Why Not

C

Chris "Anagarika"

Joined
Mar 7, 2001
Messages
4,608
I am thinking of my passion for balisongs and am always asked by people: why do you love it ..

The answer to that can be provided by any balisong enthusiasts (including me)

Now on the other side of the coins, is there any knife lover that dislike balisongs? and why?

One factor that I know is: legality, but let just put that aside.

To fellow balisong lovers, please don't get mad, just want to know the other flip of the coin.

Thanks,
 
I have a couple of balisongs. They are not my main interest in knives. That seems to be reserved for Khukuris. I think that the balisong is a great designed knife idea. As far as folders go, with all materials being equal, it is most likely the strongest folding designed knife made. When manipulated by someone that is really good, it is pure art form to watch. I am not sure that there is really anything to dislike in the design. It is a shame that it has been outlawed in so many areas for no reason other than bad guys using it in the movies. Sort of like the automatic knife back in the old days. It is a shame that so much of our lives is controlled by the perceptions of the uninformed masses. This seems more the rule in life than the exception. Sorry, I almost made it up onto my soapbox:o
 
It's hard as a balisong fanatic to state the reasons that would disprove my love for these knives, but they are:

1) Requires a level of commitment to learning the manipulations. To some this is an unnecessary step in order to use the knife. As a cutting tool, or fighting weapon, the advantage of the strength of the design isn't necessarily worthwhile to the typical knife user. They can simply use a non-balisong as effectively without the need to expose their fingers to cuts.

2) Negative stigma. Commonly perceived to be a "weapon of thugs". And it's an long uphill battle to try and remove that association. The problem can be compounded when you voluntarily carry the banned device as your weapon of choice for self defense. But that touches the legalities issue.

3) From a production perspective, it has the wrongful perception of being easy to make, but is definitely not, if you want it to work well. And in that regards, it's deceptively easy to dismiss excellent quality worksmanship because most people don't appreciate the level of construction that was required to complete the knife.
 
Oh, I like balisongs. I've owned a couple, and I'm now looking forward to the Microtech version. But I don't carry them.

I bought the 'how to' tape and learned how to flip them open over a year ago, and that's primarily the problem.

When I need a knife, it's for an envelope, a box, a thread, food or a simple repair. I'm in the office, at church or in a public parking lot. The traditional flip would be out of place and probably cause undue attention.

I need an EDC that not only cuts well, but can be opened easily with one hand, and not causing a lot of hoopla.
 
Very interesting question. My $0.02...

1) As Ichabod said, there are places where taking out a bali, simply to open a box or clean your nails is not appropriate, where a simple folder would be. Sure, you could, ever single time, sit and try to explain to people your position on the whole thing, and how they're not really just for thugs, but that soon becomes tiresome, and it'll drive you crazy. And although I would like to think I'm a very open, and straight forward guy, I don't want people seeing it and making immediate assumptions about my person and character. Sure, they may be misinformed, but as my Ma always told me, don't throw pearls before swine. If they're not going to "get it", I'm not going to try.

2) I have a real hard time taking compliments, and always feel too deep into the center of attention when I flip for someone new. I know this is really a personal issue, but it's something I think of a lot. It really sunk in the first time I heard someone say how I must be a dangerous man to be that skilled with a knife. I certianly am not a dangerous man, and don't know squat outside of manipulating. And I hate the thought of something thinking more of me than what I am.

I guess all in all, my only problem with the bali is the reactions I get because of the dark cloud hanging over the bali's reputation, and the instantly attached attributes people throw on me. I just like to flip damnit! Period.

(now look, you got me all worked up :) )

Other than that, I believe balisongs to be the ultimate in edgery. :D
 
Despite the negative stereotype given to butterfly knives, they're very practical and strong. The sad thing is that there are only a few production companies out there who actually produce high quality balisongs that will last. Benchmade, Microtech, Cold Steel are the only ones I know of. I bought a Bear MGC Damascus butterfly knife, but it's not much better than the junk Bud K sells.
 
I agree with tonyccw in that alot of people think these knives are for "thugs". My parents thought the same thing for a long while until I could convince them thats its no different then any other folder except you can manipulate it a little more. Edventually they gave in and let me get one (yay). But other then that theres nothing realy wrong with balis, just a great form of manipulation with a knife.
 
Hey...

I live in Washington State... it's legal to sell Bali's and legal to Own them.... but illegal to carry them. :confused:

I owned a real cheapy when I was a kid, and had a GREAT time learning to flip it around... Haven't had one in over ten years... I've been considering getting one now, just for fun around the house... I do love 'playing' with 'em... have even written letters to our congress relating to why it is so stupid to ban such a beautiful tool. I mean, I can open a balisong pretty quickly... but I can flip most of my lock backs / liner locks open in half the time.... So I guess I just don't get it!

I lerned a lot about respecting knives from that first cheap Bali I had... It 'bit' me a time or two.... But ya know... I respect any edged tool a WHOLE bunch more now....


I want to get a good quality bali for fun again... I just can't buy any of the ones I have seen in the stores here... cheap, cheap, cheap!

So.. I'll probably be looking here on the forum for a decent one... If anybody has one available, feel free to e-mail me...I may have something to trade.

Thanks,

-Dave gbhrocks@aol.com:)
 
Iverson: If you would like to start flipping again, there's lots of nice balis to choose from these days. I'm not even going to mention ONE. Perhaps you even know of them, already.

Anyway, I use this excuse to encurrage (sp?) you to get a new bali: You got hooked as a kid, so you're doomed anyway. ;)
 
Hey ix... Thanks, I agree... I gues when I first posted about this, I was wonering whether I wanted to buy/trade for a really quality bali... If I could legally carry one with me,,, It would be a no-brainer.. I'b buy the best I could afford... I guess what I'm wondring now is... What would be the best INEXPENSIVE bali I can find... I want to have fun and learn more flipping skills, but until the laws here change, I'll be only playin' in my own house



So any recommendations are welcome here... Just want a bali with fairly little blade play that would be fun to flip..

Thanks,

-Dave
 
An inexpensive bali isn't usually very good... Although that depends on what you mean by expensive. ;)

- BM is known for its quality, and you can get a great BM bali for $100 and up, I think.

- The Tachyon is, like people describe it, excellent made, top notch, but of course that makes it a bit more expensive: Somewhere around $200.

- A custom made knife is probably about the best you can get, but they are even more expensive: $200 and as far as you want to go. :D

Check out some of the posts in the Balisong Forum, do a search or something, and I'm sure you'll find both something you like and can afford.
Good luck! :)
 
Hi guys.. thanks for the advice... I guess it is true that 'inexpensive' is a relative term. I think I am going to go with a BM or MT, looks like pretty good quality... I was hesitating because I cannot carry one with me daily. But if the S**T ever hits the fan for some reason, and I feel the need to be armed, I won't be worrying about state laws, So I guess getting in some real practice could never hurt.

Balis have always fascinated me... It's just a damn cool way to deploy a blade... well, wish me (and my fingers)luck... it's time I get going on learning.

-Thanks

-Dave
 
Ya, even though a bali is about the only folder I collect any more, there are things I don't like about them. The blade to handle ratio on most of them is below average, especially if there is a kick intead of a double tang pin. Also, why can't more makers come up with a cool handle shape. It doesn't have to be straight.

But they are still the coolest folders what are.
 
Originally posted by Steve Harvey
Also, why can't more makers come up with a cool handle shape. It doesn't have to be straight.
Click to expand...
Fred Perrin. :)
bf_outside2.jpg
b1.jpg

Pictures taken from http://www.szaboinc.com without permission.
 
As I just bought a CS Voyager and started using it, I know: it is the handle ergonomics. My balis up to now all has straight handle.

Not sure the countoured Szabo would make any differences because never handled one.

I also know why it is important to have a knife in your hand before deciding buying.
 
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