Butterfly Knives

How Butterfly Knives Work

Butterfly knives — also called balisong knives — have two rotating handles that fold around the blade when closed. The handles pivot open for deployment and can be flipped for tricks and skill development. Every model in this collection is a live blade — a real, sharp cutting edge, not a dulled practice tool. Before handling one, identify the bite handle (the side connected to the sharp edge) and the safe handle. Improper grip during flipping causes cuts, so if you're new to balisong handling, start slow: practice the pivot motion deliberately at low speed before attempting fast flips, and build up speed gradually as the motion becomes muscle memory.

Standard Balisong Knives

The Black Balisong Knife and Black Butterfly Knife are both black stainless steel balisongs with the classic pivot mechanism, differing mainly in size and price. For a more traditional look, the Wood Handle Butterfly Knife pairs a dagger-point blade with wood handle inserts for a warmer, classic finish than an all-metal design.

Trench Knife and Multi-Color Balisongs

The Butterfly Trench Knife combines the balisong folding mechanism with a trench knife profile and a removable knuckle guard — a distinctive design at the intersection of historical military knife styling and balisong mechanics. For more color options, Folding Butterfly Knives is available in Black, Plasma, and Stainless Steel finishes, with a 9-inch overall length and a 4-inch blade.

Butterfly Knife Laws

Butterfly knife laws vary significantly by state and locality, and balisongs face more restriction than standard folding knives in a number of places — some jurisdictions classify them alongside gravity knives or restrict them specifically by name, separate from general knife-length laws. We're unable to ship butterfly knives to the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Even outside those states, always verify your specific local laws before purchasing or carrying — what's legal to own at home isn't always legal to carry, and both can differ meaningfully from state to state. Browse the full knife collection for other folding and fixed blade options.