Balisong and the town of Taal

migueldiaz · 30th December 2008, 04:15 PM

Just came back today from Batangas (with wife and kids), for a fast and furious overnight vacation.

On the way home to Manila, we passed by the town of Taal, in Batangas province. Taal is supposedly where the best balisongs in the Philippines are made.

And which part of Taal can it be? Well, how about a barangay called Balisong?

migueldiaz · 30th December 2008, 04:19 PM

Upon reaching Barangay Balisong in Taal town, balisong stores can literally be found left and right ...

migueldiaz · 30th December 2008, 04:25 PM

The store I checked out (pics below) appears to one of the oldest and most respected in the area.

Note in one of the pics the raw materials used for the balisong hilt (deer and carabao horn).

migueldiaz · 30th December 2008, 04:45 PM

Most of the balisongs cost just anywhere between Usd 2 (6-inch overall length [OAL], i.e., unfolded) to Usd 5 (11.5-inch OAL). The latter model translates to 29 cm in the metric system -- it is the most popular model locally (commonly called balisong veinte-nueve).

But let not the low price mislead anyone -- the quality of these Taal-made blades are excellent. I actually bought seven of them today.

The steel used for the blades are old ball bearings, hence they are very tough.

Occasionally, damascus steel (raw material form) arrives from abroad. And that's the pricey balisong in the line-up. The one shown below (about 8 inches OAL) is being sold for Usd 120.

The karambits hanging on the wall are priced at Usd 20 each.

migueldiaz · 30th December 2008, 05:11 PM

Below are the seven balisongs I bought today.

The ones on the left are the 11.5-inchers (overall length, unfolded), and the one on the extreme right is a 6-incher (overall length, unfolded). The other pic is shown with a cellphone to give a sense of scale.

The one on the extreme left by the way is a trainer model. With that you can practice un/folding all you like without cutting yourself. Its hilt is made out of the thighbone of a horse (while the hilt of the rest is made of deer horn and/or hardwood).

As for the balisong in the middle and as mentioned in this old thread, the holes in the blade are purely for decorative purposes.

The blade serration is likewise decorative and was inspired by Rambo's (the movie) jungle knife, according to the old Batangas folks. The deeper indentation on the blade near the hilt is a bottle opener.

Lew · 30th December 2008, 04:48 PM

Just love the pics. I would be a kid in a candy shop if I were there.

Too bad these guys don't have a website.

Thanks for sharing.

Lew

migueldiaz · 30th December 2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Just love the pics. I would be a kid in a candy shop if I were there.

Too bad these guys don't have a website.

Thanks, Lew.

Yup, I was on a drool-mode too all the time I was there

As for the contact info of that store I bought from, I'll PM you their number in case you'd like to get in touch with him.

Full disclosure: I don't know the guy from Adam! Just met him today.

Ferguson · 30th December 2008, 08:17 PM

Man, those look great! I'm so jealous. $5 for a good balisong? Incredible.
Steve

30th December 2008, 04:15 PM	#1
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Balisong and the town of Taal Just came back today from Batangas (with wife and kids), for a fast and furious overnight vacation. On the way home to Manila, we passed by the town of Taal, in Batangas province. Taal is supposedly where the best balisongs in the Philippines are made. And which part of Taal can it be? Well, how about a barangay called Balisong? Attached Images

30th December 2008, 04:19 PM	#2
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Upon reaching Barangay Balisong in Taal town, balisong stores can literally be found left and right ... Attached Images

30th December 2008, 04:25 PM	#3
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	The store I checked out (pics below) appears to one of the oldest and most respected in the area. Note in one of the pics the raw materials used for the balisong hilt (deer and carabao horn). Attached Images Last edited by migueldiaz; 30th December 2008 at 04:47 PM.

30th December 2008, 04:45 PM	#4
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Most of the balisongs cost just anywhere between Usd 2 (6-inch overall length [OAL], i.e., unfolded) to Usd 5 (11.5-inch OAL). The latter model translates to 29 cm in the metric system -- it is the most popular model locally (commonly called balisong veinte-nueve). But let not the low price mislead anyone -- the quality of these Taal-made blades are excellent. I actually bought seven of them today. The steel used for the blades are old ball bearings, hence they are very tough. Occasionally, damascus steel (raw material form) arrives from abroad. And that's the pricey balisong in the line-up. The one shown below (about 8 inches OAL) is being sold for Usd 120. The karambits hanging on the wall are priced at Usd 20 each. Attached Images Last edited by migueldiaz; 30th December 2008 at 05:15 PM.

30th December 2008, 05:11 PM	#5
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Below are the seven balisongs I bought today. The ones on the left are the 11.5-inchers (overall length, unfolded), and the one on the extreme right is a 6-incher (overall length, unfolded). The other pic is shown with a cellphone to give a sense of scale. The one on the extreme left by the way is a trainer model. With that you can practice un/folding all you like without cutting yourself. Its hilt is made out of the thighbone of a horse (while the hilt of the rest is made of deer horn and/or hardwood). As for the balisong in the middle and as mentioned in this old thread, the holes in the blade are purely for decorative purposes. The blade serration is likewise decorative and was inspired by Rambo's (the movie) jungle knife, according to the old Batangas folks. The deeper indentation on the blade near the hilt is a bottle opener. Attached Images

30th December 2008, 04:48 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Just love the pics. I would be a kid in a candy shop if I were there. Too bad these guys don't have a website. Thanks for sharing. Lew

30th December 2008, 08:17 PM	#8
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Man, those look great! I'm so jealous. $5 for a good balisong? Incredible. Steve