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.
Shopping for a balisong knife? Every balisong knife on this page is a real, sharp blade, not a trainer, and every one ships free in the US. Pick the handle you like first, then open the product page for the exact size and steel.
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Balisong Blade Damascus Steel Butterfly Knife Amazing Buffalo Horn Handle Hunting Camping Knife Gift USA Made | BMK-2003
Original price was: $354.00.$283.00Current price is: $283.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass Handle Knife, Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-611
Original price was: $212.00.$170.00Current price is: $170.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless with Walnut Wood and Burl Wood Inserts with Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-434
Original price was: $168.00.$134.00Current price is: $134.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel with Ram Horn Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-578
Original price was: $299.00.$239.00Current price is: $239.00. -
Silver Washed 12cm”Blade High Carbon Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Knife Black Mamba World Class Knives | BMK-583
Original price was: $190.00.$152.00Current price is: $152.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Buffalo Horn Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-465
Original price was: $190.00.$152.00Current price is: $152.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Dye Bone Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-455
Original price was: $168.00.$134.00Current price is: $134.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife with Beautiful Brass Handle Handmade Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife Black Mamba Knives USA | DB-30
Original price was: $255.00.$204.00Current price is: $204.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass with Rose Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-612
Original price was: $190.00.$152.00Current price is: $152.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife with Handmade Steel Bolster and Wooden Handle | DB-04
Original price was: $239.00.$191.00Current price is: $191.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Walnut Burl Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-468
Original price was: $168.00.$134.00Current price is: $134.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife with Beautiful Shiny Brass and Ram Horn Handle | DB-02
Original price was: $255.00.$204.00Current price is: $204.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife with Beautiful Brass and Ram Horn Handle Handmade Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife Black Mamba Knives USA | DB-26
Original price was: $245.00.$196.00Current price is: $196.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife with Handmade Brass and Stag Antler Handle Black Mamba Knives USA | DB-13
Original price was: $255.00.$204.00Current price is: $204.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Brass with Philippine Deer Horn Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-458
Original price was: $348.00.$278.00Current price is: $278.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Walnut Burl Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-472
Original price was: $168.00.$134.00Current price is: $134.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Bone Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-480
Original price was: $190.00.$152.00Current price is: $152.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Bone Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-456
Original price was: $168.00.$134.00Current price is: $134.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass with Ram Horn Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-437
Original price was: $273.00.$218.00Current price is: $218.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Bone Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-463
Original price was: $180.00.$144.00Current price is: $144.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass with Stainless Steel with Water Buffalo Horn Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-591
Original price was: $299.00.$239.00Current price is: $239.00. -
D2 Tool Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel Brass with Walnut Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-484
Original price was: $190.00.$152.00Current price is: $152.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass with Stainless Steel with Rose Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-579
Original price was: $299.00.$239.00Current price is: $239.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife Hunting Blade Beautiful Engraved Copper Handle Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife USA Made | BMK-2020
Original price was: $326.00.$261.00Current price is: $261.00. -
Damascus Engraved Balisong Butterfly Flipping Knife Copper with Camel Bone Handle Hunting Knife Best Knife for Collection USA Made Gift | BMK-2016
Original price was: $326.00.$261.00Current price is: $261.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife with Beautiful Stag Handle Handmade Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife Black Mamba Knives USA | DB-24
Original price was: $261.00.$209.00Current price is: $209.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel with Rose Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-562
Original price was: $190.00.$152.00Current price is: $152.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel with Bone Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-605
Original price was: $168.00.$134.00Current price is: $134.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Stainless Steel with Bone Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-577
Original price was: $180.00.$144.00Current price is: $144.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife with Beautiful Brass and Bull Horn Handle Handmade Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife Black Mamba Knives USA | DB-31
Original price was: $261.00.$209.00Current price is: $209.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife Ladder Pattern with Handmade Steel and Stag Handle Black Mamba Knives USA | DB-15
Original price was: $239.00.$191.00Current price is: $191.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass with Walnut Burl Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-432
Original price was: $190.00.$152.00Current price is: $152.00. -
Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife Original Traditional Filipino Butterfly Batanga Knife with Handmade Brass Handle | DB-03
Original price was: $273.00.$218.00Current price is: $218.00. -
High Carbon Steel Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Brass with Stainless Steel with Bone and Rose Wood Inserts Black Mamba Knives World Class Knives | BMK-567
Original price was: $299.00.$239.00Current price is: $239.00. -
Adonis SET OF 2, 12cm”Blade High Carbon Filipino Balisongs Butterfly Knife Black Mamba World Class Knives | BMK-592
Original price was: $294.00.$235.00Current price is: $235.00.
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.
