Illegal balisong

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

This knife is technically illegal in the UK. It is nicely made, brass an horn decorated wings, copper latch with a little stamped decoration on the blade. Do members have any large ones that are not the modern type, sure you know what I mean?

Hello Tim,

Did you notice any marks at the base of the blade? It looks very German, I own two similar ones, see pictures. They were made in the early 1900s in Solingen. Also in Germany are balisongs forbidden but not ones where the blade is short like yours. In Germany you can own them when the blade isn't over 41 mm.
The shown one is marked with "Leykauf", the other side isn't readable anymore.

Regards,
Detlef

[Rick]

I have seen in the past examples of French manufacture. It would be interesting to know what culture 'invented' this style of knife.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

I have seen in the past examples of French manufacture. It would be interesting to know what culture 'invented' this style of knife.

Hello Rick,

It isn't really clear where the first balisongs originate but to my knowledge they were made first in France.
Here we can read what google says: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_knife

Regards,
Detlef