Modding

Modding your balisong is a common practice that allows you to personalize it and make it one of a kind. There are many different types of modding, including anodization, acid washing, stonewashing, regrinds, custom scales, dyeing G10, and several others. Most people send their balisongs to others to get modded, but I have found it quite fun to mod them myself and learn a new skill. The remainder of the page will cover the basics of modding and some of the projects I have completed myself.

Anodization

Probably one of the coolest mods you can do, anodization involves using electricity to change the color of titanium. I will not pretend to be some savant who understands all the chemical processes, but I do know how to get a good anodization. In all, it is a fairly simple process that requires some setup, but is very enjoyable once you get started.

To start, you need to get tin foil and place it in a plastic bowl. There needs to be a reasonable amount, as it needs to conduct electricity. The bowl should be filled up with water, and a couple of scoops of baking soda should be added. Then, use either 9V batteries (chained together to achieve your desired color) or a DC power amp set to the correct voltage. To know what voltage to get, use the following chart:



Usually, the higher voltages “pop” a little more and are what most people go for. I always recommend starting at a lower voltage so you can see how the process works before making permanent changes. One thing to note is that you can only increase the voltage. If you anodize at 70V, you will have to strip the titanium and completely restart before obtaining a 30V color.

To achieve a fade, you typically start by anodizing the entire piece in one color at a lower voltage. For example, a lighter blue at 25V. Then, quickly dip your balisong at a higher voltage once or twice to get the fade. It is essential to remember that this process occurs quickly and that you must align your balisong perfectly for the dip. Otherwise, you will have two uneven fades on the handles.

That's about it regarding anodization! Many of the balisongs I have used are a more “dirty” version of titanium and often aren’t polished, so the anodizations do not necessarily pop as much as the higher-end balisongs. Regardless, it’s a great way to make a balisong yours and get your favorite colors on it!

Acid Washing

Acid washing is the process of using ferric chloride to create a protective and aesthetically pleasing layer over the blade of a knife. The layer that is created helps to prevent corrosion. The process is quite simple and only involves cleaning the blade and putting it inside the ferric chloride solution for a set amount of time. The amount of time usually depends on the material the blade is made of, and it can probably be estimated by eye. After removing the blade, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned, as the solution is quite toxic.

Stone Washing

Stonewashing creates little grooves and can add to the aesthetic of an already acid-washed blade. To give the blade a stonewash, place it inside a container (usually a Gatorade bottle) filled with rocks and shake it up. Different rocks create different effects, depending on how you shake them. This will seriously dull the knife, so you must be careful not to chip it.

Resharpening

Although it is not necessarily a modding process, it is important to know how to resharpen your knives/balisongs. Especially regarding flipping, you want a very sharp knife in case you get cut. Many people find this counterintuitive, but if you get cut, you want to have a clean cut that can be stitched back together. A dull knife will damage the skin and make repairs difficult or impossible. When I resharpen my knives, I use a Lansky sharpening system, which holds the blade at a certain angle and allows me to work through the layers using different hardnesses slowly. It is important to know what angle your knife was grinded at so you don't grind it incorrectly.

My Other Work