How to Flip a Butterfly Knife? The Simplest Way

Butterfly knives are quite popular among people nowadays, especially they are used extensively by flippers who practice on them. Their unique design is what differentiates them from other knives. Do you want to know more about them? Let us discuss butterfly knives in detail, starting with a brief introduction.

What is a Butterfly Knife?

A Butterfly Knife is a knife which is by far the perfect knife for flipping. It is also recognized and known by the name of a fan knife or a balisong. Butterfly knives were originated in the Philippines somewhere around 800 A.D and that is why they became quite famous and were extensively used in Filipino martial arts. However, butterfly knives became really famous and renowned throughout the world when the American military started using these knives.

This knife has two handles and a blade which fits between the two movable handles when they are rotated. Butterfly knives are easily and fastly deployed and feature razor-sharp blades which makes them illegal in most of the states. They are used mainly for flipping but they are also used in self-defense, military, and sports. However, their safe version known as butterfly knife trainers are widely available and used and are legal as well.

What is a Butterfly Knife Trainer?

A butterfly knife trainer is a knife that looks exactly like a real butterfly knife but has a blunt blade for increased safety to prevent injuries. It is much safer than a real knife but still gives you the feel and action of a real butterfly knife. Butterfly knife trainer is for beginners who have just started practicing the art of flipping. 

These trainers allow the flippers to practice flipping moves conveniently and safely as they do not have a razor-sharp blade which could be dangerous to you or to the people around you. So, you can use butterfly knife trainers until you are confident that you are ready to up your game and move to real butterfly knives.

How to Flip a Butterfly Knife?

So, did you just buy your first butterfly knife and are looking for a guide including some amazing yet simple techniques of flipping. If yes, then we have some basic yet useful tips for you which will definitely help you get started. However, I do recommend to try these techniques on butterfly knife trainers first and move only to real butterfly knives when you get the knack of them properly to avoid unnecessary cuts and injuries. Let’s get started.

1- Avoid Holding the Knife from The Blade

The one thing that you should remember at all times is to avoid getting in contact with the blade of the knife as it is a sharp one and can result in minor or major injuries to yourself. Grab the knife from the handle or from the dull side of the blade, but never from the sharp side. 

For this, you should get yourself familiar with the opening and closing mechanisms of the knife so you always know which part of the knife you are getting hold of. Try practicing like this with a butterfly knife trainer too, so you get the knack of the real one.

2- Flick Your Wrist Back for Opening the Knife

This step is very simple although it may look tricky. You just have to flick back the wrist of your hand by holding the knife in front of you. Consequently, your butterfly knife will be opened, however, it will sway if you move your hand, so just keep it still and proceed to the next step.

3- Flick Your Wrist Downwards for Closing the Knife

Now that your knife is opened and you wanna close it, flip down your wrist. This downward flip will close the knife.

4- Flick Back the Knife

In this last step, all you have to do for engaging the locking mechanism of the knife is to flip your wrist of the hand holding the knife again but this time, in the upward direction. However, this time make sure that your thumb is opened and move your thumb to aside to allow the handles of the knife to collide with each other.

Butterfly knives are so fun to play with but they are very dangerous as well. And it is of utmost importance to practice with a trainer first if you are not so sure and confident of your flipping skills yet.