Thank you for the opinions and expert advice. while I agree that it does not meet the definition of a blade I do understand the fact that it could be perceived as a weapon and therefore shouldn't be opened in public. My sole purpose for wanting to carry one is recreation. I really enjoy flipping and it is therapeutic in a weird way.
As a Firefighter I need to relax as often as possible. I was hoping that there was some way to practice my hobby whenever I felt like it and not break any laws.
So, I would I think that the Bali pens could be considered a weapon also?
http://www.lighthound.com/Spyderco-...inspired-pen--black-with-blue-ink_p_3309.html
this goes to the intent of the item. the bali pens and switch-combs are novelty items, more or less.
a knife trainer is not. an item that is designed to specifically replace a "weapon" during training so the bearer is not injured should not be compared to a writing or grooming implement.
a pen or similar item could certainly be used as a weapon, however, in and of itself, is inocuous. so is a steak knife, for example. but someone carrying around a steak knife in their pocket is doing so with previously considered intent, ie, as a defensive/offensive weapon. it is not an item normally carried in public, in a pocket.
trainers are not specifically addressed in any law i am aware of, so your common sense must prevail. if the trainer still functions and looks like a knife, then my advice would be not to carry it in public. it would not be much use as a defensive, or any type of, tool. doing so simply so you can practice wherever you are is not valid reasoning. this applies to the benchmade or emerson type trainers, not the flimsy rubber type. the color should also not be considered, since scales in virtually all colors are now readily available in sharpened, functioning knives. whereas once orange and red handles indicated it was a trainer, this is no longer necessarily the case.
in any event, any of these types of items would be considered reasonable suspicion to detain and search, and perhaps probable cause to arrest.
another example: someone uses a red unsharpened bali to commit a robbery. the victim believes the trainer to be a real knife, regardless of whether the item is actually sharpened or not. this would be an aggravating factor, and the act considered an armed robbery. this also applies to fake, ie airsoft or similar, firearms.
again, i suggest the training balis are prohibited per the letter of the law pursuant to 653k pc. a comb does not look like a knife. a trainer does; same blade shape, and often times all metal.