

 

[Roadrunner]

enkidu, that post belongs on a quotes page somewhere. I couldn't possibly agree with you more.

 

[airblade]

Because they are noisy

 

[fishbulb]

I have always been under the impression that most of the current "knife laws" were drawn up several decades ago when the modern one-handed folder did not exist.

At the time the only one handed knives were balisongs and automatics, so both were banned. The current bunch of holes and studs is just the manufacturers designing around these laws which are meant to prohibit one-handed opening.

 

[flyingmonkey]

It's a sad moment when one needs cut themself loose, but can't get that blade open quick enough, if at all. Seems the scary factor is the reasoning, here.
On a VERY general SD note...not being able to deploy one's blade usually benefits the attacker...so go figure.

Cut safe.
FM.

 

[Bladeswinger]

I think it is pathetic! I wish we had some say in getting that stupid law changed.

 

[tonyccw]

Originally posted by Bladeswinger
I think it is pathetic! I wish we had some say in getting that stupid law changed.

You do. It's called your right to vote, and your right as a citizen to petition for change any laws that you feel are stupid, unjust, or have out lived their purpose.

 

[tonyccw]

Originally posted by jhokie
I can assure you that I can open pretty much any of my folders faster than I can my BM 43A ballisong.

The issue is not speed (although I'll be happy to challange you on the draw with any folder other than an Emerson Waved folder). The issue is that they confused the actions incorporated into opening a balisong from a pure gravity induced action, with the necessary level of skillful input by the operator. Good news is that there are some areas where the balisong is legal. It's just that some places have smart judges that can tell the difference between skill and simply gravity, while other don't see the same distinction. As idiotic as the politicians are, they are smart enough to want to change a law that makes them look even stupider. It just a matter of showing them that truth.

 

[brownie0486]

I was informed years ago that balisongs and the restrictions thereof were a result of the movie "West side story". After the movie, they became real popular on the streets with hoods and other nefarious types.

Hence the restrictions place upon them. This would have been late fifties, early sixties when they were included as restricted itrems in the dangerous weapons laws.

Too slow to get into play, too much fine motor skills necessary to get ready to play under stresses of being attacked. I hope the day I have to defend against a knife, they are going for one of those "flashing, noisy, clacking" infernals while I leisurely retrieve my own folder.

Well, maybe not liesurely retrieving it.

Brownie

 

[thombrogan]

Originally posted by brownie0486
I hope the day I have to defend against ...

I hope my day is scheduled for the 6th of never!

 

[Knife11]

Brownie doesn't make it over to the Bali forum very often

I think you can open a bali pretty fast although I'm not sure I would grab for that first is I was actually planning on using the knife rather then just showing it. I carry both a bali and a folder as EDC so I have the choice. I think than all knife laws are totally stupid, I can understand people not being allowed to CARRY fully automatic weapons around, but knives!?!?

What guy is going to get into office by saying he's going to take away knife a gun laws...We do vote these people in to office...The rest of the US does and the guys we vote are to scared to do something unpopular.

Franklin said every 100 years we need revolution...it's been that but we have had are 2nd amendment rights violated to the point that revolution would never be possible. And Revolution is the only way to get back to a truly free country.

On a lighter note!
What do you get when you put 50 politicians and 50 lesbians together?
100 people that don't do dick!

Hehehe

 

[tonyccw]

Originally posted by Knife11
Brownie doesn't make it over to the Bali forum very often

That's a big understatement..

http://balisong.theasylum.org/

Brownie; Not much motor skills and learning curves needed to pull these moves off. Just dedication and practise.

Originally posted by brownie0486
I was informed years ago that balisongs and the restrictions thereof were a result of the movie "West side story". After the movie, they became real popular on the streets with hoods and other nefarious types.

Also, just an FYI, the Federal Switchblade Act was in 1958. West Side Story came out in 1961. So I don't think that statement's accurate.

 

[enkidu]

I believe the movie which sparked the "switchblades (and balisongs) are evil " crusades was Rebel Without a Cause (1955). One type of behavior movies definitely influence is legislative behavior.