I would like to start an discusion about knifelaws.

We have on this forum to my knowledge at least people from Australia, Canada, USA (of course)and Denmark (myself).

The knifelaws in Denmark are roughly like this:

Everyday carry everywhere: you are only allowed to carry foldingknives. The blade must be under approx 3" (7 cm) and it must not be one-hand-opener or automatic (both are illigal in any way). You are not allowed to carry fixedblades on an everyday basis.

However you are allowed to carry fixedblades or folders of any lenght if its during a legal activity like hunting, fishing, scouting etc. ( I presume that going to a knifeshow carrying a knife is ok too..?) You can carry the knife directly to the activity and back, but you can´t go to a bar on the way home or anything else if you carry the knife upon you.

That´s basicly it. Do I live by these rules...not really since I have and carry everyday either one of the two Spyderco´s I own. You don´t risk getting searched by a cop unless you are in a fight or something and its only in the airport that you have to go through securitystands. I have made a one hand folder and plan to make many more. I have given it a thought to see if it was possible to get a permit to make them if they are only sold outside Denmark (like most my knives). But I don´t know if thats a good idea..

Jens,

I was going to try and answer this earlier, but better late than never. The problem with discussing knife laws in the US is that first you have the Federal laws, then the state laws and then local counties and city laws. Keeping track is very tough. For example, I live in New York State where there are no size requirements on blades, but in New York City no fixed blades and no folders over 4" (approx 10cm). The Federal law says no automatics (switchblades) with a few exceptions (LEO's & military), New York State says no auto's except for some exceptions and they have more than the Fed law. Then New York City says no auto's at all ever, not even in your home. So it's tough going.

Hi Jens, Down here in Texas we have a thing called Licensed
concealed handgun law. In a way that has made it easier on knife carriers, like myself. There are places you cannot carry your gun, same thing usually applies to sheath knives
or longer than 51/2 inch folders. In Texas the law states you may carry a folding knife, lockblade, with a 5 1/2 inch blade in your pocket and it is not considered a concealed weapon. Autos are illegal to carry, exceptions for military, lawenforcement, and paramedics. I have had expensive folders confiscated by law officers, for whatever reason, and had to get my lawyer and get my knife back. As you would guess the knife in question was at the officer's home, seems he forgot to turn it in at the station house. Ther are a lot of Sheriff's deputies and police officers down in Texas, who have quite a collection of knives.

Ken

For US laws, there's a pretty good web site to check them out.
pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm (http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm)

One thing I think is common between LEOs in the states - many interpret the law per instance.

Hi Jens, There is a new law in the U.S.A. that a lot of people do not know about becuase it does not affect the majority. It is Pdd-39. It basicly states that any first responder ( police ,fire dept, medic) that responds to a posible terrorist incident is allowed to carry automatics. (That is the very short explanation). It was passed by former president Bill Clinton after the bombing in Oklahoma Along with several other laws. As a member of the Houston Fire Dept Hazardous Materials Response teams we were elected by the State of Texas to be a member of the weapons of Mass destruction response team also.As ken was saying there are alot of police officers in Texas with a good collection of knives. And since most of the Police officers do not know of this new law, it is hard to convince them you have the right to carry them. So I and some of the others have chosen to carry the Kershaw/ Ken Onion style speed safe folders because they do not fall into any of the catigories that classify an automatic. We can buy them at sporting good stores

Yeah that a sweet knife. Got to fondle on in New York some time ago. Did not like it much at the time because I did not know the proper way to open it. After playing arouind with my linerlock I found out how I should have done.
Have ordered a Terzuola for carrying though. a bit over the limit and it´s a linerlock...but then again..you wont get searched here in DK

OK everyone, here is a touchy subject.

PSST! If you are a COP, don’t read the rest of this message.

Has any maker been arrested for making automatics? According to the Texas law (and I live in Texas), it is illegal to manufacturer, sell or possess an automatic knife.

Not that I want them to, but why are aren't the cops arresting makers and buyers at the knife shows? I want to make automatics but worry that someone will use one of mine to get into trouble and the cops will see my name on it and show up at the door with their handcuffs ready.

I've asked this question here before; Is there a legal way to manufacturer automatics in Texas (or anywhere else) that is keeping the police at bay?

I realize that some cops are cool and really don't have a problem with knifemakers making and selling them. However, with MY luck, I would run into one of the other cops that feels he has something to prove and would have the law on his side. I would be off to jail, knives confinscated and paraded in front of the news cameras as a criminal and my future as an AUTOMATIC knife maker gone. You always here about the bad guy that had thousands of rounds of ammo when he was arrested. In reality he had a couple of bricks of .22 shells for plinking. That would be me; He had 7 switchblades and an entire manufacturing plant for making illegal weapons.

If anyone can shed some light on a legal way to make the automatics, PLEASE let me (and the other here)in on it so I (we)can get started.

Bob- This is only my opinion, but here it is for what it's worth.

The current issue of Blade Magazine contains an interview with Chris Reeve, who, when asked what the biggest problem in the knife world was, replied, "Automatics."
It is his perception (and I agree) that the continued manufacture, distribution, sale, and general proliferation of autos will eventually force law enforcement's hand. They will not be able to look the other way, and will have to take action that will have a profoundly negative effect on the whole knife community.

I will be the first to stand up and say that the law is absolutely stupid regarding most things having to do with knives, but ...it is the law. Join the AKTI, write to your congressman, and lobby to have the laws changed, but don't break them. It is an invitation for disaster.

Don

Bob, the Federal Switchblade law covers crossing state lines and Federal enclaves, like DC. Then the states have there own rules. In NY you may own and carry an automatic under certain conditions, In Rhode Island & Florida they are legal, I believe that in Oregon they are legal as well. If you live in a legal state, you can make them there, if it's illegal in your state, you can't. The Website posted earlier is a good resource to find out what's legal where.

:doubleenf California Laws:doubleenf


i know it is legal to carry an automatic knife in public if the blade is under 2" long but,
is it legal to own an automatic knife with a blade longer than 2"?

I really feel sorry for all you guys, makers and owners alike. In SA there is NO knifelaws at all. And I mean NO KNIFELAWS !!:fencing:

The only thing our law caters for is the posession of a dangerous weapon, but any object able to cause harm only becomes a dangerous weapon if being carried while you take part in a political prosession or if used to threaten someone. This would also include stuff like screwdrivers, knobkieries, sticks, hammers, axes etc. and is not limited to knives in particular.

The Government recently introduced very strict fire-arm laws but knifelaws are still allmost non-existant.

Some of the laws that we have are concentrated stupid. When I was growing up in Illinois, you could get busted for driving around with a hammer in the passenger compartment of your car but you could have a sword and there was nothing that could be done about it. If I ever get off my duff, scrape $15 dollars together and go down to the courthouse, I can get a license to carry my 45 concealed but I can't carry a fixed blade or a folder over 3". I guess I'm better off than some because a year ago the Commonwealth of Virginia to authority away from the cities and counties to regulate firearms. Before that, if I wanted to go to the outdoor range in the area, I had to travel through four juristdictions, each with slightly different laws reguarding firearms so I had to go by the strictest rules. Sorry if I'm getting a little off topic, but this is one of my little pet peeves.

Doug Lester