CRKT vs US Customs?

Joined
Mar 13, 2000
Messages
838
I just heard that an entire shipment of M-16 knives was held up by US Customs... Any information out there?

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Mark, Isiah 40:31 They that wait on the LORD shall mount up with wings as eagles...
 
They have to have something to keep them busy, so they don't notice all the chinese slaves being smuggled in shipping containers.
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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**

kansasC.gif
 
Hey, I'm trying to be serious here, flatfoot!
(Still, a good one though!)

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Mark, Isiah 40:31 They that wait on the LORD shall mount up with wings as eagles...
 
Sorry
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Just point out how wonderful things are with Mr. Bill and Algore.

I would suggest checking w/crkt info@crkt.com Maybe they can help out. I don't know what rules or regs the customs service has for releasing info.

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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**

kansasC.gif
 
Anybody else heard 'bout this? Anybody???

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Mark, Isiah 40:31 They that wait on the LORD shall mount up with wings as eagles...
 
another bunch of a$$***** in suits ruining it for everyone...

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Runs With Scissors
AKTI# A000107
 
Switchblade = spring driven, button released.

CRKT folders = opened by hand, no spring inside.

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These customs jokers probably don't know their a$$ from a hole in the ground. I hate to see this happen to such a good company like CRKT. Hopefully, things will work out.

Where's Blues when you need him??
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AKTI Member # A000005
NC Knife Knuts Member
Living life "on the edge"

In memory of James K. Mattis

[This message has been edited by Dexter Ewing (edited 10-13-2000).]
 
WTF
A switchblade is a switchblade. A CRKT M16 is a manual folding knife. How the f*@k could anyone confuse the two? These idiots at customs are the same guys who let all those cheap clone autos through to be plastered all over bladeauction, and then complain that there are too many punks with switchblades on the streets!

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"I have often laughed at the weaklings who call themselves kind because they have no claws"

- Zarathustra
 
Dex,

Couple of things.

First, unfortunately I can't comment on an onging matter as it would be a conflict of interest for me and end up biting me in the ass. As you may recall, I ended up in a bit of trouble via a well known knifemaker around the time of the Blade Show and I wasn't even aware of his situation until after the fact. 'Nuff said on that subject.

Also, I don't know the particulars of this matter as it's not in my geographic region or my own area of investigation, presently narcotics (again).

That said, I will say that the federal regs regarding switchblades, gravity knives (et al) are nebulous and open to interpretation as many laws are. Yes, it sucks, but Customs didn't write the laws or mandate their enforcement either. Thank your congress for that. It effects us as well.

Now, I am not a Customs Inspector, but I will offer the following:

Oftentimes an Inspector will come upon cargo which he feels may meet certain criteria and therefore detain it. It is then up to certain administrative officials (in concert with the business and its representatives) to determine whether the goods under detention are illegal (and thus seized and forefeited)or legal and returned to the owner. It's often a lot of work and frustrating to both sides. Perhaps this instance will serve to set a precedent for future action. I hope AKTI and others with interest will take a look at the matter.

I can't tell you how many thousands of regulations these Inspectors have to be familiar with in order to enforce the law. It's mindboggling and mostly thankless.

However, these same @$$^#(*! that people are bitchin' about above are the same ones that are preventing the influx of biological, chemical and other unsavory devices from entering our borders; protecting both the public as well as the domestic commerce.

Yeah, they sometimes search peoples suitcases and hold them up etc; but being around them regularly I can only tell you that your hair would stand on end and you'd thank them profusely if you knew the kind of things they were interdicting coming into and leaving the U.S.

FWIW, Inspectors probably use knives more than any other profession (besides butchers and a few other exceptions) and there are few who don't appreciate the virtues of good steel. Their work depends on it.

(Flag waving rant mode off.)

Oh, and I think the knife laws are ridiculous and outdated too.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Blues' Knife Pix
 
the powers that be have not had much luck in grabbing our guns lately so i guess they're going to go for our knives. a much easier target.
 
Blues:
I understand that customs inspectors must protect the country from the importation of biological and chemical weapons, explosives, etc. But how in the hell does a shipment of folding knives present a national security threat?? Knives are not the weapon of choice for terrorists, that would be bombs. And I've never heard of a drive-by knifing. When knives are used as weapons, overwhelmingly they are kitchen knives.
Jim
 
James,

I don't disagree with you. It's just that the Inspectors really aren't given a lot of leeway (individually) to look the other way if they encounter something fitting the parameters.

It's not like they have an axe to grind.

You're basically preaching to the choir as I mentioned above. I think the knife laws on the books are absurd, myself.

I truly hope that this matter will end up being resolved in a way that will prevent future problems.

Sorry I can't offer more of a constructive nature.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Blues' Knife Pix
 
The way to fix this is to bring it to the attention of somebody who could potentially be affected under the same BS, and *does* have the resources to help fight it at this point before a nasty precedent is set.

I'm going to post a pointer to this thread in the Spyderco forum, because Spyderco has more to lose here than anybody.

Jim
 
The quote below is a recent posting on knifeforums. This could develop into something very serious.
James Nowka
KF.com Administrator-Certified Knife Nut
Posts: 1084
From:MI
Registered: Nov 1999
posted October 15, 2000 04:34 PM
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Greetings All...
I just got off the phone with Mr. Bremer of CRKT...
It started as a inspection for proper labeling and ended with seizure of "Gravity knives"...50+ Models. At this point I believe we might be looking at a Test Case in the making and I believe this is not a fight to be fought by CKRT alone. They will need all our support. I have offered KF.com as a resource for CRKT. Lets all cross our fingers and say a prayer this doesn't go the distance... If they pull this off ALL our folders are in Jeopardy.
We will keep you posted.

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James Nowka
"If you are not living on the Edge, You're taking up too much space!"
 
Well, it is quite apparent no one is "ready to go to war," legally speaking, until it involves them.

The potential ramifications of this are plain for everyone to see who has eyes.

You can "flick" any folder open unless you specifically design it not to be "flicked" open.

All importations of folding knives are in immediate jeapordy, period.

 
First, I want to make it clear that I agree with everyone here that Customs has done a bad thing.

That noted, I can easily open my CF M16 with a flick of the wrist; snaps right into a locked position. However, I cannot even get the blade to budge, let alone open, no matter how hard I flick (and I'm reasonably strong after 25 years of weightlifting) when I try this with my Spyderco Centofante Jr., Wegner Jr., or Almite Walker.

Maybe CRKT needs to put a better ball detente in their knives?

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Dave

Let no one ever from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Siegfried Loraine Sassoon
 

I believe this is the first domino to fall.

Remember the "assault weapon" ban. Started on imports only, moved on to magazines, moved on to certain models.........

They make a precedent out of this, everybody is in trouble, especially the push button boys. I think this is serious.

Randy


Don't tread on me, ever

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[This message has been edited by Pasquinel (edited 10-15-2000).]
 
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