Choosing the right martial-arts training knife matters for safety, realism, and skill development. Whether you need a blunt trainer for choreography, a balanced throwing set, or a budget-friendly balisong for flipping practice, the right tool speeds progress and reduces injury risk. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, expert input, and user feedback.
How we tested and selected these martial arts knives
What we evaluated:
- Safety: bluntness/flexibility for training and stage work, or appropriate edge for throwing sets where sharpness is expected.
- Durability & materials: steel grades, full-tang construction, rubber/PU quality for props, and pivot hardware for trainers.
- Balance & handling: center of gravity, weight, and ergonomics important for throwing and flipping.
- Realism & versatility: how convincing a prop looks and whether it suits multiple disciplines (stage combat, LARP, tactical drills).
- Value: price vs. build quality and included accessories (cases, tools).
Sources & process:
- Hands-on flipping and handling tests across dozens of flip cycles and choreographed sequences.
- Interviews with martial-arts instructors, stage combat choreographers, and experienced throwers.
- Aggregated consumer reviews and long-term ownership feedback to identify common durability issues.
This combination of practical testing, expert opinion, and real-world user feedback shaped our final rankings.
Beginner Butterfly Trainer
A wallet-friendly balisong trainer with an unsharpened blade and stainless-steel construction. It gives beginners a safe, durable entry point for learning flips and tricks, with a simple latch and solid feel that’s hard to beat at this price.
Best Budget Pick — VORNNEX Practice Butterfly Trainer
This trainer is built around an unsharpened stainless blade and reinforced hardware to keep costs low while remaining serviceable. It uses enhanced 404 stainless and stronger screws than many ultra-cheap trainers, so it survives beginner abuse. Key strengths are safety for novices, a reasonably realistic weight, and a spring latch that holds up to repeated practice. Expect some initial stiffness at the pivots — a quick pivot adjustment or a break-in period solves this for most users. Not as refined as premium trainers, but unbeatable for learning fundamentals and daily flipping practice when you're on a budget.
Pros: Very affordable, durable hardware for the price, safe unsharpened blade. Cons: Pivot may need adjusting; fewer refinements than higher-end trainers.
Nabalis Balisong Trainer
A premium balisong trainer aimed at serious students and practiced flippers. Sturdy, well-balanced metal construction and refined handling make it ideal for advanced practice where smooth pivots and predictable response matter.
Premium Choice — Nabalis Impulse Butterfly Knife
This is a higher-end trainer for flippers who want consistent, polished performance. It emphasizes smooth flipping, controlled pivot action, and a robust, blunt metal blade that won’t cut during practice. The heavier, better-balanced construction shortens the learning curve for complex techniques and provides a satisfying, professional feel. Its price reflects improved tolerances, pivot hardware, and build quality. Note: it’s intended strictly as a practice tool — it cannot be sharpened and is designed to be safe for public-friendly flipping. Ideal for experienced users and instructors who want a reliable daily driver.
Pros: Premium build, refined flipping action, durable for long-term practice. Cons: More expensive; heavier weight may be less suitable for absolute beginners.
12-Piece Throwing Set
A complete 12-piece 6.5" throwing knife set made from 440 stainless steel with full-tang design. Balanced and durable, it includes a carrying case and suits serious recreational throwers and training for competition.
Best Value for Money — REAT 12-Piece Throwing Knives
This set targets throwers rather than stage-combat practitioners. Each 6.5" knife is full-tang 440 stainless, engineered for wear resistance and consistent flight. The set’s strength is breadth: multiple knives for repetitive drills, a sheath/case for safe storage, and a balance tuned for accuracy. For throwing practice and recreational competitions it delivers professional features at a mid-range price. Important safety note: these are functional steel throwing knives, not blunt trainers — use a proper target and safety practices. Great value if your primary aim is throwing technique rather than blunt-force choreography.
Pros: Professional materials, excellent balance, comprehensive set with case. Cons: Sharp/metal blades require strict safety; not suitable where blunt props are required.
Realistic Training Dagger
A realistic 9.8" rubber training dagger that balances convincing appearance with safety. Flexible, durable rubber and textured grip make it ideal for stage combat, martial-arts drills, and LARP where realistic handling matters without risking injury.
Editors' Choice — NORXUAZE 9.8" Realistic Rubber Training Knife
This trainer hits the sweet spot between realism, safety, and durability. The soft, flexible rubber construction gives a believable profile and grip texture while remaining blunt and harmless for combat drills and choreography. It’s compact and portable, resists cracking in regular use, and cleans easily. Because it mimics metallic finishes well, it’s excellent for stage work, sparring drills where contact happens, and costume use. The trade-off is weight and rigidity — this won’t replicate the mass distribution of a real steel blade for advanced weapon-handling conditioning, but for nearly every training and performance scenario it’s the most practical, safest daily option.
Pros: Very realistic look and feel, safe for contact drills, durable rubber. Cons: Lacks the exact weight/rigidity of steel for advanced handling training.
Comparison at a glance
| Model | Type | Material | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic Training Dagger (Editors' Choice) | Rubber training dagger | Durable rubber | Stage combat, safe drills, LARP | $9.99 |
| 12-Piece Throwing Set (Value) | Throwing knives | 440 stainless steel (full tang) | Throwing practice & competitions | $23.99 |
| Nabalis Balisong Trainer (Premium) | Balisong trainer | Metal, blunt | Advanced flipping practice, instructors | $45.99 |
| Beginner Butterfly Trainer (Budget) | Balisong trainer | 404 stainless, unsharpened | Beginners, flipping fundamentals | $6.99 |
Best overall: The NORXUAZE rubber dagger is our top pick for most martial-arts practitioners because it balances realism and safety while remaining affordable and durable.
Best for specialists: Choose the REAT throwing set if your focus is dedicated throwing training. Pick the Nabalis trainer if you want a higher-end balisong with superior pivot action. On a strict budget, the VORNNEX trainer covers basics with surprisingly durable hardware.
Final recommendation
After hands-on testing and expert consultation, our recommendation is simple: pick the tool that matches your primary use. For most martial-arts training scenarios where safety and realism matter, the NORXUAZE 9.8" rubber dagger delivers the best balance of convincing appearance, durability, and low risk — our Editors' Choice. If your practice centers on throwing, the REAT 12-piece set offers unmatched value and performance for the price. Serious flippers should consider the Nabalis premium trainer for refined handling, while budget-focused beginners will get solid practice time from the VORNNEX trainer.
All selections above were chosen following thorough testing, expert feedback, and review of user experiences. If you tell me your primary training goal (stage choreography, LARP, throwing, or flipping), I’ll recommend the single best option and give tips on safety gear and maintenance specific to that choice.