Butterfly knives, or as they are often called, balisongs, have been around for quite some time. Constructed of two handles that attach to a blade, they range from very simple to somewhat complex in construction. The most basic butterfly has two handles, the bite handle and the safe handle. Each handle has a groove down the inside where the blade rests hidden when the knife is closed.  The handles can be solid or often they have holes drilled through them down their length.  This is frequently referred to as skeletonizing or skeletonized handles.  Their names describe the amount of pain they can inflict on a user that makes a mistake. The safe handle, when held, protects the user from cutting themselves. The bite handle, obviously allows the user, when not safe, to get "bitten" by the blade. The butterfly also has a blade.

Many buttefly knives have tang pins. These are one or two pins set in the tang that prevent the two handles from ever actually touching. This does reduce wear on the handles and on the butterfly knife in general. Most butterflys also have a latch. This is a rod of some type that attaches to the bite handle and locks into the safe handle to keep the two handles locked closed or open.  Either way.

To use a butterfly knife or a balisong (by the way, the term Bali-Song is a trademarked term owned by Benchmade knives.  The term balisong is a generic term used often and throughout the known history of butterfly knives) the user manipulates the handles back and forth to get the blade to swing out of its resting place and end up in an open position.  I have included a few videos throughout this Hub that show some pretty good butterfly users.  Watch them--they are highly entertaining.

 The Black Widow butterfly knife has a unique handle shape and fantastic smooth action.  The base of the handles flare out at the bottom.  Looks good and is fun to work.  This butterfly is available exclusively at BladeOps.com.  Made with hex construction (which means you can adjust the blade tension to your preferences) this butterfly is great for beginners and experts alike. 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Closed:  5 3/4"
Open:    9 3/4"
Blade Length:  4"
Hex Construction
Weight:  4.8 Ounces

 So this guy has a bunch of videos on YouTube.  The video to the side is absolutely insane.  If you practice for countless hours with your butterfly knife, you too can have insane videos on YouTube.

Here is my list of what things you want to look for in a balisong. Some are user preference type things, but it is important to be aware of what you are choosing because it does make a difference.

1. Look at the construction. Are the handles attached to the tang of the blade with pins or with bolts and nuts (sometimes called hex nut). Both are good for different reasons. Pin construction knives cannot be adjusted. You either like the action of the blade or you don't but you can't change it. But, on the other hand, pin construction never comes loose. Bolt and nut construction can adjust. If you want tighter action, tighten the bolts. If you want the two handles to have different action--you can do it. Whatever. But, during manipulation, these tend to move on their own accord and after every couple of hours or so, you will have to tighten them. Or else sometime down the road, you will be showing off your latest trick to your buddies and one handle will fly off and hit someone right in the face.
2. Handle latch.  Most balisongs, if not all of them, have a handle latch.  These are sometimes put on the wrong handle.  Avoid these at all costs.  They make it really hard to do your tricks properly.  Next, you can get manual latches or spring latches.  Benchmade, Bradley Cutlery, and Spyderco currently offer butterfly knives with spring latches.  These are worth looking at because when the knife is in the closed position, you just give the handles a little squeeze and the latch will pop into the open position (extends straight down from the bite handle).  This is also nice because it keeps the latch from getting in your way as you trick your way to fame or infamy.
3. Overall construction and metal types.  Some butterfly knives are really just crap.  Don't get one of these.  Save up a little and get something better.  Bear and Sons make some pretty good entry level butterfly knives.  They are all pin construction but are extremely sturdy and seem to last a long time.  MTech makes The Twist--aside from it's very unfortunate color, it is a good butterfly with hex nut construction.  Then, of course, you have Spyderco, Bradley Cutlery and Benchmade.  The metals used in these knives is off the chart good.  Save up for one of these and you may never need another butterfly knife in your life.
4. Finally, look at the blade shape and the handle shape.  There are some innovative styles and shapes out there.  Some of them look good.  Make sure they feel good in your hand.

 So beside the fact that this unnamed girl is really good with the butterfly knife, I especially like her no nonsense demeanor.  No smile.  No laugh.  Almost as if she is threatening you with the fact that she can manipulate the balisong.  "Watch it little person.  If you screw with me, I will annihilate you with my butterfly skills".  Life is all about attitude.

 One of the biggest problem facing beginner butterfly knife enthusiasts is finding a balisong or butterfly knife that is inexpensive yet performs up to expectations.  This discount butterfly knife, available for about $15.00 from BladeOps.com is a great solution.  It looks good.  It has great, smooth action.  Made with hex construction, the butterfly knife is adjustable which makes it nice for any level user because they can set the blade speed to their own liking.  Finally, since this butterfly knife is made of stainless steel, it stands up to wear and tear.  One note, make sure you occasionally check the hex screws.  Like all butterfly knives with this style construction, over time, these screws can loosen.  This is a great beginner's butterfly.  And at the price--you almost can't go wrong.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Closed:  5 1/8"
Open:    8 5/8"
Blade Length:  3 5/8"
Hex Construction
Weight:  4.6 Ounces

Excellent look butterfly knife.  The Urban Slash butterfly knife has good weight and its stainless steel handles and blade are designed well.  Made with hex screw construction, this butterfly knife can be adjusted so the tension on the blade is just how you like it--plus it is easy to clean and maintain. The Urban Slash butterfly knife also has two tang pins to prevent excess wear and tear on the handles.  This drop point style butterfly knife is one fantastic buy.  Check it out at BladeOps.com.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Blade:  3 5/8"
Overall Length:  8 7/8"
Closed:  5"
Hex Construction

Camo Print
Two Tang Pins