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Balisong traces it's ancestry to 800AD, as one of the ancient weapons of the mystic art of Kali, the Malaya-Polynesian fighting system and as a beautiful and unique weapon of the Philippines. In the hands of a trained user, this fan knife can be brought to bear quickly using one hand.

The barrio Balisong itself, in Taal town, took its name from the knife, which has been made there since time immemorial. Balisong, literally means "broken horn". It is derived from the Tagalog language words baling = to break and sungay = horn of the water buffalo. The handle was once entirely made from buffalo horn, which has a plastic-like quality and is easily carved.

The original balisongs are still handmade in the traditional manner. The pandays or blacksmiths were skilled smiths who fashioned the best balisongs in the world. Lately, however, the demand for their product dropped because of competition from China and Vietnam. Many local smithshops are now closed.

Usually, a workshop is dedicated to production of only one part of the balisong. It is common for families to do piecework for the main manufacturer. A panday will produce the blade, another artisan will sharpen it. The handle maker will prepare the rough frames and others will polish the product. The average maker can finish 3-4 knives a day. Several people are employed to insert the decorative inlays and put together blades, handles and latches. The official size of a balisong is 29cm in overall length. There are balisongs made to order with up to 24 inches blades, but these are not of the standard type but more of novelty.

The blade can be made from several materials, depending on the quality required. Although some of them are made from pure stainless steel, the blade of the balisong is often made of recycled tool steel or other carbon steels. Balisongs made for the tourist trade are typically of passable quality, as are mass-produced by semi-skilled workers and lack the durability and aesthetics of a knife fashioned by an apprentice to a master craftsman.