Auto knives from California

[Jackknife64]

Hello all...

First time poster Long time reader here...

Two years ago my older brother passed away from a heart attack suddenly. He was an avid EDC person so much so that it has taken me two years to deal with all his knives, guns and EDC tools and I am still swimming in stuff. Most recently I gained acces to his safe and have now begun to deal with the contents, of which I find myself now in possession of several automatic knives consisting of a Circa early 2000 NIB Microtech OTF (Ultratech Bayonet Grind Black Standard Tactical 120-1T), a Boker automatic of unknown linage and 3 Benchmade 9000 folding knives (two black/one silver). I am trying to decide if I am allowed to sell these and ship them out to other states where the laws allow or am I better off just hiding them back in an undesclosed location where my wife and grandkids wont find them...

Looking for your thoughts and advice

 

[killgar]

Well, Pro-tech is located in California, and they sell and ship switchblades out of state.

I live in California, and I have sold and shipped several switchblades. I haven't lost a minutes sleep over it.

Technically speaking, California state law says it's illegal to sell switchblades, period. Unfortunately the law doesn't specify if it's illegal to sell in this state, or if it's illegal for anyone in this state to sell to people outside this state, but again, Pro-tech does it, and they aren't exactly keeping it a secret.

One option you have is to send the knives to Arizona Customs and let them sell them. That way it's not you selling them. Of course then there's Federal law and the issue of shipping switchblades across state for the purpose of commerce, but to my knowledge the Feds are no longer hot to enforce that law, and considering how many switchblades Arizona Customs, and many other companies (Amazon just to name one), are openly selling to the public, again, it's not something that I personally would worry about.

I would never advise anyone to break any law, and I won't do it here. This is something you'll just have to decide for yourself. Good luck.

.

.

 

[BootKnifeFan]

Well, Pro-tech is located in California, and they sell and ship switchblades out of state.

I live in California, and I have sold and shipped several switchblades. I haven't lost a minutes sleep over it.

Technically speaking, California state law says it's illegal to sell switchblades, period. Unfortunately the law doesn't specify if it's illegal to sell in this state, or if it's illegal for anyone in this state to sell to people outside this state, but again, Pro-tech does it, and they aren't exactly keeping it a secret.

One option you have is to send the knives to Arizona Customs and let them sell them. That way it's not you selling them. Of course then there's Federal law and the issue of shipping switchblades across state for the purpose of commerce, but to my knowledge the Feds are no longer hot to enforce that law, and considering how many switchblades Arizona Customs, and many other companies (Amazon just to name one), are openly selling to the public, again, it's not something that I personally would worry about.

I would never advise anyone to break any law, and I won't do it here. This is something you'll just have to decide for yourself. Good luck.

.

.

Killgar, did things actually change WRT shipping these items from a California facility? Years ago, I received a Cold Steel catalog in the mail. It was Lynn Thompson's "Special Projects" and contained such items as sword canes, Arc-Angel balisongs, blowguns, pepper spray, non-metallic knives, etc. Cold Steel indicated that these items would have to be shipped from their Arizona office, since they were illegal in California. At the time, their headquarters on was Seaborg Ave in Ventura, CA. Was Thompson just doing this out of an abundance of caution or was it really a legal matter?

 

[killgar]

Killgar, did things actually change WRT shipping these items from a California facility? Years ago, I received a Cold Steel catalog in the mail. It was Lynn Thompson's "Special Projects" and contained such items as sword canes, Arc-Angel balisongs, blowguns, pepper spray, non-metallic knives, etc. Cold Steel indicated that these items would have to be shipped from their Arizona office, since they were illegal in California. At the time, their headquarters on was Seaborg Ave in Ventura, CA. Was Thompson just doing this out of an abundance of caution or was it really a legal matter?

Unfortunately I can't find any case law in California regarding the sale of switchblades, either within the state, or for export. And in their most recent ruling on switchblades (January 2026) the California Supreme Court did not address sale. I do know of one item that is legal to manufacture in California that is illegal to sell in California- gas containers that don't meet California environmental regulations (a topic I researched awhile back). So that's one example of an item that California allows to be made here, but can only be sold out of state.

As far as Lynn Thompson, I don't know what he was doing, but I know that today sword canes, butterfly knives (blades 2" or more), blowguns, and non-metallic knives are all illegal to possess and sell in California.

As far as the manufacture, and the sale of those items outside of California, here's a more detailed breakdown-

Under CA penal code 20510, the manufacture and import of cane swords is illegal in California.

Under CA penal code 20010, the manufacture of blowguns is illegal in California.

Under Ca penal code 20810, not only is the manufacture and import of undetectable knives illegal in California, but the manufacture for export out of California is specifically listed as illegal, an interesting distinction.

Interestingly, the statute regarding the illegality of switchblades does not mention manufacture or export. Perhaps that, plus the fact that Pro-tech is manufacturing them for export, indicates that manufacture and export/selling out of state are legal. But that's just me speculating based on that evidence.

And just to add, butterfly knives were added to California's definition of "switchblade" in 1989 (case law).

I don't know if I've answered any of your questions. This is the best I have to offer.

 

[BootKnifeFan]

Unfortunately I can't find any case law in California regarding the sale of switchblades, either within the state, or for export. And in their most recent ruling on switchblades (January 2026) the California Supreme Court did not address sale. I do know of one item that is legal to manufacture in California that is illegal to sell in California- gas containers that don't meet California environmental regulations (a topic I researched awhile back). So that's one example of an item that California allows to be made here, but can only be sold out of state.

As far as Lynn Thompson, I don't know what he was doing, but I know that today sword canes, butterfly knives (blades 2" or more), blowguns, and non-metallic knives are all illegal to possess and sell in California.

As far as the manufacture, and the sale of those items outside of California, here's a more detailed breakdown-

Under CA penal code 20510, the manufacture and import of cane swords is illegal in California.

Under CA penal code 20010, the manufacture of blowguns is illegal in California.

Under Ca penal code 20810, not only is the manufacture and import of undetectable knives illegal in California, but the manufacture for export out of California is specifically listed as illegal, an interesting distinction.

Interestingly, the statute regarding the illegality of switchblades does not mention manufacture or export. Perhaps that, plus the fact that Pro-tech is manufacturing them for export, indicates that manufacture and export/selling out of state are legal. But that's just me speculating based on that evidence.

And just to add, butterfly knives were added to California's definition of "switchblade" in 1989 (case law).

I don't know if I've answered any of your questions. This is the best I have to offer.

Thanks, Killgar, for your response. Much appreciated!

 

[Jackknife64]

Lots of info here...thank you....will take it all under consideration...I think....lol