If you're like us, you've probably seen butterfly knives (also called balisongs ) handled by professionals with supernatural fluidity and wondered how they do it without losing a finger. The answer? Lots and lots of practice. That's where a training butterfly knife comes in!
What is a training butterfly knife?
A training butterfly knife is a knife with two rotating handles that flip and open like a normal butterfly knife, but the blade is not sharpened for added safety. This increases the margin of error so you don't cut your hands (or worse) if you miss a trick! To view different models of this type, you can visit the brand's website https://maisonducouteau.fr/ .
A butterfly training knife often has a skeletonized blade to reduce weight, so even if it's not sharpened, your training knife can still mimic the balance and weight of a real knife. This makes butterfly training knives excellent starter tools for entering the world of balisong !
Are butterfly training knives illegal?
No! Butterfly training knives have dull blades that cannot be sharpened. They are therefore not considered knives, making them legal in all 50 states. However, legality may vary by country. If in doubt, consult a legal expert before purchasing a butterfly training knife. We are knife experts, not lawyers!
How to train with a butterfly knife
Where to start?
The first step in training with a butterfly knife is to familiarize yourself with the basics of the butterfly knife . The bite handle, aptly named because if you hold it while closing the blade, it would most certainly "bite" your fingers, is the handle that houses the blade when the knife is closed, while the safety handle is the other! The second step is to practice each new skill slowly. Patience makes the difference between a balisong swimmer with good form and a balisong swimmer with constantly bruised knuckles!
Easy Butterfly Knife Tricks
The Flick : This is the foundation for opening and closing your butterfly knife ! Perform the Flick opening by holding your butterfly trainer closed with the bite handle away from you. Quickly flick your wrist to extend the blade and rotate the safety handle so that the bite handle and the back of the blade meet the back of your hand. Quickly flick once more so that both handles meet the blade in the open position. This is also a great way to perform another butterfly closing trick! Simply reverse the motions and you have the Flick closing!
The Fan : The fan is a super simple and safe trick, but can be incorporated into any routine to add a little spice! Simply hold the safety handle and let the bite handle and blade hang freely. With a light grip on the safety handle, move your wrist in a circular motion to allow the bite handle and blade to spin like a fan.
The Aerial: This is a leap—literally—from the Flick Opening, but it can quickly increase the cool factor of any trick. Start by holding the bite handle and pointing the safety handle away from you and toward the ground. With an upward swing, drop the bite handle and let the knife spin in the air. After a full rotation, grab both handles and you have an open butterfly knife!
What are the best butterfly training knives?
Here are some of our top picks for butterfly knife trainers!
Kershaw Lucha Trainer Butterfly Knife
Perfectly balanced and made with the same quality materials as the Kershaw Lucha, this training knife is a favorite in the balisong community! The only downside is the price, but Kershaw makes up for it with premium construction.
Boker Plus Butterfly Trainer Butterfly Knife
Boker has leveraged its centuries of knife design experience to bring you the Boker Paillon, an intermediate training knife offering excellent value. Well-balanced and lightweight, the Papillon is an attractive and affordable alternative to the Lucha.
Bear & Son Large Butterfly Training Knife
At 23 cm long, this Bear & Son butterfly knife is perfect for those looking for a larger model. The black epoxy coating and 440 stainless steel make it a durable training tool and excellent value for money!
Boker Plus Mini Balisong Trainer
For smaller hands or those who prefer a more compact set, this Mini Balisong Trainer from Boker is a perfect choice! This model features a latch and G-10 handle scales for durability and portability.
BB Barfly Bottle Opener Training Butterfly Knife
What's cooler than showing off your balisong skills and popping bottles at a backyard barbecue? This bottle opener is the ultimate party tool and remains fully functional as a butterfly trainer to help you nail your tricks!
