Balisong Question

[masurai]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that it is legal to import a balisong if it's not a complete knife, but just parts. Am I right or mistaken. Thanks in advance for your help

 

[glistam]

There are completely built balisongs that say "made in china" sitting on the shelf for sale at my local cutlery store. If there is a law on importing them, nobody's enforcing it.

 

[mp510]

Technically, it would violate federal law to import them, even in parts/kit form. While customs seizes what they find, we still often see imported butterfly knives at flea markets and in catalogs because many of them slip through cracks in the system. You may recall after 9/11 what an uproar there was when it became public realized how little cargo entering the US was inspected.

 

[masurai]

What if the parts when not all in the same shipment

 

[nagod]

this might be getting close to ways to evade or break the law ,,careful how you phrase your questions..

 

[mp510]

What if the parts when not all in the same shipment

It really doesn't matter- the parts too are prohibited. One of the parts mentioned by name in the regulation is switchblade knife handles (IIRC). I believe that the blade would be covered too. There is 3 main parts to a butterfly knife (aside from the lock and pins)- a blade and two handle pieces. I can't think of anything that would not be prohibited. Importing them is asking for trouble- something that Spyderco inadvertantly got in a heap of hotwater for.

 

[taspankya]

There are completely built balisongs that say "made in china" sitting on the shelf for sale at my local cutlery store. If there is a law on importing them, nobody's enforcing it.

Exporters count on some of these shipments getting seized by customs. There are holes in the system. Maybe 50% get through, but the exporter adjusts prices to accommodate, knowing that not all prohibited items will be caught. This goes for everything. Not just knives.