What is a balisong trainer or butterfly knife trainer?
Put simply a balisong trainer is any type of balisong that lacks a live edge. This means that while the knife can harm you potentially by pinching, scrapes or small "bites" - it is incapable of cutting you.
Balisong Trainers can take the form of pens such as spydercos baliyo, as bottle openers such as BBarFlys or more commonly in the shape of a traditional Butterfly Knife but with a blunted unsharpened “blade”.
Balisong Trainers are great tools for building muscle memory when it comes to learning how to flip butterfly knifes. Some trainers like the BBarFly due to their heaviness are good for actually building finger dexterity and strength.
Selecting your first Balisong Trainer
When deciding what trainer to purchase to start your balisong flipping journey the most important thing to understand is that: Quality isn’t cheap.
It is very tempting to head over to aliexpress or wish and purchase a CCC or Cheapie Chinese Crap balisong trainer. I won’t make fun of you for making that mistake – almost everyone does.
Reasons not to buy a cheap chinese trainer
- Little to no customer support from manufacturers or retailers
- Low quality hardware – screws will strip easily and likely to break
- Low quality materials – Zamak or pot metal handles are very common
- Poor balance – this is the biggest issue, a balisong trainer that is improperly balanced will be harder to learn on and more likely to result in frustration.
Reasons to buy a high quality balisong trainer
- Manufacturer support from both retailers and US based Manufacturers.
- High quality hardware – hardened steel pivots and screws are less likely to strip or break
- Better balance – purpose driven flippers are going to be balanced exactly like the live blade balisongs these same manufacturers produce. This will make your ultimate transition to flipping real balisongs quickef and easier.
- High quality Materials – reputable manufacturers are going to utilize aluminum, titanium and hardened steel. This will yield a trainer that will absorb all the inevitable drops, bangs and bruises as you learn how to do rollovers and more tricky maneuvers.
Which Balisong Trainers do I recommend.
There are two names that come to mind when I think about high quality butterfly knife trainers. Squid Industries and Bladerunners Systems
Squid Industries Balisong Trainers
Squid Industries is the brainchild of Lucas Cao and is the preeminent producer of training balisongs.
On the lower end he produces the Squiddy Balisong Trainer which is an all plastic trainer with a cute little snoot. This trainer is one of the least expensive least intimidating balisong trainers and is a great choice if people around you are skittish of anything that looks remotely knife-like.
Stepping up in cost and quality is the Triton Balisong Trainer. This no frill aluminum trainer features a very basic milling pattern. Now on Version 2 of this design you can be assured that the balance will be on point and the quality will be representative.
Over the years Lucas has created new blade shapes, some that offer dual functionality as bottle openers and others that incorporate G10 over liners. Basically he has a trainer for everyone and he supports the trainer market better than just about anyone.
-=BRS=- Barebones Trainer Balisong
Not to be left out of the market Ed and Lawrence launched the Barebones trainer to cater to Balisong fanatics that for whatever reason did not want a live blade.
Mimicing the design and balance of the popular Barebones Balisong the trainer features a skeletonized heat treated blade which melds perfectly with the stainless steel handle slabs.
Purpose driven the barebones trainer takes all the knowledge and skill developed over the years by two legends and brings a kickass product to market.
Buying a Balisong Trainer isn’t Rocket Science
Start with a reputable company with a solid design. Add in US manufacturing and support and you can't lose. That's why i recommend any product from either Lucas, Lawrence or Ed.