Remaking a Filipino Icon the World BANNED and Tried to Erase

Banned, feared, and misunderstood, the balisong is more than just a blade—it’s a piece of Filipino heritage. From its roots as a farmer’s tool to its global reputation as a flashy and controversial knife, we’re diving into its birthplace to see how this cultural icon is made by hand. Alongside KNB Balisong, we’re bringing this legacy back to life.

[theploot]

Miss me with that 2020 misinfo crap, that's called a butterfly knife, and It's *French!*

[Philbythelake]

As a Filipino American, I had no idea this was a Filipino weapon. But then I said Balisong in my moms accent and it all makes sense now

[Lordtariq]

The machine that helps make the knives are from the flinstones age but the end results are high quality craftsmanship. It should be preserved just like the Japanese katana. Balisong is part of the culture.

[ApaskhaReedz-tb]

I still have my balisong, i have it when i was 17 yrs. old. I am 52 yrs. old now.

[omara]

I carried around a balisong as a teen in Germany for years, never realizing its origin. Beautiful history.

[unclegoldfish]

Watching from Barangay Balisong Taal, Batangas, Philippines

[globalpintados]

I am a Filipino Martial Artist who is currently in Toronto ON Canada. Thank you for your covering Balisong and letting the world know it's origin. Thank you for including me in your clip as well. It is my passion to teach FMA and introduce Filipino Culture to the world. Looking forward to meeting you. Best regards. Pintados Garduce

[ARMY-epfz]

I'm married to a Filipina and we're currently in Quezon visiting family. The Filipino people are wonderful people and everyone should visit. Get out of the tourist traps and see the countryside.

[SPECUL]

I really appreciate how you bring the history of each topic to life every week. The way you complement your storytelling with graphics makes the content even more engaging and visually compelling....

[puamana]

It's legal now to own and carry a balisong in Hawaii. We changed the law not too long ago.

[MrGrombil]

In Norway we always called them “Batanga” before i knew about Philippines. First time i visit Philippines i heard about the place Batangas and it all suddenly made sense. Would love to have one made when we go back to the family. Where can we order one? Its probably 20yrs since i “flipped” a balisong… 😅

[CharliiDeLosReyes]

Proud Balisong owner/flipper here! Received my first one in the 5th grade and now have a collection of 24. I'm hoping young Filipinos will appreciate the art of Balisong and not see it as something used to hurt but to work with in making beautiful things.

[totizabayle]

I have been a great fan of balisong knives and I would bring back a couple every time I visit the Philippines. Now I'm 81 and you can just imagine how many Balisong I have collected including the oversized ones that are very rare here in California. I gave my doctors, neighbors, and close friends to show off our great culture. Good video and presentation.

[territhcollins]

What a beautiful creative masterpiece! I mean, that blade is a work of art!! Those type of knives have always been my favorite I remember the first time I saw what I was completely captivated!! One of my best friends from Vietnam pulled one out on me as a joke and flipped it around and he knew how to do it and my jaw hit the floor!!! Mind you this was in elementary school and it wasn't such a big deal back then for a kid to carry a pocket knife!!! I remember some of my classmates brought a pocket knife to school for show and tell!! Things were so different back then but man I really appreciate the content in the beautiful knives created by the Filipino people!!!

[letsgotagalog]

This is part of my culture. Thank you for highlighting this cultural symbol of the Philippines 🇵🇭

[kzm-cbmr]

Giron, Almazan, Mauro, Ona, Atienza, Villanueva and Bautista these are the some of the well-known balisong makers in Taal. In Manila, I only know Danilo Tempra. The traditional profiles were dahong palay, tinari, kris, debuyod and labaha. A balisong with slender blade is called "binaston".

There's also the old type of balisong called "busese", which is basically a balisong whose blade is slightly longer than the handle, I heard they use it for more utilitarian tasks. Another is called "pen balisong" which is made of pure brass, very slim and delicate and looks like a pen when folded.

Traditionally made balisongs are usually stiff, sometimes even a bit wonky, not very suitable for flashy tricks, they were usually made for actual knife use. Thanks for featuring it, also great that you pointed out that it's from around 1800s. I've seen some wild takes before that it's of pre-colonial origin which is very unlikely.

[pastense]

Kuya Ron Carino was one of my worship leaders at a church retreat as a teen. Super chill, humble guy that I had no idea for the longest time was a balisong grandmaster! Cheers to you Kuya Ron! I been practicing!

[Migxy]

flip flops ✔
cigarette ✔
no safety glasses ✔
wearing only shirt ✔
this things gonna be fire is what I immediately thought

[NZGeek-O]

We used to show off between friends in the 80's to early 90's our balisong skills every night. It was fun. Man I missed those days. Unfortunately, I can't bring one to NZ. Like you said, this is banned in most countries. Thanks for showcasing this masterpiece to the world.

[juansinagcano]

Thank you, Andrew, for highlighting another 'soon-to-be-forgotten' cultural blade that we Filipinos SHOULD be proud of! Kudos!