First Class Balisong

F. de Luzon · 27th August 2017, 12:30 PM

Below are photos of a first class balisong from the Southern Tagalog province of Batangas in the Philippines. The blade is made of stainless steel, the handle of brass and the scales of carabao (water buffalo) horn. It is twenty nine centimeters long (extended length) and thus known as the "veinte nueve" (with "v" pronounced as "b" and "e" as in "echo") or 29 in Spanish. While it remains a utility knife and self defense weapon in the provinces, it is generally illegal (with some exceptions) on the streets of the Metro Manila. This example is of recent manufacture.

mariusgmioc · 27th August 2017, 02:39 PM

Beautiful example!

Thank you for sharing!

Battara · 27th August 2017, 07:45 PM

I didn't know they were illegal in metro Manila......

ariel · 27th August 2017, 09:39 PM

Well, if caught with one, just tell the police that you use it to cut marihuana:-)

Sajen · 28th August 2017, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Well, if caught with one, just tell the police that you use it to cut marihuana:-)

F. de Luzon · 28th August 2017, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I didn't know they were illegal in metro Manila......

Hi Battara,

The 29 is illegal (w/ exceptions) but smaller blades are tolerated.

Fernando

Ian · 28th August 2017, 09:14 PM

Thanks for posting this nice example. I managed to pick up several knives of this form when I visited Manila many years ago. They came via a friend in Cavite and the oldest was probably made in the 1950s. I gave them as gifts to Filipino friends here in the U.S.

At roughly 11.4 inches overall, with a blade of a little over 5 inches in length, the "29" is a formidable street weapon and I'm not surprised they are not allowed to be carried in Metro Manila. I think that law has been in place for quite a long time, at least going back to the Marcos period of martial law.

Ian.

F. de Luzon · 1st September 2017, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Thanks for posting this nice example. I managed to pick up several knives of this form when I visited Manila many years ago. They came via a friend in Cavite and the oldest was probably made in the 1950s. I gave them as gifts to Filipino friends here in the U.S.

At roughly 11.4 inches overall, with a blade of a little over 5 inches in length, the "29" is a formidable street weapon and I'm not surprised they are not allowed to be carried in Metro Manila. I think that law has been in place for quite a long time, at least going back to the Marcos period of martial law.

Ian.

Hi Ian,

You're welcome!

Also, you are correct. It's been banned since 1972 together with other bladed weapons such as bolo, kris, barong, etc.

Kind regards,

Fernando

F. de Luzon · 28th August 2017, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Beautiful example!

Thank you for sharing!

You're welcome Mariusgmioc!

Fernando

27th August 2017, 12:30 PM	#1
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	First Class Balisong Below are photos of a first class balisong from the Southern Tagalog province of Batangas in the Philippines. The blade is made of stainless steel, the handle of brass and the scales of carabao (water buffalo) horn. It is twenty nine centimeters long (extended length) and thus known as the "veinte nueve" (with "v" pronounced as "b" and "e" as in "echo") or 29 in Spanish. While it remains a utility knife and self defense weapon in the provinces, it is generally illegal (with some exceptions) on the streets of the Metro Manila. This example is of recent manufacture. Attached Images

27th August 2017, 02:39 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Beautiful example! Thank you for sharing!

27th August 2017, 07:45 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	I didn't know they were illegal in metro Manila......

27th August 2017, 09:39 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Well, if caught with one, just tell the police that you use it to cut marihuana:-)

28th August 2017, 09:14 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Thanks for posting this nice example. I managed to pick up several knives of this form when I visited Manila many years ago. They came via a friend in Cavite and the oldest was probably made in the 1950s. I gave them as gifts to Filipino friends here in the U.S. At roughly 11.4 inches overall, with a blade of a little over 5 inches in length, the "29" is a formidable street weapon and I'm not surprised they are not allowed to be carried in Metro Manila. I think that law has been in place for quite a long time, at least going back to the Marcos period of martial law. Ian.