Beginner's Corner

Beginner topics:

(1) What balisongs are your handle caps compatible with? What colors do they come in?
(2) I'm new to the hobby, looking for my first balisong and general tips, any advice?
(3) Where can I find sound tests for your products?
(4) Should you lubricate bearing balisongs?
(5) Are plastic balisongs TSA approved?

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(1) What balisongs are your handle caps compatible with?  What colors do they come in?

Balisong compatibility with bite markers, slim caps, and weight caps can be viewed here. Color options for caps and mods can be viewed here.

(2) I'm new to the hobby, looking for my first balisong and general tips, any advice?

My reccomendation is to check out the Balisong Guide linked at the top of the r/Balisong Monthly Questions Thread. The guide includes general maintenance tips, terminology, and can point you in the right direction to find your first balisong knife or trainer.

(3) Where can I find sound tests for your products?

Sound tests can be found on my instagram highlight reel.

(4) Should you lubricate bearing balisongs?

There is a common misconception that bearings should not be lubricated. While Cycloids will function without lubricant, the pivots perform better when slightly lubricated. Note that while lubricants can suspend dirt, insufficient bearing lubrication increases friction and reduces the lifetime of the bearing. The Cycloid's dual race washers and bearing cage are highly effective at preventing dirt from contaminating the bearings, and so the performance increase from lubricant is well worth it. For bearing balisongs over 3 oz, I prefer to use thick lubricants such as 85W Nano oil or white lithium Grease (WLG) in order to slow down the swing and prevent corrosion.

(5) Are plastic balisongs TSA approved?

Technically, all trainer knives--whether plastic or not--are not TSA approved. There is no such thing as a "TSA-approved" plastic balisong trainer, despite whatever claims a manufacturer of plastic balisongs may make. However, plastic trainers typically get through security on carry-on luggage due to their low X-ray signature (they are difficult to notice) and the TSA agent's discretion, in which they make the determination that a trainer balisong is a harmless toy and not a weapon. Indeed, there are numerous reports of Squiddys and Cycloids going through TSA in carryon luggage. Although most plastic trainers do end up making it through security in the vast majority of cases, there are a handful of anecdotal reports on r/balisong Reddit of plastic balisongs being confiscated at TSA. Consequently, it is up to you whether you want to accept the risk of bringing a plastic balisong through airport security. I have found a 100% success rate of bringing Zippy balisongs through TSA by disassembling the blade from the handles and packing them separately (and then assembling at the gate, on the plane, or at your destination--the last one is what I recommend). This is the lowest risk way to travel with a plastic balisong trainer, but please note that you do so at your own risk--ultimately whether or not your balisong passes or is confiscated is up to the TSA agent's discretion.