balisong knives with D2 steel blade

Which D2 blade shape suits the way you will use the knife?

The description above sorts our D2 knives by series. That is how we think about them in the workshop, and it is not how most buyers choose. You pick a knife because of what the blade looks like and what you expect it to do, then you pick the handle. So here is the same shelf of 47 knives regrouped by blade shape, using the shape named in each product title.

The standard pattern: start here

Two thirds of our D2 knives use the standard Filipino blade, and in our opinion it is the most versatile shape we make: a straight edge that push cuts and slices well, a point strong enough for everyday use, and a profile any sharpener can follow. The animal-named series BF-78 to BF-93 is all standard pattern, split between 24cm and 29cm sizes. If you are buying one D2 balisong and it has to do everything, stop scrolling here.

Dagger and tanto: points with a purpose

A dagger profile gives you a symmetrical, centred point. It looks aggressive and it pierces well. A tanto swaps the curved belly for an angled front section, which gives a very strong tip and two distinct edge sections. The trade is that the angle where the two edges meet needs a little care on the stones, since you sharpen each section separately. Four knives in each shape here, mostly on rosewood and stag horn.

Snake and Dagger Snake: rope cutters and conversation pieces

The BF-149 has a true snake blade, a wavy edge. Its own product page is refreshingly blunt about it: the wave grabs fibrous material like rope and webbing better than a straight edge, it is worse for clean push cuts, and sharpening is the real trade. In our experience each trough wants a round rod rather than a flat stone. The three Dagger Snake knives, BF-107, BF-108 and BF-117, combine the dagger outline with that serpent styling. Check the photos on each page before buying, because the look is the point.

The small and the unusual: hunting, shark and mini

The two Pandayan hunting blades, BF-96 in narra burl and BF-97 in rosewood, have the fuller belly you want for long slicing strokes. The BF-119 is our only shark profile, a limited edition in stag horn. The BF-120 mini is a different instrument: 20cm open, 9cm blade, 135g. Its product page explains why a short handle rotates faster and makes timing harder, so treat it as a knife for experienced flippers rather than a gentle first step.

For the steel side of the decision, read our D2 vs Damascus vs 440C guide. Every shape above lives in the D2 traditional collection, and the balisong sharpening guide covers keeping each profile keen.

Blade shape questions