All About Pocket Knives

I don't know how long ago this knife law changed. It use to vary state to state regarding the sale and possesion of switchblades. Here is the law now.

Switchblade knives: The interstate sale of switchblade knives is prohibited by federal law; Federal law defines switchblade knives as “any knife having a blade which opens automatically (1) by and pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.”

Hi paknifeworks, In reference to your post about auto. knives, switch blades,etc. I was looking at some knives on Blade Auction and there were 3 Case Mako's for sale that had been revised and were being offered as Automatic Conversion Knives. Go into http://www.bladeauction.com and scroll down to Case xx and read what they have in their description. I would appreciate knowing your thoughts about these knives as regards Federal Law.
Best Regards, ivanskee68

Hi ivanskee68, Those Makos are nice. There are some realy nice custom switchblades makers out there. A couple of my favorites are BURN and MERLIN. I have been hanging aroung BA for about 4 or 5 years. I actualy have a couple of knives forsale there now. I was thinking about getting back into switchblades which is how I ran across all these crazy laws. I could swear in PA the law use to say it was legal if you were a dealer or collector. but not the way it reads now.

It appears the Interstate law goes way back to 1996. So as long as you don't get caught carrying it and as long as your state and local leaders don't decide to go on a bender and go after knife dealers and collectors like the state of ILLINOIS did a couple few years ago which is why you see No Sales to ILLINOIS in a lot of listings. You should be ok.

I recommend checking out this link http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm#A-H

It will take you to BERNARD LEVINE'S webpage on knife laws for every state. He is the Expert on anything knives.

Hope I didn't ramble to long.

Best Regards,
Harry Weatherby
PA KNIFE WORKS

Good Morning Harry, Thanks for all of the info.

Your neighbor in PA., Ivan Keener (ivanskee68)

Thanks for the Feds standard. In SC, it is still legal to sell, buy, and own an "automatic" or assisted opening knife. The only problem is, you CAN NOT carry it on your person without a concealed weapons licence. My business liability lies in the purchase. I have to have a copy of a customers CWL on file before I sell to them. This also applies to stun guns and mace.

Is it still legal for a one-armed person to carry a switchblade? How about a fireman or a law enforcement officer? I dunno...
...CCBill...

I'm no lawyer, so I will leave it up to you all to interpret the "exceptions"
to the "rules". (By "rules" i am referring to section 1242 and 1243. )

Section 1244. Exceptions

Sections 1242 and 1243 of this title shall not apply to -
(1) any common carrier or contract carrier, with respect to any
switchblade knife shipped, transported, or delivered for shipment
in interstate commerce in the ordinary course of business;
(2) the manufacture, sale, transportation, distribution,
possession, or introduction into interstate commerce, of
switchblade knives pursuant to contract with the Armed Forces;
(3) the Armed Forces or any member or employee thereof acting
in the performance of his duty; or
(4) the possession, and transportation upon his person, of any
switchblade knife with a blade three inches or less in length by
any individual who has only one arm.