Bird 440c Original Filipino Balisong butterfly Knife BF-16
Original price was: $178.95.$134.21Current price is: $134.21.
Blade Materials – 440c Stainless steel
Handle Materials – Brass with Bone Inserts
Overall Length – 24cm
Blade Length -12cm
Weight – 175g
Handmade in Austin, TX. Ships Worldwide.
Every knife is built by hand in our workshop in Austin, Texas, by Filipino makers trained in the Batangas tradition. We ship to any country we are allowed to send a knife to. Free shipping inside the United States, 49 USD flat everywhere else. Shipping and delivery times
The BF-16 Bird pairs a brass frame with bone inserts, which is the reason to buy this one over its neighbours. 440C blade, 24cm open, 175g. If you have only handled wood-inlaid balisongs, bone is a different object in the hand, and this page is mostly about that difference rather than about flipping mechanics you can read anywhere.
Bone is not wood with a different colour
People treat handle material as decoration. It is not. It changes the temperature, the grip, and the way the knife ages, and bone differs from kamagong on all three.
| Bone | Kamagong (ironwood) | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel on contact | Cool, stays cool longer | Warms to hand temperature quickly |
| Surface | Hard, slightly slick when polished | Slightly grippier, more texture |
| Ageing | Creams and yellows, gains character | Darkens toward black |
| Pattern | Pores and density lines, irregular | Grain, directional |
The slickness matters. A polished bone panel is a touch more slippery than wood, which some flippers love because the knife rotates freely through a loose grip, and which others hate for exactly the same reason. We would rather tell you that up front than have you find it out on day two.
No two panels match, and they are not supposed to
Bone is a structure, not a material we pour. It has pores, density variation, and small dark flecks where the marrow channels ran. Cut two panels from the same piece and they will be cousins, not twins.
If your Bird arrives with one panel slightly creamier than the other, that is the correct outcome. A perfectly matched pair of “bone” panels usually means a polymer that has been moulded to look like bone, and there is quite a lot of that on the internet at prices that should worry you.
Looking after it
- Keep it out of long soaks. Bone is porous and does not enjoy being wet for hours.
- A little mineral oil once or twice a year keeps it from drying out. Not much. A drop on a cloth.
- Skin oil is good for it. Flipping the knife is maintenance.
- Do not put it near heat to dry it. Bone that dries too fast can check, the same way wood does.
Specifications for this 440C dagger butterfly knife
| Blade material | 440C stainless steel |
| Handle material | Brass with bone inserts |
| Overall length | 24cm |
| Blade length | 12cm |
| Weight | 175g |
The 440C steel underneath the pretty part
440C, hardened to about 58 HRC. Easy to sharpen, tough enough to be dropped, stainless enough to forgive a sweaty hand. It gives up some edge retention to D2 and that is a trade we make on purpose for flipping knives.
We mention it here because bone-handled knives tend to attract buyers who are shopping with their eyes, and a beautiful handle wrapped around a bad blade is the oldest trick in this business.
Weight and balance
175g in a 24cm frame is the middle of this series. Bone is lighter than the brass around it, so the mass in the Bird lives in the frame and the pivots rather than in the panels. The knife turns cleanly and does not feel panel-heavy in a roll.
Trainer version
Pick the trainer option above Add to Cart and you get this exact knife, bone panels and all, with an unsharpened edge. Same weight, same balance, same price. Some people buy a bone trainer purely because they want to carry something handsome and have no interest in an edge, which is a perfectly reasonable way to spend money.
Shipping and sheath for this bone handle balisong
Free within the United States, flat $49 everywhere else no matter the order size. The fitted leather sheath is cut for this model, which for a bone-handled knife is worth having: it keeps the panels off keys and coins.
the 440C comes out of the quench at 58-60 HRC. Harder than that and it chips; softer and you are sharpening it every fortnight.
Every knife is checked for lockup, pivot action and edge before it goes in the box. Nothing ships that we would not keep for ourselves.
Processing
Most orders leave the bench in 1 to 3 business days. If the knife you picked is not in stock we forge it for you, which takes roughly 2 to 3 weeks. Engraving adds a little time on top of that.
What shipping costs
- United States: free on every order.
- Everywhere else: a flat 49 dollars for the whole order, however many knives are in it, so two at once ship for the same as one.
How long it takes
- USA: 4 to 8 business days
- International: 8 to 14 business days, longer if customs takes an interest
Those are carrier estimates, not promises we can enforce.
Tracking
A tracking number reaches you by email as soon as the parcel is collected. Carriers often take 24 to 48 hours to start showing movement, so a quiet first day is normal.
Customs and local law
Import duty, VAT and customs fees are set by your own country and are yours to pay. Balisong law varies by country and by US state, so it is worth checking yours before you order.
The full detail lives on Order and Shipping and Return or Exchange.
Hand-forged in the Batangas tradition
The balisong was born in Batangas, Philippines. Every knife in this catalogue is made by Filipino artisans and metalworkers, many from families with generations of experience, now working in the United States. Blades are ground from 440C stainless, D2 tool steel, VG10, high carbon and Damascus, and fitted to handles of kamagong ebony, carabao horn, Philippine deer horn and bone.
Checked four times
Detailed hand inspection, smoothness and pivot testing, blade alignment checks, and durability and finish quality control. If a knife doesn't meet our standards, it never reaches our customers.
Engraving available
Initials or short text $19 in the font you choose, a custom logo $29. Select it above Add to Cart and upload the logo file at checkout.
A sheath with every knife
Every knife includes a fitted leather sheath. Both live blades and trainers are offered, and every order ships worldwide with tracking.
Buying more than one?
Trade pricing starts at ten pieces and reaches 45% under retail at volume, with your logo on the bolster. See wholesale and bulk, or design one from scratch.
Owner reviews
What owners say
19 reviews for Bird 440c Original Filipino Balisong butterfly Knife BF-16
Shipping and returns
Processing
Most orders ship in 1 to 3 business days.
USA delivery
4 to 8 business days, tracked door to door.
International
8 to 14 business days. Customs times vary by country.
Made to order
Out of stock pieces are handcrafted for you in 2 to 3 weeks.
We ship worldwide. The customer is responsible for customs, VAT and local legality.
Returns and exchanges Read the warranty
Zoey L. (verified owner) –
“Gifting your Balisong knives was a hit. They’re cherished by those lucky enough to receive them.”
Gabriel P. (verified owner) –
“Flipping the Balisong knives is a sensory delight. The precision and balance are exceptional.”
Liam F. (verified owner) –
“The Balisong I own is a masterclass in blade-making. Every flip is a testament to its quality.”
Emma M. (verified owner) –
“Bought a Balisong as a surprise for my husband, and it turned out to be the perfect gift.”
Noah T. (verified owner) –
“Your Balisong knives have an allure that’s hard to put into words. They’re true pieces of art.”
Sophia A. (verified owner) –
“The elegance of the wooden handles on your Balisong knives adds a touch of sophistication.”
Ava P. (verified owner) –
“The craftsmanship of your Balisong knives is evident with every flip. Truly exceptional.”
Oliver L (verified owner) –
“I’m a knife enthusiast, and your Balisong knives have quickly become the crown jewels of my collection.”
Emily H. (verified owner) –
“The precision and balance in your Balisong knives make them a joy to hold and use.”
Ethan B. (verified owner) –
“Flipping the Balisong is a mesmerizing experience. It’s more than a knife; it’s a masterpiece.”
Raymond Gonzalez –
I collect balisongs and this one is right up there with my favorites. Can’t recommend this enough.
Kenji Rivera –
Bought this on a whim and it turned out to be one of my favorite pickups this year. Fit and finish is way above what I expected at this price. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Action is smooth right out of the box. No break in needed. Balisong Butterfly’s attention to detail is honestly unmatched. This is going straight into my daily rotation.
Ahmed Lopez –
Five stars isn’t even enough honestly. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Already planning my next pickup from this shop.
Raymond Gonzalez –
I collect balisongs and this one is right up there with my favorites. Can’t recommend this enough.
Kenji Rivera –
Bought this on a whim and it turned out to be one of my favorite pickups this year. Fit and finish is way above what I expected at this price. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Action is smooth right out of the box. No break in needed. Balisong Butterfly’s attention to detail is honestly unmatched. This is going straight into my daily rotation.
Ahmed Lopez –
Five stars isn’t even enough honestly. Bushings feel buttery smooth after just a bit of use. Already planning my next pickup from this shop.
Rachel Patel –
This one is rock solid. No question about it. Comes with a nice pouch which is a nice touch. Handles have a great grip even during fast flips. This is the kind of purchase that makes online shopping worth it.
Ashley Reyes –
Ordering again from this maker the second I finish writing this review. Blade came shaving sharp straight out of the box. Would not hesitate to order again. Balisong Butterfly keeps setting the bar higher with each order.
Peter Smith –
Best butterfly knife I’ve ever owned. Hands down. Pivots feel dialed in with zero blade play. Weight is perfectly balanced for flipping. Highly recommend this one to any flipper.