ARTICLE – Anything that flips is going to get written off as a “toy” by somebody. Knife culture can be especially allergic to anything that looks fun, like usefulness stops counting the moment it makes you smile.
That reflex feels lazy. If you carry tools, you already know the truth: the stuff you reach for every day usually has some kind of pleasing motion, a good texture, and a simple confidence that makes you want to use it.
Price: $300
Where to buy: CRKT
So the real question is: did CRKT turn the M16 into a butterfly knife for attention, or because the format actually fits the M16’s whole tactical, grab and go personality? Note: This writeup’s based on published specs and release info, not hands on time.
Why Now Feels Different
The M16’s been around long enough that the name almost functions like a template. You’ve seen it in different steels and locks and handle treatments, and most of the changes stay safely inside the same practical folder lane.
A balisong version sounds like a left turn, but it’s also kind of honest. The M16 has always had that aggressive, ready for work silhouette, and a balisong is basically the purest expression of a knife that’s about the moment of deployment.
The timing feels less random once you look at the material choice. MagnaCut is what brands use when they want you to take the tool seriously, not just the idea of it.
If you’ve spent time with budget flippers, you can usually spot when something’s built to be carried instead of used as a desk fidget. That’s the tension this release is trying to resolve.
What You’re Actually Buying
Here’s the clean version: this is a premium, sharp bladed balisong built for carry, not a trainer built for practice. On paper, it pairs MagnaCut steel with contoured titanium handles and an IKBS bearing pivot system, and it lands around $300 depending on where you buy.
That price is the point and the problem. You’re paying for the steel choice, the materials, and the vibe, and you’re also paying for the balisong format itself.
What It Is
Instead of trying to reinvent the M16, this version leans into what people already like about it, then makes the opening the headline. The two handle flip is inherently a little showy, but it can still read like a legit deployment method if the pivots and tolerances are right.
On paper, the IKBS ball bearing pivot system is there to keep that motion smooth and consistent. That’s a smart spec to prioritize, because a balisong that feels gritty or uneven stops being charming fast.
Domestic manufacturing is part of the pitch, too. CRKT says it partnered with Live Sharp Industries in Colorado, which is a nice flex if the fit and alignment live up to it.
Black contoured titanium handles are another signal that this isn’t trying to be entry level. Titanium’s got that cool, rigid feel that instantly reads more serious than it looks in a product photo, and you’ll notice that difference if you’re coming from G10 or aluminum.
Version wise, it splits into two familiar shapes. The M16 02BALI gets a 3.37 inch tanto, and the M16 03BALI goes drop point at 3.38 inches. Both keep the dual hilt look and jimping near the base, which feels like a good call for control when your grip creeps forward during detail work.
The Real World Carry Details
Pocket carry is where balisongs get unforgiving. You can have great materials and still end up annoyed if it rides weird, snags, or makes you think too hard about orientation.
One encouraging detail is the weight. At roughly 2.5 to 2.6 ounces, it’s light enough on paper to disappear in a pocket, and that boring practicality is what keeps a knife in rotation.
Clip and latch placement can also make or break daily use. CRKT puts the removable pocket clip on the safe handle and lines it up with the bite edge latch, which is a genuinely thoughtful cue if you’ve ever done the “wait, which side is which” grab.
Then there’s MagnaCut, still the loudest signal in the spec list. It’s corrosion resistant, tough, and it holds an edge well enough that you don’t feel like you’re babysitting it, which is exactly what you want from a carry knife that’s already asking you to pay a premium.
Who Should Skip This
If balisongs are restricted where you live, don’t even bother. That’s not an aesthetic problem, it’s a real world hassle.
New to flipping and looking for something low stress? Start with a purpose built trainer. A sharp bladed balisong isn’t a friendly first step.
Only here for tricks and airtime? You’ll probably bounce off this. It reads like something designed to be carried and used, not tossed around for practice sessions.
That $300 price is also a real decision. The same money buys a lot of excellent, straightforward EDC knives, and if you don’t care about the balisong format, the premium won’t make sense.
Price: $300
Where to buy: CRKT
And if you hate attention, keep moving. Even if you never flip it in public, balisongs come with a reputation, and that can feel like an annoying social tax for a tool you just want to carry.
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