| Butterfly knifes are probably the most interesting | | | | mechanism at the base of the handle to keep the |
| and unique type of knife that anyone can find. | | | | knife closed or in the open position |
| These knives were originally invented in the | | | | The handles on a butterfly knife actually close |
| Philippines. They were used by Filipino martial | | | | around the sharp edge of the blade and the dull |
| artists as a weapon to defend themselves and do | | | | edge of the knife. The act of opening a butterfly |
| battle as well as a display of their art form. | | | | knife is called "flipping". Flipping it is a very ornate |
| Butterfly knifes are different than most any other | | | | and beautiful motion |
| knifes because of the way they are constructed. | | | | When done properly, flipping looks like a blur of |
| Most folding knifes have a handle with a groove in | | | | spinning knives. |
| it. To close the knife, the blade is folded and | | | | The butterfly knife is not legal to carry in most |
| stored inside the handle. To open the knife, the | | | | states in the U.S. Each state has its own laws |
| blade is simply pulled out of the handle. This design | | | | governing the balisong. For example, in the state |
| is called a simple folding knife or more commonly | | | | of Oregon it is legal to possess, sell, and even |
| a pocketknife. | | | | carry a balisong in public. The only restriction is |
| Butterfly knifes, more commonly called balisong in | | | | that the balisong can not be concealed. |
| the Philippines, are constructed quite differently | | | | In most states the sale and possession of the |
| than the traditional pocketknife. The butterfly | | | | butterfly knifes is illegal and is classified in the |
| knife is made up of five parts. There are two | | | | same way that switch blades and gravity knifes |
| handles, one blade, a pin that connects the blade | | | | are. |
| to the handles and acts as a swivel, and a locking | | | | |