Description
A long clip point in D2, filed notches along the spine, and dark streaked bone inserts pinned through the handles. Nine inches of knife with a working profile.
Made for: the buyer who wants the blade to be the interesting part. The grind runs almost the full length with a deep belly and a swept tip, which is a shape borrowed from working hunting knives rather than from flipping knives, and it cuts like one.
| Overall length | 9.1 inches |
| Blade length | 4.4 inches |
| Handle length | 4.7 inches |
| Steel | D2 tool steel |
| Handle | – Brass with Bone Inserts |
What that blade shape is good at
The long curved belly is the part that does the work. It gives you a lot of edge in contact when you draw the knife through something, which is why this profile has survived on skinning and general utility knives for two centuries. The swept clip lowers the tip for control. The cost is the same one every clip point pays: the tip is fine and it is the first thing to break if you use the knife as a lever. Do not pry with it.
The spine notches
The filing along the spine near the ricasso is a thumb ramp. Put your thumb on it when you choke up and the knife stops wanting to roll in your grip during a controlled cut. It is a small feature that changes how the knife feels in close work, and it is one of the few decorative-looking details on this knife that is not actually decorative.
Bone inserts and how they age
The inserts are bone, and the streaked, translucent look comes from the density of the material varying naturally through the piece. Bone is hard, it ignores the humidity swings that make wood move, and handling burnishes it instead of wearing it away. Over years of handling it picks up a slight sheen where your fingers sit. The pins that hold it are set flush and should stay that way; if one ever stands proud, the insert has moved and it wants attention before it cracks.
Keeping it in shape
D2 is close to stainless in practice. Wipe it dry and it will not spot. The one habit worth keeping is oiling both pivots, because grit trapped in a balisong pivot wears the pivot rather than the grit. When the edge stops biting, take it back on a diamond stone rather than a worn ceramic; D2 has enough carbide in it to glaze a soft stone quickly.
Is it too tip-heavy to flip? It is blade-forward compared with a spear point, and you will feel that on the return.
How sharp does it arrive? Sharp enough to cut you badly. Treat it as live from the box.
Blade shapes explained covers why belly and tip position matter, and sharpening on a whetstone walks through the angle. For the same steel in a shorter drop point, see this shorter bone-handled flipper.
Model: BMK-480
Want a different handle or blade? Browse all of our balisong knives for sale.
Benjamin T. (verified owner) –
I’ve been collecting knives for years, and this store has quickly become one of my favorites. The steel butterfly knife I purchased here is a shining example of excellence.
Olivia D. (verified owner) –
The steel butterfly knife I received from this store is visually stunning and incredibly functional. It’s now my go-to tool for various tasks. Highly recommended!
Hunter Morgan –
Didn’t think a balisong at this price could feel this premium. Ordered from Black Mamba Knives before and the quality stays consistent every time.
Alan Cook –
My skepticism about ordering online disappeared the second this arrived. Handles have a great grip even during fast flips. Already added a few more items from this store to my cart. You can tell it’s real American craftsmanship out of Memphis. Shipping was quick too.
Thomas Barrett –
My whole family passed this balisong around at dinner just to look at it. Comes with a nice pouch which is a nice touch. This flips cleaner than knives twice the price. Definitely bookmarking this seller for future orders.
Samuel Ward –
This thing is a beast in the best way. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Action is smooth right out of the box, no break in needed. No hesitation recommending this to anyone looking.
Andrew Bennett –
Mostly happy with this one, just a small gripe or two. Action is good though it needed a little tightening on the pivots. Would buy from this shop again.
Rafael Perez –
Perfect gift. Perfect quality. No complaints. Good to know real Memphis craftsmen are behind this, and shipping was quick too. Black Mamba Knives has earned a repeat customer with this one.
Sharon Cook –
Got this as my dad and it exceeded what I expected. Black Mamba Knives is quickly becoming my go to shop for knives.
Raymond Turner –
Was nervous ordering something like this online but so glad I did. Handles have a great grip even during fast flips. Cool knowing this was handmade right in Memphis and shipped out fast. Couldn’t be happier with this.