Bali-songs and Automatics – Who Needs ‘Em?

stjames

stjames

Sebenzanista
Joined
Oct 26, 1998
Messages
6,465
I do, for one.

Living here in the shadow of the Golden Gate has its advantages; beautiful vistas, great restaurants, an interesting collection of people, world class events gracing your doorstep, the lucrative opportunity to ply your trade.

But not, alas, the legal ability to enjoy the use of an entire class of history and pleasure filled knives.

As a youth I envied those bold enough to flaunt the laws and carry such devises. The knives in my life were tools that fascinated me, but to be trapped in a world of slip-joints and lock-backs was a cage to my soul. Seeing someone make a butterfly sail through the night or the satisfying click of the almost mythical switchblade filled me with a need I was almost ashamed of. Always I would tell myself “Toys at best, weapons at worst” and dismiss them to my friends as such, not true tools but things to play with. Not worth the risk of having, give me something that I can trust.

But in my heart I knew what a tool it could be. A knife with the convenience of a folder but could be deployed with one hand and secured just as easily. How many times had I wished for that, needed it? And denied to me by fear and ignorance, almost intolerable.

What a joy it was when one-handed openers appeared, first devises that you could attach to your blade and then the knives designed from the ground up with that in mind. At last I could truly say, “Who Needs Them”, as a whole world of options opened before me. Now I could worry about the important things; how smooth the action is, how strong and reliable a lock, is the steel easy to sharpen and able to hold an edge, how even the grinds, comfortable the handle, what is the most useful the blade shape for what job. Balance and trade offs, strengths and weaknesses. These have kept my interest, and it is almost enough.

But with all the accepted ways of deploying a knife allowed here in California, with such borderline devises as the Speed Safe and the legality of the folding sword, it is almost painful to be prohibited from some of the oldest, simplest types. I obey the local ordinances because it is not, now more than ever, worth the risk. I have too much to lose just to flaunt a ridiculous law. And of course there are countless acceptable choices to fill my needs, and most of my desires.

But after all these years, I still long to hear the blade sing, to see it catch the light as it dances through the air. And still I am denied.

Thank you for letting me unburden my heart to you. Do any others feel this pain? Kept from a simple pleasure by outdated thinking and ritual fear? Closet bali-song addicts, a room full of automatics that can never leave the house? Can I get an Amen?

------------------
James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
not my amen
wink.gif
autos are legal in austria...
 
In Israel the method of opening the blade is not relevant - but an automatic will most likely won't be viewed in a favorable light by a police officer - should you get to the point that he is looking through your pockets.

The main thing is this; many stupid and unreasonable laws exist because of ignorance, stupidity, hypocrisy, greed etc.

I have no cure for that - only philosophical thoughts..

I do understand the need for auto - I have some myself...

try flicking your folders - it sounds almost the same
wink.gif
 
Amen , Brother.......Closet Balisong Addict and automatic fan here!! Ive got more knives at home than i can shake a stick at(probably about...erm...150!)and of those i can legally carry about 5....so here i sit at home,having a fiddle(!) with me blades and wondering why the law is so narrow minded..If i walk out the door with my BM975s stuck in my Jeans pocket,its an offensive weapon....yet i can still walk down the street with a pick axe handle or a golf club...No problem!!.....Go figure!

------------------
harpman@gibnynex.gi

THINK TWICE..CUT ONCE!
 
I guess balisong addicts will have a grand time here in the P.I.
smile.gif
Balisongs are being sold everywhere, and one can carry them as long as they are not over 5" in blade length.

Too bad they can't be exported though, at least not as one functional piece.

In Batangas, one is not considered a "Batangueno" (a Batangas local) if he/she doesn't carry one in his/her person.

Dan
Dan
 
I agree with StJames, balisongs and autos are fascinating. Although I have an old BM balisong, I never carry it. In Illinois there is no specific law against it, I just don't want to be seen with such a knife. It would attract unwanted official attention no matter what the law code says. Autos, on the other hand, are illegal to possess in Illinois at all. For all practical purposes, it makes no difference. One handers are just as fast and have no springs to break. Still, autos are fascinating and I'd own a few if I could do so legally. Maybe I should move across the river to Missouri where autos can be held in collections.

StJames, since you're in California, why don't you get some of those California legal 2" autos? They're tiny but they should still be fun.
 
Curious. If switchblades weren't illegal almost everywhere, would they be as desired by knife knuts? I can't help but think that may make them more popular than actual function. After all, most single handed opening folders will open just as fast or faster with a flick of the wrist than a switchblade. They are also safer than a switchblade in my opinion. Do we want them because we can't have them - or at least shouldn't have them?

------------------
Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
Mr. Stjames,

I just love living in Oregon. You may see the Golden Gate, but on a clear day, I can see three major mountains from my house. We've got great restaurants, interesting people, and year-round alpine and down-hill sking just a short drive away.

Plus, I can carry my autos and balisongs legally.



------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.4cs.net/~gollnick
 
I gotta' second Anthony's idea -- get a CA legal auto. I bought myself a GT mini for Christmas last year, and it provides the fun without the legal grief. The CA autos are just about the right size for a keychain, as long as you don't plan on being on Federal property (I work in the Oakland Federal Building, so mine stays home).

------------------
Dave

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of More Knives
 
James, I've have a bad case of the flips and twirls using the butterfly knives! They are as addictive as smoking, seriously, just ask my wife!

I used to travel around the globe and carried my butterfly knives with me, in luggage they carried, no problems. And everywhere I traveled I looked up various knife stores and the ones that carried butterfly knives I picked up tips on how to work them various ways. When I called home at night from the hotel and talked with my wife, she could hear the click click of the butterfly knife and would tell me `Put that knife down and pay attention to me' but it's almost an artform in the many openings of the butterfly knife, probably never make it as an Olympic sport but close! I've gotten so I could work two at a time, one in each hand that is, and it's impressive when they open up fast. I use the latch openings the most as they are the fastest, for me anyways.

I can't hardly wait for the new Benchmade butterfly knives to be available!!!!!!
Gollnick has one already, that lucky so and so! Chuck, get me one? Please???
biggrin.gif

G2

------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...


G2 LeatherWorks
 
Fred, I went through what you are describing to some degree. A while back I was living in San Diego and was very much into auto's, and always bummed I couldn't legally carry them. Every trip back to Oregon for the holidays I would pick up another auto and an occasional balisong. Once I moved back up here for good I found that I lost most of my interest in them and rarely carry them. I suspect this may be in part due to the increase in other good options though. My feelings were a little different with gun carry - always wanted to in CA, with no decrease in interest now that I can.
David
 
Amen on the auto's. Would love to be able to carry a MT SOCOM on occasion. I guess it is just a curiosity thing having never seen anything but cheap Italian stilettos. Secretly long for a high quality D/A. Just as well they are illegal though as I could never justify a purchase of one to my wife. Well, maybe.......
wink.gif


------------------
It's only a mistake if you fail to learn from it!
 
Amen. I had to switch to flipping my Jaguar weak-hand to click on "Reply to Post".

It angers me on a daily basis that there is even a shadow of a doubt regarding the legality of any of my knives.
 
RIGHT HERE
I am a butterfvly in general knife fanatic and what I would really love to see is some KRISS BLADES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Live 35 miles fromSt James and I too have pain.But, I carry my Chameleon or Sidewinder.Very covert and on occasion offered to some LEO friends to admire.They did not have a clue.Still don't
wink.gif


------------------

have a"knife"day
 
Hello,

I dont think they are any less usefull than anyother folder, In fact i am going to start making Custom balisongs just because i think there COOL!! Simple,Strong,cool to manipulate,what more does one need!!

I think the AUTO and Balisong Folder market is for those types who appreciate a fine crafted knife for one, and have the sence that there playing with somthing that is
non-politically correct, its a deep down Warrior instinct i think in all of us HUMANS that brings that kind of Passion out about those kind of Knives.

My .02

Allen
 
Mr. Cheeseboro, are you sure butterfly knives are OK to carry in Illinois? I talked to a police officer and he said they were illegal for me to carry around, but most other folders are okay unless of course I'm brandishing it in a threatening manner.

--Chang the Asian Janitorial Satellite
 
I live in Canada. NO autos (not even speed safe!), NO balisongs, NO push daggers, NO concealed carry, NO guns (except at the range or when hunting), NO non-metallic weapons, NO throwing stars, NO brass knuckles, NO pepper spray, NO tazers, NO spring loaded ASPs (you can own a regular one but you can't carry it) and if you're unlucky enough to live in one of the more anal areas NO SLINGSHOTS EITHER!!!
With the little that's allowed, "they" will find a way to take away from you.

So, to answer your question, count this as another AMEN!


Jason
 
Comrade Chang, I didn't say that they were legal to carry. I don't know of any law against them but I would not carry one around regardless. I don't know what city you live in in Illinois. If you live in Chicago, for instance, the laws on knives are much more restrictive.
If I remember correctly you are a teenager, as such, you would have a heck of a time convincing an LEO about legitimate carry of any large knife. Illinois has no formal blade length law but it does have a law against dangerous knives and a any knife over 3" inches carried with offensive intentions can be deemed dangerous. It just makes sense to carry knives that can be easily explained as utilitarian.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top