Description
DB-02 measures 11.4 inches from tip to latch, which puts it at the long end of what a Filipino butterfly knife is usually built to. The blade is deeply etched Damascus, the channels are polished brass, and the inserts are ram horn.
| Overall length | 11.4 inches |
| Blade length | 5.5 inches |
| Handle length | 5.9 inches |
| Steel | 1095 + 15N20 Damascus, 352 layers |
| Hardness | 58–60 HRC, oil tempered |
| Weight | 6.5 oz |
| Handle | Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife with beautiful shiny brass and ram horn handle |
Best in the hand of: someone with long fingers and some experience. A five and a half inch blade swinging on a five and nine tenths inch handle covers a wide arc. That arc is slow and readable once you know the knife, but it is unforgiving of a lazy grip, and at six and a half ounces there is real momentum behind every rollover. If this is your first butterfly, buy something shorter first.
The etch
Deep raindrop figure — the billet is dimpled, then forged back flat so every layer surfaces as a ring — and etched hard so the 1095 goes near black and the 15N20 stays bright. The contrast is far stronger than on a lightly finished blade, and it reads clearly across a room. Because the pattern runs through the billet rather than sitting on top of it, sharpening and years of use will not erase it, though a heavy polish will fade the surface contrast until you re-etch.
Brass and ram horn
Brass is soft, heavy and warm, which is a good trio for a handle. It dents rather than cracks when a knife hits a floor, it shifts the balance rearward, and it takes on a deepening gold cast as the years go by. The ram horn inserts run tan through chocolate with pale striations, pinned flush into the channel walls. No two sets match. Together the brass and horn account for most of the knife’s weight and all of its warmth.
What the length changes
Longer handles slow the rotation, which sounds like a disadvantage and is not. There is more time inside each move to correct a grip, and the latch arrives with a heavy, definite sound. The trade is reach: this knife needs more clearance than a compact model, and it is not a discreet thing to have in a pocket.
Care. Keep the pivots dry and the blade oiled. Brass tarnishes on contact with skin acid, so expect it to darken; if you want it bright again use a proper brass polish on a cotton bud and keep the compound off the etched steel, which will lighten wherever polish touches it. Wipe the horn with a dry cloth only. Do not store the knife closed and damp for long stretches, because the moisture caught between blade and channel is where the rust starts.
Buyer questions
Why brass instead of steel channels? Weight and feel. The construction types are laid out in balisong construction explained.
Where does the layered steel come from? Folded, welded and drawn out; see how Damascus steel is made.
Is there one with wood instead of horn? The DB-25 in brass and rosewood is the same idea in a different material.
Model: BMK-DB-02
Not sure this is the one? See every balisong knife we make in one place.
Michael Modjeski (verified owner) –
Received my knife quickly, considering it had to be handmade. I couldn’t be happier, as the craftsmanship is exquisite and impeccable! Quality is #1 with Black Mamba. This is by far my favorite balisong to date! Thanks, Mark…I will be back.
Michael Modjeski (verified owner) –
An absolutely exquisitely and impeccably crafted work of art! This knife is gorgeous! The Damascus forged blade is sharp and beautiful. My new EDC and favorite balisong. I will soon be back for more! Thanks, Mark…
jaden (verified owner) –
i’m rethinking my review into writing a good review so I can get my knife. Great service great material awesome product
Antoine Lewis –
Did not expect this level of quality for the price. Action is smooth right out of the box, no break in needed. Pivots feel dialed in with zero blade play. 10/10 would buy again.
Kenneth Ortiz –
This turned out to be way better than I thought it would be. Blade came shaving sharp straight out of the box. This shop nailed it with this one.
Dorothy Murphy –
Did not expect this level of quality for the price. Black Mamba Knives keeps setting the bar higher with each order.
Marco Brooks –
Very disappointed with this balisong. Not what I expected for the price paid. Surprised by this from Black Mamba Knives. My previous orders were much better quality.
Carl Wright –
My whole family passed this balisong around at dinner just to look at it. I keep coming back to Black Mamba Knives because it’s always this good. Love that this comes out of Memphis and still ships worldwide this quickly.
Cynthia Vance –
This balisong has already earned a permanent spot in my collection.
Samuel Green –
Overall a good buying experience. Action is good though it needed a little tightening on the pivots. Would order again despite the minor gripes.
Edward Jackson –
Top quality craftsmanship on this one. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Telling everyone I know to check this shop out.
Anthony Green –
Ordering again from this store the second I finish writing this review. Already telling my friends to check this out.
Jeffrey Harris –
Overall a good buying experience. Blade is sharp but not quite razor sharp out of the box. Would still tell others to give this a try.
Michelle Wells –
My coworker was speechless when I showed them this balisong. Weight is perfectly balanced for flipping. If you’re on the fence just get it. You won’t regret it.
Larry Hill –
Set my expectations low going in and this blew right past them. Pivots feel dialed in with zero blade play. Blade came shaving sharp straight out of the box. 10/10 would buy again.
Carlos Hughes –
Best balisong I’ve ever owned. Hands down. Action is smooth right out of the box, no break in needed. Already telling my friends to check this out.
David Barrett –
Set my expectations low going in and this blew right past them. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Latch snaps shut clean every time. This maker nailed it with this one.
Barbara Wright –
Really happy with this balisong overall. Blade is sharp but not quite razor sharp out of the box. Latch works fine, just a bit stiff at first. Still very happy with it and would recommend.