The butterfly knife is mostly known for the hand tricks you can do when propping up its blade, which has been featured in many Hollywood flicks. But since it is still a bladed tool, you can easily hurt yourself trying these fancy hand movements. Thankfully, butterfly knives for training exist for practicing such awesome routines.
What are butterfly knives?
These items are designed basically just like real butterfly knives, or ‘balisong’ as what they are traditionally known as back in its supposed origin country, the Philippines. But, instead of having sharp bladed ends, most of them are dull and are made for non-offensive and practice-only purposes, hence the name.
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Top 5 Best Butterfly Knife: Quick Summary
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What are the parts of the butterfly training knife?
Like I said before, this tool built and framed similar to the real balisong, but minus the dangers of a sharp edge. Therefore, it also comes with more or less the same parts. Albeit not entirely forced upon you, learning about these tiny workings can give you a better appreciation to the intricacies of the balisong, be it real or made for training.
Generally, there are only eight basic parts to the traditional balisong, which is the same for the trainer variety. Some higher-end and more expensive models might also have additional features to enhance the knife’s performance, such as a ball bearing system.
Regardless, here are the ones you should be familiar with:
- Bit Handle:This is one of the two handles that makes up a butterfly knife. Specifically, the bit handle is what covers the sharp end of the blade when concealed.
- Safe Handle: The safe handle is the other grip of this tool. In contrast to the bit handle, this one closes on the dull end of the blade when the knife is put away.
- Choil: This part is the known curvature above the kicker, which is intended for easier sharpening of the blade. But, since we are talking about trainer butterfly knives here, this part is either not as pronounced or nonexistent even.
- Kicker: Found just between the choil and the bit handle’s pivot pins, this part is what prevents the sharp edge of the blade from fully reaching the inner end of the handle, thus avoiding any damage.
- Latch: The latch simply serves as a locking mechanism for the two handles. It can also come in different forms based on the manufacturers, ranging from magnets to springs, and etc.
- Spine: This is the thickest part of the blade, usually the back end.
- Swedge: Not to be confused as sharp, a swedge is just angled to appear like it is, which is found at the last end of the blade’s back.
- Tang: The tang is the flat area of the blade’s base, and is where the two handles are affixed via pivot pins.
To know more about the butterfly knife’s anatomy, this article provides a more in-depth and visual discussion on such topic. One more thing. Keep in mind that even though butterfly knife trainers do not have actual sharp edges, treating them as if they do is encouraged, as this will promote your sense of safety when you finally decide to transition to the real ones.
What are the advantages of butterfly knives for training?
Doing butterfly knife tricks can be both challenging and satisfying, which gets more intense as you move to advance techniques. However, you can’t 100% guarantee to not get cut, should you choose a real bladed balisong.
Starting with butterfly knife trainers will not only eliminate such threat, but will also bring other benefits, namely:
- Relatively more accepted by laws
- Can come in different varieties (bottle opener, comb, and etc.)
- Great for practicing newer and expert-level tricks (see video below)
- A plethora of different style and design options
- Some are customizable (i.e. removable blade)
The Best Butterfly knife tricks – Video Guide by Iam Madlife
Who can use butterfly knives?
From a legal standpoint, balisong trainers are generally accepted in states and countries that otherwise prohibit the possession (without permit) of the real ones. But, just to make sure, simply head to your local police department and ask if trainers are allowed in your area.
As for the ideal age group, if you are an abled and responsible adult, then you are likely mature enough to handle this item with care. But, with the case of teenagers, proper assessment should be done first, followed by continued supervision by an adult if permitted.
Best 5 Butterfly Knives For Training: Full Reviews
Hopefully, you are now more familiar with these harmless tools. With that said, these are 5 of some of the best trainers to help you practice balisong hand tricks, along with other perks.
1. Butterfly Knife Trainer Practice Comb No Offensive Blade Black, by Moon Boat
- Package includes 2pcs butterfly knife trainning in black and silver.Solid pin channel construction.Anti-impact.
- Approximately 8.75" overall open.Approximately 5" closed.Note:The package includes two versions.The silver one is thinner version and the black one is thicker version.
- The handles feature a skeletonized design to reduce weight.
- No offensive blade.If you are new to flipping a knife,we would suggest practicing your flipping tricks by standing facing towards a bed,a sofa, on a carpet or lawn to avoid damage.
- Tyro can use black butterfly trainning to practice.When you've mastered,you can change to the silver one.
Last update on 2021-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a great trainer you can easily get into. It comes with a solid pin channel construction with anti-impact, making it quite stable as you manipulate the product. It also features a skeleton-like build, which is intended to lessen weight, but its 181-gram mass seems to disagree.
More importantly, its blade is non-offensive and also has a cutout design, which prevents it from being intentionally sharpened. In terms of the locking mechanism, this model uses a reliable tail latch system to keep the knife open, as well as to keep it secure when closed.
2. iThings J(TM) 1 pcs Butterfly Trainer Knife Tactical Knife
Remember how I mentioned before these butterfly knives can come in different varieties? Well, this particular product is a great representation of such versatility. Once you see it, you’ll notice that instead of the usual dulled blade of trainers, this one actually has a comb as the blade.
Yes, you read that right, a comb. This sort of trainer is also sometimes called balicomb, because it handles just like a normal balisong, but you use it to style your hair instead of cutting something. When fully open, this item has a length of 11 inches, and weighs around 170 grams.
3. Conbee High Quality Practice Balisong Metal Butterfly Trainer Knife With Sheath & Box
- Overall Length : 9in / 23 cm;Blade(Dull) Length: 3.8in / 9.8 cm;Blade Material: 5Cr13MoV
- Hardness: 57HRC;Handle material : 5Cr13MoV stainless steel;Handle Type: Sandwich;Latch: Spring Latch Pivot Pins: Rivet with Copper Gastket;Color: WHITE;Weight: 153g
- Package Include:1 x Practice BUTTERFLY Knife + 1 x Nylong Sheath
- All of the products we sell are brand new, safe, from smoke-free environment and high quality. This is a perfect one if you are a butterfly knives lover. You can practice without harmful. Right now, we provide much items for option. This one is one -- so beautiful! Cool!
Last update on 2021-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This unit has somewhat a similar look to the second entry on this list, but instead of a comb, it has a dull blade. Its measures around 9 inches in length, while it’s mass weighs about 153 grams. In terms of construction, it is built with stainless steel material.
Out of the box, the unit can be quite rigid to swing around, but it is not something a compatible oil can’t solve. Or, you can just keep using it naturally and it’ll loosen up in no time. Although it comes without screws, the handle will not come loose.
4. Icetek Sports 49472 Martial-Arts-Training-Sticks
Out of all the entries in this list, this is by far the cheapest and the lightest. However, its accessible price tag does not mean it is completely mediocre. Although its simplistic finish is not much of a standout, when it comes to functionality and durability, this product still scores decently well.
It sports a holed design, from handle to the blade, which not only contributes to the item’s lightness, but it also makes sharpening the dull blade impractical. For actual measurements, the knife has a total length of 8.86 inches: 3.74 from the blade, and 5.11 from the handle.
5. ZRAMO Knife Beginner Rainbow Training Colorful Knife Tool 4 Practice Blade Allows Safe Practice of Personal-defense Skills
If there is one butterfly knife trainer on this light that will catch the most attention, this is probably it. With the rainbow hue finish of its blade and handle, you can’t help but be mesmerized. However, you might have to re-tighten its screws a couple of times each month, depending on your frequency of usage.
Underneath its interesting color scheme, this model is actually made of high quality stainless steel. So, it is not just eye-catching, but it is also durable and long lasting. For its actual size, this model has dimensions of 6.2 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches.
All in all, each item listed here performs well to their own strengths. However, despite their own unique take on what an ideal butterfly training knife should be, there still one product that managed to stand out from the rest. That product is the butterfly knife trainer practice comb no offensive blade black, by Moon Boat.
Despite its fairly heavy weight, the impressive performance it gives, as well as the quality of its design and overall construction, more than outweighs its slight added bulk, no pun intended. And although it’s not as cheap as the Icetek butterfly knife, it does have features that are far superior. Fortunately, it’s also not as expensive as the Yakool butterfly knife trainer, and is only around the medium price range.
To put it simply, our winner product may just be the best among the butterfly knives we have featured in this article. It is safe to use, ideal for beginner to expert level, and can survive multiple drops, allowing you to practice as often as you want.