CRKT's New Balisong Knives: Combining Quality, Utility, and Playfulness

CRKT introduces their latest balisong knives, blending traditional design with modern materials like black anodized aluminum handles, offering both utility and entertainment for enthusiasts and everyday users alike.

Key Highlights

  • CRKT's balisong knives feature titanium handles and blades just over 3.3 inches, combining durability with a sleek, lightweight design.
  • The knives include a swivel locking clasp for secure handling, with handles ergonomically shaped for comfortable grip and smooth spinning.
  • Designed for utility and entertainment, these knives are tested for everyday use and provide a satisfying fidgeting experience, though caution is advised when spinning in public.
  • The compact size and secure pocket clip make these balisongs easy to carry and safe to handle, perfect for both practical tasks and casual play.
  • CRKT continues its tradition of quality craftsmanship, offering knives that meet diverse needs from everyday utility to adult fidgeting fun.

Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has been manufacturing knives for at least three decades according to their website. That’s easy to believe since I have purchased and/or received as gifts various CRKT knives since sometime in the 1990s. Their K.I.S.S. Knife has been a conveniently carried mainstay in many a cop’s inventory across the past 30 years. Their M16 locking folder has been a sturdy and relied upon familiar “friend” in many a military pocket for just as long. Fixed blades, folding knives, survival knives, EDC blades… they’ve got a selection to meet just about every need. You know what they’ve never had that a lot of us from the 1980s ad 1990s would have enjoyed? A balisong or “butterfly” knife. The balisong was the “fidget spinner” of Generation X. Well, at this year’s SHOT Show I stopped by their booth and what did I find? Two variations of my favorite fidget spinner: The M16-02BALI and the M16-03BALI.

The M16-02BALI they had on display was the drop point blade while the M1603BALI sported the American Tanto blade design. Both were straight edge and have black anodized aluminum handles that split just like traditional balisong knives. Both have blades just over three and a third inches at 3.37 and 3.38” in length. That’s plenty long enough for a handy pocket knife and small enough, especially given the design, not to have the grip length be too much for a pocket. Closed length on both is roughly 4.5”.

My excitement, as I stood in the CRKT booth “spinning” the display model, was obvious. I can’t tell you what ever happened to the assortment of butterfly knives I had “back in the day,” but I can promise you none of them were of this quality. Seeing the glee in my eyes, the CRKT representative asked if I wanted one to test and evaluate, fully expecting the, “Heck, yes!” reply he got. Two weeks later an M16-02BALI showed up in the mail.

I’ve given you some of the specifications, but let’s go through the remainder before I tell you about my adventures as I tested out this knife.

  • Blade Length 3.38" (85.93 mm)
  • Blade Thickness 0.12" (3.15 mm)
  • Overall Length 7.75" (196.85 mm)
  • Closed Length 4.51" (114.48 mm)
  • Weight 2.50 oz. (70.87 g)

The handle material is black anodized aluminum and I barely notice that little bit of weight in my pocket. The pocket clip is removable but I wouldn’t take it off. That’s what I use to identify which side of the handle to hold when I spin the knife open. Like almost every other balisong handler I’ve ever met, I held the other handle one time during the opening process (see accompanying picture for the proof).

To test the knife I had to carry it for a couple weeks, use it as I would for any utility cutting need and then, like every grown-up child you’ve ever met, sitting around “spinning” it while I watched TV or sat on Teams meetings. (That’s when that ‘hold the wrong handle and open it’ finger cut occurred.)

The knife is equipped with a swivel locking clasp that holds it closed or locks it open depending on your need. The handles are shaped to support proper grip ergonomics and the blade has the familiar M16 “hilt” in parallel with the twin pivot points. I spun the knife open and closed so much that I loosened one of the pivot screws. It’s easy enough to tighten and I put some hobby-grade (blue) lock-tite on it. The screw is a T8 Torx just in case you have an equal amount of fun with yours.

The knife rode comfortably in my pockets. The clip is shorter and tighter than many folding lock-blades today, but that didn’t affect the security of the carry. In fact, being shorter makes it just a bit tighter so you need to give it a bit more tug to get it out of your pocket. It certainly won’t fall out by accident no matter what position you’re in.

All in all, as knives go, this one represents the CRKT tradition and reputation well. As a cutting tool, it handled all chores and held its edge nicely. As an adult fidget spinner, it’s both soothing and entertaining but I’d caution you to be aware of who is around when you spin it. Some folks in today’s world don’t look at it as “neat” or “cool” but instead wonder why you look so delighted as you “play” with a knife. I admit, it may not be the most adult (or responsible) thing to do in public, but it’s still a lot of fun!

You can get more info about CRKT knives by visiting www.crkt.com, or more info about this specific knife by visiting https://www.crkt.com/knife/m16-03bali-balisong. Happy fidgeting!

 

About the Author

Lt. Frank Borelli (ret), Editorial Director

Editorial Director

Lt. Frank Borelli is the Editorial Director for the Officer Media Group. Frank brings 25+ years of writing and editing experience in addition to 40 years of law enforcement operations, administration and training experience to the team.

Frank has had numerous books published which are available on Amazon.com and other major retail outlets.

If you have any comments or questions, you can contact him via email at [email protected].

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