Is the spyderco Southard Flipper considered a gravity knife?

Dullknivescut

Dullknivescut

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Aug 10, 2016
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NY knife laws. Not the city, the state. Could the " Flipper " action be considered as a gravity knife?
 
jill jackson said:
http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/unintended-gravity-knife.639765/#post-6750209
Click to expand...

I've read through most of it and done quite a bit of my own research and while I do believe a crooked cop could try to make a case out of just about anything to be a " gravity knife " ( and I've gone over this before in a different thread ) specifically regarding the " Flipper " aspect I believe I'm safe? Correct me if I'm wrong?

However it sounds like in order for the " Flipper " mechanism to properly work the blade must have some give or smoothness, and I don't know if this would be enough "
Give " to have it flicked open with the wrist. I feel comfortable with my sebenza, I just don't know how far I can push it ( e.g the spyderco Flipper. ) What's stopping a cop from just grabbing the hole and handle dropping the blade open? Which has kind deterred me from spyderco. Or more specifically what's stopping them from misinterpreting the ' Flipper ' action itself?

I understand this has been rehashed many a times, but i was just specifically hoping to get some direct answers on the spyderco hole and more importantly the specific Flipper aspect.

This part


(b) The term ''switchblade knife'' means any knife having a blade
which opens automatically -
(1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the
handle of the knife, or
(2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both

From the thread posted
" The wording of the above makes me wonder how any loose bladed knives can be sold across state lines.... "

I understand the two are different but under both definitions you can be harassed. Personally I've never been stopped and searched and I don't open carry anything besides a buck 110, but I dislike the vagueness of it all.
 
Last edited:
no to logical and knowledgeable people, but in ny city or state....maybe yes.
 
I read the cops are hassling and arresting a disproportionate amount of minorities over this silly law, which was enacted in 1958. Like they were doing over marijuana possession in Washington DC, until the law against simple possession was overturned there. To end the illegal searchs and subsequent arrests. Hopefully someday this law will be overturned as well.
 
That depends on the flipper - those with firmer detents should be okay...but, frankly, a knife being noticed in the City is a problem in itself. If you're carrying there, be careful to avoid it showing - whether by pocket clip, printing, or whatever.
Years ago, I visited the City regularly, always carrying a knife - that seems to have been another era. My most recent trip there was 13 years ago. I was ignorant of the policies, and went with a knife of two. I had no issues; but I was wearing a long coat & on a mission...I think I was there for 3.5 hrs total.
 
Dullknivescut said:
I've read through most of it and done quite a bit of my own research and while I do believe a crooked cop could try to make a case out of just about anything to be a " gravity knife " ( and I've gone over this before in a different thread ) specifically regarding the " Flipper " aspect I believe I'm safe? Correct me if I'm wrong?

However it sounds like in order for the " Flipper " mechanism to properly work the blade must have some give or smoothness, and I don't know if this would be enough "
Give " to have it flicked open with the wrist. I feel comfortable with my sebenza, I just don't know how far I can push it ( e.g the spyderco Flipper. ) What's stopping a cop from just grabbing the hole and handle dropping the blade open? Which has kind deterred me from spyderco. Or more specifically what's stopping them from misinterpreting the ' Flipper ' action itself?

I understand this has been rehashed many a times, but i was just specifically hoping to get some direct answers on the spyderco hole and more importantly the specific Flipper aspect.

This part


(b) The term ''switchblade knife'' means any knife having a blade
which opens automatically -
(1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the
handle of the knife, or
(2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both

From the thread posted
" The wording of the above makes me wonder how any loose bladed knives can be sold across state lines.... "

I understand the two are different but under both definitions you can be harassed. Personally I've never been stopped and searched and I don't open carry anything besides a buck 110, but I dislike the vagueness of it all.
Click to expand...


In NYC you are taking your chances with whatever cop you come across. A rookie will take you in just because you have a knife....a seasoned cop who doesn't want to be bothered with a collar will just take your knife and send you on your way. In NYC just leave your knife IN your pocket...not clipped to it. The clip is the dead giveaway to a sharp eyed cop. Now....outside of NYC not Long Island, but northern NY its a lot better. The cops are more tolerant, and really don't care about knives clipped in pockets. The majority of guys up this way edc folders, with no problems. I was even on a Buck 110 kick for a while, and belt carried for months. Plenty of cops saw it, and they didn't even blink an eye. Basically....hide it in the city, and be cool outside of NYC, and you should be fine.
 
His first sentence said state not city.

OP...I carried an AFO pretty much my entire tour at Ft. Drum and never was bothered. I have to head back there for a couple years in late July and the only knife I won't carry when off post is my TR4.
 
Dullknivescut said:
NY knife laws. Not the city, the state. Could the " Flipper " action be considered as a gravity knife?
Click to expand...
Depends on the cop that is doing the flicking. The law is not homogenous across each officer you run into. Some may not care, some may not know, etc.
 
To add to what rev said it will also depend on the situation you find yourself in contact with the Leo to where she/he is checking your knife. Generally, if you are acting as you should an officer will never need to gravity test your knife.

All that said, every knife I own that doesn't lock closed or isn't a slip joint I can shake the blade put if I try hard enough. If I was acting like s dumb criminal I would not be surprised to get a knife charge along with the other criminal charges. My state's laws are so vague to allow this. NYC is s different ball game obviously. Not sure about the rest of the state. Been there many times but never did anything that would cause contact with an officer.
 
I live in NYC. According to the antiquated, deliberately confusing knife law, YES, it is illegal. ANY flipper is considered a switchblade AND a gravity knife.

The term ''switchblade knife'' means any knife having a blade
which opens automatically -
(1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the
handle of the knife, or
(2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both

Also, any knife that LOCKS in place is also Illegal.

The NY State law is the same. There are so many contradictions in regards to what exists today that most modern knives could be looked upon as illegal other than small slipjoints (which is what Paragon Sporting Goods store will only carry in their knife section). Remember 911 was started with a few box cutters on an airline and many here will not forget that.

Now whether or not a cop will care to look the otherway is up to them. So us knife nuts are a bit of a secret society and not very common here.
 
In my personal experience, you can carry a Spyderco safely anywhere in the state except NYC where the cops have been instructed to wrist-flick and spydie-drop knives as hard as possible in order to get them to "fail" the vaguely defined NYS knife law. Of course, even this requires some reason for a cop to stop and search you so, purely for example, some average-looking white guy with no visible pocket clip will be perfectly fine even in the city. :rolleyes:

Everyone is right -- NYS's poorly-defined knife laws and NYC's anti-knife police activity is well-trod territory for discussion. Such that KnifeRights has made a strong and laudable effort to change the law. It actually looks pretty hopeful.
 
NYC?

I wouldn't risk anything there. If you have to question it, then I'd recommend against it, especially if the knife is not an absolute necessity. If you need utility, I'd play it safe with a utility razor (probably good for self defense too honestly). Self defense, I'd go with spray.
 
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