Newbie Question on SOG knifes

[gmh1013]

I just bought a SOG Twitch 2 online withe SOG assisted open spring...is this considered a switchblade knife....Texas has some screwy knife laws.
Are the autonmatic knifes considered a switchblade?

I have gone knife happy this week and want to order a Tanto cold steel
and another SOG Tanto Aegis.....cheaper that pistols and wife does not bitch as much.

 

[herohog]

Not in my state of Virginia. It gets around the law by virtue of not using a "button" but instead pushing on the blade itself. The spring also only acts on the blade partially, not fully extending the blade from any degree of opening, just "out of the gate" so to speak. I own one myself and love it.

 

[hso]

No, but you should find the law and read it for yourself instead of asking strangers questions about issues that may help decide whether you're breaking the law or not.

 

[gmh1013]

Texas Knife Law

its very vague:banghead:

 

[Mokwepa]

SOG Tanto [/QUOT]

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SOG TANTO? IVE HAD ONE FOR A FEW YEARS AND ITS STRONG BUT DOES NOT HOLD A GOOD EDGE. OVERALL, I DONT LIKE SOG DUE TO THE TANTO THAT I HAVE, BUT HOW ARE THEIR OTHER BLADES. GOOD CHOICE ON THE CS TANTO. I AM A BIG CS FAN. I DO OWN THE SOG TACTICAL TOMAHAWK AND THAT IS GREAT.

 

[hso]

its very vague

Doesn't look vague at all. TX law clearly says that a knife with a button on the handle or opens by centrifugal force or gravity is a switchblade. Modern liner locks typically have a ball detent holding them closed. Assisted openers are all biased closed as part of the design. You could run into trouble if you bought one of the Chinese knockoffs since they don't bother with little details like ball detents.

OTOH, there is case law on the books for TX that flies in the face of this seemingly clear reading of the law. A 2007 Appellate Court ruled that an assisted opener was a switchblade and that is under appeal.

(11) "Switchblade knife[0]" means any knife[0] that has a
blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and
that:
(A) opens automatically by pressure applied to a
button or other device located on the handle; or
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or
sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a Twitch II also. The Aegis is a knife SOG brought out last year which uses their "arc-lock" and assisted blade release with the activator on the side of the knife versus the top like the Twitch II or Twitch XL. It has a longer blade than the Twitch II (3.5"). I would suggest you handle one to see if you like the lock release location. I personally prefer the side release to the release on top.

I also like the Mini-Vulcan which is not an assisted opener. It opens one-handed very smoothly and quickly after pulling the release toward you and a flick of the wrist. There is no spring assist. I like my Mini-Vulcan. It is a bit chunky (thick) but I have been pleased with it. I also like the new SOG Access Card 2 if you want something thin like the Twitch II but with no assisted release.

My guess is that things are going to get a bit muddy in terms of interpretation of the knife laws IF a change is implemented by Customs on importing one-hand opening knives. They are including them under the switch blade law. June 21st was the last date for public comment, and I have not heard anything since as to status. This change is for IMPORTATION of these blades, not ones manufactured in the US. Most are imported however including the majority of the SOGs.

I'm not going to play lawyer or Judge on interpreting Texas Law.

 

[gmh1013]

(11) "Switchblade knife[0]" means any knife[0] that has a
blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and
that:
(A) opens automatically by pressure applied to a
button or other device located on the handle; or
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or
sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force.

Just about any knife (Buck 110) my little 505 can be opened with centrifugal force.
thats what I mean as vague

 

[gmh1013]

I thought most all SOG were made in Washington....and they use the cheaper "Fusion"
as the chinese made crap

 

[glistam]

I know it's not advised to seek or disseminate legal advice in this venue, but perhaps I can make a few amateur arguments with some case law sources I have. When the statutory law doesn't make sense, case law is the next step.

1. In the case of Thomas vs. Texas, (http://www.4thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/HTMLopinion.asp?OpinionID=20743) an assisted opening knife (I think it was a kershaw) was ruled by the court to be a switchblade. This case has become somewhat infamous because the court seems to have taken a police officer's word on the matter. But it may have established precedent all the same.

2. Balisongs generally also fall within the switchblade definition. Conventional folders that can be "inertia opened" would seem they do not in practice. Don't ask me why this is so. It may be a simple matter of perception, a poor legal standard but used all the same. The balisong has a reputation as a "weapon knife" that is usually owned for this purpose, whereas a buck 110 has the appearance and reputation of a "pocketknife" or "work knife."

 

[hso]

SOG is made in Japan and the "Fusion" "value" line is made in China.

The interesting thing in Thomas is that the appellate court ruled in favor of TX on the classification. That's dangerous case law, but only gets applied if you are arrested and go to court.

ATKI and Kniferights are both working to get TX to legislate a clearer definition of what a switchblade is and, and more importantly, isn't.

Balisongs usually fall under the "gravity" knife provision since they have to be unlatched to open. Once unlatched they can be argued to open under the force of gravity (ignoring the fact that if you just unlatch the handles and let it fall open you're left uselessly holding half a grip and a dangling blade and the other half of the grip).

 

[cpirtle]

I thought most all SOG were made in Washington...

SOG doesn't really make anything, they design the knives then have them made in China & Japan and I think one or two in the US.

No different than Spyderco imports, Cold Steel, Benchmade's cheap line etc..

FWIW, AKTI is fighting with customs right now because the US Customs department is trying to stop all importation of assisted opening knives.