The start of all Balisongs began in the Philippines, the main use for the knife was utility and defense. There were a lot of problems and crime rates were at an all time high when the balisong was invented so they were sold at a lower price so everyone could obtain a mode of defense. When the crime rates died down and everyone had these knives and had no use for them and then began to invent a art style of flipping the knife around in a wild manner. To this day they are still used as a utility knife and an amusement for the bored. The origins of the knife tricks are unclear but most speculate that it was created out of boredom. I don't know where this idea came from but some think to this day that they were invented in France and Spain. This is highly unlikely because the knives sold from the Philippine are sold at a higher price due to their origin. The knives that are made in Philippines usually have less out going look to them, normally they have brown leather handles and a steel or titanium blade for maximum efficiency