Cold Steel's Tri-Ad Lock folding knives have a great bias towards closure. Lift the blade an inch or so on a closed knife and let it go. You will see it snap back towards the closed position every time. The addition of a thumbstud for one handed opening meets California's legal definition of what isn't a switchblade on multiple levels per pc17235. But the coppers seem to think that if they can wrist flick a closed knife into the open and locked position that it is a switchblade.
I was stopped at gun point simply walking down the street minding my own business. A pat down search revealed two Cold Steel knives on my person. The officers wrist flicked them multiple times. They were going to do me a favor and simply confiscate my knives. When I asked for a property receipt they became agitated, placing me under arrest for possession of two switchblades.
I hired an attorney and fought the charges in court. It was the courts opinion that the portion of the law regarding a bias towards closure was vague and not clearly defined aka a grey area. It's crystal god damned clear to anybody that reads, writes and speaks English. So I took a plea deal for disturbing the peace and two years of court probation, no knives for two years yada yada!
Lessons learned. Never carry any knife that you aren't willing to surrender to the authorities. When and if they decide to take your lawfully owned property simply let them. It's easier and cheaper than the alternative.
