A balisong knife is a type of folding knife with two handles invented in the Philippines, the primary
difference between its Asian and Western counterparts being the use of a round,
flat blade as opposed to a traditional Western-style double-edged blade. It was
originally designed as an easily concealable pocket knife for use by roving
scouts or other soldiers on military campaigns. They are still commonly used by
martial artists and some knife enthusiasts due to their increased
maneuverability and increased control over the depth of cuts within confined areas.
Also, they have a variety of uses in
the sport of knife fighting, because the main blade is so much shorter than a
traditional knife, it presents less chance for injury if one's opponent manages
to land a strike which can cause an injury to the main blade. In modern film
and television balisong knives have been portrayed as weapons or devices to
open boxes or containers or as kitchen utensils. They are often used as props
by stunt performers in films whose characters are using them as tools.
Balisong
Knife’s Origin
The history of the balisong is
closely tied to Filipino culture. The knife's design originates from one-piece,
folding bolo knives used in Western parts of the country in the 1930s and
1940s. The bolos were commonly made by local blacksmiths out of pieces of steel
likely sourced from saw blades. As bolo knives are used for agricultural work,
most show signs of rust. Bolo knives were also made locally in mass quantities
by freelance craftsmen working in makeshift knife shops who would supply them
to nearby villages.
There is no absolute standardization
with the size, shape and appearance of bolo designs due to this fact.
Nevertheless, most bolo knives tend to be flat-sided and blade lengths can reach
up to 15 inches. The butterfly knife is almost identical in design to most
bolos. Unlike many, however, the balisong's blade is not attached to the handle
with a pin like the bolo's. Instead, it is connected by a hinge that allows for
360-degree rotation, allowing one blade to be used for both cutting and slicing
while the other serves as an emergency backup.
A key feature of most balisongs is
that the blades are symmetrically positioned on each side of the hilt, unlike
many other folding knives which have the blades located on opposite sides of
the hilt. These knives normally have two extra-long and narrow knives which are
hinged at the rear to be used as supplementary weapons with similar blade
shapes to those on fixed balisong knives. A fixed one primary knife is known as
a butterfly knife or phoenix knife.
Earliest
Uses Of Balisongs
Balisong knives--also known as
butterfly knives, fan knives, and Batangas blades--have been around for a long
time. They have been seen in ancient cultures from as early as the 1800s. In the
Philippines, people use these weapons during their Spanish colonial era as well
as present day to protect themselves from terrorists or thieves. What is so
special about these weapons is that they are easy to conceal. According to
"The Encyclopedia of Edged Weapons" , these knives were invented by
the Filipino immigrant to the United States, Augustin Calderon. It was patented
in 1914. It has many different names, depending on which part of the world it
is found in. It is known as a Batangas or Baling knife in its native
Philippines. The United States of America, on the other hand, calls it a
butterfly or fan knife. In Japan, it is called a "chuuken," and in
China, it is called a "shuang gou." It was known as a
"tsuuka" in Chinese Taoism. In Malay, it is called a
"parasut," and in Vietnamese, they call it a "dao bien.”
The butterfly knife is made of three
parts. The first is the "butterfly" which is the hilt. It acts like a
regular hilt on most other knives, except that it has two sides, or rather two
sides and two handles (one on each side). Sometimes these sides act as handles;
sometimes they act as sides. The second part is the "blade." Modern
balisongs contain different types of materials for blade construction.
Which
Features To Look For When Purchasing A Balisong Knife?
It is easy to just walk into a store
and buy the first balisong knife you see, but it's so much better if you know
what things to look for when purchasing this knife. These are some tips, so your
next purchase will be perfect! You'll know about blade materials, styles, and
measurements.
The first thing to consider when
purchasing a butterfly knife is the blade material. Steel is the most common
blade material that is used for these knives. You can also find titanium, wood,
zinc alloy, nickel-silver, and copper materials. If you are new to the world of
balisong knives, I would recommend starting with a reliable steel knife. They
are heavier than other types of blades but they are easier to use if you are
just learning how to close your knife. If you are an experienced user, you
might want to get a lighter blade since they are easier to close.
The next thing to look for is the
style of your blade. There are different styles that show up in the market, but
the most common ones are single edge blades and double edge blades. A single
edge butterfly knife is just one side of the blade that is sharpened while a
double edge blade has both sides of the blade sharpened. The double edge knives
come in different styles and sizes, and they can range from a small travel
version to a larger medium size. You can also find one that does not have a
blade at all.
The last thing to look at when
purchasing the perfect butterfly knife is how much it weighs. The weight of the
blade affects your overall performance in close combat situations. The heavier
the weight, the easier it is to feel when you stab with it or cut with it.
Balisongs Are Also Used For Playing:
The
balisong knife is used mainly as a plaything. The most famous knives are the
ones that are made in the Philippines. Many craftsmen make these knives by
hand, usually with steel frames and wooden or steel handles. The handles can
come in several shapes, shapes, and colors, but they are usually cut to fit
comfortably on the user's hand.
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