Balisong Care & Maintenance

Whether you've just received a new Glidr balisong or you've been flipping for years and just want a refresher, you're in the right place to learn how to best care for your Glidr balisong. We design and manufacture our trainers to be precise tools, and like most precise tools, they require ongoing care and maintenance to maintain optimal performance.

There are 3 main things you'll need to know:

1. Thread-locking your screws
2. Lubricating your balisong
3. Tuning your balisong

Thread-locking your screws

Why use threadlocker

Threadlocker is used to stop your balisong pivot screws from loosening quickly. Given balisong pivots have constant friction applied when flipping, screws will tend to loosen quickly. To counter this, a quality threadlocking compound can be used. Here at Glidr we use and recommend Loctite 243.

When to apply threadlocker

Thread lock needs to be applied when your screws regularly undo when flipping. Thread lock may break free after flipping, so will need to be reapplied from time to time. You'll know it's time to apply thread lock when your screws continue to loosen quickly, resulting in increased handle play and you find yourself needing to tighten them regularly.

How to apply threadlocker

Threadlocker is relatively easy to apply, all you will require is a Torx T10 driver (Glidr balisong pivot screws are Torx T10) and a bottle of threadlocker. We find that it's best to perform the below steps on one pivot screw at a time.

Step 1: Remove pivot screws

Unscrew your Glidr balisong's pivot screw and take it out. If you're finding that your pivots are spinning when trying to undo the screws, gently squeeze the handles together with increasing pressure while undoing the screws.

Step 2: Apply threadlocker

Now that you have your screw removed, you can apply threadlocker to the thread of the screw. Apply a small drop, about the size of a small grain of rice, to the top half of the thread and distribute it evenly all the way around the screw thread with either the bottle nozzle, a toothpick, or something similar.

Step 3: Screw the pivot screw back in

Now you have threadlocker applied, it's time to screw the pivot screw back into the pivot. At this stage you want to tune your pivot screw so the handle swings freely while having minimal handle play (refer to the 'tuning your balisong' section of this page).

Step 4: Repeat with the second screw

Now you can move onto the second pivot screw repeating the same above steps.

Step 5: Allow the threadlocker to cure

Now that you have applied threadlocker and tuned both your pivot screws, it's time to let the threadlocker cure. In order for the threadlocker to effectively stop your screws loosening it needs time to cure/set. It's important that you leave your balisong for 24 hours without flipping or excessive handling to allow the threadlocker to fully cure. If you do not wait, then the threadlocker may not cure correctly and be ineffective.

Lubricating your balisong

Lubrication is an essential part of maintaining your Glidr balisong's smooth flipping action. When you notice your handles are not swinging freely or are making squeaking noises, then it's time to lubricate the pivot areas. With the balisong in the open position, apply a small amount of a high quality lubricating oil to the area where the washer meets the blade on all 4 washers. Once applied, continue flipping to work in the oil. Disassembly is not required when lubricating your Glidr balisong.

Tuning your balisong

 With prolonged flipping your Glidr balisong may develop increasing handle play. When this handle play becomes more than you like it's time to tune your balisong. If this is happening regularly, it may be time to reapply threadlocker.

Washer Balisongs

Tuning a washer only balisong is a matter of delicately tightening the pivot screws just enough so that the handles can swing freely without binding, while at the same time not having excessive handle play.

Tuning procedure

To tune your Glidr balisong you will require a Torx T10 driver. One handle at a time, slowly tighten the pivot screw in small increments, checking handle swing after each small increment. Continue tightening until you just notice the handle is not swinging completely freely, then undo the screw by one small increment until it swings freely again. Now your pivot is tuned correctly and you can move on to the second handle.

Bushing Balisongs

Bushing balisongs are designed in such a way that you can completely tighten the pivot screws. As such, they don't require fine tuning of the pivot screws. Instead, simply tighten the Torx T10 pivot screw as tight as you can, being mindful not to strip your screws or break your driver. If your pivot screw is regularly coming loose, simple apply some Loctite as per the 'Thread-locking your screws' section above.