Are spring assisted knives legal in Pennsylvania? I'm interested in an OTF model.
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Are spring assisted knives legal in Pennsylvania? I'm interested in an OTF model.
short answer: no.Quote:
Originally Posted by ragu1macrider
the long answer:Quote:
Pennsylvania - Pa. C.S.A. 18.908. Prohibited offensive weapons.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a
misdemeanor of the first degree if, except as authorized
by law, he makes, repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in,
uses, or possesses any offensive weapon. (b) Exception.--
It is a defense under this section for the defendant to
prove by a preponderance of evidence that he possessed of
dealt with the weapon solely as a curio or in a dramatic
performance, or that he possessed it briefly in
consequence of having found it or taken it from an
aggressor, or under circumstances similarly negativing any
intent or likelihood that the would be used unlawfully.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section "offensive
weapon" means... any... dagger, knife, razor or cutting
instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic
way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or
otherwise...- also see 24 P.S. 13-1317.2. re: students bringing weapons
on to school property.]
Pennsylvania case law:
Where opening knife required lock to be released, and
once lock was released blade could be exposed by flip of
wrist, knife did not have blade which could be "exposed in
an automatic way"... by "otherwise" legislature referred
to knives that were opened by some sort of mechanism which
is not a "switch," "push-button," or "spring" mechanism
but still a mechanism... (1979)
curiously, butterfly knives/balisongs are legal to own and carry. the PA court ruling in Commonwealth v. Miles established butterfly knives as legal in the state of PA. the judge ruled that the butterfly knife the defendant possessed was not an "offensive weapon" under section 908(c) of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S.
theres a difference between "spring assist" and automatic knives.
a "switchblade" type that has a button that is pressed and the blade literally springs out on its own without you touching the blade is a nono to carry/posess except under certain circumstances:
1. As a re-enactor for historical purposes
2. as an actor in a play or performance
3. as a collectible curio
4. FFLs may posess automatic knives
so a Benchmade Auto 550 or a cheap stilletto switchblade is a nono to walk around with, but you can keep one as a collectible, use it in a play, or carry one as a re-enactor.
a "spring assisted" knife, like a Kershaw Blur, or a CRKT My Tighe is NOT a switchblade as defined under PA law, and may be posessed, carried, used, same as a swiss army knife.
I myself carry a My Tighe as a general carry knife top model, black titanium:
http://www.crkt.com/mytighe.html
You must push the blade out with your fingers to activate the "assist" mechanism that will open the blade to the lock point.
SOG Flash II is another "spring assisted" lock blade. Hell if I didn't keep loosing them at work I would still be sporting my first one. As it is I am on number 3 due to circumstances beyond my control
Yeah I was keeping my mouth shut,
but I went into the mall knife store and bought a side folder that opens with the press of a button. So, idk they sell knives similar to the crkt at the mall.
what's the specific need for spring assist? my CRKT m16-12z opens like lighting with barely the flick of my fingers.
Its like the full auto of knives. Sure you can bumpfire a semi, but...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ten*K
My feelings on the matter are that I want a knife that will open as fast as your "flick of the fingers" but will have a much stiffer threshold for force required to open it. Basically I don't want to flick it and have it open, I want to be able to drop it and not have it open spontaneously. Additionally I may not always have the room to flick the wrist and get it open promptly where as a well placed firm flick of my thumb opens the blade enough to let the spring assist take over.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ten*K
Different needs dictate different options.. just like AR's or defensive pistols IMO
A side question; I have one of those Italian switchblades that the "switchblade comb" was modelled after. It never leaves the house and I'm not 100% sure where it is right now. Is there something special I need to do to make it a collectible curio? Or is the fact that I don't take it anywhere good enough?
should be good enough as it sits. just dont carry it around:DQuote:
Originally Posted by djturnz
Hard to explain, but when you have a chance try out an assisted model like the Kershaw Blur, they are just different, I'm not saying better, but try for yourself.Quote:
what's the specific need for spring assist? my CRKT m16-12z opens like lighting with barely the flick of my fingers.
Here is a crappy vid comparing the blur and the M16, no speed difference, although the Blur is easier with no practice to use lefty. Neither of these is an auto, not too bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCuYH...e=channel_page
Quote:
Originally Posted by ithinkimamedic
i mean to say that that model of CRKT opens almost like snapping your fingers, without need for wrist involvement like so many others... press down with the forefinger and up with the thumb and in less than a second you are open for business. It can also easily and relatively quietly be opened slowly with the same technique.
just for shits and giggles I dropped it on the carpet, the linoleum, and the deck and it didn't open.
but hey, to each their own.
Yeah, I am familiar with the CRKT M16 family. I've got a M16-14 and while it's a great knife it's a little to big for daily carry IMHO.:eek: The other knife I carry in my duty pants is a Gerber AR3.50 with the tip rounded to a blunt tip. I'm sure if when I loose my SOG next time (and I know it will happen) that one of the smaller CRKT M16s would work just fine. Maybe I'll try that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ten*K
I have a Buck Rush which is classified as an "Assisted opening knife" it is not a switchblade but it is every bit as fast and it is very easy to use one handed. I bought it at Wal-Mart in Hanover PA. Some Wal-Marts will not carry these types of knives but they are very much legal in the state of PA.
Switchblade knives are not legal in PA.
Sorry for the double post I didn't think the first one took!
I have a "buck Rush" which is classifed as an Assisted opening knife. It is not a switchblade but it is just as fast and is made to be opened one handed. I bought this a Wal-Mart in Hanover PA. Some Wal-Mart stores will not carry these types of knives but the are very much legal in the state of PA.
Push button and stilleto type knives are not legal in PA. Although I do have a switchblade that I bought from a magazine called the "Edge Company" in 1986. The knife was sent in the mail unassembled and this is how they got around the laws. I don't know if this company is still around or even if you can still buy switchblade knives this way any more.
You can buy them far easier than that. If you are LEO or Military (yes ANYONE in the military) you can buy direct from the manufacturer. Benchmade only asked for a copy of my military id and they shipped it directly to me.
Less scrupulous online retailers may not even verify such things when you order. I have heard stories....
haha... medic has a duty pants!Quote:
Originally Posted by ithinkimamedic
Sorry to bump an older thread, but without spending a great deal of time searching, I'm having a hard time finding reliable information on what military personnel are and aren't allowed to carry when it comes to automatic knives and how state laws vary.Quote:
Originally Posted by vrocco
15 USC 1244 provides in summary: Knives can be shipped by common carrier, that sale,transportation or distribution, possession or introduction into interstate commerce of switchblades knives is authorized if it is pursuant to a contract with the armed forces or any member or employee thereof acting in the performance of his or her duty. Armed forces or any member or employee thereof acting in the performance of his or her duty may possess switchblade knives and may have them shipped to him and sold to him or her. The possession and transportation upon his or her person of a switchblade knife or a blade 3 inches or less is authorized to any handicapped individual who has the use of only one arm.
Thats US code. As mentioned, state laws may differ.
I guess I've been breaking the law for a few years now. I used to keep a switchblade in my glove compartment but now I have a foldable hunting knife that's blade is a good 6 to 7 inches and sharp as shit. Basically I can't carry my gun everywhere I go especially home to NJ to visit family so I just keep a knife with me.