Best Butterfly Knives
71Butterfly Knives
Best Butterfly Knives of All Time
Butterfly Knives, or as they are sometimes known, balisong knives are pocket knives with two handles that rotate counter to each other around a tang. When closed, the blade is hidden in grooves that run down each of the handles. When swung open, the blade is fully extended and the handles are held together. See the pictures to the side to get a great idea of what a butterfly knife is.
This Hub is dedicated to featuring a couple of the all time best butterfly knives. If you have others you would like added to the list--mention it in the notes below and I will consider adding your favorites also--as long as they make the grade!
A quick note: Is it really a balisong? Balisong (all one word) is a generic term for a knife with two handles that rotate around a tang. Bali-Song (with the hyphen) is a registered trademark of Benchmade Corporation of Oregon City, Oregon. They generally use it in connection with their unique line of butterfly or balisong knives.
Spyderco SmallFly Video
Benchmade 42
Benchmade 42
Benchmade is known for there absolutely amazing auto knives. They also make a mean set of butterfly knives. Of the balisongs they make, my favorite is the 42. They also make the 32, or the Morpho, as it is commonly known. I like the 42 for a couple of reasons. First, it has incredible action. When you take it in your hand, the grip is solid and the weight is about perfect. As you squeeze the two handles together, the latch springs open. This is great because it solves the problem of what the heck to do about the darn latch. Then, as you start to move the handles, you can tell they are perfectly balanced. The handles are skeletonized,which is my favorite look in a butterfly knife. The "fit and finish" are definitely up to Benchmade standards. This is one of the best, if not one of the top two butterfly knives of all time. The only drawback to this knife is the MSRP of $280.00. Look around, you may find it cheaper.
Critical Stats on the 42 (Bali-Song):
Blade Length: 4.20"
Blade Thickness: .125"
Blade Material: 154 CM Stainless Steel
Blade Hardness: 58-60HRC
Weight: 4.10oz.
Spyderco Spyderfly
Spyderco Spyderfly 02
Quite likely my favorite butterfly knife of all, the Spyderfly was designed by Eric Glesser. This not so traditional design uses a clip poiint spear tip recurved blade made of VG10 and beadblasted skeletonized handles. Two, very long, torpedo shaped cutouts run the length of the handles and at the base of each handle is the traditional Spyderco hole. The Spyderfly comes with a removable belt clip. This is nice, because some people like them and others don't. It also has a spring latch. The newer Spyderfly 02 compensates for some of the shortcomings of its older brother. It is much lighter and a little shorter. I like this quite a bit. You can get it in a couple of variations of handles. I like this knife for a bunch of reasons--most of all I like it because of it's weight distribution. A little different than many butterfly knives, the wide blade pushes the balance point behind the pivots. I like this. The MSRP on the 02 is $304.00 but you can generally find it for about $179.00
Critical Stats for the Spyderfly BM02:
- Length Open: 7 3/32"
- Length Closed: 4 9/16"
- Blade Length: 3"
- Blade Thickness: .125"
- Weight 3.1 Ounces
- Blade Material: VG10
- Handle Material: Cast Stainless Steel
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For me it's the idea of the skill it takes to properly "trick" the knife. Not only that but it's the fastest knife to open that I have ever seen--yes I have seen many automatic knives but in the right hands you can open a butterfly knife in about half the time believe it or not. Plus I just like the design and uniqueness of it. I hated the idea of a Balisong for most of my life not seeing it's many uses until I broke down and bought one. I've always been interested in weaponry and martial arts but never saw the skill it takes to really learn this particular knife. I have a moderate collection of knives, especially Balis, at this point and feel they are a part of me. I have one in particular that I didn't care for at first and so decided to use it as my workhorse, a cheapie I picked up for $20 at a flea market just to add to the collection, and that thing has lasted me the last five years. Balisongs rule in my humble opinion.
Jordy, Thanks for the comment. I agree--it is unbelievable what can be done with one of these until you see it or learn how to do it yourself.
I am really talented with Bali knives but I have gone threw two knives and they break I'm hoping to find a reliable one.
I have had a butterfly knife collection for years. There are alot of different techniques which can be employed when it comes to "tricks". There are military style tricks and asian style. I've noticed that the techniques vary depending on who you are talking to. Personally I think the asian style is the coolest but you always need a good teacher.
Great point mizerman. There are quite a few different techniques. Often you can find good teachers on YouTube of all places-
If money was not a question and it came down solely to flipability, which in your opinion is the best choice for a balisong? Also I live in BC Canada, I was wondering if you knew if it's even legal to own a balisong here or not? I know there's this crazy thing called the interweb and I can "google" just about anything but i'd rather ask someone who may possibly know the answer, instead of getting mixed answers from random sources that leave me with the same question anyways. Much appreciated
Jaspal Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
I have seen such knives, and some are really nicely made with carved wooden or ivory handles. But I have never never quite understood for what use are they specifically designed.
For normal home usage, the various types of kitchen or table knives, or the paper cutter on the study table are adequate. When out camping, nothing like a Swiss knife.
Where or for what does one prefer a butterfly knife to any other?