Automatic knives

[SouthernMutt]

I've always been curious about this, so here goes:

I'm in the military and I've noticed they sell 'switchblades' at the NEX/ MCX/ etc.
From my understanding, only military personal are aloud to own such weapons (except for on base). Is it legal to still own one even when you get out? is it more trouble than it's worth cause I've been eyein' this SOG for awhile...

On a side note, I'd also like to get a good all around survival/utility knife. Any recommendations? I mean, I have alot of cutlery, but I'd like a good carrying knife When the big S hit the F.

Thanks in advice!

[OpenSights]

I would assume It would depend on your local laws. In MI they are illegal.

As far as recommendations, sorry.

[stevetexas]

Take a look at the "assisted opening" knives. They are legal under Fed law and most local laws. They were invented to get around the ban on switchblades.

Kershaw makes some great ones. They call it "speedsafe". My Walmart carrys a couple of them, you could try them out if you have one nearby.

http://www.kershawknives.com/products.php?brand=kershaw

Lots of companies make AO knives.

[greasetrap]

Love my Kershaw.... New HAmpshire just lifted their bans on knives ahve have opened legality of all knives even automatics

[556X45]

in Utah you must be over 21 the knife can't be taken ou of state unless you are military. I like the bench Made infidel(spelling?) lone wolf knives are also good

[minimotos95]

in SD and WY they are legal... more states too

[Oh Shoot]

Yeah, it's all state law determined.

TN: illegal to carry 'cept for military, LEO, EMT.

You may possess them in home (curio, collection).

- OS

[Ohionative]

I have heard they are legal in OH but not PA.

[minimotos95]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchblade#State_laws

[green beetle]

Originally Posted by stevetexas

Take a look at the "assisted opening" knives. They are legal under Fed law and most local laws. They were invented to get around the ban on switchblades.

Kershaw makes some great ones. They call it "speedsafe". My Walmart carrys a couple of them, you could try them out if you have one nearby.

http://www.kershawknives.com/products.php?brand=kershaw

Lots of companies make AO knives.

I've seen the assisted open knives and "twitch" design advertised by SOG and Cold Steel I think. Er, maybe Gerber, not Cold Steel. A friend of mine knows someone with an assisted open knife and says it rocks, opens and locks mostly on its own.

Anyway, I've never actually seen one. From what I read I was sort of wondering about their legality too.



GB

[minimotos95]

Originally Posted by green beetle

I've seen the assisted open knives and "twitch" design advertised by SOG and Cold Steel I think. Er, maybe Gerber, not Cold Steel. A friend of mine knows someone with an assisted open knife and says it rocks, opens and locks mostly on its own.

Anyway, I've never actually seen one. From what I read I was sort of wondering about their legality too.



GB

it's legal because you directly push the blade.
i have a kershaw oso sweet as my EDC. i have had it for almost 2 months and have used it for everything(even throwing knife when i was bored). i have yet to have a cop question the legality of the AO, just the blade length, which is borderline legal

[cruisemissile]

its interesting that about 1/2 of states in US consider switchblades legal.
half don't, but at least the glass is 1/2 full.
I live in FLA where they're legal.
any wifey bought me a sweet Microtech UDT for xmas...

[sgtdraino]

Originally Posted by SouthernMutt

I've always been curious about this, so here goes:

I'm in the military and I've noticed they sell 'switchblades' at the NEX/ MCX/ etc.
From my understanding, only military personal are aloud to own such weapons (except for on base). Is it legal to still own one even when you get out? is it more trouble than it's worth cause I've been eyein' this SOG for awhile...

In most places automatic knives are legal to own, but not legal to carry, unless you are law enforcement. Of course, what's the point of owning it if you can't carry it! Military can of course carry whatever the brass says they can in a military setting. If you are military, you probably cannot legally carry your automatic knife in the day-to-day civilian world unless it is in the performance of your military duties.

That said, I have come to the conclusion that automatic knives are mostly just "tacticool." In these modern times there are much more effective designs. I particularly like the Emerson hook, which can be much faster than an automatic, as well as much simpler to use under stress, and of course legal to carry in many more situations. My own preference is a Spyderco Delica with an Emerson hook.

Originally Posted by SouthernMutt

On a side note, I'd also like to get a good all around survival/utility knife. Any recommendations? I mean, I have alot of cutlery, but I'd like a good carrying knife When the big S hit the F.

I recommend an older Sog SEAL Pup, or a Sog SEAL 2000, back when they were made in Seki, Japan.

[stevetexas]

Originally Posted by green beetle

I've seen the assisted open knives and "twitch" design advertised by SOG and Cold Steel I think. Er, maybe Gerber, not Cold Steel. A friend of mine knows someone with an assisted open knife and says it rocks, opens and locks mostly on its own.

Anyway, I've never actually seen one. From what I read I was sort of wondering about their legality too.



GB

Hi Green,

Here is the real deal. In 1958 the US Congress banned Switchblades from interstate commerce and most states follow the Feds.

In the 90's a guy named Onion invented knives that open instantly with a spring but are not legally switchblades.

The Switchblade law requires that the knife open by pushing a button on the handle. Assisted opening knives have the button on the blade.

About 2 summers ago the Homeland Security and Customs tried to change the definition of Switchblade to include AO.

All American knife companies and many regular people had a fit.

It is now Federal Law that Assisted Opening knives are legal.

Most, but not all, State and Local laws follow Federal Law.

[FarmerJohn]

there is a difference between assisted opening and automatic knives but they operate similerly

[sgtdraino]

I'm a little shy of assisted opening, because I once had one "nudge" itself open in my pocket, and it cut the ever-loving <snip> out of me. Many assisted opening knives have a safety switch you can engage to prevent that from happening... but if you've got the safety engaged, you've just robbed yourself of all the speed the AO knife was giving you.

Emerson hook is totally the way to go, IMO.

[The Truth]

I like a spydie-hole on a well oiled and properly tuned spyderco. Just as fast as autos or assisted when coming out of pocket, and none of the busy-body legalities to worry about.

[graf56]

I have had Bench Made automatics and had no issues with them strong springs never wore out in a 10 year period. Be aware most cheap autos will let you down springs get weak, locks wear, poor grade of steel. My larger Bench Made had a tanto blade thta held a edge for a long time.

[Observer]

My experience with the Benchmades and Bokers I have are the springs are so strong they loosen the fore screw and in some instances I have lost them. I even use lock tite on them and they work loose quickly again.

So, I retired mine. Too much trouble.

[Cold White North]

I carry a Kershaw OSO Sweet everywhere and love it but as others have said over time the screws will loosen.