Requirements to be an assisted opener?

[Bayoublaster]

Hello. I've been reading the forums for a while and finally decided to join. I'm sorry if this has been asked before and feel free to move this if I've posted it in the wrong place. I'm a beginning knife collector and hope to be a knife maker. I know what the difference between an automatic and an assisted opener is but I don't know what the requirements to be considered an assisted opener are. Can an assisted opener have a spring fire the blade out if it is started manually by pushing on the blade or thumb stud? Is there a minimum distance or movement before the spring can take over? Thank you very much for any advice.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I'm not and expert on folders,but my understanding on this is: For it to be classified as assisted opening, the blade needs to be manually set in motion before the "assist" of any mechanical device takes action.If the blade is set into motion by the release of any latch or locking device,it is an automatic.On many knives the line is very thin between the two.

 

[Dan Gray]

I belive the finger or part of your hand has to touch part of the blade to start it in motion also.. Right?

you can't just flick it open.. :grumpy:

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Right,Dan.If you can flick it open it is considered an automatic(legaly defined as "inertia or gravity").That is why balisongs are considered automatics in some states.

 

[CRH]

All current assisted openers have one thing in common: the blade must be manually started in motion by actually touching the blade or a part of it, i.e. thumb stud or otherwise and at some point in the motion a spring of some sort takes over moving the blade.

"Assisted opening" is not defined by law. It is a marketing definition by manufacturers.

This is clearly not included in the Federal swithchblade law.

 

[Bayoublaster]

I know where to find my state's knife laws, where can I search to read the Federal switchblade act? And thanks for all the help.