[yiwang]

Can switchbades be imported into the states? I want to buy a few of
these http://www.liangdianup.com/automatic_1.htm

But I don't to waste my money if they are gonna get taken by customs
:neener:

[psyopspec]

The one I own is a Benchmade. In Iraq the first time around, I carried a Chinese automatic knife that I acquired. Next time I'll be sticking with the one that was made in America. Sold to buyers with valid military ID or LEO credentials from dealers.

To be honest, with modern assisted opening technology, you're not at a total disadvantage with a quality one-handed opening knife from one of the major domestic manufacturers.

[WC145]

I carry a Benchmade HK auto and am quite pleased with it.
You need to check the laws for where you live before trying to buy any "switchblade".
And remember, you get what you pay for. I wouldn't trust a $10 chinese switchblade to be anything more than a fancy letter opener.

[Rossshady120]

you can legally order a switchblade online i did it when i was living in new york. the most anti knife state along with guns. as far as FL. switchblades are aganist the law just like brass knuckles, and butterfly's. what do you need a knife for you got a gun? i recommend the gerber moneyclip/blade

[GRIZ22]

But I don't to waste my money if they are gonna get taken by customs

Buying direct from China that would the least of your worries although a lot of counterfeit Nikes, Coach bags, and other stuff gets seized daily.

If your stuff doesn't come at all who are you going to complain to?

[psyopspec]

Rossshady, how can you say in the same breath that "you can legally order a switchblade online" but that "switchblades are against the law?" I would advise anyone seeking legal advice to check with a lawyer or look up their own local laws rather than taking your ques from an internet forum.

[Master Blaster]

Benchmade assisted opener with the torsion bar. Its not a switchblade because you raise the blade 30 degrees before the torsion bar takes over.
You can take the torsion bar out and it becomes a manual. They have serveral models 125-$200
www.knifecenter.com

[rocinante]

Switchblades laws are the grand daddy of all the nuanced nanny gun laws we have now. Prehistoric media hype of teen gangs gone wild. Ooooohhh Westside story.

In Georgia it is my understanding is it is not illegal to own one but you can't carry one on you in public? I bought mine at a gas station. Yeah makes a lot of sense. I have a cheap but serviceable one that looks like a 3 inch buck knife that I put on a lanyard attached to my belt and keep the knife in my front pocket when I backpack. In the woods you are constantly going for your knife and the push button is just too darn convenient. Plus the pack makes anything on your belt inaccessible. Most the knives with the knob on the side are lefty discriminating and to my shame admitting it I bite my nails real short and have a hard time opening regular pocket knives sometimes. That is my rationalizing but the truth is the switchblade is darn convenient and fun.

[Fat Boy]

I don't know about automatic knives, but given the many "assisted opening" and one hand opening knives out there, I don't think I would need an automatic, if I wanted that type of knife.

[hso]

Can switchbades be imported into the states?

No

But I don't to waste my money if they are gonna get taken by customs

Then don't by one if you don't want to risk having them taken by customs.

I want to buy a few

Oh, you want to buy a few from a Chinese wholesale house selling Chinese switchblades? Well, in addition to risking having them seized by US Customs and loosing your "investment", if you order enough of them to be considered a dealer attempting to violate customs laws you could get a lovely federal felony charge to go along with your seized contraband. I know because I have a friend still on probation for just such.

Do not, NOT, order switchblades from China. Even if you don't get caught (risking becoming a felon and never being able to vote or own firearms again) you end up wasting your money on the most egregious crap sold to a sucker in international trade.

as far as FL. switchblades are aganist the law just like brass knuckles, and butterfly's

Wrong. Switchblades are considered to be common pocket knives in FL.

[Deer Hunter]

I took a stiletto through Roman airports right as John Paul II was arriving back from one of his polish trips. Stuck it in my check-in luggage. I had no troubles.

Gave it to my dad who always wanted one.

So if you're ever in Florence, I can give you the name of a wonderful little knife shop. I still have one of my little titanium blade knives from there.

[1858rem]

i gotta little john deer (spring/switch?) blade pretty handy, push a button and the blade flips right out the side. $4


oops i jus realized i was already in the states, sorry

[Blacksmoke]

I am partial to the Due Buoi switchblade I bought a year or so ago. Very precise action, postive locking mechanisim great steel blade, definately not a toy. The Italians really understand how to make a switch knife although the good ones are not cheap.

If I can ever figure out how to post a photograph on this forum I will put up a photo.

[Pax Jordana]

The laws on switchblades are goofy. That doesn't mean the hammer won't come down on you like hard if you go ahead and violate the goofy laws.

There are other options that are still pretty bangin' - Try a Kershaw Blur, or the Schrade OTF (the kershaw I can vouch for.. the schrade will be a gift to myself this christmas!)

Or maybe the Kershaw Ripcord.

[Stevie-Ray]

My Buck Mantis is fine. They used to sell automatic kits (spring open AND close) here. But to complete the kit was illegal. Goofy laws indeed.

[Kleanbore]

This is a link to the Federal law:

http://knife-expert.com/fedswitch.txt

And to the state laws:

http://www.knife-expert.com/sta-law.htm

I hope this proves helpful.

[RockyMtnTactical]

To be honest, with modern assisted opening technology, you're not at a total disadvantage with a quality one-handed opening knife from one of the major domestic manufacturers.

I agree. The autos are kinda neat, but they almost seem like they could be a detriment... if the button gets hit accidentally.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Own a Benchmade 5000 that just stays locked in a cabinet---its legal here---but my BM 520 manual is just so much more usefull that the switchblade comes up short.

No---its not for sale.

[rcmodel]

I own a few switch-blades just for the novelty & historical factor in my knife collection.

I have had one Benchmade break a spring, and older Italian ones whose springs just got too weak to open reliably. (BTW: Benchmade would not ship SB springs or SB parts across state lines, or return my knife to me if I sent it to them for repair.)

They are also prone to dirt & grit rendering them less then reliable.

On the other hand, my Benchmade Axis Locks are just as fast, and totally reliable, even when full of sand, as well as legal everywhere I carry them.

[TheDishDoc]

I was carrying my benchmade spike on my belt on the right side. I was sitting in my truck and apparently the button had been pressed and the razor sharp blade was open. I went to buckle my seatbelt and slid my hand down the blade in the process of sliding the buckle into the clasp cutting the crap out of my hand. :eek: Then I started carrying it with the safety engaged. I found having to fiddle with the little safety before it would open took away most of the advantage of having an auto and carrying it with the safety off was dangerous. You used to could by them on eBay and I bought quite a few but I sold some to friends. Now you can't find em on eBay anymore. :mad: I wish I would have held on to all I had. I still have some though. The Boker ones aren't too bad for quality and price point. Benchmades are good but expensive. I see switchblades being sold at gun and knife shows all the time though.

[TheDishDoc]

Everything on the right is an auto except the bottom two (an OSS gravity knife and a German Cat knife)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/thedishdoc/DSC07008.jpg

[jhansman]

I'll wager my AO Kershaws (the Scallion being my current favorite) will open as fast as an auto knife (once properly in hand), and I can order all I want with impunity.

[hso]

jhansman,

You'd be correct too.