Balisong and the town of Taal

harimauhk · 16th February 2010, 12:30 PM

Salamat Miguel! Still waiting for the three I bought to show up by EMS, so hopefully they will. I was at Quiapo Church yesterday, so hopefully my prayers will get them here safely.

This was the first picture I took at Barangay Balisong. I took a jeepney there from Lemery after hopping in a van at Buendia LRT.

This is the second stall I visited in Barangay Balisong.

L. Rivera's stall. I really wish I'd gone back for a balicomb or two, but I hadn't had lunch and I was getting a bit dizzy. Next time I'll make sure to try some bulalo.

A small chapel right by the balisong stands.

Me and Diosdado Ona outside his stand! Unfortunately the other pics I took of his stand didn't get saved--I think I turned the ol' camera off too quickly.

An old American machete Mang Ona had at his store:

The kris dagger I bought there and the trainer balisong I got from Mang Ona. It was the last one he had, and he said he didn't want to sell it, but he knew I needed it. Got it for 210 Pesos ($4.60)

Blades out. I got the kris for 1000 Pesos. They wanted 1500 Pesos for it at Liza Villareal's store, but I made them an offer and they accepted it. It is surprisingly light. The bottom two were purchased in Manila for 400-500 Pesos each. Sorry Miguel, but AFAIK all the handle materials are horse bone. I bought one made with antler--if the other ones make it home safe, I'll put pics up of them.

harimauhk · 17th February 2010, 03:18 AM

On the right: 23 cm deer antler balisong. In the middle: my only veintenueve. Kamagong inserts. On the right--a kris blade balisong with narra wood and horse bone inserts.

Assorted balisong keychains all around!

harimauhk · 17th February 2010, 03:22 AM

Here they are open and latched.

On the 29 and the deer antler balis, you can see grooves left from the bearings that were used to make the blades!

harimauhk · 17th February 2010, 03:29 AM

Here are pics of the bearing groove on the stag-handled balisong, the actual stag inserts, the narra wood and horse bone on the kris balisong from Liza Villareal and a group shot of my FHM collection, with my balis ordered from left to right chronographically (oldest ones first).

I put a balisong keychain next to the 29 for scale.

I actually think the grooves from the bearings are interesting from an ethnographic point of view. Who knows what will happen to the beautiful, sleepy town of Taal and the balisong industry in the future?

ThePepperSkull · 17th February 2010, 03:38 AM

It's good to know they're not just making ones with the blade serrated at the back and with a bottle opener. you know, the "rambo" ones that were so popular a while back?

I quite like the simpler ones.

harimauhk · 17th February 2010, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

It's good to know they're not just making ones with the blade serrated at the back and with a bottle opener. you know, the "rambo" ones that were so popular a while back?

I quite like the simpler ones.

That's exactly how I feel. I didn't even want a "Rambo" bali.

I carry a Victorinox Huntsman for when I need to open a bottle!

Mang Ona is a great guy and a real Batangueno barako! He's in great health for his age too--I think he's in his late 60s! Going to have him make me a matching pair of custom balisongs with clips soon.

It might just be the kopeng barako, but I can almost smell the jeep and trike exhaust when I look at this thread!

ThePepperSkull · 17th February 2010, 04:12 AM

Yeah, I'm not too enthused about stainless blades. They're okay for EDC folding knives, but even in balisong knives I'd probably want ball bearing/carbon steel of some sort if I wanted one. They'r illegal here so there'd be no use in me having a Balisong for every day carry though.

He looks like one of my uncles, except my uncle is in his early 50's

(also, did you get my e-mail?)

harimauhk · 17th February 2010, 03:41 AM

The three I bought from Ona were stamped "ONA'S" on the bottom--you can just about make that out in the first pic. I tried to get a pic of the marking, but I couldn't make one. I personally prefer bearing steel and brass (the kris bladed-one is all brass, while the rest have aluminum channels), but Ona carries aluminum-handled 29s with deer inserts and 440c blades. I guess his are good for EDC because of the light weight and corrosion resistance, but I like the durability of the brass and the razor edge I can put on the bearing steel.

Just have to keep them oiled.

17th February 2010, 03:18 AM	#2
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Got my new balisongs :) On the right: 23 cm deer antler balisong. In the middle: my only veintenueve. Kamagong inserts. On the right--a kris blade balisong with narra wood and horse bone inserts. Assorted balisong keychains all around! Attached Images

17th February 2010, 03:22 AM	#3
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Blades out... Here they are open and latched. On the 29 and the deer antler balis, you can see grooves left from the bearings that were used to make the blades! Attached Images

17th February 2010, 03:29 AM	#4
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Here are pics of the bearing groove on the stag-handled balisong, the actual stag inserts, the narra wood and horse bone on the kris balisong from Liza Villareal and a group shot of my FHM collection, with my balis ordered from left to right chronographically (oldest ones first). I put a balisong keychain next to the 29 for scale. I actually think the grooves from the bearings are interesting from an ethnographic point of view. Who knows what will happen to the beautiful, sleepy town of Taal and the balisong industry in the future? Attached Images

16th February 2010, 12:30 PM	#1
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Salamat Miguel! Still waiting for the three I bought to show up by EMS, so hopefully they will. I was at Quiapo Church yesterday, so hopefully my prayers will get them here safely. This was the first picture I took at Barangay Balisong. I took a jeepney there from Lemery after hopping in a van at Buendia LRT. This is the second stall I visited in Barangay Balisong. L. Rivera's stall. I really wish I'd gone back for a balicomb or two, but I hadn't had lunch and I was getting a bit dizzy. Next time I'll make sure to try some bulalo. A small chapel right by the balisong stands. Me and Diosdado Ona outside his stand! Unfortunately the other pics I took of his stand didn't get saved--I think I turned the ol' camera off too quickly. An old American machete Mang Ona had at his store: The kris dagger I bought there and the trainer balisong I got from Mang Ona. It was the last one he had, and he said he didn't want to sell it, but he knew I needed it. Got it for 210 Pesos ($4.60) Blades out. I got the kris for 1000 Pesos. They wanted 1500 Pesos for it at Liza Villareal's store, but I made them an offer and they accepted it. It is surprisingly light. The bottom two were purchased in Manila for 400-500 Pesos each. Sorry Miguel, but AFAIK all the handle materials are horse bone. I bought one made with antler--if the other ones make it home safe, I'll put pics up of them.

17th February 2010, 03:38 AM	#5
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	It's good to know they're not just making ones with the blade serrated at the back and with a bottle opener. you know, the "rambo" ones that were so popular a while back? I quite like the simpler ones.

17th February 2010, 04:12 AM	#7
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Yeah, I'm not too enthused about stainless blades. They're okay for EDC folding knives, but even in balisong knives I'd probably want ball bearing/carbon steel of some sort if I wanted one. They'r illegal here so there'd be no use in me having a Balisong for every day carry though. He looks like one of my uncles, except my uncle is in his early 50's (also, did you get my e-mail?)

17th February 2010, 03:41 AM	#8
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	The three I bought from Ona were stamped "ONA'S" on the bottom--you can just about make that out in the first pic. I tried to get a pic of the marking, but I couldn't make one. I personally prefer bearing steel and brass (the kris bladed-one is all brass, while the rest have aluminum channels), but Ona carries aluminum-handled 29s with deer inserts and 440c blades. I guess his are good for EDC because of the light weight and corrosion resistance, but I like the durability of the brass and the razor edge I can put on the bearing steel. Just have to keep them oiled.