Balisong Terminology
Click on the term for a picture
Batangas Latch The Batangas latch refers to a latch that is attached to the bite handle of the balisong.

Bite Handle The bite handle is the handle that comes into contact with the blade of the balisong. Allowing the knife to close while you are holding the bite handle will result in a cut (see picture).

CCC CCC stands for Charming China Cheapie. These refer to cheap balisongs made in China. Oftentimes these are ripoffs of existing knives and are quite poor in quality.

D'latch The D-Latch was created by custom knifemaker Larry Davidson. A common problem that occurs with balisongs is that the lockup of the knife (either in the open or closed position) loosens over time. The D-Latch solves this problem by the use of an adjustable screw that allows the latch to be tightened up as needed.

FHM FHM is the acronym for a Filipino Hand Made balisong. These balisongs are made in the Philippines and are generally not good for flipping as they need a lot of breaking in to flip smoothly.

Hidden Pins While the newer balisongs are all made with adjustable pivot pins, the older generation of balisongs utilized what's referred to as "hidden pins." These pins are ground flush with the handle surface so it appears that there are no pins present. Hidden pins are non-adjustable and will loosen over time with use and also become visible as seen in this picture.

Horns The horns, sometimes referred to as the "ears," "quillion," "guard," or "hilt." The horns serve as a guard when holding the balisong to prevent the hand from slipping onto the blade. Some designs also provide a grooved "ramp" for thumb when holding the knife in the sabre grip.

IKBS

IKBS is the acronym for the Ikoma-Korth Bearing System. This system replaces the standard pivot pins and washers in a balisong and utilizes a closed bearing system. This allows for an extremely tight fit and eliminates all play in the handles of the balisong.

You can read more about the IKBS here.


Kicker The kicker on a balisong refers to an area on the blade that prevents the blade from contacting the channel inside of the handle which could result in damage to the blade.

Latch Most balisongs utilize a latch for its locking system. In most cases, the latch is connected to one handle and can be latched onto the opposite handle to lock the balisong either in the open or the closed position. Some balisongers choose not to use a latch and therefore go "latchless." That is, they either purchase production knives without latches, have custom makers make their balisongs without latches, or remove the latch from an existing balisong. Latches come in either the standard "T-latch" or Benchmade's Spring Latch.

Latch Gate The latch gate was introduced on the Benchmade Model 42. It prevents the latch from coming into contact with the blade and thus preventing damage to both the latch and the blade.

Manila Latch The Manila latch refers to a latch that is attached to the safe handle of the balisong.

Pivot Pins The pivot pins are the pins that the connect the handles to the balisong blade and allow the handles to rotate into position.

Dual Tang Pins On some balisongs, makers choose to use dual tang pins rather than a single tang pin and a kicker. These tang pins prevent the

Safe Handle The safe handle is considered the handle on the spine side of the blade. That is, grasping the safe handle allows you to ricochet the blade off of your hand because the edge would be away from your hand.

Spring Latch The spring latch was a creation of Benchmade and has replaced the T-latch that was the standard for balisongs. The spring latch utilizes a spring that puts tension on the latch and holds the latch outward in a direct line with the handle. This also allows the latch to be disengaged by simply squeezing the balisong's handles together and allowing the latch to spring open. The spring latch first appeared on the BM49 SPL and is now the standard latch on all Benchmade balisongs. Terry Guinn is currently the only custom balisong maker (that I know of) to use a form of the spring latch on a balisong.

T-Latch The "T-Latch" refers to the standard balisong latch which is "T" shaped and locks the balisong in the open or closed position.

Tang The tang of the balisong is the base of the blade where the horns, tang pins and pivot pins are located. Tangs may take different shapes depending on the maker. While in the closed position, the tang of a balisong can also be used as a "skull crusher."

Tang Cups The tang cups are divots in the handles of the balisong that are designed to accept the tang pins.Wear in this area can affect how well a balisong latches.

Tang Pins The tang pin on a balisong serves to lock the blade in the open position.

Zen Pins The zen pins are a creation of the Benchmade knife company and replace the tang pin and kicker on the standard type balisong. The zen pins, which are also referred to by some as "kick pins," are a second set of pins added to the handle just below the pivot pins. These extra pins align with grooves in the blade and the tang and serve to lock the blade in the open position and to prevent the blade from hitting the inside channel of the handle.
 

 

 
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