Jim March
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Oct 7, 1998
- Messages
- 3,022
I recently handled four Spyderco Goddard Lightweights, which are Zytel-grip, 3.5" or so lockbacks.
By holding down the lock release with my forefinger, I could snapopen ALL of them without touching the blade. I picked the one that was slightly smoother than the rest.
I've never encountered a linerlock with a blade greater than 3" that I couldn't snapopen.
Now, all of this wouldn't appear to be a threat to Benchmade, REKAT or the other US-production companies, right?
WRONGO.
Many, MANY states have blanket bans on "switchblade carry", but DO NOT define the term.
They leave that to the Feds.
Now do you guys "get it"? Sure, California is protected (for now, at least) under the rules Buck helped put through - PC653K specifically defines "switchblade".
All that said, Sal has a point. Over the next few days, Customs might reverse themselves because this was a mistake by a single flunky.
We need to closely monitor events. If this is backed by anybody higher up, we'll have to make some BIG noise, or see the entire industry crippled and hundreds of thousands of ordinary people suddenly threatened with felony or serious misdemeanor charges for "switchblade carry".
Jim
By holding down the lock release with my forefinger, I could snapopen ALL of them without touching the blade. I picked the one that was slightly smoother than the rest.
I've never encountered a linerlock with a blade greater than 3" that I couldn't snapopen.
Now, all of this wouldn't appear to be a threat to Benchmade, REKAT or the other US-production companies, right?
WRONGO.
Many, MANY states have blanket bans on "switchblade carry", but DO NOT define the term.
They leave that to the Feds.
Now do you guys "get it"? Sure, California is protected (for now, at least) under the rules Buck helped put through - PC653K specifically defines "switchblade".
All that said, Sal has a point. Over the next few days, Customs might reverse themselves because this was a mistake by a single flunky.
We need to closely monitor events. If this is backed by anybody higher up, we'll have to make some BIG noise, or see the entire industry crippled and hundreds of thousands of ordinary people suddenly threatened with felony or serious misdemeanor charges for "switchblade carry".
Jim
