Improve your butterfly knife tricks

The butterfly knife, also called a balisong knife is a folding pocket knife with a blade that opens via a button-in-hinge mechanism. The nomenclature for this type of knife may also refer to other similarly designed knives that do not use the button-in-hinge design, such as the turquoise ceramic knife (formerly known as the "turquoise butterfly knife").

A butterfly knife is typically compactly designed and fits easily in the pocket of a tight fitting pair of pants or shorts. The blade can be locked open or closed depending on preference during use, and sometimes includes serrations to aid cutting performance in certain situations. The handle of the knife is usually made of an aesthetically pleasing material such as wood, rubber, or plastic.

The balisong knife was first patented in the United States on January 3, 1928 by John Rosenberger. The knife became a popular accessory in the 1950s, and has continued to be produced and sold as a modern version of its predecessor. People enjoy using these knives for playing tricks. 

Butterfly Knives - The Coolest Knives

This fan knife is considered by some to be the best. A balisong knife only became apparent to people after they mistakenly thought this was a real butterfly knife.

The knives, no matter what you call them, look great and add an extra level of X factor to the pocket knives we're already familiar with. Nevertheless, if you've ever seen an actor of your choice use a balisong knife, you might want to give it a try.

Balisong: Some of its Key Components

In order to ensure your safety when using the Balisong, The main parts of the butterfly knife with the aspects you should be aware of. I will talk primarily about the latch, the safe handle, the bite handle, the edge, and the swedge.

  • Its purpose is to secure the handle when the knife is closed by attaching it to the latch.
  • In many knives, the latch is located on the bite handle: this is the handle closest to the knife's edge, also known as the edge. The handle side of the knife should not be held by the blade, since you don't want to cut your hands.
  • In the other handle, known as the safe handle, there is a swedge that is not sharp, which allows it to be a safer option.
  • The latch of the handle is usually located on one side. Make sure to see which side it is on. You will then be able to keep an eye on where the blade's edge is.

Butterfly knife

Popular Butterfly Knife Tricks


  • Two Handed Technique

Balisongs can be opened in this way since we believe it's the simplest, fastest, and safest method. No extra steps are necessary, and you are less likely to fumble or lose your grip. 

Opening the knife is done by pulling the handles apart, with the blade facing down, and with your hands facing your palms. It is then turned upwards, then your hands are turned back with the palms facing you, and the handles are closed with the knife exposed.

The process should be reversed. The blade can also be opened upwards if the knife is pointed upwards. To close these, simply pull the handles apart and expose the knife. Your two handed butterfly tricks are done!

  • One Handed Trick

In this way, you can open the Balisong the fastest and most conveniently. You can open the Balisong comfortably and with one hand if you want. As well as being relatively safe, the knife has a low risk of falling or being fumbled. 

You keep a secure grip in your thumb and index finger when you let the blade and handle dangle down. Turn the knife clockwise until the blade dangles from the bite handle and the blade points forward. 

While holding the handle between your thumb and index finger, insert your fingers into the slot in the guard. Spread your fingers so that you can grasp the bite handle in your hand.

  • Y2K Rollover Trick

Aside from its sleek appearance, Y2K is very popular with people. Getting down requires excellent hand-eye coordination, but once you're down everything is pretty simple.

  • Zen Rollover Trick

Zen rollovers are performed with a fake butterfly knife, which is why they need to be done. Your thumb, some fingers, or part of your palm could end up being lost if the wrong move lands on the sharp edge.

The Zen rollover is the trick that requires you to perform two moves simultaneously. Having practiced it so many times, when you finally get it down, it looks like one trick.

One important difference between Y2K and Zen rollover butterfly knife tricks is that the latter starts on the bite handle whereas the former starts on the safe handle. They require a little palm into the hole, as well as a nice flick to pull them off.

  • Upward-swinging Handle Switch Trick

There is no scare in this trick, just a straightforward telling of what it is and what it is not.  Tricks like this require the two handles and some dexterity, as well as knowing how to perform the wrist pass. The operating mechanism requires that you open/close the door simply by flicking a handle, then switch handles and repeat the same motion.

Butterfly knife tricks

  • Gambler’s Dagger

In my opinion, beginners should familiarize themselves with how to open and close their butterfly knives before arriving. Using a fake/trainer balisong at this point is another of those moves that reminds you why you should use it.

Gambler's Dagger is a fun and entertaining motion that makes it sound like an open-close loop. Like most tricks, performing this one correctly also requires strong hand-eye coordination, although the mechanism isn't difficult.

  • Open with Three Moves

Compared to the last one, this one has a bit more complexity. Keep your knife handy while working on this. Additionally, you should be aware of which side of the blade contains the sharp edge, and grip the handle on the side which does not contain the sharp edge (the safe handle). 

You can open the handles. Holding the handle in your hand, rotate it in a small clockwise motion, while gripping with your thumb and index finger until your fingers are positioned in the middle of the handles. The blade and bite handle should be dangling downward after spinning the handle again.

Pop the bite handle up into your hand with a quick upward motion and with the exposed knife in your hand, you are ready to bite. Use the same sequence of motions to close it, but when you are done the blade and bite handle should spring into your hand.

  • Ice-Picking or Reverse-Grip Openings

A reverse-grip, which is where the blade of the tool extends downward from the bottom of the fist, is an ice-pick grip. By again dropping the bite handle, you then rotate the safe handle clockwise in your palm, allowing the bite handle to dangle. 

Keeping your index finger between the safe handle and the blade, rest it on the safe handle. By popping the blade and bite handle upward, you rest the safe swedge portion of the blade on your index finger. Place your thumb on the outside of the handle of the safe and hold the handle between your index finger and other fingers. 

Using your thumb on the outside of the safe handle, flip the blade and bite handle downward and out so the blade and bite handle rest in your hand with the safe handle. 

Last, you'll need dexterity to move your fingers and thumb out of the way so you can grab the bite handle with your palm. You'll need to hold the safe handle and move your fingers out of the way. These butterfly knife tricks are famous among experts. 

Safe Handling of Butterfly Knives

If you have skipped over the introduction to this guide about how to use a butterfly knife, here's what I tell you:

Butterfly knife trainer

  • Butterfly knife trainer is the way to go
  • The fake balisong knives that you will find will look as realistic as possible and are stylish too.
  • It is impossible to damage anything with a dull knife. So:
  • Practice butterfly knife tricks when you're alone and in an open area.
  • Be sure to flip the knife closed whenever you aren't using it.
  • You cannot carry it concealed as a weapon
Using the knife for self-defense can cause more harm than good if you are not familiar with it. Keep your balisong at home, even if it is a trainer, so you don't get on the wrong side of the law.

Read More: Butterfly Knife - A Knife for Self Defense and Tricks