A butterfly knife (balisong) is designed for utility, martial arts, and flipping performance. Its rotating two-piece handle allows for rapid, one-handed opening and closing. The simple, rugged construction provides a highly secure lock, making it both a practical everyday carry (EDC) tool and a popular dexterity toy.
Butterfly knives (balisongs) are primarily used for flipping tricks, martial arts training, everyday utility tasks, and self-defense. While highly recognizable for their rapid, one-handed opening mechanisms, their modern usage varies based on design and local legislation.
Butterfly knives (balisongs) are heavily restricted or outright illegal in many jurisdictions due to their association with street crime, ease of concealment, rapid deployment, and a historical surge in accidental self-injuries by untrained users. Lawmakers often categorize them alongside switchblades or "gravity knives".
Navy SEALs do not have a single standard-issue knife, as operators rely on a wide variety of blades tailored to specific missions. However, the officially issued maritime dive knife is the Ontario Mark 3 Mod 0, and the Cold Steel SRK is notoriously issued during grueling Basic Underwater Demolition (BUD/S) training.
The "holy trinity of knives" refers to either the foundational trio of folding pocket knives that defined the high-end knife industry, or the three essential blades every kitchen needs.
Under Penal Code 21510 PC, butterfly knives are considered a form of a switchblade and are illegal in California. Specifically, it is a crime to carry, possess in public, sell, or otherwise transfer a butterfly knife.
The "John Wick knife" refers to a series of high-end, out-the-front (OTF) automatic knives wielded by Keanu Reeves throughout the action franchise. The exact model changes depending on the movie, most famously transitioning from a Microtech in the earlier films to a custom Grant & Gavin Hawk in John Wick 4.
CIA agents do not have a single standard-issue knife. Because they operate in various covert, clandestine, and urban environments, they generally treat knives as personal tools and select gear based on their specific mission needs, personal preference, and local carry laws.
The official multi-purpose knife and bayonet issued to the United States Marine Corps is the OKC-3S. Manufactured by the Ontario Knife Company, it replaced the older M7 bayonet to better serve modern requirements for both close combat and field utility tasks.
Navy SEALs use a highly adaptable arsenal tailored to specific missions. Standard weapons include the M4A1 rifle, Glock 19 pistol, and MK46 machine gun. Their specific guns are categorized by function:
At the federal level, the only knife explicitly banned from manufacture, sale, and interstate commerce is the ballistic knife (a knife with a detachable blade that is forcefully propelled by a spring or mechanism). Other restrictions vary wildly by state and local laws, which regulate carrying, blade length, and opening mechanisms.
Butterfly knives (balisongs) are perfectly legal to own and carry in the vast majority of U.S. states. However, about 8 states impose strict restrictions, and total bans exist in Hawaii (currently being challenged) and California (possession is a misdemeanor in public, though legally grey in the privacy of your home).
Butterfly knives (balisongs) are completely banned for ownership and carry in a few states, most notably California (which classifies them as switchblades), Massachusetts, and Washington. Many other states restrict how they can be carried or sold.
A Word Of Caution. As I said above, you need to remember that a butterfly knife is still a sharp bladed pocket knife, and you will cut yourself if you're not careful. The guaranteed way to avoid this is to start out with a butterfly trainer first.
A butterfly knife is most commonly known by its traditional Filipino name, balisong. It is also frequently referred to as a fan knife, Batangas knife, or butterfly knife due to the way its two pivoting handles open like the wings of a butterfly.
✔ For budget-friendly live blade balisongs:
A "Joker knife" most commonly refers to a high-quality, fixed-blade outdoor and bushcraft knife manufactured in Albacete, Spain. Alternatively, it can refer to collectible pocket knives themed after the DC Comics character.
OTF (Out-The-Front) knives are legal to own in most US states, but their legality depends entirely on where you live and how you carry them. At the federal level, the Federal Switchblade Act regulates interstate commerce and importation, leaving ownership and carry laws to individual state and local governments.
A Bowie knife (/ˈbuːi/ BOO-ee) is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knives created by Rezin Bowie in the early 19th century for his brother James Bowie, who had become famous for his use of a large knife at a duel known as the Sandbar Fight.
Technically, no. A butterfly knife is not a switchblade, though they are often lumped together under the same legal restrictions.
Yes, bringing a training butterfly knife to school is almost universally prohibited. Even though trainers feature dull, unsharpenable "blades," schools generally treat them as dangerous weapons. You could face severe consequences, including confiscation, suspension, or even arrest.
If you're brand new to butterfly knives, start with a trainer. These knives have a blunt edge and are designed for safe practice, helping you build hand control and confidence. Most trainers mimic the weight and balance of live blades—just without the sharp edge.
There is no official regulation in the Marine Corps that forbids walking on the grass, but it is deeply rooted in military culture. The unwritten rule exists to prevent physical damage to the lawns, maintain a high standard of base discipline, and serve as a metaphor to prevent taking shortcuts.
In the Marine Corps, a "72" typically refers to a 72-hour pass. It is a standard liberty period—often granted over a weekend or holiday—that gives a Marine three full days off from duty.
A "Texas Toothpick" most commonly refers to a traditional, slim folding pocket knife with a long, slender clip-point blade and curved handle. Alternatively, in Southern culinary circles, it refers to an appetizer of crispy, deep-fried jalapeño and onion strips.