Why a Balisong for EDC?

K

krept

Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Messages
568
I'm new here, but can guess that some of you choose a Balisong for EDC. Any particular reasons why? I too have a fondness in my heart for the Balisong, but have yet to invest in a quality one. If I can convince myself that I can occasionally use it for EDC, I'd be more apt to buy one than more autos...


Thanks for the input.
 
My last EDC was a Microtech LUDT. It was great at first, but all you can do is open/close it. My current EDC is a BM43A. The possibilitys are endless on ways to open/close it. The blade is a very usable bowie for cutting tasks and the lock up is rock solid.
 
Why a bali for EDC ? Why not??

Its probably the strongest knife besides a fixed blade.
 
Its a folder that is just as strong as a fixed blade when its locked. Even if it does come unlocked, it won't fold until you fold it. Besides their REALLY neat:D
 
Balisong = EDC

1. unique.
2. fun.
3. utilitarian.
4. beauty.

the first reason is that a balisong is unique. a little flash here and there when you have to cut something. you can't do that with an ordinary lockback.

the second reason is that it can be a very interesting time waster. manipulations are endless and fun. i have about 3 manipulations my lockback.

the third reason comes to mind as a balisong can do more than just cut things. I've seen them used as prybars, spears, bottle openers, wrenches, rope cutters, kubatons, and flails to name just a few. by all means, not your swiss army knife or leatherman, but you can't flip swiss army knives or leatherman tools quite as easily.

my fourth reason is the simple elegance of the balisong. you can get em with inserts, skeletonized, high polish, bead blasted, with a wide variety of metals, etc. Yet, each of these factors don't hinder the functionality or utilitarian aspect of the tool. Therefore you can have your style and utility in one package.

-j-
 
They also come in real handy if for some reason you have only one hand to open your knife with. For that reason alone my EDC has been a bali for over thirty years.
 
Well, in general, a bali is no more than a folding knife. So with that regards, it'll work just as well as any other folder for an EDC carry. Now, if you can carry a knife you love everyday, that should be the primary reason to do so. Except where you might have legal restrictions (like my home in NYC), then the other reasons stated will work if you really need to have a practical reason.
 
Just when I thought I was sure...

Here I thought I was on to something new with automatic knives.

I have been playing around with low quality balis for a LONG time. In fact, I even brought a couple back from Mexico to California many years ago just so I could play with them. While hardly adept, especially in light of the many tricks I've seen here, I can still do quite well manipulating them, considering...

Hmm... might just need to pick up one as a next purchase instead of one of those OTF autos... looks like a real possibility.

Thanks again for the great responses.
 
A balisong opens / closes totally ambidextrous. You don't have two knives for your right and left hand. Playing a bali with your weaker hand will make your moves more balanced, not to say it's so fun!
 
...why do some people drive $50,000 Corvettes and $60,000 Porches when a Suzuki Swift will get you from Point A to Point B?:D
I carry my 42 as my EDC because I can look past the negative image the balisong has gotten over the last XX years and can see the utility and fun factor of carrying one. Ever since my wife was kind enough to buy me a BM42, I've been hooked. I still don't have the dexterity of Clay and Blasto, but one doesn't become a master overnight. ;) Of course, Clay might be the exception to that rule. :D
I like the feel of the balisong compared to a folder. It comes alive in my hands more than, say a lockback or liner-lock blade could. In the proper hands, it becomes a living thing, a beast that just begs to be tamed. I'm up to the challenge, and I would hope that the other balisong flippers of this forum would agree with me.:cool:
Just because you drive a 2002 Thunderbird or a Z06 Corvette, that doesn't make you any better as a person than the guy with a Honda Accord. It's all about personal statement, attitude, and preference, not necessarily in that order.
 
I forgot one thing.
Among various folding knives, balisong gives you most confidence if the knife is firmly locked. Lock robustness aside, this is a very good advantage to most of folding knives. Liner locks, rolling locks, and button locks of autos do not show very clearly if the lock is firmly locked as balisong.

A balisong, even if it is latched or not, you can be sure it will not close unintendedly as far as the handle(s) is gripped. Frame lock (mono lock also), axis lock, ring lock of Opinel are as visible as balisongs if it's locked. But, a balisong doesn't need an extra locking action, nor you don't have to look at the knife to confirm. You only have to open it, and grip it to be sure it's locked.
 
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