Butterfly Knives Under $20: Every Live-Blade Balisong at That Price, Ranked

By Butterfly Knives For Sale Team. Updated September 12, 2026. Every pick was in stock at the listed price when this was updated.

Most balisongs on this site are under $20, and they are not toys: steel handles, 3.5 to 3.75 inch blades, pinned pivots. This ranks everything under $20 by orders and says what changes above it. Browse the butterfly knives collection.

Quick comparison

How we ranked these

Every product on butterflyknivesforsale.com carries a 30-day order score recalculated daily from real orders across our store network. The picks below are the in-stock items with the highest score on the day of the last update, in that order, and each one is checked against its listed specifications. This is not a hands-on torture test and nothing here is sponsored; it is what buyers chose with their own money, explained.

Butterfly knives under $20

1. Camera-Ready Showpiece Balisong Knife - Pink Marble

The dagger profile is symmetrical, which is why it is the most common OTF blade: it tracks straight through the front opening. It is a push-cutting and point-work shape rather than a slicer.

At 3.5-inch blade, 9 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Pink Marble finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

2. Aero-Frame Stealth-Balanced Balisong - Matte Black Steel

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

A steel handle adds weight and rigidity; it is the heaviest option in this group.

Best for: a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

3. Heritage Flip Classic Butterfly Knife - Wood Inlay Black

A drop point has a curved belly and a tip near the centerline: the general-purpose shape, and the best slicer in the out-the-front range.

The natural handle material (stainless steel, wood) is the traditional choice and the reason this one photographs like an heirloom; it needs a wipe of oil now and then.

At 3.5-inch blade, 9 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Classic finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

4. Dragon Sovereign Display Butterfly Knife - Gold Two Tone

The clip point takes a section out of the spine near the tip for a finer point, with enough belly to slice. It is one of the few OTF shapes that cuts like an ordinary pocket knife.

At 4-inch blade, 9 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Dragon finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

5. Dragon Rift Tactical Butterfly Knife - Purple Aluminum

The American tanto has a straight main edge and an angled secondary edge meeting at a reinforced point. It resists tip damage and suits push cuts and scraping; it is not a slicing shape.

Aluminum keeps the weight down and takes anodized colors, which is why most of the themed and mini models use it.

At 3.75-inch blade, 9 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Dragon finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

6. Royal Marble Flow Collector Butterfly Knife - Purple Marble

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

At 3.5-inch blade, 9 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Purple Marble finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

7. Crimson Wyrm Flip-Balanced Balisong - Matte Black Steel

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

A steel handle adds weight and rigidity; it is the heaviest option in this group.

At 3.75-inch blade, 8.75 inches overall, 4.85 ounces it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Dragon finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

8. Aero-Vent Velocity Balisong Butterfly Knife - Red Steel

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

A steel handle adds weight and rigidity; it is the heaviest option in this group.

Best for: a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

9. Aero-Vent Balance-Tuned Balisong Flipper - Blue Steel

The clip point takes a section out of the spine near the tip for a finer point, with enough belly to slice. It is one of the few OTF shapes that cuts like an ordinary pocket knife.

A steel handle adds weight and rigidity; it is the heaviest option in this group.

Best for: a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

10. Demon Flame Slayer Balisong Butterfly Knife - Yellow/White Aluminum

The clip point takes a section out of the spine near the tip for a finer point, with enough belly to slice. It is one of the few OTF shapes that cuts like an ordinary pocket knife.

Aluminum keeps the weight down and takes anodized colors, which is why most of the themed and mini models use it.

At 4.25-inch blade, 9.75 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Demon Slayer finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

11. Shadow AerialFlow Stealth Balisong - Matte Black

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

A steel handle adds weight and rigidity; it is the heaviest option in this group.

Listed dimensions: 4-inch blade.

The Balisong finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

12. Electric Flow Flip-Ready Balisong - Blue Titanium

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

A steel handle adds weight and rigidity; it is the heaviest option in this group.

At 4.25-inch blade, 9.5 inches overall, 5.25 ounces it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

The Two-Tone finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

What $20 buys and what it does not

Under $20: steel or aluminum handles, a 9-inch frame, pinned pivots with some play, marble or wood-inlay finishes. Above $20 here: CNC-cut handles on the 10.125-inch flippers and Damascus-pattern blades. Bushing and bearing pivots, the thing that separates a $20 balisong from a $150 one, are not in this price range except on one trainer.

Frequently asked questions

Are $15 butterfly knives worth it?

For learning after a trainer and for display, yes.

What is the best cheap balisong for flipping?

The Aero-Frame vented steel at about $15.

Do cheap balisongs have pivot play?

Yes, pinned pivots do; it does not stop you learning.

Prices are butterflyknivesforsale.com prices at the time of writing and change with stock.