There are a lot of things to take into consideration when you’re getting a butterfly knife—blade shape, weight, type of construction, brand preference, and more. One thing you might not know too much about, however, is what handle material you should get on your balisong. Everyone is going to have their own opinion about what type of butterfly knife handle you should get, but here are a few of the materials to choose from out there and a little bit about them.
Benefits of Different Butterfly Knife Handle Materials
I did a lot of the research for this post on Blade Forums. There was one post in particular that talked about balisongs and what the best materials for balisong handles are, so some of what you’ll see below is based purely on the experiences of others with their knives.
Titanium
From what I found from other people, titanium seems to be a pretty good option for balisong handles. Titanium is very strong, which is a great quality to have in a butterfly knife. With all the flipping you’ll be doing, you’ll want something that’s not going to break the first time it’s dropped. Most of the people I read input from said that despite a fair amount of abuse, the titanium handles on their balisongs remain unscathed and in prime flipping condition.
Titanium is also very resistant to corrosion, which is always a good thing! Titanium does tend to cost a bit more than stainless steel, but it’s worth the extra cost. (Titanium is great for balisongs, but it’s also great for hiking and backpacking gear because it’s very lightweight.) Also, I’ve never experienced this personally, but I have heard that titanium actually has decent friction as far as flipping is concerned.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is also a great material; as its name suggests, it is resistant to corrosion. It’s also typically less expensive than titanium, so if you’re pinching pennies, stainless steel handles might be an attractive option.
Brass
From what I’ve read from other people’s experiences, brass seems to be an okay option for knife handles. It is very long lasting, but it’s also pretty soft, which may or may not be what you’re looking for in butterfly handles. Brass is also looks very nice, so if you are deciding which balisong to get based on aesthetics at all, brass handles might be something to consider.
Aluminum
Aluminum seems to be a less popular choice as far as butterfly knife handles go. The material is very light and therefore fairly weak. It doesn’t have great corrosion resistance, but it is more resistant to corrosion if the aluminum has been anodized.
The best handle material for you is of course going to depend on what you’re looking to get out of your balisong. Different people value different traits, so try to keep that in mind when you’re shopping around for your butterfly knife.
What is your favorite butterfly knife handle material?
Remember: Blade HQ is the best place to find the right butterfly knives for you!
