To all of our friends at BladeForums:
Thanks for your patience over the past several days. Paul and I have been completely consumed with preparing the legal end of our battle with U.S. Customs. We hope that the following release will answer your questions, however if not drop us a line at info.crkt.com and we'll do our best to get right back to you. This is a real battle, and frankly one that neither CRKT nor anyone else that imports, manufactures, sells, or just simply has a personal passion for knives can afford to lose. Thanks for your support.
Rod Bremer & Paul Gillespie
For immediate release to the blade and sporting goods industry:
October 17, 2000
For more information contact Paul Gillespie or Rod Bremer at 503-685-5015,
or E-mail info@crkt.com
Portland Customs seizure of CRKT folding knives threatens entire knife industry.
On October 6, Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) was informed by U.S. Customs in Portland, Oregon that fifty (50) of our folding models had been seized because they were, in the opinion of Portland Customs, in violation of the U.S. Customs Service Switchblade Regulation.
First, U.S. Customs is simply wrong. These knives are of the Locking Liner design, and Locking Liner Knives do not meet the criteria of the Federal Switchblade Regulations which were enacted in 1958, and numerous court decisions have upheld this distinction.
Second, Locking Liner Knives are the standard of the modern knife industry. They are produced by every major domestic and foreign knifemaker, primarily for work and sport uses. They are sold by virtually every sporting goods, cutlery and specialty retailer in the United States. Consequently, everyone in the knife industry should be concerned about the outcome of this unfair and unjustified Customs action.
Columbia River Knife & Tool was founded 6-1/2 years ago to produce multifunction work knives, and we are proud if the quality and design features we have brought to the industry, and the value we have brought to consumers. Our knives are promoted and known as work knives, and for this reason, our folding models allow one-hand opening and closing for utility. It should be noted that we have imported many Locking Liner models, including those seized, for the past four years without any concern from U.S. Customs.
As a matter of survival, we have retained legal counsel, filed a Petition for Relief from this unfair and discriminatory action, and are seeking to have this decision overturned by U.S. Customs Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
We cannot speculate what caused Portland Customs to take this action. However, the opinion could have a disastrous effect on CRKT and the entire knife industry, and ultimately, on all users of Locking Liner Knives if it is not challenged and rectified.
Ways you can take action:
1. A legal defense fund has been established for CRKT. You can contribute to this fund through the law office of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg et al P.C., One Sutter Street, 10thFloor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Make checks to the law firm, with a memo entry directing the funds to the Columbia River Knife & Tool Legal Trust Fund.
2. We encourage you to call your Senator or Congressman today, and ask them to immediately contact the Commissioner of Customs in Washington, D.C. You may refer to Seizure Case Nos. 2001-2904-000002-01 and 2001-2904-000003-01 related to Columbia River Knife & Tool in Portland, Oregon on October 6, 2000. You can locate your U.S.Representative on the web at www.house.gov and your Senator at www.senate.gov.
Background information:
Why a Locking Liner Knife is not a switchblade under the law.
The Switch Blade Knife Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1241, was enacted in 1958 to curb street gang violence. It defines switchblade knife as any knife having a blade which opens automatically - (1) by hand pressure applied by a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both. The act also prohibits knives which could easily be altered to act as switchblades and switchblade knife kits.
The facts about Locking Liner Knives, including those manufactured by CRKT are:
1. Opening is not automatic. There are no springs to open the blade, and no buttons to release it on any CRKT model.
2. Blades are biased to remain closed. All CRKT Locking Liner Knife blades are biased to remain closed.
3. The blade must be manually opened. To open a CRKT Locking Liner Knife, the user must intentionally rotate the Blade Stud with a thumb or finger to open the knife. Some dexterity is required to open the knife with one hand, so it is not an accidental or automatic event.
4. The blade will not open by gravity. Holding a CRKT Locking Liner Knife blade down will not release the
blade.
5. CRKT knives are not designed to open with a flick of the wrist. The writers of the Switchblade Act also intended to prohibit gravity release-type switchblades which had free-swinging blades that could be opened by a flick of the wrist. U.S. Customs agents attempted to open CRKT sample knives using vigorous, full arm swinging motions, and were able to achieve 90 degree opening in some cases after four or five tries. CRKT Locking Liner Knives clearly resist opening, and may not be easily opened in this manner.
Finally, the design and purpose of the CRKT knives in question should be noted:
6. Multipurpose working knives. Courts have ruled that a switchblade is a single purpose knife intended for concealment and fighting, with a double-edge stiletto blade design and minimal handle, and little utility for other tasks.
In contrast, the CRKT knives feature:
For the past 6-1/2 years, CRKT has worked hard to design and produce the best multifunction working knives available. Those who use knives daily, and depend on them in their trades, understand our commitment. We hope that everyone who is concerned about the future of the knife industry, and the personal freedom to carry a working knife, would make the above facts known to their elected officials.
-- Paul Gillespie and Rod Bremer,
Columbia River Knife & Tool
Note from Mike Turber:
I have edited this post to make it read easier. None of the content was changed.
[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 10-17-2000).]
Thanks for your patience over the past several days. Paul and I have been completely consumed with preparing the legal end of our battle with U.S. Customs. We hope that the following release will answer your questions, however if not drop us a line at info.crkt.com and we'll do our best to get right back to you. This is a real battle, and frankly one that neither CRKT nor anyone else that imports, manufactures, sells, or just simply has a personal passion for knives can afford to lose. Thanks for your support.
Rod Bremer & Paul Gillespie
For immediate release to the blade and sporting goods industry:
October 17, 2000
For more information contact Paul Gillespie or Rod Bremer at 503-685-5015,
or E-mail info@crkt.com
Portland Customs seizure of CRKT folding knives threatens entire knife industry.
On October 6, Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) was informed by U.S. Customs in Portland, Oregon that fifty (50) of our folding models had been seized because they were, in the opinion of Portland Customs, in violation of the U.S. Customs Service Switchblade Regulation.
First, U.S. Customs is simply wrong. These knives are of the Locking Liner design, and Locking Liner Knives do not meet the criteria of the Federal Switchblade Regulations which were enacted in 1958, and numerous court decisions have upheld this distinction.
Second, Locking Liner Knives are the standard of the modern knife industry. They are produced by every major domestic and foreign knifemaker, primarily for work and sport uses. They are sold by virtually every sporting goods, cutlery and specialty retailer in the United States. Consequently, everyone in the knife industry should be concerned about the outcome of this unfair and unjustified Customs action.
Columbia River Knife & Tool was founded 6-1/2 years ago to produce multifunction work knives, and we are proud if the quality and design features we have brought to the industry, and the value we have brought to consumers. Our knives are promoted and known as work knives, and for this reason, our folding models allow one-hand opening and closing for utility. It should be noted that we have imported many Locking Liner models, including those seized, for the past four years without any concern from U.S. Customs.
As a matter of survival, we have retained legal counsel, filed a Petition for Relief from this unfair and discriminatory action, and are seeking to have this decision overturned by U.S. Customs Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
We cannot speculate what caused Portland Customs to take this action. However, the opinion could have a disastrous effect on CRKT and the entire knife industry, and ultimately, on all users of Locking Liner Knives if it is not challenged and rectified.
Ways you can take action:
1. A legal defense fund has been established for CRKT. You can contribute to this fund through the law office of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg et al P.C., One Sutter Street, 10thFloor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Make checks to the law firm, with a memo entry directing the funds to the Columbia River Knife & Tool Legal Trust Fund.
2. We encourage you to call your Senator or Congressman today, and ask them to immediately contact the Commissioner of Customs in Washington, D.C. You may refer to Seizure Case Nos. 2001-2904-000002-01 and 2001-2904-000003-01 related to Columbia River Knife & Tool in Portland, Oregon on October 6, 2000. You can locate your U.S.Representative on the web at www.house.gov and your Senator at www.senate.gov.
Background information:
Why a Locking Liner Knife is not a switchblade under the law.
The Switch Blade Knife Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1241, was enacted in 1958 to curb street gang violence. It defines switchblade knife as any knife having a blade which opens automatically - (1) by hand pressure applied by a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or (2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both. The act also prohibits knives which could easily be altered to act as switchblades and switchblade knife kits.
The facts about Locking Liner Knives, including those manufactured by CRKT are:
1. Opening is not automatic. There are no springs to open the blade, and no buttons to release it on any CRKT model.
2. Blades are biased to remain closed. All CRKT Locking Liner Knife blades are biased to remain closed.
3. The blade must be manually opened. To open a CRKT Locking Liner Knife, the user must intentionally rotate the Blade Stud with a thumb or finger to open the knife. Some dexterity is required to open the knife with one hand, so it is not an accidental or automatic event.
4. The blade will not open by gravity. Holding a CRKT Locking Liner Knife blade down will not release the
blade.
5. CRKT knives are not designed to open with a flick of the wrist. The writers of the Switchblade Act also intended to prohibit gravity release-type switchblades which had free-swinging blades that could be opened by a flick of the wrist. U.S. Customs agents attempted to open CRKT sample knives using vigorous, full arm swinging motions, and were able to achieve 90 degree opening in some cases after four or five tries. CRKT Locking Liner Knives clearly resist opening, and may not be easily opened in this manner.
Finally, the design and purpose of the CRKT knives in question should be noted:
6. Multipurpose working knives. Courts have ruled that a switchblade is a single purpose knife intended for concealment and fighting, with a double-edge stiletto blade design and minimal handle, and little utility for other tasks.
In contrast, the CRKT knives feature:
- Comfortable, contoured working handles.
- Single edge multipurpose blades suitable for the Utility use as defined under the Switchblade Act, including (1) For a customary household purpose; (2) For usual personal convenience, including grooming; (3) In the practice of a profession, trade, or commercial or employment activity; (4) In the performance of a craft of hobby; (5) In the course of such outdoor activities as hunting and fishing; and (6) in scouting activities.
For the past 6-1/2 years, CRKT has worked hard to design and produce the best multifunction working knives available. Those who use knives daily, and depend on them in their trades, understand our commitment. We hope that everyone who is concerned about the future of the knife industry, and the personal freedom to carry a working knife, would make the above facts known to their elected officials.
-- Paul Gillespie and Rod Bremer,
Columbia River Knife & Tool
Note from Mike Turber:
I have edited this post to make it read easier. None of the content was changed.
[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 10-17-2000).]
