Best Butterfly Knives

Written by Blade HQ Staff Writer Logan Rainey on 04/28/2020

The Balisong (or Butterfly Knife) has a rich history with its origins beginning in the Philippines nearly 1200 years ago. Over time the knifes popularity and use has evolved from self-defense to hobby and performance. Whether youre an experienced flipper or someone looking to try a new knife hobby theres bound to be a Balisong for you. Check out this article to see our Top 9 Butterfly Knives, a breakdown of Best Balisongs by price, and How to Choose A Butterfly Knife.

Top 9 Butterfly Knives

Below you'll find a compilation of our Top 9 Butterfly Knives. We break down what they're made of, how they perform and why we think they're great. You'll also find a review from one of our beloved customers at the end of each knife synopsis to give you an idea of what the people think of each knife.

1. Benchmade Morpho 51

This blade is class from tip to tail. The D2 tool steel blade has a stonewash finish and a modified spear-point shape. The handles are skeletonized, made of a vibrant G-10 with blasted liners, and features a patented spring-latch locking mechanism. The handle also has finger contours for better grip, and a 6AL4V titanium tip-up pocket clip for easy carry. Despite an overall length of 9.25 inches, this beautifully crafted knife weighs just over 3 ounces, so it's easy to carry and effortless to use.

Blade: 9.25 D2 Spear Point

Handle Material: G-10 Scales with Titanium Frame

Weight: 3.48 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

Damian S. says...

"This is my very first Benchmade model balisong, everything before this have been cheapo knives from my local army surplus, however i have handled high value balisongs before. This is by far my number 1 favorite and the highest quality I've ever handled, it's very light, well balanced, perfect texture on the handle for my liking, durable, blade is very sharp, flips perfectly for me."

2. Boker Balisong Trainer

The Boker Plus Balisong Trainer offers a dull training blade for practicing the more difficult bali tricks. Stainless steel liners provide nice weight and the red G-10 improves grip while adding a dramatic style. Further your flipping skills while saving money on band-aids with the Boker Plus Balisong Trainer.

Blade: 4.00" Stainless-steel Dull Trainer

Handle Material: G-10

Weight: 4.92 oz.

Country of Origin: China

Jeffrey E. says...

"I'm usually far too lazy to write reviews, but it would be an injustice not to do so in this case. Boker has done an outstanding job on producing a very high quality trainer, and for a very fair price. If you haven't bought a trainer yet, don't waste your money on the $15 junk, because you'll just keep replacing them. I can't imagine anyone not being extremely satisfied with this great trainer. I'm gonna order a second one, just because."

3. Kershaw Lucha

Kershaw is known for its fast and smooth operating folders, but for the first time ever, they have taken all they know about knives and applied that knowledge to a balisong. Introducing the Lucha! It features stainless steel handles with internal stop pins and a latch lock, and a Sandvik 14C28N blade. The pivots run on KVT ball bearings for lightning fast flipping and buttery smooth movement.

Blade: 4.60" 14C28N Clip Point

Handle Material: Stainless-steel

Weight: 5.90 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

Tom C. says...

"This is a quality Balisong, for the money. I've had it a week and can't put it down. I own the Benchmade 67 and the BRS Alpha Beast, these are quality products buy very expensive, Kershaw has made it possible to own a quality balisong at an affordable price. The Lucha is a Home Run!"

4. HOM Chimera Balisong

Jerry Hom has established himself as the premier balisong maker with his high-performance HOM Design butterfly knives. The Chimera takes this reputation to the next level with a host of new innovative features, including the brand new retractable latch! We love the looks and smooth action of the HOM Chimera. Whether youre a seasoned flipper or a newbie, the Chimera is worth every penny. Get yours today!

Blade: 4.375" CPM-S35VN Clip Point

Handle Material: Titanium and G-10

Weight: 4.96 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

Gregory S. says...

"This was my first, but not my last, HOM design bali. It looks even better in person and is incredibly smooth to flip. Be aware, it's wicked sharp."

5. HOM Basilisk

The Basilisk has a long, storied history within the balisong community, and it is finally getting a much-deserved reboot in the Basilisk-R. The Basilisk-R features gray/black G10 handle scales with skeletonized titanium liners. It has a bowie style blade with a recurved edge and a bead blasted finish. Titanium liners and handle jimping add to the appeal of the design. Includes a titanium latch pin and stainless-steel spacers.

Blade: 4.625" 154CM Clip Point

Handle Material: Titanium

Weight: 5.27 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

Frank D. says

"Zero handle play. Flawless fit and finish. Tolerances are perfect. Blade is ground beautifully and sharp as hell. Screws are all flush and loctited. Machining is flawless and perfectly symmetrical. The satin finishing on both the blade and handles are nearly mirrored and look and feel fantastic."

6. Bradley Kimura Butterfly Knife

Bradley Kimura butterfly knives made a comeback at Blade Show 2018! This model has black G-10 scales and a 154CM stainless steel spear point blade. The latch is reversible so you can adjust the knife to your flipping preference. It can be taken apart with a few torx bits for easy maintenance.

Blade: 3.88" 154CM Spear Point

Handle Material: G-10

Weight: 5.98 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

Caden K. says...

"This was my first live blade balisong so I went cheap(er). I would definitely say it is a good bali. A little heavy compared to others but if you dont mind removing the G10s it fixes that small issue. The blade itself is pretty durable (and stays sharp!) I use it to cut simple things. It does loosen so you should definitely loctite it. Other than that, you definitely get what you pay for."

7. Squid Industries Krake Raken

The highly anticipated Krake Raken balisong butterfly knife offers the first live blade bali from Squid Industries. It features all the precision engineered smoothness of a Squid trainer, updated with a beautifully finished tanto blade. The channel constructed aluminum handles are built with rounded edges, a crowned spine, and bushings. The Krake Raken has been upgraded from 6061 to a 7075 aluminum alloy, which boast a higher strength and is more durable to drops and use.

Blade: 4.50" AEB-L Tanto

Handle Material: Aluminum

Weight: 4.50 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

James A. says...

"The fit and build quality on this thing is quite good, very good in fact. The action is smooth and the overall design feels neutral and balanced. And, it is remarkably quiet--surprisingly so. I was a bit skeptical at the price-tag for such a new "trainer" company in a world already overcrowded with new knife makers, but these guys have it figured out. No gimmick, just a very "playable" knife that wants to be handled and can be pushed while also being forgiving. I also love the simple and straight blade geometry."

8. BRS Channel Alpha Beast

The Alpha Beast is not only the flagship model for BRS, but possibly the front runner for the balisong flipper community. This Channel Alpha Beast (or CHAB) features single-piece channel titanium handles with robust pivots tuned for easy manipulation. It comes equipped with a stonewashed 154CM clip point blade with dual tang pins and a crowned spine. Check out our Best BRS Knives article for more info on this great brand.

Blade: 4.50" 154CM Clip Point

Handle Material: Titanium

Weight: 5.12 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

Michael L. says...

"As you would expect from BRS, this is one of the best production butterfly knives made. Ti channel just feels amazing. Bushings were tuned perfectly, no play or tap whatsoever."

9. BRS Replicant

The BRS Replicant is designed by and for flippers, and it is as devout to the sport as you are. Featuring titanium liners with lightly textured carbon fiber scales for better grip. The recognizable Scorpion Tip Tanto blade rounds out the knife, making the Replicant a truly refined tool. Don't confuse the Replicant with other run-of the-mill balisongs on the market. Much like its predecessor the Alpha Beast, the Replicant has been bioengineered for superior agility, dynamics and performance.

Blade: 4.50" 154CM Clip Point

Handle Material: Carbon Fiber

Weight: 4.72 oz.

Country of Origin: USA

Matthew B. says...

"This knife really sings to me. It swings and pivots in the hand with ease, almost as though its begging to be flipped. The balance on this knife lends itself to tricks seamlessly and leaves you craving that "just five more minutes of practice" any time you have to put it down."

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