What is a Butterfly Knife?

The butterfly knife, also known as a balisong or fan knife, is a folding pocket knife with two handles counter-rotating around the tang such that when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the handles. It is related to the gravity knife and switchblade. A defining characteristic of the butterfly knife is its “fanning” action as it opens and closes. Butterfly knives are typically used for flipping tricks, which involve manipulating the blade into various positions by using one hand to hold both handles and the other hand to flip the blade open or closed.

What are the laws and regulations for butterfly knives?

The laws and regulations pertaining to butterfly knives vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, with some areas banning them entirely. In the United States, many states impose restrictions on the possession or carrying of butterfly knives. Some states have statutes that specifically prohibit the ownership and/or sale of butterfly knives while others have more general prohibitions on certain types of knives.