Illegal balisong

Tim Simmons · 21st March 2024, 04:00 PM

This knife is technically illegal in the UK. It is nicely made, brass an horn decorated wings, copper latch with a little stamped decoration on the blade. Do members have any large ones that are not the modern type, sure you know what I mean?

Rick · 21st March 2024, 07:29 PM

Filipino made.
Traditional construction.
Modern blade shapes can vary. This pattern, I was told, was inspired by Rambo.
Ten and three quarters inches long opened; five and three quarters long closed.

This is a heavy, hefty knife.

Sajen · 21st March 2024, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

This knife is technically illegal in the UK. It is nicely made, brass an horn decorated wings, copper latch with a little stamped decoration on the blade. Do members have any large ones that are not the modern type, sure you know what I mean?

Hello Tim,

Did you notice any marks at the base of the blade? It looks very German, I own two similar ones, see pictures. They were made in the early 1900s in Solingen. Also in Germany are balisongs forbidden but not ones where the blade is short like yours. In Germany you can own them when the blade isn't over 41 mm.
The shown one is marked with "Leykauf", the other side isn't readable anymore.

Regards,
Detlef

Rick · 21st March 2024, 11:14 PM

I have seen in the past examples of French manufacture. It would be interesting to know what culture 'invented' this style of knife.

Sajen · 22nd March 2024, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I have seen in the past examples of French manufacture. It would be interesting to know what culture 'invented' this style of knife.

Hello Rick,

It isn't really clear where the first balisongs originate but to my knowledge they were made first in France.
Here we can read what google says: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_knife

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 22nd March 2024, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

This knife is technically illegal in the UK. It is nicely made, brass an horn decorated wings, copper latch with a little stamped decoration on the blade. Do members have any large ones that are not the modern type, sure you know what I mean?

When members from countries where these knives are forbidden they won't show their examples for some reasons.
So far I know there are States in the USA where they are forbidden as well. Maybe Rick can confirm!?

Regards,
Detlef

wildwolberine · 22nd March 2024, 02:24 AM

Adding my balisong here. I can report butterfly knives are legal to own, but not legal to carry, in my municipality (San Antonio, TX). We have a lot of odd knife laws dating back to anti-gang hysteria in the 1940s-1950s. I believe many laws banning switchblades etc. were based on fears of Hispanic street gangs/crime. (Correction: no longer true as of 2012, balis are no longer prohibited in most cases if under 5.5 inches)

Anyway, this is a 1970s-1980s bali collected by a vet stationed at Clark AFB, purchased from widow. Double edged, black synthetic scales (I don’t believe it’s horn), brass fittings. Obviously handmade (the bevel is off near the tip).

Rick · 22nd March 2024, 03:44 AM

Nice example WW!
I collect Italian switchblades among other things. I'm no lawyer; but in my state you may own or possess an auto knife or a balisong; you cannot carry it; yet if I recall correctly federal law prohibits the shipping of these items through the US mail and you cannot purchase one in my state unless you are one-handed, a member of law enforcement or in the military. Other states in the union have different regulations about autos/balisongs, I believe some also allow you to carry even though shipping via US post still is forbidden by law.
The interpretation of these laws tend to be in a very grey area. I believe that if US customs find one coming into the US it will be confiscated.
That's about all I'm willing to say on the subject as it is here in the states.

Vintage Italian (pre 1958) switchblades like the eleven inch picklock pictured below, and pre-ban US and other examples are highly sought after by American collectors.

chmorshuutz · 22nd March 2024, 10:05 AM

Hello. All recent samples from Taal, Batangas. The long one is called "busese", apparently an old profile, balisong makes don't make it as often nowadays. Then there's also a "pen balisong" which is also getting scarce.

As far as I know, the typical profiles were "dahong palay","tari","debuyod", "kris" and "labaha". While "rambo", "kampilan", "ginunting", etc. only started recently.

Tim Simmons · 22nd March 2024, 02:59 PM

Very cool. I would love to have a switch blade.

Ian · 23rd March 2024, 02:48 AM

Australia allows genuine collectors with the relevant license from a police commissioner to import and possess balisong, switchblades, and a wide variety of other prohibited weapons. However, the threshold for approval is high and requires a police check. Such items are not allowed to be carried and there are requirements about how they are stored.

I have such a license and have had to use it to import some items, most recently a dagger, lohar axe, African axes, and swords. With respect to importing weapons, it depends on the shipping method. For inexpensive items coming through regular mail the likelihood of moving through Australian Customs without question is greatly increased. With shipping companies, such as DHL, similar items are usually subject to full Customs inspection (which is how DHL and other shippers generate much of their high costs charged to the shipper).

werecow · 25th April 2024, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Nice example WW!
I collect Italian switchblades among other things. I'm no lawyer; but in my state you may own or possess an auto knife or a balisong; you cannot carry it; yet if I recall correctly federal law prohibits the shipping of these items through the US mail and you cannot purchase one in my state unless you are one-handed, a member of law enforcement or in the military. Other states in the union have different regulations about autos/balisongs, I believe some also allow you to carry even though shipping via US post still is forbidden by law.
The interpretation of these laws tend to be in a very grey area. I believe that if US customs find one coming into the US it will be confiscated.
That's about all I'm willing to say on the subject as it is here in the states.

Vintage Italian (pre 1958) switchblades like the eleven inch picklock pictured below, and pre-ban US and other examples are highly sought after by American collectors.

When I was ten I had a sword-like-object collection with a friend of mine. His dad had one of these switchblades and it was one of the most alluring things I'd ever seen. In my mind the little "cross guard" made it basically a tiny sword. It only became more intriguing when he told me it was technically illegal.

Bob A · 25th April 2024, 05:29 PM

It might be of some interest to our US posters to know about the existence of the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI). They take an interest in providing legal and other information regarding knife laws.

https://www.akti.org/

I fear that some members in other nations may soon be required to register such dangerous objects as forks. (Think "close-range multi-spear." The horror!).

21st March 2024, 04:00 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Illegal balisong This knife is technically illegal in the UK. It is nicely made, brass an horn decorated wings, copper latch with a little stamped decoration on the blade. Do members have any large ones that are not the modern type, sure you know what I mean? Attached Images

21st March 2024, 07:29 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Traditional Balisong Filipino made. Traditional construction. Modern blade shapes can vary. This pattern, I was told, was inspired by Rambo. Ten and three quarters inches long opened; five and three quarters long closed. This is a heavy, hefty knife. Attached Images

22nd March 2024, 02:24 AM	#7
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 110	Adding my balisong here. I can report butterfly knives are legal to own, but not legal to carry, in my municipality (San Antonio, TX). We have a lot of odd knife laws dating back to anti-gang hysteria in the 1940s-1950s. I believe many laws banning switchblades etc. were based on fears of Hispanic street gangs/crime. (Correction: no longer true as of 2012, balis are no longer prohibited in most cases if under 5.5 inches) Anyway, this is a 1970s-1980s bali collected by a vet stationed at Clark AFB, purchased from widow. Double edged, black synthetic scales (I don’t believe it’s horn), brass fittings. Obviously handmade (the bevel is off near the tip). Attached Images Last edited by wildwolberine; 22nd March 2024 at 02:30 AM. Reason: Correction

22nd March 2024, 03:44 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I Know We're Going OT Here Nice example WW! I collect Italian switchblades among other things. I'm no lawyer; but in my state you may own or possess an auto knife or a balisong; you cannot carry it; yet if I recall correctly federal law prohibits the shipping of these items through the US mail and you cannot purchase one in my state unless you are one-handed, a member of law enforcement or in the military. Other states in the union have different regulations about autos/balisongs, I believe some also allow you to carry even though shipping via US post still is forbidden by law. The interpretation of these laws tend to be in a very grey area. I believe that if US customs find one coming into the US it will be confiscated. That's about all I'm willing to say on the subject as it is here in the states. Vintage Italian (pre 1958) switchblades like the eleven inch picklock pictured below, and pre-ban US and other examples are highly sought after by American collectors. Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 23rd March 2024 at 03:12 AM. Reason: is

22nd March 2024, 10:05 AM	#9
chmorshuutz Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 54	Hello. All recent samples from Taal, Batangas. The long one is called "busese", apparently an old profile, balisong makes don't make it as often nowadays. Then there's also a "pen balisong" which is also getting scarce. As far as I know, the typical profiles were "dahong palay","tari","debuyod", "kris" and "labaha". While "rambo", "kampilan", "ginunting", etc. only started recently. Attached Images

21st March 2024, 11:14 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I have seen in the past examples of French manufacture. It would be interesting to know what culture 'invented' this style of knife.

22nd March 2024, 02:59 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Very cool. I would love to have a switch blade.

23rd March 2024, 02:48 AM	#11
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,204	Australia allows genuine collectors with the relevant license from a police commissioner to import and possess balisong, switchblades, and a wide variety of other prohibited weapons. However, the threshold for approval is high and requires a police check. Such items are not allowed to be carried and there are requirements about how they are stored. I have such a license and have had to use it to import some items, most recently a dagger, lohar axe, African axes, and swords. With respect to importing weapons, it depends on the shipping method. For inexpensive items coming through regular mail the likelihood of moving through Australian Customs without question is greatly increased. With shipping companies, such as DHL, similar items are usually subject to full Customs inspection (which is how DHL and other shippers generate much of their high costs charged to the shipper).

25th April 2024, 05:29 PM	#13
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	It might be of some interest to our US posters to know about the existence of the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI). They take an interest in providing legal and other information regarding knife laws. https://www.akti.org/ I fear that some members in other nations may soon be required to register such dangerous objects as forks. (Think "close-range multi-spear." The horror!).