Balisong and the town of Taal

[migueldiaz]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Lew]

Yes a $5 foot long

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Ferguson

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

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Yes a $5 foot long

Hi Steve, Hi Lew,

Yup the price is unbelievable. In fact I have to ask the storeowner 3 to 4 times as I can't believe my own ears

But upon closer examination, the Taal, Batangas pricing of Usd 5 looks logical -- about 30 miles (50 km) away in the neighboring Laguna province, there's this roadside balisong store in Alaminos town (pics below).

I also checked out that store and they sell their balisongs (made also in Barangay Balisong, Taal, Batangas) for Usd 10 each (the veinte-nueve kind).

So it's Usd 5 if it's "farm gate price" right in Bgy. Balisong in Taal, and then the price doubles at a store merely 50 km away.

From Bgy. Balisong to Manila, it's about 120 km (70 miles) away. Am sure that in a Manila store that pays rent in a mall with hired storekeepers (vs. a mom and pop operation in the provinces with no rent & overhead to cover), the same balisong will go for anywhere between Usd 15 to 20.

And make the same balisong cross the Pacific Ocean, then I guess the retail price would already be anywhere between Usd 40 to 60.

Which perhaps is just right given that the crappy smaller balisongs sell in the US for Usd 10 to 20:

Video of a crappy balisong that you can bend with your bare hands!

More balisongs of the Usd 10 to 20 (local US price) kind

[migueldiaz]

... more pics from the same Alaminos, Laguna store: