Looking to get a trainer balisong. What would be the equivalent of the shutter for balisongs (reliable, widely available, great bang for your buck, good for all levels of play)? Thanks for the help!
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Unfortunately, there’s no such thing.
Balisong market is not comparable to yo-yo’s at all. All of the companies are small, so you’re not going to find anything super affordable. The only manufacturers that are in the game is Kershaw’s new Lucha which can be bought as a trainer for $120~ or the OG Benchmade, but they don’t sell trainers, and their modern bali’s are catered towards the EDC crowd, not flipping. The actual flipping crowd only has a few small brands to buy from, and they’re not manufacturers by any means.
The cheapest “best” option is to buy a Squiddy, which is basically your Replay Pro from a company called Squid Industries that goes for about $50. Since it’s plastic you can take it on the airplane or flip it in public with no issues.
The next step up is Squid’s trainers, which start around $200-$250, this is your aluminum starter trainer that almost all people get. I guess a shutter equivalent, but that price? Not so much. There’s a couple other brands with trainers as well, all around the same price point. The three “top” companies are Squid Industries, BRS (Blade Runner Systems), and The Svix… everything else gets super exclusive, boutique, and expensive. All companies have drops like Yo-Yo’s, but their drops are way more cut throat and ruthless, expect most stuff to sell out in minutes or seconds.
Now, the controversial topic; Clones. There’s a company in china that produces clones of popular balisong designs and sells them for half the price or less. I was looking to buy one the other day, the Squid trainer can be had for $70. If you go with this option, just don’t tell anyone cause that community will go on a witch hunt and hang you. They REALLY hate clones over there. Just look up “The One Trainer Balisong” if you want to buy it.
Stay away from anything on amazon if you want to progress. Amazon balisongs are the equivilant to a fake duncan imperial made of pot metal.
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Appreciate the post! Yeah, I was getting the feeling that I was going to have to spend at least $120 for something decent and reliable. Each hobby has their own entry point I guess.
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I have a Squiddy. It’s great. Can’t imagine starting out with much more.
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No worries!
It’s a tough balancing act paying for all the different hobbies. But the balisong community is just too young for anything streamlined/affordable to be an option yet unfortunately.
Personally, I would love to try and make a trainer with FPM, releasing it at an affordable price point. I don’t think trainers take as much precision as yo-yo’s, and no live blades to sharpen.
Gl on your search.
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As suspense mentioned, basically you are looking for a trainer clone… unless you really care about the “elitist” Balisonger who might dog you for not having the most precise, and top of the line practice butterfly knife. I would just go with the cheapest trainer knife available.
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My boy ain’t playin’ games. Nice pickups, you’re set!
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