Balisong and the town of Taal

migueldiaz · 1st January 2009, 07:13 AM

With nothing else better to do on a New Year's day holiday

I put one of the Batangas balisongs under the acid test -- the piercing of the local one-peso coin via the blade's tip.

The long and short of it is that it's so far so good (pic below).

I think though that I lack the technique because the coin is supposed to be pierced through to the other side. My furious stabbing of the defiant coin pierced the coin only halfway at best!

I don't have a good camera with me at the moment thus the pic below is crappy. But the tip of the balisong even after that mindless

stabbing episode remained sharp and pointy.

migueldiaz · 2nd January 2009, 12:03 AM

I realize that we're supposed to focus here on ethnic weapons.

But I can't help but mention how the balisong has evolved into modern day "tacticool" knives. And some of those are pretty exotic designs that baffles one's imagination!

Most if not all of the images are taken from the blades board of a Filipino shooters forum.

migueldiaz · 2nd January 2009, 12:10 AM

Here's another interesting modern balisong, obviously inspired by you-know-who, and with real diamonds!

I'm not into these exotic stuff as it's not my cup of tea ... that is, aside from not having the sufficient funds to even entertain the idea

So I am posting all these for academic interest only!

harimauhk · 21st January 2010, 04:34 PM

Lovely pics of Taal and the balisongs. I'm heading there in two weeks specifically to pick up a bunch.

mross · 21st January 2010, 06:09 PM

For those that keep track of such things, the blades made from ball bearings are most likely 52100, a very good steel;
Carbon 0.98 - 1.1
Chromium 1.3 - 1.6
Iron Balance
Manganese 0.25 - 0.45
Phosphorus 0.025 max
Silicon 0.15 - 0.35
Sulphur 0.025 max
Reference from metal suppliers online.

Just thinking out loud, I'd love to see these on the swap forum!

ThePepperSkull · 22nd January 2010, 06:17 AM

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=37691&stc=1

These bolos are making me droooool

Quote:

Originally Posted by harimauhk

Lovely pics of Taal and the balisongs. I'm heading there in two weeks specifically to pick up a bunch.

Would you be willing to do a pickup? I'd be VERY interested in some blades

KuKulzA28 · 22nd January 2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

Would you be willing to do a pickup? I'd be VERY interested in some blades

Now you've planted a seed in my head as well!

was going to avoid buying more than 1 blade this summer...

Dimasalang · 23rd January 2010, 06:32 PM

I also went to Taal Batangas and visited Barangay Balisong. This place is a lot smaller then I thought.

Still had a blast visiting there though.
I visited several of the vendors, but decided to buy most of my blades from a family whos father passed away. The two teenage sons took over their blade making business. Felt sorry for them.

Some of the blades I bought. $2-4 a piece.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harimauhk

Lovely pics of Taal and the balisongs. I'm heading there in two weeks specifically to pick up a bunch.

Are you a foreigner to the Philippines? Just know, it is legal to have Balisongs packed with your check in luggage, BUT they only allow a certain amount. I forgot the amount, I believe it was something like 6. You might want to ask them.

Dimasalang · 23rd January 2010, 06:35 PM

Since we sharing, heres my meager collection of modern day Balisongs.

My family stems from Batangas too. hehe

harimauhk · 10th February 2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimasalang

I also went to Taal Batangas and visited Barangay Balisong. This place is a lot smaller then I thought.

Still had a blast visiting there though.
I visited several of the vendors, but decided to buy most of my blades from a family whos father passed away. The two teenage sons took over their blade making business. Felt sorry for them.

Some of the blades I bought. $2-4 a piece.

Are you a foreigner to the Philippines? Just know, it is legal to have Balisongs packed with your check in luggage, BUT they only allow a certain amount. I forgot the amount, I believe it was something like 6. You might want to ask them.

Hi,

Yes I am. I bought two in January and the Customs guy at the airport tried to get a bribe out of me when he saw them in my suitcase. He tried to be discreet in the way he asked me, but I pretended I didn't understand what he wanted and he finally gave up. lol

I will be picking up quite a few items there. What would you guys like? PM me and I might be able to help you out. My first stop will be the guy Miguel bought his from.

ThePepperSkull · 10th February 2010, 08:23 PM

Expect a PM later today about some pickups, harimauhk!

When are you heading down to taal?

harimauhk · 11th April 2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

I think though that I lack the technique because the coin is supposed to be pierced through to the other side. My furious stabbing of the defiant coin pierced the coin only halfway at best!

The test was performed with the old 1 Piso coin--the new ones are harder I guess.

I picked up seven balisongs this time and I'm waiting for them to arrive by EMS and post...hopefully they make it through OK!

The Customs guy at the airport said "kris!" when my bag went through the X-Ray--I had a two foot long kris and a bolo in there too, but he didn't comment on the bolo. A few minutes later, he came up to me and said, "you know, the fan knife in your suitcase is prohibited. The other guy said I should confiscate it." I told him I only had one and he said, "it's probably better you check in early. I'll tell the guys that you're a good guy. Don't worry." He didn't ask me for money (I thought he would), which was pretty cool. Apparently lots of balis get seized at NAIA, but I always seem to get through just fine (although I did get asked for cotong (is that the right spelling in Tagalog?) in January.

migueldiaz · 11th April 2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harimauhk

The test was performed with the old 1 Piso coin--the new ones are harder I guess.

I picked up seven balisongs this time and I'm waiting for them to arrive by EMS and post...hopefully they make it through OK!

The Customs guy at the airport said "kris!" when my bag went through the X-Ray--I had a two foot long kris and a bolo in there too, but he didn't comment on the bolo. A few minutes later, he came up to me and said, "you know, the fan knife in your suitcase is prohibited. The other guy said I should confiscate it." I told him I only had one and he said, "it's probably better you check in early. I'll tell the guys that you're a good guy. Don't worry." He didn't ask me for money (I thought he would), which was pretty cool. Apparently lots of balis get seized at NAIA, but I always seem to get through just fine (although I did get asked for cotong (is that the right spelling in Tagalog?) in January.

The shipment should get to you I'm sure

Because reading the shipping rules thru the balisongs in post no. 31 above, the balisongs don't fall under any of the prohibited items

Those guys at the Manila [NAIA] airport customs & security are inconsistent, but they tend to be more forgiving especially to tourists and foreigners.

PS - "kotong" is the usual spelling, but "c" is also ok. but of course kotong is not ok

On a related matter, I passed by Lipa City, Batangas yesterday. I took that opportunity to go to the public market to look for some utility bolos.

I was with my wife and both of us know the routine -- I check out the sharp and pointed things, while she checks out the household goods which I think we have enough already. The feeling is mutual as I'm sure all can surmise, and the modus vivendi works out very well

The bolos' price range is from US$ 4, to 10 (the latter being the "disubo" [literally, "was made to swallow"], that is, a bolo with a harder steel metal insert along the cutting edge side.

Here's a pic I took of the some of the bolos, with shop assistant taking the opportunity to pose with his goods:

harimauhk · 11th April 2010, 12:32 PM

Thanks for posting that pic up Miguel! I was in Lipa twice last week and I never thought to check the palengke...I went to Robinson's looking for Batangas t-shirts with balisongs on them, but they were sold out.

BTW, that kris and bolo (and the sheath I can see) look like the ones I bought in Taal--I was told by Sir Ona that they are from Pangasinan. The kris I bought was a lot bigger though. Ona was ready to sell me his kris for 500 Piso, but I was like, "No thanks. One basura kris is enough."

I also saw similar kris and bolo on Raon in Quiapo on Friday.

migueldiaz · 13th April 2010, 03:28 AM

harimauhk, looks like you've been places

i've never been to raon in such a long time. i should check it out soon ...

harimauhk · 13th April 2010, 03:42 AM

I bought a santa rosario outside Quiapo church on Friday, and 20 Piso of those roasted peanuts and a Barangay Police t-shirt on Raon.

Dimasalang · 14th April 2010, 09:59 PM

Quick vent:
Balisongs in the Philippines are too commercialized now. They always have been, but I think it has taken a turn for the worst the past 5-10 years. They are churning out balis left and right, and the quality has seriously gone down and suffered. Even if you find one that is perfectly made, drilled correctly, and proportioned, it is just the pick of the litter of commercialized pieces. And now they are incorporating cheap plastic inserts and aluminum. As I mentioned earlier, I own several that I hand picked myself from Brgy Balisong in Taal. I remember seeing just boxes and boxes of Balis to be shipped out across the Philippines just made for the market. When I say boxes, I literally mean a box filled to the rim with Balis that are not in packaging. Sigh...what ever happened to taking pride in your work. I also have a Bali that I got from my friend who told me his father used to carry(made in the 60s or 70s). The workmanship surpasses all the recently made balis I own. Im curious to know what happened to all those Batangas smiths who put out those high quality bolos back during the revolutionary era. My roots stem from Batangas and I have traveled up and down that province. And I did not see any bolo that would compare to the quality and detail of the bolos from 100 years ago.

My uncle owns a barber shop here in the states and the wait is 2 hours average just to get a cut by him. There are two other barbers in the shop and their is no wait for them. My uncle always told me, the faster you cut, the quality goes down, along with your clientele...nobodys gonna want to come back. People always want quality, and if they want the best they will pay and wait. Thats how you stay in business.

Batangas still puts out higher quality blades then most other known blade towns and provinces in Luzon. But I can see the quality and trade slipping away. I'd hate to see that Batangas blade reputation go down the drain.

1st January 2009, 07:13 AM	#1
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	With nothing else better to do on a New Year's day holiday I put one of the Batangas balisongs under the acid test -- the piercing of the local one-peso coin via the blade's tip. The long and short of it is that it's so far so good (pic below). I think though that I lack the technique because the coin is supposed to be pierced through to the other side. My furious stabbing of the defiant coin pierced the coin only halfway at best! I don't have a good camera with me at the moment thus the pic below is crappy. But the tip of the balisong even after that mindless stabbing episode remained sharp and pointy. Attached Images

2nd January 2009, 12:03 AM	#2
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	I realize that we're supposed to focus here on ethnic weapons. But I can't help but mention how the balisong has evolved into modern day "tacticool" knives. And some of those are pretty exotic designs that baffles one's imagination! Most if not all of the images are taken from the blades board of a Filipino shooters forum. Attached Images

2nd January 2009, 12:10 AM	#3
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Here's another interesting modern balisong, obviously inspired by you-know-who, and with real diamonds! I'm not into these exotic stuff as it's not my cup of tea ... that is, aside from not having the sufficient funds to even entertain the idea So I am posting all these for academic interest only! Attached Images

21st January 2010, 04:34 PM	#4
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Lovely pics of Taal and the balisongs. I'm heading there in two weeks specifically to pick up a bunch.

21st January 2010, 06:09 PM	#5
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	For those that keep track of such things, the blades made from ball bearings are most likely 52100, a very good steel; Carbon 0.98 - 1.1 Chromium 1.3 - 1.6 Iron Balance Manganese 0.25 - 0.45 Phosphorus 0.025 max Silicon 0.15 - 0.35 Sulphur 0.025 max Reference from metal suppliers online. Just thinking out loud, I'd love to see these on the swap forum!

23rd January 2010, 06:35 PM	#9
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	Since we sharing, heres my meager collection of modern day Balisongs. My family stems from Batangas too. hehe

10th February 2010, 08:23 PM	#11
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Expect a PM later today about some pickups, harimauhk! When are you heading down to taal?

11th April 2010, 12:32 PM	#14
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Thanks for posting that pic up Miguel! I was in Lipa twice last week and I never thought to check the palengke...I went to Robinson's looking for Batangas t-shirts with balisongs on them, but they were sold out. BTW, that kris and bolo (and the sheath I can see) look like the ones I bought in Taal--I was told by Sir Ona that they are from Pangasinan. The kris I bought was a lot bigger though. Ona was ready to sell me his kris for 500 Piso, but I was like, "No thanks. One basura kris is enough." I also saw similar kris and bolo on Raon in Quiapo on Friday.

13th April 2010, 03:28 AM	#15
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	harimauhk, looks like you've been places i've never been to raon in such a long time. i should check it out soon ...

13th April 2010, 03:42 AM	#16
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	I bought a santa rosario outside Quiapo church on Friday, and 20 Piso of those roasted peanuts and a Barangay Police t-shirt on Raon.

14th April 2010, 09:59 PM	#17
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	Quick vent: Balisongs in the Philippines are too commercialized now. They always have been, but I think it has taken a turn for the worst the past 5-10 years. They are churning out balis left and right, and the quality has seriously gone down and suffered. Even if you find one that is perfectly made, drilled correctly, and proportioned, it is just the pick of the litter of commercialized pieces. And now they are incorporating cheap plastic inserts and aluminum. As I mentioned earlier, I own several that I hand picked myself from Brgy Balisong in Taal. I remember seeing just boxes and boxes of Balis to be shipped out across the Philippines just made for the market. When I say boxes, I literally mean a box filled to the rim with Balis that are not in packaging. Sigh...what ever happened to taking pride in your work. I also have a Bali that I got from my friend who told me his father used to carry(made in the 60s or 70s). The workmanship surpasses all the recently made balis I own. Im curious to know what happened to all those Batangas smiths who put out those high quality bolos back during the revolutionary era. My roots stem from Batangas and I have traveled up and down that province. And I did not see any bolo that would compare to the quality and detail of the bolos from 100 years ago. My uncle owns a barber shop here in the states and the wait is 2 hours average just to get a cut by him. There are two other barbers in the shop and their is no wait for them. My uncle always told me, the faster you cut, the quality goes down, along with your clientele...nobodys gonna want to come back. People always want quality, and if they want the best they will pay and wait. Thats how you stay in business. Batangas still puts out higher quality blades then most other known blade towns and provinces in Luzon. But I can see the quality and trade slipping away. I'd hate to see that Batangas blade reputation go down the drain.