Why Auto's and not bali's

What do you think is the main reason auto's are more accepted than bali's?

  • Too much negative portrayal by the media (films and/or TV).

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Auto's are easy, bali's require skill.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • All that manipulation is very threatening.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Asian weapon form, possibly racially motivated.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Other. (Please post your reason).

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
Choice 1 was a close second, but I think choice 1 can be said about autos as well, so I opted for #3.
 
Hi!

Interesting question!
One reason i hear quite frequently, both from my friends and what i've seen herfe at BF is that they bali-song is considered a toy, it's not meant/practical for regular use.

You flip'em and play with'em, you don't actually use'em.
I can agree that they might not have the most ergonomic handle, but the all metal construction and the strongest locking system available (?) makes them good users in my book.

Just my 2 cents...
 
The other day, I was setting up a HP 5000 and had to open the box. I do a slow basic windmill to open my "pocket knife", and the first words out of this lady’s mouth were, “What are you going to do, stab somebody?”

I still believe that we need more movies like Indiana Jones using Balis as good tools. Of course after 9-11 will feel even more threatened.
 
i think since most people have no idea that any of the manipulations that we do even exist that number 3 isnt really a viable answer. I picked #1
 
I had to go with #1, although I don't think that sums it up completely. It's a fact that comes up time and time again throughout history... people are afraid of what they don't understand. I'd say that the majority of people in this country have never actually seen a balisong first hand. The ONLY exposure they have is through movies. So that's why I chose number one. But, that misconception is only stengthened when people never get the opportunity to see one used in person, or know someone who uses them. It's a lack of education. Because I watch all the movies and media about balisongs, but I obviously don't take it seriously. It's what people aren't seeing just as much as what they ARE seeing.
 
I think #2 and #3 kinda go together, it takes skill to do all of the "scary looking manipulations".
I remember when I first watched Imada's techniques from his video I was blown away and I could never figure out WTH he was doing, it was all a blur.
I think when people see someone skillfully manipulate a bali (in movies and TV mainly) they are scared by it since they can't do it and can't see what is happening, they interpret it is antagonistic and violent. :barf:
 
Originally posted by BalisongMan
I think #2 and #3 kinda go together, it takes skill to do all of the "scary looking manipulations".
I remember when I first watched Imada's techniques from his video I was blown away and I could never figure out WTH he was doing, it was all a blur.
I think when people see someone skillfully manipulate a bali (in movies and TV mainly) they are scared by it since they can't do it and can't see what is happening, they interpret it is antagonistic and violent. :barf:
Click to expand...

Well said Cameron! I had never considered that.
 
I pretty much agree with balisongman. I would say it is the intimidation factor. The fact that it looks so difficult and requires so much skill makes it that much more threatening to those who dont know much about it. People are always scared of what they don't know...Which is why bali's most certainly need more publicity. Allthough Switchblades are of course no more dangerous, people can instantly identify them making them much less scary. If someone starts swinging a bali and a person facing them has no idea what's going on, there is a better chance that they also don't know the potential of the weapon, making them more frightened of it. Once a switcblade is opened on the other hand, you can look at it and KNOW that it is simply a knife, and what it is capable of doing.

...My thoughts
 
Here in good ole' Belgium, I think it's mostly because of the movies that balisongs and switchblades are so frowned upon.
The nunchakus became illegal here and in the Netherlands after Bruce Lee used them in his movies... I have no idea exactly why/when balisongs became illegal though, and I would like to know.
Most people don't even seem to know how someone doesn't get cut while doing a "normal" opening (basic horizontal, vertical).
And I heard once (don't quote me on this :D ) that people fear the unknown and unusual (that's why many people are scared of spiders and other insects)
 
Are balisongs more ill thought of than automatics? I thought the reverse, but I don't get out much. If so, increasing the public's familiarity with the manipulations, through competitions and/or demonstrations (approached gingerly), might have a positive effect on both the leading reasons (in this poll) for it's negative image. Eliminate the "fear of the dark", so to speak. It won't happen overnight, but think how nice such a change of attitude would be. Remember this is technically about how the knife (either type) opens. It is imagined perception that is hurting our position.
 
I think people fear what they dont understand, it is the same way with guns. And hey Balidude, I hate spiders.... haha
Oh, Club Worm an Auto as in Automatic opener (push the button and the blade goes out)
 
According to experts, if it weren't for spiders, the earth would be over run with insects.
 
Are auto's really that much more accepted? It seems to me, in the U.S. at least, that balis are legal in more states than autos. In fact, the only state I'm aware of that legally lets civilians (not as collectors) buy/carry auto's is here in Oregon.
 
There’s nothing wrong with them, it’s just that they have been given a bad name over the years because you can get the blade out so fast. If you want to learn more about them, check out the auto forum here on Bladeforums. If you want to see some of the best made auto's in the business, check out http://www.microtechknives.com/.
 
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