The two most common balisong handle materials are aluminum (Alu) and titanium (Ti). For this article, when I mention Alu, I’m specifically referring to 7075 aluminum. The two most common Alu alloys used in balis are 6061 and 7075—7075 is the stronger of the two and what I use in all my knives.
When I reference Ti, I mean 6AL-4V, also known as Grade 5 titanium. This is what I use across my entire lineup. Some cheaper Ti knives use lower-quality grades, but 6AL-4V is the strongest and best suited for balis. (Also, it’s not pure titanium—it has 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, which makes it way stronger than Grade 2 titanium, which is pure.)
Both materials get called “aerospace grade,” but let’s be honest—that’s mostly just marketing. I make knives, not Spaceships.
Aluminum
Aluminum is much more common and affordable. It’s easier to machine, and since it weighs less, there’s less material to remove—which means it’s a lot cheaper to produce. That’s why you’ll find a ton of budget balis made from Alu.
Is aluminum good for balisongs?
Yes—especially if you take care of your knives. A well-designed aluminum handle can flip just as well as a titanium one.
Pros:
Way cheaper to machine and produce
Great flipping performance when properly designed
Cons:
Hard to mod or anodize (requires toxic chemicals)
Easy to dent/ding—especially if dropped on concrete
Cosmetic damage is more noticeable on anodized finishes
Some designs can feel slippery
Titanium
So why does titanium cost so much more?
Part of it is the raw material price, but a bigger reason is how hard it is to machine. It eats through tools, machines need to be way more rigid, speeds are slower, and you have to remove more material—so the whole process costs way more.
But here’s what you get in return:
Pros:
Much stronger than Alu—can handle serious abuse
Tends to “ring” nicely when flipping, vs Alu’s dull clack
Super mod-friendly: easy to anodize, polish, and refinish
Holds its finish better and easier to restore after wear
Premium, long-lasting material with great resale value
Bragging rights
Cons:
Expensive material and even more expensive to machine
Slower machining = higher manufacturing cost
If you like to mod your knives or want something that holds up better over time, titanium is the clear winner. The extra durability and customization potential really set it apart.
Which Should You Choose?
That depends on your budget and what you’re looking for.
If you’re on a budget, aluminum is a great option.
If you want the best flipping experience, durability, and modding potential, titanium is worth it.
Personally, I’m carrying my Galvanis(Alu) right now—I really like the speed from the slightly lighter handles. That said, I rotate through my own lineup and other makers’ knives pretty often.
Hopefully this helped you get a better feel for the differences between aluminum and titanium handles.