Butterfly Knives

Choosing a Quality Butterfly Knife:

Butterfly knives are one of the most collectible knives in America, due to their form factor and composition. They are more than just a switchblade and since they contain no springs or other moving parts aside from the force of gravity to open them, they are considered elegant and graceful. Butterfly knives are also known as a balisong, which originated in the Philippines where they are still used today as part of a Filipino martial arts practice known as eskrima.

There are several different types and styles of the butterfly knife, but all of these styles fall into two categories of knife. They are either sandwich construction, or channel construction. The type of construction that is used will determine the quality, with channel construction blades being prized for their sturdy pins and ability to withstand great pressure. Most cheaper blades will be of sandwich construction, which is not as durable, though it does allow for a cheaper price.

Determining the Quality of a Blade

If you are considering purchasing a butterfly knife based on quality, there are a few important points you should consider. True balisongs are not spring assisted knives, so if the knife you are considering has listed this as a feature, then it is not a true balisong in the sense of the original design.

Most blades that are of any quality are produced under the product name Benchmade, so look for this if you are at a knife and gun show. Most Benchmade balisongs feature a stainless steel blade with steel handles, designed for ease of opening and closing, but also for comfort grip while held in the hand either opened or closed. Benchmade does produce a few spring assisted knives under their title, but these are not true balisongs for those looking to collect this type of knife.

Typically, any model of Benchmade knife will run you around $200 or more, due to the high quality materials that are used in creating it. The pins that hold the two handles into the tang of the knife are exceptionally well made, which is one reason many people prefer this type of butterfly knife to any others on the market.

Cheaper Knives & Their Prices

If you are not after a knife for the quality, but for the looks, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. These are usually not made from stainless steel but a lower grade of steel that is prone to rust, so they must be given extra care compared to the higher dollar counterparts. These knives are also usually of sandwich construction, meaning the blade and two handles are crafted completely separately instead of the handles being carved from the same piece of steel.

These cheaper knives are often imports from places like China, Japan, and the Philippines. The price depends on the materials that are used, but often since lower carbon steel is used for both the blade and the handle, you should not expect to pay more than $50 for a cheaper import of the blade.

Are They Legal?

Because of its status as a concealed weapon, many states in the United States have a ban on what they consider spring loaded or gravity assisted knives. Any type of knife with a blade that is concealable is banned in California, while other states allow the blade to be owned so long as it is kept in the home. Laws are a little bit different outside of the United States and much more harsh.

In places like Australia and Germany, the weapon has been considered a threat and requires a special permit to own one even in the privacy of your own home. Germany is much stricter than other places such as the UK and Canada where the knife is also prohibited. Buying or selling a knife in Germany can result in a fine of up to 10,000 Euros as well as up to five years in prison, which is a hefty fine for such a small infraction. If you are considering purchasing a knife of this caliber, you should determine your local laws before purchasing so you can be sure you are within them and prevent yourself from knowingly committing a crime.

Collecting balisongs for show is a hobby many people engage in and they are perhaps the most common knife you will see outside of Bowie knives at a gun and knife show. Since they are considered collectibles, knowing a bit about the make and manufacture of these knives can net you a decent collection.

           So like a lot of ancient things its not 100 % of the Butterfly Knife original came from the Philippines or from the French. There a recording in 1710 French book “Le Perret” were they talk about Butterfly Knive and how they were created in the 1500’s area. If you’re to talk with a Filipino they will tell you that the (Bailsong) also known as the Butterfly Knive was created back in 800 AD. Like I said before there is know true way to find out for sure, all we have is the records and story that come with them. The word Bailsong is a city in the Philippines were they make Butterfly Knives. We do know that this Knife was used as a weapon during WWII (1945). When our troops were going threw all the islands they came across the Butterfly Knife and found them intriguing and brought them back to the States. A Knife like this was intriguing yet complex in design and usefulness. To see someone operate it for the first time is confusing yet exciting because you want to try and open it, but fill a little intimidated just because it’s a Knife and who wants to twirl a Knife around like that. The troops had never seen such Knives like this it was not their traditional Knife.

          If you’re in the market today for a Butterfly Knive you will want to know that there are two types made. The first one is the Sandwich construction and considered the weaker of the two, all the parts are screwed or pin together, you can adjust the pivot pins to tighten or loosen for maneuverability, and the blade rest between the layers, which is why they call it the sandwich version. The other construction is called a Channel Knife, now all the parts are machined and constructed with one peace for each handle, like I said this version is considered much stronger. I have always been interested and collected Knives since I was a teenager, and the Butterfly Knives was one of my favorite Knives to have. I would sit in my room for hours practicing opening it, and would always try to do it faster and faster just like the guys on TV, maybe not a good idea when you’re a kid. Like most young boys anything to do with martial arts was interesting and the Butterfly Knife was truly on of those interests for me and still is today.

      I look for every opportunity to talk to another knife collector and see what they have and how long they have been a collector. Just like another hobbies knife collecting has its own language and stereo types, if you have a minute take a look at one of my other sites were I talk more about the history of knives @ http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/History-Of-Butterfly-Knives/1202545 I am sure you will enjoy it.

      I have been talking about the Butterfly Knife and how intriguing and complex the design is and how I fill its one of my most favorite Knife to have and also play with, Yea I have Throwing Knives and every once in a while me and my buddies will get a log out and have a little compaction but my Butterfly Knife is just fun to sit and practice tricks to try and impress people. Collection Knives is a way of life just like collection Dolls are for women. We each have our thing that were really into and love, and when that person talks about what they love you can see them light up. Its funny when I talk to my wife about when I was a kid and thought I was a Ninja and would try and act like them and use all my cool martial art weapons I had, she just thinks I am funny and a little crazy, she’s right I am funny  anyhow my whole goal was to just talk to you about something that I truly care about and think is very informative.

            If you decide to get a Knife one day and I don’t care if its any Knife take the time to really look at it, and study the design and think about the work that went into that. I use to take a blank peace of steel and look at it and then watch my buddy make some of the coolest Knives out of the one blank peace of steel. You have to be a master sculpture to get the shape on the contours and that fine blade finish, not mentioning sharper than hell. I just wanted to take a minute again and talk about safety when it comes to using a Knife. If your not experience then make sure and take some time and look at some of the hazards of using or playing with Knives. I enjoy just as much as the next guy but I have also made sure I am aware of my surroundings and how to use them properly, obviously much better now then when I was a young boy and almost stabbing my sister and even the do once but we don’t need to talk about that. O yea that also made me remember a story about me and my sister and me making her made and her picking up one of my Knives and trying to stab me but again that’s for another website maybe something around family consoling. Thank you for taking the time to read and look at my site please drop me a line if you have any question….