Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a folding pocket knife with two handles counter-rotating around the tang such that, when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the handles.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

"While the meaning of the term "balisong" is not entirely clear, a popular belief is that it is derived from the Tagalog Language words baling sungay (literally, "broken horn") as the original balisongs were made from carved animal horns."

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Examples

  • But come on, you have to give full props to a movie that has a scene with Jeff Imada busting out his balisong moves in an airport.

    8 Favourite Fight Scenes : #comments 2007

  • The Philippines has the balisong, also called a Butterfly knife, which folds into its handle when not being used.

    Forbidden Uniform | SciFi, Fantasy & Horror Collectibles 2009

  • Think I figured the twin's razor-opening handswirls: it's a variation on a standard balisong opening - flashy, but makes no sense at all.

    about last night: gearplay, Potter, subscape, matrix badger 2003

  • I do enjoy the site but some of the images remind me of when I was 12 and would neatly lay out my shuriken, balisong, Maglite, carabiner, sunglasses, Swiss Army knife, and other "weapons" to act out my own 1980s action film "gear up" scene.

    Boing Boing David Pescovitz 2011

  • The Balisong Knife Collector's Page balisong.net--Jeff Imada

    Archive 2008-05-25 papabear 2008

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