The godfather of American balisongs Benchmade still features a butterfly logo to this day.
Les De Asis got started in the knife industry with a company he created called Bali-song that sold handmade an semi custom balisongs. That company would eventually morph into Pacific Cutlery.
In 1987-88ish Les started a new company that ultimately would become the power house cutlery company Benchmade.
Les passed away in 2020 but his impact is unmeasurable.
My own fascination with butterfly knives was brought courtesy of Bali-songs Jody Samson Imada High Hollow balisong, Jeff Imada and a cinematic masterpiece known as Big Trouble in Little China.
In the movie Jeff Imada plays a street tough asian gang member sent to kidnap the green eyed damsel for David Lopan. In the airport he flourishes a balisong and I was instantly hooked.
Bali-song / Pacific Cutlery Balisongs
- Model 68
- Tanto
- Jody Samson Imada High Hollow
Benchmade Balisongs – Discontinued
- Benchmade 42 – Weehawk Blade
- Benchmade 41
- Benchmade 43 – Bowie Blade
- Benchmade 46 – Dagger Blade
- Benchmade 47 – American Tanto Blade
- Benchmade 49 – Kris Blade
- Benchmade 32
- Benchmade 51
Benchmade Balisongs – Current
- Benchmade 85
Benchmade balisongs have ebbed and flowed over time but as far as I know they have always had at least one production balisong in their lineup as long as the company has existed.
Newer models have received so so reviews as far as flippability but they are without a doubt high quality pieces of cutlery.
Benchmade Knives is a powerhouse in American cutlery and you can read all about thier history and how Balisongs are in their corporate DNA.