Bear & Son produces several versions of the balisong knife at their factory in Jacksonville, Alabama, and the Black 4-inch model is one of their most utilitarian. Built with a high carbon stainless steel blade and pivoting cast metal handles, the knife is well balanced and lightweight. Skeletonizing the handle halves cuts out ounces without seriously affecting the strength of the build. A black epoxy powder coat improves the look of this simply-made balisong, which opens easily with a practiced swing. The metal latch keeps the knife locked either in closed or open position. The Black Butterfly is more functional than beautiful and able to take a fair amount of abuse without serious damage.

Balisong knives are usually thought of as originating in the Philippines, but similar knives existed even earlier in France and may have migrated to the Philippines with French colonists. The butterfly knives became popular in America as returning WWII soldiers brought them back from the Pacific theater. As with automatic knives from Europe, import restrictions soon fell into place. Still popular with collectors, the balisong also finds a home as martial arts equipment.

For a larger version of the Bear & Son butterfly knife, see the Silver Vein Balisong.

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Practice BALISONG BUTTERFLY COMB ALL STAINLESS Knife Trainer Fly Balisong Black US $13.88   Auction Ends: 16d 5h 25m

Trick Butterfly 440 Stainless Steel Bottle Opener practice knife Bartender Black US $.98   0 Bid Auction Ends: 19m

The action of the knife is good -- it opens smoothly and the cast metal halves of the butterfly handle have been lightened with cutouts for better balance. The silver vein pattern on the handles gives the five-inch folded knife a decorative outside, but the inside is all business. Flick the knife open and it presents a four-inch blade with a non-reflective tactical coating of dark epoxy powder. A metal latch bar locks the handle halves together in either open or closed positions. The high carbon stainless steel of the blade is much stronger than the cast metal of the handle, so prying or twisting could do the knife damage.

All parts of this balisong knife are American made -- in fact, everything in this knife was made at Bear and Son's Jacksonville factory. Bear & Son's policy is to make everything on-site, including the dies required to form the blades. Advanced machine processes and skilled hand operations go into the production of every Bear & Son knife. The result is a high-quality product at a reasonable price.

See the Ellington Balisong Practice Knife for a safe training version of the balisong.

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This inexpensive knife may have a tactical look, but the quality is more utility grade. Aircraft aluminum anodized handle parts and a blade of 440 high carbon stainless steel will hold up well to ordinary use. If a pocket knife fit your needs before, you'll find the smooth action and well-engineered concept fascinating and practical. The blade itself, hollow ground with a tanto point, offers nearly four inches of plain cutting edge. That's plenty for handymen who need a knife for scoring and rough trimming, or for hikers and campers who need a lightweight emergency blade.

For an extra degree of comfort, Kryton slabs cover the aluminum handle parts, making the grip nonslip and friendly. The Powerglide will slip through repetitive chores without ripping up your hands. Be prepared to tighten a few screws and provide your own Locktite for this well-designed bargain knife.

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Smith Wesson Powerglide black tanto Knife US $17.95   Auction Ends: 20d 5h 17m

Smith Wesson Black Tanto Power Glide Folding Knife New US $17.73   Auction Ends: 27d 3h 23m

Since the Cold Steel Paradox is based upon spring-loaded handle billets that require two hands to open and close, some of the drama of the flashy balisong has gone away here. The compensation for that is a very solid design without any of the slop that goes along with the average butterfly knife. The twin steel springs lock the blade in both closed and open positions.

Cold Steel uses the best construction method -- channeled handles -- to build this knife. Blade grooves in each handle half are accurately machined from polished aircraft aluminum, not cast metal as in cheaper versions of the butterfly knife. A 4-1/2-inch leaf-point hollow ground high carbon AUS 8A stainless steel blade, plus the artistically skeletonized 5-inch handle, unfolds to a full length of 9-1/2 inches. Since that's a little too large to lie comfortably at the bottom of a pocket, owners will find the stainless steel pocket clip very handy. Aluminum components are hard anodized for added luster and durability.

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Cold Steel New Paradox Folding Knife 24P US $71.99   Auction Ends: 7d 6h 52m

Cold Steel 55 Aluminum Paradox Folder Plain Edge 24PA US $77.95   Auction Ends: 22d 23h 49m

The overall length of 8-3/4 inches when open includes an unsharpened 3-3/4 inch steel blade. Handle components are all metal, and the total weight of nearly five ounces is about average for a pocket balisong. Fittings are designed to be tightened with an allen wrench and should be checked before practicing or whenever you notice a loose feeling to the trainer. The Ellington trainer isn't bulletproof, but it is built of durable components and will survive drops that might crack parts on other less rugged trainers.

Don't expect playing with this mock knife to be as satisfying as operating the real thing. Using it could save you some painful lessons, though. In most martial arts, students begin with mock weapons that approximate the weight and feel of the genuine item. Practicing with a safe version paves the way for genuine skill.

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Butterfly Training Knife Bottle Opener Trainer NEW US $8.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 5h 35m

Martial Arts Kali Escrima Arnis Metal Butterfly Training Knife NEW taekwondo FS US $12.99   Auction Ends: 13d 2h 30m

The overall length of 8-3/4 inches when open includes an unsharpened 3-3/4 inch steel blade. Handle components are all metal, and the total weight of nearly five ounces is about average for a pocket balisong. Fittings are designed to be tightened with an allen wrench and should be checked before practicing or whenever you notice a loose feeling to the trainer. The Ellington trainer isn't bulletproof, but it is built of durable components and will survive drops that might crack parts on other less rugged trainers.

Don't expect playing with this mock knife to be as satisfying as operating the real thing. Using it could save you some painful lessons, though. In most martial arts, students begin with mock weapons that approximate the weight and feel of the genuine item. Practicing with a safe version paves the way for genuine skill.

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Butterfly Training Knife Bottle Opener Trainer NEW US $8.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 5h 35m

Martial Arts Kali Escrima Arnis Metal Butterfly Training Knife NEW taekwondo FS US $12.99   Auction Ends: 13d 2h 30m

It's a neat idea, a stouter variety of the chop-socky butterfly knife you might pick up in a Hong Kong storefront and have to relinquish at the customs desk. It squeaks past the legal issue of being a double edged blade by not sharpening one edge, but that wouldn't keep you out of trouble if you had to explain to a policeman why you had it.

As a military knife, well, it won't open with one hand, and that style of construction doesn't stand up to torque stresses. Not to mention that it's shiny. Use it as a tool, and I see lots of blisters in your future from all those plates and rivets.

But on the other hand, I have a combat knife that says combat knife on the handle. Sometimes you just like stuff.

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This DVD has recently been updated using digital production techniques, including views from multiple angles, and slow-motion sequences for clear instruction. Michael Janich takes you all the way from the basics to advanced techniques, so be prepared to spend quite a bit of time with this video.

Techniques shown include the helicopter spin, the finger roll, aerial tosses, along with several openings and closings. Approximately 140 minutes (DVD) or 115 minutes (VHS)

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It's quite an impressive knife -- gorgeous, large, heavy, and sharp. The handle is made of stainless steel and hardwood pakwood side panels. The blade is made of sharpened 440 stainless steel. The two customers who have reviewed this item on Amazon.com are quite impressed -- be sure to check out their reviews.

The sword is often sold with a hardwood stand included. Be carful with this blade -- if you plan to use it, be sure you know what you're doing!

Dimensions:

• Length (Open): 37 3/4", (Closed): 20 3/4"
• Blade: 17 1/2"
• Handle: 20 1/4"
• Weight: 10 lbs.

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