The Squiddy and Squiddy-B are plastic trainers — CPVC and acetal respectively — designed for portability, TSA compliance, and entry-to-intermediate practice. The Squiddy-ALT is an aluminum trainer built around a different set of priorities: real metal weight at 3.80 oz, a configurable balance profile via modular face-eye weights, hand-tuned phosphor bronze washers, a tanto blade profile in 6061-T6 aluminum, and dual bite handle indicator grooves for tactile orientation feedback. The Squiddy-ALT is for flippers who want metal construction and adjustable balance — not a travel trainer but a dedicated practice platform.

The modular face-eye weights are removable threaded set screws positioned on the handle face of the Squiddy-ALT. By adding or removing these set screws from specific positions, a flipper can shift the weight distribution of the trainer — adding handle weight, removing it, or loading one handle differently from the other. This allows the balance profile to be tuned from the factory-set rebalanced optimized neutral bias toward a more handle-heavy or tip-heavy feel depending on the trick sequences being practiced. No special tools are required beyond the appropriate hex key.

Dual bite handle indicator grooves are tactile orientation markers machined into the handle spine of the Squiddy-ALT. In a standard balisong, the bite handle is the handle that faces the sharpened edge when closed — knowing which handle is which matters for safe and correct technique. On a trainer the edge distinction disappears, so the indicator grooves restore that tactile feedback. During mid-sequence recovery or complex trick transitions, a flipper can identify handle orientation by feel rather than stopping to look — a significant benefit for developing muscle memory on the correct handle geometry.

Standard balisong construction uses zen pins — small cylindrical stops that prevent the blade from contacting and damaging the handle channel interior. Pinless construction eliminates these pins entirely, relying instead on the monoblock channel geometry to manage blade travel through the range of motion. Pinless trainers produce a cleaner, uninterrupted swing arc with no pin contact sensation during tricks — a feel that some experienced flippers prefer for its smoothness, though it requires the channel tolerances to be precisely machined to prevent blade slap against the channel walls.

Both the Squiddy-B and Squiddy-ALT use a neutral balance as their baseline — weight distributed evenly between blade and handles. The Squiddy-ALT's "rebalanced optimized neutral bias" indicates that the neutral point has been specifically calibrated for the aluminum construction and the 4.50-inch blade length, rather than being a default even split. More importantly, the Squiddy-ALT's modular face-eye weights allow that baseline to be adjusted after purchase — the Squiddy-B's balance is fixed at the factory. If you want to tune your balance, the Squiddy-ALT is the configuration for it.

The Squiddy-ALT measures 10.0 inches overall when open with a 4.50-inch blade at 0.150 inches thick. Closed length is 5.50 inches and handle thickness is 0.490 inches. It weighs 3.80 oz — significantly heavier than the plastic Squiddy trainers at 2.50 and 2.60 oz. There is no pocket clip.