Description
Eighty dollars is the interesting number on this listing. The DB-27 is a compact Filipino-pattern balisong with bull horn panels, brass channels and a hand-forged laminated blade, made in Memphis, priced where most of this hobby sells you stamped aluminum. What follows is an honest account of how that is possible and what you are actually getting.
Bull horn at the price of a trainer
Eighty dollars buys mostly injection-molded aluminum elsewhere in this hobby. What you get here instead is bull horn set against brass, wrapped around a 352-layer forged billet. The horn is the reason the price surprises people: it is a byproduct material, cheap to source and slow to work, and the labor is where the value sits rather than in the raw stock.
| Overall length | 6.2 inches |
| Blade length | 3.1 inches |
| Handle length | 3.1 inches |
| Steel | 1095 + 15N20 Damascus, 352 layers |
| Hardness | 58–60 HRC, oil tempered |
| Weight | 6 oz |
| Handle | Damascus Balisong Butterfly Knife with Beautiful Brass and Bull Horn Handle Handmade |
What bull horn does that plastic will not
Bull horn is compressed keratin, so it reads dark brown to near-black with paler striations running lengthwise through each panel. No two panels match, and the streaking on yours will not be the streaking in the photograph. Keratin takes on moisture slowly and gives it back slowly. In a dry winter house the panels can shrink a fraction against the brass and you may feel a faint lip at the pin line; leave the knife somewhere less arid for a week and it usually settles back level. Wiping the horn with a suitable oil once a season stops it going chalky.
The 6.2-inch frame
Six ounces on a 6.2-inch overall length makes this one of the denser short balisongs we build. Handles are 3.1 inches, the same as the blade, so the knife closes flush and stows small, but there is not much handle left beyond your fist. Aerials feel cramped if your hands are large. Basic openings and rollovers feel quick, because the mass sits close to the pivots rather than out at the ends. If you want the same footprint with more swing weight, the rose wood version of this frame runs half an ounce heavier.
The blade itself
1095 gives the billet its hardness and 15N20 gives it the bright lines, and the two of them welded and drawn together are what the etch later separates into light and dark. Hardened in oil to the high fifties, the edge takes a fine polish and gives it back sooner than stainless would, which is the standing bargain with any carbon steel. Nothing about the layer count makes it cut better. It makes it look like itself, which on a knife bought to be flipped and admired is a fair reason to want it.
Care, in one paragraph
Wipe the flats after handling, especially in summer, because fingerprints etch into unprotected carbon steel faster than people expect. A thin film of any decent protective oil left on the blade is enough. Do not run polish or an abrasive cloth over the etched surface, since the pattern is shallow relief and polishing flattens it permanently. Brass can be left to dull or brightened with a rag, entirely as you prefer.
Where it comes from
Forged, ground, heat treated, fitted and sharpened by our own bench in Tennessee, then packed in a protective box and shipped with a lifetime warranty. It is a collector and hobby piece in the traditional Filipino idiom, not a tool we would send anyone out to work with. Ownership rules for this style of knife vary widely by state and country, so confirm yours first.
Model: BMK-DB-27
Mia P. (verified owner) –
This shop is a hidden treasure for knife enthusiasts. The butterfly knife I obtained here is a testament to quality and craftsmanship. It has quickly become one of my prized possessions.
Daniel H. (verified owner) –
The precision in the craftsmanship of the steel butterfly knife I received is truly remarkable. It’s not just a tool; it’s a functional work of art that I’ll cherish.
Liam H. (verified owner) –
The steel butterfly knife I purchased here is visually stunning and incredibly functional. It’s now my preferred tool for various tasks. Highly recommended!
Roylan (verified owner) –
This is my 3rd purchase from Black Mamba Knives, each and every product that I’ve received was done with great craftsmanships, shipping is on time as promised, it comes with a storage box and even include a knife sheath. More importantly, Mark is always very helpful in answering my every questions !!
Timothy Gutierrez –
Perfect gift. Perfect quality. No complaints. Handles have a great grip even during fast flips. Can’t recommend this enough.
Shane Patel –
This balisong is fairly solid. Just a couple small things kept it from 5 stars. Action is good though it needed a little tightening on the pivots. Minor nitpicks aside, good quality knife.
Richard Brown –
This balisong completely won me over the moment I picked it up. Weight is perfectly balanced for flipping. 10/10 would buy again. This is my third order from Black Mamba Knives and they never disappoint.
Thomas Morgan –
No regrets on this purchase at all. Action is smooth right out of the box, no break in needed. If you’re on the fence just get it. You won’t regret it. Black Mamba Knives is quickly becoming my go to shop for knives.
Sharon Brown –
Absolutely thoroughly impressed by this balisong. This flips cleaner than knives twice the price. 10/10 would buy again.
Justin Allen –
Got this as a groomsman gift and it exceeded what I expected. Blade came shaving sharp straight out of the box. Weight is perfectly balanced for flipping. This shop nailed it with this one.
Trevor Roberts –
This balisong is stellar. No question about it. Latch snaps shut clean every time. Action is smooth right out of the box, no break in needed. I keep coming back to Black Mamba Knives because it’s always this good. Worth every penny.
Alan Diaz –
This balisong punches way above its price point. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. This is exactly why I keep coming back to this maker.
Wayne Gray –
Genuinely super impressed with how this turned out. This shop clearly takes pride in their work.
Betty Hernandez –
Got this as a retirement gift and it exceeded what I expected. Pivots feel dialed in with zero blade play. If you’re on the fence just get it. You won’t regret it.
Laura Myers –
Perfect gift. Perfect quality. No complaints. Comes with a nice pouch which is a nice touch. Already thinking about what to order next from this seller.
Lisa Hughes –
This balisong is a genuine work of art. Weight is perfectly balanced for flipping. This is exactly why I keep coming back to this store.
Travis Gutierrez –
This balisong is nice. Just a couple small things kept it from 5 stars. Blade is sharp but not quite razor sharp out of the box. Action is good though it needed a little tightening on the pivots. Good product. Just not quite perfect.
Betty Perez –
This balisong is a genuine work of art. Ordered from Black Mamba Knives before and the quality stays consistent every time.
George Rodriguez –
So happy I finally pulled the trigger on this one. Handles have a great grip even during fast flips. Blade came shaving sharp straight out of the box. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Good to know real Memphis craftsmen are behind this, and shipping was quick too. Can’t say enough good things about this purchase.
Nancy Jackson –
Photos don’t do this balisong justice at all. This is my third order from Black Mamba Knives and they never disappoint. Nice to support a Memphis based knife maker, shipping was fast even internationally.
Mary Fox –
Not what I paid for. Action was rough and gritty right out of the box. Doubt I’ll be ordering from here again.
Luis Ramirez –
Been eyeing this balisong for forever it feels like and it did not disappoint. This flips cleaner than knives twice the price. Not my first order from Black Mamba Knives and it won’t be my last. Will definitely order again for another one.
Michael Brown –
Good quality balisong for the price.
Paul Green –
So happy I finally pulled the trigger on this one. Good to know real Memphis craftsmen are behind this, and shipping was quick too. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. This will not be my last order from this seller.
Joseph Sullivan –
Honestly one of my better purchases in a while. Blade came shaving sharp straight out of the box. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. This shop clearly takes pride in their work.
Mark Nguyen –
This is one of those purchases that just makes you smile. Pivots feel dialed in with zero blade play. Zero complaints from me on this purchase. This is my third order from Black Mamba Knives and they never disappoint.
Natalie Simmons –
This company clearly knows what they’re doing with quality like this. Good to know real Memphis craftsmen are behind this, and shipping was quick too. Beyond happy with how this turned out. This is why Black Mamba Knives is my go to for anything knife related.