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Spyderco Balisongs
- Thread starter redneckone
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He was saying (and by "he" I mean the other Phil in this thread) that the law is ridiculous because a legal knife, in this case a Waved knife, is faster to open than a switchblade. One presumes such laws are centered on the speed with which an automatic knife opens, and therefore the law is stupid because it focuses on one knife to the exclusion of other, faster, possibly even more reliable knives.
Sal Glesser
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Knife laws are generally made by non-knife-people (NKP) out of fear; "I saw it in a movie, and it was ssooooo scary". (eg: Switchblades and '50's movies.)
Often knife laws are generated by the "cop on the street", also in fear. When questioning a suspect, they do not want a blade to suddenly appear from what seemed to be a closed fist, and be potentially deadly. A reasonable argument.
In the case of butterfly knives, it is a good question as to why they are classified as "switchblades". The timing might be an issue?
"The deadly butterfly knife! So dangerous that some are known to have hurt themselves while using one".
sal
Often knife laws are generated by the "cop on the street", also in fear. When questioning a suspect, they do not want a blade to suddenly appear from what seemed to be a closed fist, and be potentially deadly. A reasonable argument.
In the case of butterfly knives, it is a good question as to why they are classified as "switchblades". The timing might be an issue?
"The deadly butterfly knife! So dangerous that some are known to have hurt themselves while using one".
sal
I disagree. What I would like is some CLARITY in the law. What we have now are a bunch of terms (e.g., dirk, dagger, stilletto, gravity knife, etc.) that apparently don't actually mean anything and can be interpreted however the police officer or prosecutor wants to interpret them. Case in point is intepreting a balisong to be a switchblade. It is no such thing. I'd prefer they got rid of these laws altogether, but if we're going to have them, then at least the law should clearly define a switchblade as a "knife that fully opens and closes its blade by means of a spring, activated by pushing a button or lever".
Sal Glesser
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Hi Rich_S,
At this time, that "clarity" is not available anywhere.
AKTI created a definition list. I'm sure you can get it from them. However, in my opinion the definitions could have been more refined.
Probably a good topic for another thread? Types of knives and their definitions.
sal
Sal Glesser
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Hi Hugh,
Think of it as expanding an interest to a higher/ different level. eg: throwing knives is another "skill" that can be developed as a way of getting deeper in the love of knives.
The quick opening of a folding knife is an art form that some choose to develop. in '81, it was one hand openers. Then assisted openers and Carson flippers. Now waves and autos.
The flipping of a butterfly knife is an art form that some choose to develop.
Sharpening, forging, knapping, knife making, history, etc.
I will say that there are some activities where being able to open a folding knife quickly has advantages, eg: a clown at a rodeo.
sal
Think of it as expanding an interest to a higher/ different level. eg: throwing knives is another "skill" that can be developed as a way of getting deeper in the love of knives.
The quick opening of a folding knife is an art form that some choose to develop. in '81, it was one hand openers. Then assisted openers and Carson flippers. Now waves and autos.
The flipping of a butterfly knife is an art form that some choose to develop.
Sharpening, forging, knapping, knife making, history, etc.
I will say that there are some activities where being able to open a folding knife quickly has advantages, eg: a clown at a rodeo.
sal
Sal, I agree with you that flipping balis is an interesting skill that some may wish to develop, but I remember asking way back when if the pressure that some were putting on you to make them was a good idea. I said then that it was a very limited market, made so by restrictive laws, and that I wondered if it would be worth it for Spyderco to get invloved with it. You obviously decided that it was and I hope that you are right in the long run, but it seems to have been a costly decision in the short run.
I apologize if I am speaking out of turn, but you have encouraged us to speak honestly in this forum and I am doing so much more as a friend than as a foe.
I apologize if I am speaking out of turn, but you have encouraged us to speak honestly in this forum and I am doing so much more as a friend than as a foe.
Sal Glesser
Moderator
- Joined
- Dec 27, 1998
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- 11,746
Hi Hugh,
You agree that flipping a bali is an interesting skill but you do not agree about the other "skills" mentioned?
Regarding balis and the long run, I'll let you know in the long run. The laws are very confusing and gray to be sure. I don't think we were doing anything differently than other companies, which we understood to be ok.
The "hot" market these days is: autos, semi-autos, balis, flippers, flick knives, etc. Most popular for "fast opening". We are merely seeking a level playing field.
sal
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Sorry to hear about this Sal. This little boggle tarnishes Spydercos name in the eyes of those who don't know you and the company as well as we knife lovers.
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I disagree. Tarnishes? because of a simple mistake? I don't think so...
Edit: Guess those that are ignorant to knives could be bothered by the mistake. However, these are the same folks that think butterflies should be illegal because they were scared of how someone used it in the movies...
As I said in an earlier post, I see the laws against switchblades and such as the result of teen exploitation movies in the 1950s. The inclusion of the balisong type of knife into the category of "gravity knife" is most illogical but it is also the result of a panic arising from Hollywood, and Hong Kong, misrepresentations of their use. We do need to remember that switchblades and balisongs were not the first victims of a media frenzy. Take a look in the laws of several of the Southern and Old Southwestern States regarding the carrying and use of Bowie Knives and Arkansas Toothpicks. They were outlawed in many states, including Arkansas and Texas.