Folders Vs Fixed Blades: Important Detail Turns Folding Knives into War Machines | Navaja | Balisong 

I have carried a balisong for many years and I'd long ago worked out the differences that grip adjustments could make. Now I want a navaja a well. I can see how the guys who carried the balisong on the streets as a working tool and a weapon would have all developed the changes in grip sort of organically. I believe you mentioned in a bowie knife video that the blade becomes your instructor. Anyway enough rambling excellent video

Great presentation! I've come to favor folders because fixed blades must be open-carried where I tend to be, though the lasting reasonable argument for the fixed blade is faster deployment. As for the Balisong, we used to enjoy training with them back in the 80s, but I think since they've been criminalized in so many areas many schools have moved away from them. I really appreciate your efforts to "revive" the art! More please!

I have the large polished Espada. My understanding is intuitive,, but watching a master bring it to its pinnacle, is amazing.

These are exactly what Ive been exploring with the Luzon Large and why Ive been planning on picking up the XL Espada as well. 👍

I think your videos are doing a great service in educating those who are ignorant to the balde arts. You just took 2 of the most misunderstood blades and showed they are much more than novelty items. Great job.

I used to esc a CS Vaquero Grande. When I saw the Espada XL, I wanted one, but it was illegal to carry in my state. Thankfully the laws changed and it is legal in many areas now as a Location-restricted knife.

Great points made in this video. The Espada is a special knife. To me, you have folding knives, knives with tri-ad locks, and fixed blades. The handle length and shape, combined with the tri-ad lock, really set it apart for me. I have been eying one for years, I should finally just get one. If I do I'll probably put in a false edge on my sander. And to add with balisongs, I have several and love them. Love the security I get from the simple design. No worries stabbing with one. And you make a great point about them, the UNPREDICTABLITY of them. Deception will always be a fundamental to combat.

Great video i would like to say i carry a vaquero xl serrated most times. But i have balisongs i carry depending on environment. I like the balisong because everyone i have is designed to be use closed as well as open. I don't understand why most Filipino schools don't teach balisong and they do very little sarong as well. Both are very useful especially in non-lethal events. I will always carry at least one folder because of ease and size. I was taught a knife is to be felt never seen. My training is a bit different because ive actually experienced a few knife fights. It was actually rather comon in Baltimore city then and now. So my line of thinking is different then many people ive studied under. I really getting tired of the youtube influencers all repeating the folding knives are weak. Yet many coldsteel folders are stronger then some fixed blades. An reach is always important. Anyway sorry i was so long winded im trying to work on that.

you made me want to learn more about the balisong.

Fantastic presentation 👍

Largest and cheapest of Balisong style knife is from Gerber and its the Double Down. Cheapest enough on eBay. That you can modify it to beat the locking handles. Seen the lowest price of 119. Blade lenth 7" overall lenth 15" when open, close is 9"

Thanks for the video. I got an Espada large version. Love it. The only balisong I have is the kershaw lucha. I find it difficult in trying to find someone to teach me. So I use my Kali instruction to inform my use of the balisong. So frustrating. But it’s part of the journey to wisdom I suppose. Salamat po for your video and the cinematography!

I have a balisong. Its hard to maneuver and flip as i am thinking about making sure my fingers are not in contact with the edge as well as not getting my fingers pinched in the handle while flipping. The cold steel espada xl(nevaja) is one knife i would like to have. I use to not care about the type of knife i had until a folding knife that had the release button on the handle and i was using it in icepick grip and my had squeezed on the release button and it folded in my hand causing a angular laceration on the base of the out side of my pinky finger. After that, i was strickly a fixed blade person. I still favor a fixed blade mostly. If the espada xl came in a fixed blade fashion. That would be nice. Im sure the "triad lock system" that cold steel has would not fail as long as the release mechanism is not on the part of the handle grip that will have contact with the hand and cause a closing on the hand. 🤷‍♂️

He sent out what I really wanted to learn. I am trying to learn about my torso, wrists, toes and heels to understand my body and mind with a blade from Laredo Bowie and Espada xl.

IMHO, you missed an other great strength of the balisong, and that is it’s ability to deploy attacks from concealment. It’s one of those things I learned as a necessity for the streets. There’s two great postures from which to do such attacks…but I don’t think I have the words to describe it without demonstrating them. They also fall into the moral grey zone of, “I can’t teach this to everyone” category.

🔥🔥🔥

I bought that cold steel magnum tanto just off the looks of the tip. I must say it came rather dull.. how do you sharpen yours? Do you use a particular kit.