Balisongs origns

[hso]

I've seen many good and authoritative articles on the origins of Balisong knives, but this is an excellent summary.


https://www.balisongcollector.com/history.html

Note the 1880 patent date...long before the supposed Philippine origin story.


A nice blog by a collector.
http://thebladeblog-ulf.blogspot.com/2011/10/bontgen-sabin-germany.html

 

[earplug]

i like them

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

i like them

so I really don't know much about the balisong except that they are illegal in my state (ha!).

I'm not sure what it does that a regular folder doesn't do?

 

[hso]

It doesn't require a spring, they are considered inherently safe since they can't fold up on you like other folders, they're simpler to manufacture.

 

[earplug]

I prefer to carry a folding knife in my left/off side pocket. a Bali song without a latch is a easy to manipulate blade for my needs. Many other folding knife designs don't work well for left hand use or take two hands to fold.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

It doesn't require a spring, they are considered inherently safe since they can't fold up on you like other folders, they're simpler to manufacture.

Thanks!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Also, they were one of the few one handed options back when they were created.

 

[bannockburn]

hso

Interesting article on the origin of the Balisong knife! Thanks for posting it!

 

[Gordon]

I have a WW2 Phillipine produced one using plane scrap parts that is a suberb piece. It's still n a somewhat worse for wear nice discreet buffloe hide sheath too. Very hard nice steel and aluminum fittings. I can feel the history was a WW2 family friend bring back .
The knife on top of course !

 

[hso]

Early 1900s ... Mine now!

 

[sparkyv]

1880? Whodathunkit?

 

[theotherwaldo]

I found one on the street in Los Angeles when I was a kid. Brass hardware, soft stainless blade. I played with it a lot until my (multiple expletive) uncle stole it.
I wasn't impressed, as I preferred my switchblade.