A balisong is a folding knife with two handles that rotate around the tang, so the blade sits hidden between them when closed and swings free with a flick of the wrist. It is the Filipino butterfly knife – and the name comes from Batangas province, where smiths have been making them by hand for well over a century. Every balisong on this page is forged in our own Memphis workshop, not stamped out of a machine.
We build them the way they were meant to be built: layered high-carbon Damascus, hammer-folded to 352 layers, oil tempered to 58-60 HRC, then acid etched so the pattern reads down the whole blade. Handles are cut from stag antler, buffalo horn, camel bone, rosewood, olive wood, micarta, brass and pearl shell, with hand-fitted pins and a latch that closes with a clean click. Because the Damascus pattern is created in the fire, no two of these knives look alike.
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Set of 6 D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel | Groomsmen Gift Set | BMK-476-S6
Original price was: $912.00.$775.20Current price is: $775.20. -
Set of 6 Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife Original Traditional | Groomsmen Gift Set | BMK-DB-12-S6
Original price was: $1,224.00.$1,040.40Current price is: $1,040.40. -
Set of 6 High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass with | Groomsmen Gift Set | BMK-422-S6
Original price was: $912.00.$775.20Current price is: $775.20.
What is a balisong? A butterfly knife - a folder with two counter-rotating handles and a free-swinging blade. Closed, the blade is fully enclosed. Opened, the handles lock together to form a single solid grip. There is no spring and no lock bar; the geometry does the work.
Balisong or butterfly knife - is there a difference? No. They are the same knife. "Balisong" is the Filipino name and the older one; "butterfly knife" is the English description of how it opens. Collectors tend to say balisong, and traditionalists reserve it for the Batangas pattern.
How do I choose one? Three things decide how a balisong feels. Blade length - 3 to 4 inches is the practical everyday size; longer blades look dramatic but are slower in the hand. Handle material - brass and horn are heavy and swing with momentum, wood and bone are lighter and quicker. Balance - a blade-heavy knife opens fast, a handle-heavy one is easier to control. If you are buying your first, pick a mid-weight 3.5 inch with a horn or wood handle.
Are these trainers or live blades? Live blades. Every balisong we sell is sharpened and heat treated for real cutting. We do not make blunt trainers, so if you are learning to flip, learn on a trainer first and keep these for carry and collection.
Are butterfly knives legal? Rules vary by state and country - please check your local law before ordering.
How do I look after one? Damascus is high-carbon, not stainless. Wipe the blade dry after handling, put a light film of mineral oil on it every few weeks, and add a drop of oil to the pivots so the action stays smooth. Store it outside the leather sheath so no moisture gets trapped.
What comes with it? A hand-stitched leather sheath, a certificate of authenticity, care instructions, free expedited shipping inside the US and a lifetime warranty on our workmanship.
Browse by handle material: brass balisongs, wood handle balisongs, stainless steel balisongs. Looking for a real balisong for sale? Every knife in this collection is an original balisong – a handmade balisong, forged the traditional way rather than stamped out by a factory. From a traditional balisong in the Batangas pattern to a custom butterfly knife engraved to your spec, each handmade butterfly knife here is a working blade – the kind of Filipino balisong for sale that collectors come back to. Browse every butterfly knife for sale below, or ask us about a balisong knife for sale in a particular steel or handle. Collectors searching for an authentic balisong or an original balisong knife land here: a real butterfly knife from Batangas – the traditional butterfly knife, the Philippines balisong, the balisong knife Philippines smiths built their name on.
Balisong or butterfly knife - is there a difference? No. They are the same knife. "Balisong" is the Filipino name and the older one; "butterfly knife" is the English description of how it opens. Collectors tend to say balisong, and traditionalists reserve it for the Batangas pattern.
How do I choose one? Three things decide how a balisong feels. Blade length - 3 to 4 inches is the practical everyday size; longer blades look dramatic but are slower in the hand. Handle material - brass and horn are heavy and swing with momentum, wood and bone are lighter and quicker. Balance - a blade-heavy knife opens fast, a handle-heavy one is easier to control. If you are buying your first, pick a mid-weight 3.5 inch with a horn or wood handle.
Are these trainers or live blades? Live blades. Every balisong we sell is sharpened and heat treated for real cutting. We do not make blunt trainers, so if you are learning to flip, learn on a trainer first and keep these for carry and collection.
Are butterfly knives legal? Rules vary by state and country - please check your local law before ordering.
How do I look after one? Damascus is high-carbon, not stainless. Wipe the blade dry after handling, put a light film of mineral oil on it every few weeks, and add a drop of oil to the pivots so the action stays smooth. Store it outside the leather sheath so no moisture gets trapped.
What comes with it? A hand-stitched leather sheath, a certificate of authenticity, care instructions, free expedited shipping inside the US and a lifetime warranty on our workmanship.
Browse by handle material: brass balisongs, wood handle balisongs, stainless steel balisongs. Looking for a real balisong for sale? Every knife in this collection is an original balisong – a handmade balisong, forged the traditional way rather than stamped out by a factory. From a traditional balisong in the Batangas pattern to a custom butterfly knife engraved to your spec, each handmade butterfly knife here is a working blade – the kind of Filipino balisong for sale that collectors come back to. Browse every butterfly knife for sale below, or ask us about a balisong knife for sale in a particular steel or handle. Collectors searching for an authentic balisong or an original balisong knife land here: a real butterfly knife from Batangas – the traditional butterfly knife, the Philippines balisong, the balisong knife Philippines smiths built their name on.
Buying for a wedding party? The groomsmen knife sets come as six matched knives, 15% less than buying them singly, and each one can carry its own engraved name.
How to pick a balisong knife that suits you
Most people buy their first balisong knife on looks. That is fair, they are good looking knives. The people who stay happy with theirs also think about weight and grip. A heavier handle swings with more momentum and feels planted when the handles close together. A lighter handle is quicker and easier to stop. Neither one is better. It comes down to whether the knife will live in a display case, ride in a pocket, or split its time between the two.
Blade length matters as well. Somewhere around 3 to 4 inches is where most carry knives end up. Longer blades look great on a desk and a lot less great when you are trying to close one in a hurry.
Balisong handle materials compared
| Handle | How it feels | Upkeep | Good pick if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass | Heavy, swings with real momentum | Darkens with age, polish it if you like it bright | You want a solid, weighty knife |
| Buffalo horn | Heavy and warm in the hand | Keep it out of long soaks and dry heat | You want the classic Batangas look |
| Stag antler | Grippy natural texture, no two alike | Wipe clean, do not soak | You want a collector piece with character |
| Camel bone | Smooth, middle weight | Wipe clean, do not soak | You like a lighter coloured handle |
| Rosewood or olive wood | Lighter and quicker | A drop of oil now and then keeps the grain from drying out | It is your first balisong |
| Micarta | Light, grips well even with damp hands | Almost none | You actually plan to carry it |
| Pearl shell | Striking and a little delicate | Treat it kindly, a hard drop can chip it | It is a gift or a display piece |
Which blade steel should you choose
A lot of the knives on this page carry Damascus blades. If the pattern is what caught your eye, the Damascus balisong collection shows only those. Damascus is high carbon steel, so it takes a keen edge and asks for a little oil in return.
If you would rather never think about rust, the stainless steel balisongs are the low maintenance choice. We also make balisongs in D2 and plain high carbon steel for people who care more about the edge than the pattern.
Traditional Filipino balisong or modern butterfly knife
The balisong comes from Batangas in the Philippines, and the traditional pattern is still the one many collectors want: natural handle, pinned construction and a latch that closes with a click. Most of this collection follows that style. For the backstory, read our guide to balisong history and origins. If you want to know what separates a good balisong from a rattly one, how a balisong is built walks through it part by part.
Buying a real butterfly knife online
Every butterfly knife for sale on this page is a real one, with a sharpened and heat treated blade. None of them are trainers. That also means knife law applies. Rules change from state to state, so read our butterfly knife laws guide and check where you live before you order.
Planning to learn flips? Practise on a trainer first. Our butterfly knife tricks guide has a few good ones to start with. Your fingers will thank you, and so will the knife.
More balisong questions
Can I get my balisong engraved? Yes. Engraving is a paid option for a $29 fee, and you choose it on the product page before the knife goes in your cart.
What if I want something that is not listed here? Tell us what you have in mind on our custom balisong page and we will talk it through with you.
Which balisong makes the best gift? A wood or horn handle at around 3.5 inches is a safe choice for most people. Add engraving and it stops being a knife and becomes their knife.
