Switch Blades

[JoeBob441]

Got a question regarding switch blades. Every knive book I have tells me they are illegal. I have a friend that is a police officer and he offered to order one for me to give to a friend that has had a stroke and can only use one arm. We looked at several quality Benchmades that were quality USA knives and a bunch of junk. I told the officer I would check to see how much my disabled friend wanted to spend. I went to the web site and just for fun put one into my cart and went completely thru the purchasing procedure. I cancelled at the last step of making the purchase. It seems that anyone can make the purchase. Is this true? I have an old presto that needs work and would like to have it repaired, but in the age of Homeland Security, I sure don't want to break a federal law. Maybe this is one of those grin and wink laws like when you bought ammo and the store was supposed to record your purchase if the ammo was for a handgun. Thanks for any guidance.
Joe

[gringo]

switchblades are not illegal in arizona...until you put it in your pocket...if you wear it on your belt..no problem.

http://www.knifelawsonline.com/knifehome/

[Gunsmoke47]

Automatic knife laws vary from state to state. Here in the great state of Texas, I can buy one, I can sell one, I can own one. Unfortunately, I can't carry one. Go figure.......... Check with your local state laws, Smoke

[Desktop]

It seems that anyone can make the purchase. Is this true?

It's the buyer's responsibility to know and abide all laws when buying automatic knives - not the sellers.
What's wrong with your Presto - and what kind is it?
DT

[JoeBob441]

Thanks for the information. I gather it is kind of a smorgasbord of state laws. The presto is a PRESTO PAT JAN 30 40 MADE IN USA" The reverse tang is stamped "EOSCHRAD NIFCO INC BPT, CONN" I am sure a portion has been worn off. The spring no longer works, the celluloid candy stripe handles are cracked in 3 spots all the way across, the clip blade is probably 70 to 80 percent with pits that have been buffed. The safety works to lock the blade open or closed. Overall, could be considered fair but that is probably wishful thinking. I have it at work and not with my other knives because I am afraid the celluloid is starting to go. I will get some pictures next week. I emailed Mark Ericson regarding this knive and he told me it was made by George Schrade knife company. Again thanks for the information about switchblades.
Joe

[JoeBob441]

Gringo, the web site you provided let me to another and yep, in Kansas it is unlawful to carry possess, manufacture etc. a switchblade or gravity knife. Kansas is a strange place to live sometimes. Anyway Thanks.
Joe

[orvet]

I love Oregon.
I can make, buy, sell, possess or carry an automatic knife, (subject to the regulations of a few municipalities).

Dale

[Forensic Jim]

Unfortunately, alot of states now view assisted openers the same as automatics. There was a recent article in Blade Magazine regarding a conviction of a person carrying an assisted opener. I can carry any kind of handgun I want in Michigan, but can't get caught with a blade over 3", an automatic or an assisted opener. The paranoia is only going to get worse.

[Hukk]

In California I cannot make, possess, work on a switch blade, nor even ship one to another state. Seems like rules for switch blades are much more stringent than gun laws. A guy I spoke with at Cabela's at Boomtown (Verdi) refferred to California as a communist state. Not far from the mark, I suspect. I may go back up there and sell a couple rare guns for Cabela's gun library. At least they are curio and relics and I can sell them anywhere without paperwork. I pay to much to insure those.