Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. The information provided in this article is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws are complex and subject to change at the federal, state, and local levels. You should consult with a qualified attorney or research the specific statutes in your jurisdiction before purchasing, carrying, or importing a balisong.

The Utilitarian

Utilitarian as an adjective means an item designed to be useful or practical.  Filipinos are generally considered very practical. This trait was born from the Filipino’s history and daily survival strategies and ingrained in their culture. Filipinos are known to be resourceful and adaptable.  And they would need tools that are just as practical.

The balisong knife “…is like the ‘Swiss knife’ of the Filipinos, who use it for almost anything.  From peeling to chopping food, eating, fixing loose screws, cutting cardboard boxes, and many other things that you can think of, including its use for combat.”¹   The balisong was the “… first effective folder [knife] that could be opened with one hand.”² 

The balisong isn’t a typical folding knife.  The design is an example of the form following function by eliminating the need for a blade protecting sheath. “The balisong conveniently and safely stores in half its length, and the handles do double duty by sheathing the blade as well as quickly pivoting around to form a sturdy handle.  The balisong is an improvement over the typical folding knife because it can be opened with one hand.  The integral quillon even doubles as a thumb and finger guard by providing a protruding hilt that prevents the hand from sliding on the blade.” ³ And being able to open the knife with one hand was helpful for laborers in various industries like farming, fishing, construction, etc.   While a worker was holding an item in one hand, the free hand can reach in their pocket with the knife and with a flick of their wrist, be able to open it quickly. 

The Intimidator

The balisong is an intimidating weapon and not just because it is a knife.  Its presence can generate fear – and in three ways. 

First, with one hand, the balisong can be opened and it can be opened very quickly. It can be very hard to see how a person opens up a balisong.  It creates a visual trigger. It doesn’t help that there are many ways the balisong can be opened. Filipino Martial Artist Amante ‘Mat’ P. Mariñas Sr., founder of Pananandata System, developed over sixty (60) openings.⁴  

Secondly, an experienced practitioner can open the balisong very quickly.  Mariñas Sr. timed himself opening the balisong.  The fastest opening he “…timed took 0.16 second to complete.  The slowest one took over one second to complete.”⁵

Third, the sound. The process of opening the balisong creates a clack-clack sound when the handles hit each other. It creates an auditory trigger.

Cinema, both Hollywood and international, have contributed to the balisong’s reputation by using the knife as a weapon of choice for criminals.  And those criminal characters would deliberately use the balisong to create fear in the other characters. And into the viewing audience.

The Law

**Most of the information in this section is based on a series of responses from Gemini AI on January 31, 2026.**

Laws regarding the balisong knives differ by countries and also within countries. And the legal landscape can be very confusing. You should do your own research regarding the laws in your area.

Balisongs are classified as switchblades and are prohibited from entering the United States.  A switchblade, also known as an automatic or flick knife, is a folding knife with a spring-loaded blade that deploys automatically from the handle when a button, lever, or switch is activated. Switchblades are characterized with rapid, one-handed openings. The Switchblade Knife Act of 1958 is a federal law that prohibits the importation and interstate commerce of switchblades.   

A US district case Taylor v. McManus (1986) ruled that balisongs were not switchblades. The Taylor v. McManus case established an important legal precedent distinguishing the manual, two step operation of a balisong from the single-button activation of a switchblade.  However,  the 9th Circuit Court, a higher court compared to a district court, adjudicated the case United States vs 1,044 Balisong Knives (1970).  The 9th Circuit ruled balisongs were switchblades under the Switchblade Knife Act of 1958.⁶ The difference between the two cases was in the mechanical interpretation of the balisong. In Taylor, the judge viewed the balisong as requiring manual manipulation of the two handles and didn’t open automatically.  In the 1044 Balisong Knives case, the court focused on the result – a practitioner can swing it hard enough to open; therefore, it was a switchblade.  This had a negative impact on importing balisongs into the US but it did not stop US companies from producing balisongs.

In the United States, one state continues to maintain a ban on the possession of a butterfly knife. Under New Mexico’s state law and court precedent (State v. Riddall), butterfly knives are classified as switchblades.  Possession, even in your own home, is a petty misdemeanor.  Other states allow possession of a butterfly knife at home but it is illegal to publically carry. 

Many countries also enacted laws making it illegal to either publically carry or possess a balisong at home.   The following countries labeled this knife a prohibited weapon to possess: United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland.  Other countries allowed ownership of this knife but it was illegal for public carry:  France, Italy, Spain, Japan.  And there are a few countries where balisongs are generally legal to carry. 

In the Philippines, it is generally illegal to carry any bladed, pointed or blunt weapon including a balisong outside the home.  There is a major exception – a person can legally carry a balisong in public only if the person can prove it is a necessary tool for their work (livelihood exception) or a specific lawful activity.  Public possession for self-defense is not considered a specific lawful activity.  Philippine Laws that regulate the public carry of balisongs include:

• Presidential Decree No. 9 (1972).  The decree specifically mentions “balisong” and “fanknife” as prohibited items.
• Batas Pambansa Bilang [National Law Number] 6 (1978). The law reinforces that carrying a balisong in public is illegal.
• The Revised Penal Code (RPC) This code states that carrying or brandishing a balisong in a way that causes public alarm can lead to arrest even if no one is hurt.
• Supreme Court Ruling: People v. Purisima (1978).  The impact of this court case is to prevent police from simply arresting anyone with a pocket knife.  To be charged, there usually needs to be an additional element of criminal intent or a threat to public order. 
• The Omnibus Election Code (Comelec Ban).  During an election period, typically 120 days before and 30 days after an election, the “livelihood” exception is often suspended or much harder to prove.  
• Various Local Ordinances.  Some local ordinances bans the carry of “concealable bladed weapons” in public areas and/or issues temporary total bans during major festivals.

If you want to own a balisong, it is important to do your research and know the current laws in your region.

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Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. The information provided in this article is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws are complex and subject to change at the federal, state, and local levels. You should consult with a qualified attorney or research the specific statutes in your jurisdiction before purchasing, carrying, or importing a balisong.

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1. Traditional Filipino Weapons, Philippine Martial Arts Institute website, viewed on February 23, 2013. And in Traditional Filipino Weapons 2009 Catalog viewed on November 26, 2014. ↩︎
2. Filipino Combat Systems: An Introduction to an Ancient Art for Modern Times, Cody, Mark Edward with Grandmaster Ray Dionaldo, Authorhouse, 2005, p. 17. ↩︎
3. The Balisong Manual, by Jeff Imada, Know Now Publishing Company, 1984, p. 13 ↩︎
4. Filipino Martial Culture, by Mark Wiley, Tuttle Publishing, 1997, p. 239-240. ↩︎
5. Latiko and Balisong: The Odd Couple, by Mariñas, Amante “Mat” P., Exotic Martial Arts of Southeast Asia, September 1997, p. 81 ↩︎
6. The Balisong Manual, by Jeff Imada, Know Now Publishing Company, 1984, p. 20. ↩︎