Pinoy Steel.
The best handforged Filipino blades right to your door.
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Matatag na Republika.
Picked up a souvenir gunong in Davao. Not something I’d consider selling since it’s a tourist grade piece. Sadly, Davao was devoid of good gunongs. The stores I found had bad tourist grade pieces and fairly good tourist grade ones—both at exorbitant prices.
The 29 cm buyod under the license plate has double pinned brass bolsters and two extra thick tang pins (like all the new Pinoy Steel balisongs). The scales are rare Himalayan Ram horn. This knife was a good flipper as soon as I picked it up, so I made it my EDC and shipped my stag and kamagong rambo back with the new pieces. I haven’t decided if I’m going to sell this one yet since I really like the scales on it!
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Happy Easter.
Let’s not forget what it’s all about and the sacrifice that was made for us. A blessed Easter to everyone from Pinoy Steel!
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Cop with an FHM balisong.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this: a Manila cop with an FHM balisong in one of the magazine holders on his belt. It looked like a roughly made 24 cm brass and horse bone balisong (with classic brass channels). Quite a few policemen, security guards and bodyguards still carry FHMs with their firearms.
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Tausug barung.
I was in Manila over the weekend and got talking to a Tausug couple. I told them I was interested in Moro culture and weapons, and we ended up talking about barungs and krises. The man above told me he had an heirloom barung he might be interested in selling. He was hesitant to show it to me at first, but then he went and got it from where he had it hidden. His wife and kids had never seen it before, and he told me he didn’t like handling it or owning it—he wanted to take it back to Jolo, Sulu.
According to the owner, the barung had been in his family for several generations. From the handle, I believe it was made in Basilan. The story was that when his family decided to build a new home, they had to move one of their ancestor’s graves, and this barung was found buried in the grave. In it’s present condition, it is severely rusted and the scabbard had been wrapped in black tape to hold it together. The man above told me he was plagued with dreams after handling the barung because of its long (and possibly bloody) history. I was fascinated by his story and grateful for having a chance to handle an older barung, which he had never shown anyone else. It was surprisingly light. I was lead to believe the older barungs were massive and heavy, but this one was fairly standard as far as barungs go.
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Slim kamagong balisongs.
These 23 cm kamagong balisongs feature astoundingly beautiful Philippines ebony (kamagong) scales with lots of figure. They were built slimmer than normal and are nice and light. Perfect for EDC. They all weigh between 3.5 and 4 oz.
From top to bottom:
1. Slim and light kamagong balisong. 9” overall with a carbon steel rambo blade. Great knife. Very well made (by the best makers). Nicely ground and pointed. Really nice knife! $89.
2. Just like the knife above it. 9” overall with a carbon spring steel rambo blade. Dark brown with subtle lighter figuring. Solid 3/16” blade. $89.
3. 9” kamagong balisong. Carbon steel tari (cockfighting-style) blade that was nicely hollowground. Brass bolsters and stainless liners with a brass latch (all of these knives were built the same way). Dark brown kamagong with nice lighter figuring. $89.
4. Another carbon steel tari with brass bolsters, stainless liners and a brass latch.
Well ground and put together. Lovely kamagong scales with the most contrast out of these four. Great little knife! $89.
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Kamagong and stainless bente kwatros.
Two very attractive knives and a very solid trainer up for grabs!
From top to bottom:
1. Made by the best makers around. 23 cm long (just over 9”) with stainless bolsters and almost pitch black kamagong scales. Interesting bayonet-ground labaha blade. I’ve never seen a grind quite like this one and I like it! Carbon spring steel blade. This knife had a wire edge, but I sharpened it up on diamond rods and it is much better now. Some very minor forging marks on the ricasso. Edge grind is not quite perfect, but this is still a beautiful and unique knife that only weighs 4 oz. $99.
2. 23 cm mirror polished carbon steel kris blade. Stainless bolsters, liners and latch and dark brown kamagong scales. Very well ground. Again, some very minor forging marks on the tang. Very nice knife and one I’d be proud to own! Also by the best makers. 4 oz. SOLD.
3. Solid 28 cm balisong trainer. Built just like an FHM balisong (it can even be ground to shape). Slightly overheated tip (see the discoloration), which means the tip has lost temper, but for a trainer that will be dropped, this is a good thing as the steel will be softer. Nice, thick brass and bone handles and a thick carbon steel blade in the buyod (bowie) pattern. These trainers have been very popular with my buyers. Not made by the best makers, so it is perhaps a little less refined, but it is a good, solid trainer at a great price. 7.5 oz. $85.
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Kamagong bente nueves.
Number two and four are sold. The other two are available.
These gorgeous kamagong FHM balisongs are classics with a twist. The aluminum-bolstered ones are thicker and wider than standard: one of them has a bayonet blade and the other has a now classic tari (cockfighting blade) hollow grind. The brass bolstered 9” knives have bayonet grinds and kamagong and bone scales. They are absolutely stunning knives I spent over an hour polishing to get just right.
From top to bottom:
1. 29 cm balisong with a carbon steel tari blade, aluminum bolsters and latch and stainless liners. Thick bolsters and kamagong scales that swell in the middle to fit your palm. Very sharp blade. This knife wasn’t made by the most skilled makers, but it is solid and will serve you well. Very light surface dents on two of the kamagong scales and the grind lines are slightly uneven (although the edge and point were ground very well). Nice and light at 6 oz. $95.
2. This 23 cm (9”) balisong was made by the bet makers around and it shows. Very nicely ground 3/16” carbon steel bayonet blade. The swedge on the bayonet is very thin (but not quite sharpened). Perfectly pointed blade. Brass bolsters and latch and stainless liners. Beautiful kamagong scales and expertly jigged horse bone. Excellent knife in every way. 5 oz. SOLD.
3. This 23 cm knife is much like the one above it. Slightly darker jigged horse bone and the grind could be a little better (but it’s still very good). They’d be great together. $85 if you’re taking the pair, or $95 on its own.
4. This 29 won’t need much breaking in. Thicker, wider knife with kamagong scales with palm swells. Aluminum bolsters and thick aluminum latch. Well ground bayonet blade with a nice, thin swedge (not quite sharpened, although it wouldn’t take much). 5.5 oz. SOLD.
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Kamagong and molave kerambits.
1. These West Javanese-style karambits have been hugely popular with my customers. This particular knife has a 300-series stainless blade. It is mirror polished and highly corrosion resistant. This knife is sharp along both edges, but please note sharpening 300-series stainless steel is no easy task without a bench grinder, so this kind of knife would be best suited to emergency use. It will not have to be oiled constantly like carbon steel, so it is ideal for a knife that will be carried a lot or stored and only used when needed. 300-series stainless has higher corrosion resistance than any of the 400-series stainless steels (440A, B and C, for example).
These karambits are larger and thicker than their Indonesian-made counterparts. They are better suited to Western hands and will really fill up your hand nicely. The rings are well shaped and smoothly finished. This is an issue for the West Javanese makers, who often weld their karambits’ rings to the tang. Like the Javanese karambits, these are full-tang and pinned through.
The sheath is also Javanese-style and is made of molave wood that has a good amount of flash in the light. This is beautiful wood that is often overlooked in the Philippines since everyone wants kamagong and narra knives. Molave is beautiful in its own right. Please note the sheath has a tiny hole in it and a few minor dings from storage and transportation in the Philippines.
This karambit weighs 6.5 oz, or 7.5 oz with the sheath. $79.This second full-tang karambit has a blade that was handforged from 5160 carbon spring steel. Spring steel is what is used on the vast majority of FHM balisong offered here at Pinoy Steel. It is tough and holds and takes a great edge, but it will rust if not kept oiled. It is by far my favorite steel because of its usability and how easy it is to get nice and sharp.
This is a one of a kind karambit that I may not be offering ever again. The handle is very well done and has had finger grooves carved into it. Both the handle slabs and the sheath are made of outstanding pieces of molave with incredible chatoyancy.
This knife is a real beauty that will serve you well as long as you take minimal care of it (keeping the blade and wood oiled). It weighs 7 oz (8.25 oz with the sheath). $85.
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Bubinga, blackwood and kamagong 29s.
Been a few days since I posted new balisongs. Sorry for keeping you waiting: here are some I think you’ll like! All of the knives (and the trainer) were made by the best makers currently producing balisongs in Batangas. From top to bottom:
1. 32 cm FHM balisong with a 3/16” hollowground tari (cockfighting blade) blade that was forged from high carbon spring steel. Two extra thick tang pins (the second tang pin protects the blade’s edge from hitting the liners). African bubinga handles with lots of interesting figuring. Double pinned stainless bolsters (for extra durability), brass liners and a nice thick brass latch. Great knife! Please note there are a few tiny forging marks on the tang and a tiny bit of corrosion on the tang as well. 6.5 oz. $135.
2. 29 cm balisong with a 3/16” spring steel tari blade with a nice, sharp swedge. Double extra thick tang pins. African bubinga with a nice, deep reddish brown color. This style of blade was a request from a customer and it turned out very well. Only here at Pinoy Steel. Stainless bolsters, liners and thin custom-grade latch. Nice and light at only 5 oz. SOLD.
3. This knife is a real beaut. 29 cm (a true bente nueve) with Filipino kamagong (ebony) and incredible Tasmanian blackwood scales. Amazing flash and figuring—it looks like tiger stripes! There is a small darker area on part of the blackwood (naturally occuring). There are also tiny gaps between the kamagong and the blackwood, but they are barely visible.
Carbon steel labaha (straight razor) blade. Double tang pins (extra thick) and double pinned bolsters. All stainless hardware. A very reasonable 5 oz. SOLD.
4. 28.5 cm balisong trainer. Stainless steel blade that is a solid 3/16” thick, stainless bolsters, liners and latch and beautiful kamagong scales. Like many of my new offerings, this trainer has two extra-thick tang pins and double pinned bolsters. Small crack in one of the scales near one of the pins. 6.5 oz. SOLD.
5. 26.5 cm carbon steel kris balisong with stainless bolsters, liners and latch. Beautiful kamagong inserts—the stainless pins are purely decorative and do not go all the way through the wood. Standard sized tang pin. Please note the tip on this knife was not perfectly ground, so I wouldn’t try stabbing coins with it! It will penetrate softer materials just fine. :) 5 oz. $105.
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Balisong history.
I’ve been meaning to upload these pics for a while and I’m finally getting around to it. Before anyone asks, none of these knives are mine (or for sale)!
The knife on top was made before or around World War II in Batangas. It has stag scales on top of a brass channel (no bolsters).
The knife under it was a Boentgen & Sabin contract knife. It was made in Germany and imported into the US between 1890 and 1930. There are definitely a lot of similarities between the two knives, indicating the French influenced the Germans and perhaps subsequently the Filipinos. Batangas was home to many of the most important characters in Philippines history, so there’s a good chance the Batangas balisong industry (which supposedly started in 1905—when balisongs were still called lancetas) started after a fan knife was brought there from Europe.
This knife was made later (1945 - 1960). During this period, bolsters first appeared, perhaps due to design influence from US GIs.
This is one of my personal rambo bente nueves (with wings). The channels were still formed the same way and the handles, scales and pivots are still pinned together. The fit and finish of FHM balisongs has improved considerably, and the handles are thicker and more rounded than they once were. With the advent of modern machinery, the variety of grinds and blade shapes available has grown tremendously.
Even with all of these changes, balisongs are still made in much the same way as the first fan knives were, which to me only adds to their charm. Our Filipino balisongs may well outlast us, and the knives pictured above are a testament to the legacy of a simple but effective design that has lasted well over a century.
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Bubinga, wenge and kamagong.
Here are four lovely knives for your viewing pleasure:
1. 32 cm long (like the one from yesterday), Beautiful African bubinga scales. Double tang pins (extra thick) and double pinned bolsters. Carbon steel tari (hollowground cockfighting style) blade. Stainless bolsters with brass liners and a brass latch. 7 oz. $139, or $129 if you’re taking both of the 32 cm taris.
2. 29 cm kris with bubinga inserts. Again, double tang pins and double pinned bolsters. No brass on this one: stainless bolsters, liners and latch. Carbon steel blade. The scales are African bubinga (it’s getting harder to find redder bubinga nowadays) with some chatoyancy. 5.5 oz. SOLD.
3. 29 cm buyod (bowie). Nice, long swedge and a slim carbon steel blade. Brass bolsters, stainless liners and thick brass latch. Very nice African wenge scales with incredible figuring. I’m tempted to keep this one! 5.25 oz. SOLD.
4. Not made by the best makers, but still a good, solid knife (just a little less refined around the edges). 28.5 cm. Brass bolsters, liners and latch. Dark kamagong scales. Hollowground carbon steel labaha (straight razor) blade. 6 oz. $95.
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Bubinga and ‘bolo bente nueves.
All four of these knives are brand new and were made by the best balisong makers in the Philippines today. All four have extra thick, double tang pins and double pinned bolsters, and all four have brass liners and latches, so they are a little heavier than usual. The first three are the first FHM balisongs I’ve ever seen with stainless bolsters and brass liners and latches.
1. 32 cm long with a carbon steel tari (cockfighting) blade. Lovely African bubinga inserts. This is a big, solid knife that would make a great defensive blade. 6.5 oz. Two small forging marks on the blade. $135.
2. Slightly shorter at 31 cm. Carbon steel tari blade and African bubinga inserts. Actually a touch heavier at 7 oz! $145.
3. 29 cm long with South American cocobolo inserts. Beautiful red color and figuring. Again, a hollowground carbon steel tari blade. 6.5 oz. SOLD.
4. 29 cm long with all brass hardware and a carbon steel bayonet blade. Great looking knife with a nicely ground blade. 6 oz. SOLD.
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Balisongs and balicombs.
These balisongs and balicombs are all excellent quality and would make great pocket companions!
From top to bottom:
1. 28 cm long FHM balisong with a carbon steel bayonet blade. Aluminum bolsters and kamagong scales. Thick aluminum latch. This is a really nice knife that is wider and thicker than normal, but since the bolsters and latch are aluminum, it is still nice and light at 5 oz. Great EDC defensive blade. This knife will really fill your hands up nicely. There are two or three minor surface dents in the wood from storage in the Philippines. SOLD.
2. 23 cm kris balisong with stainless handles (bolsters, liners and latch). The carbon steel blade starts off straight and then the waves kick in, much like on many traditional Maranao kris. This grind is only currently available right here at Pinoy Steel. Double extra thick tang pins.
Ivory G-10 in the center with lengthwise streaks and grain that really make it look like ivory. G-10 has never been used on an FHM before. The G-10 on this knife is finished smooth, unlike the G-10 on most tactical knives. It still provides lots of grip. I personally spent an hour sanding these inserts to 600 grit to get them looking (and feeling) just right. The G-10 is surrounded by beautiful dark kamagong. The latch on this knife is a little tight but will of course break in. 4 oz. $125.
3. 18 cm balicomb with a hand sawed stainless comb, stainless bolsters, liners and latch. The scales are beautiful South American purpleheart. These combs have been very popular, so if you want one, don’t hesitate. I don’t have many of these left! 3 oz. SOLD.
4. 18 cm balicomb with brass bolsters, stainless liners and a brass latch. Osage orange scales. Great balicomb at a great price! 2.5 oz. $109.
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Classic brass, kamagong and narra balisongs.
With these four FHM balisongs, we’re returning to the classics. No imported wood, bone or stag on these babies: they’re all 100% Pinoy.
1. The first knife (on top) is 29 cm long and has a razor sharp carbon steel buyod blade with ‘wings’ on the tang. It has full-length dark (almost black) kamagong inserts. Brass bolsters, stainless liners and a brass latch. This knife was made by the best makers around and it shows. 6.5 oz. SOLD.
2. The second knife from the top was also made by the best makers around and it measures 28 cm overall. Carbon steel tari (cockfighting) blade that is razor sharp and nicely pointed. Dark red narra around carefully jigged horse bone. Brass bolsters, stainless liners and a brass latch. Nice and light at 5 oz. SOLD.
3. Knife #3 is 22 cm long and is a beauty. Buyod blade with ‘Rambo’ holes and an eagle spine. Philippines eagle tang (the Philippines eagle, bred in captivity, has been recorded as the largest eagle in the world). Nice, dark brown kamagong inserts with subtle figuring and even a little flash. Copper and stainless pins (four in each scale). Double pinned brass bolsters, brass liners and a brass latch. This knife won’t need much breaking in! Solid little knife at around 6.75 oz! SOLD.
4. 23 cm long with red narra inserts and brass ‘covers.’ Wide carbon steel eagle buyod blade. Some minor forging marks on the eagle (handforging in the traditional way often leaves forging marks behind). Some forge scale too. Very solid little knife: brass bolsters, liners and a thick brass latch. 7 oz. $115.
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Italian stilettos and Spanish navajas.
While Batangas balisongs will always be my first love as far as folding knives go, I collect all kinds of handmade ethnic knives. Here are my Maniago-made stilettos and my Albacete navajas.
From top to bottom:
1. 9” AKC Swing guard stiletto with snakewood scales. This knife costs about $150 brand new, and one of the scales was cracked during pinning. :( 420A steel dagger blade, stainless bolsters and brass pins.
2. 9” Frank Beltrame kris stiletto with stag scales. 420A stainless blade, stainless bolsters and brass pins. One of the pins backed out and had to be fixed with epoxy.
3. 9” AKC bayonet stiletto with black buffalo horn scales. 420A stainless blade, stainless bolsters and brass pins.
4. 8” Martinez navaja with cow horn scales and a 440A blade.
5. 8” Andujar navaja with silver nickel fittings, briar scales and a 440A blade.
None of these are for sale, but posting this really puts the sheer value of an FHM balisong in perspective. Handforged carbon steel stilettos cost a heck of a lot more than $200 and Italian and Spanish makers have access to the latest technology in making their knives. The best handmade stilettos and navajas go for $400+! In comparison, the best balisongs in the Philippines are made with rudimentary tools by master craftsmen. They involve significantly more labor, and they go for much less. I feel the quality of a good FHM balisong is absolutely comparable (if not superior) to any of these knives, and there’s no comparison between handforged carbon steel and 400-series stainless!
