... which holds the blade partly open?

[Clang!]

I keep running across a legal definition regarding knives that I don't understand the intent or application of.

Any knife which has any obstruction or other device of any kind which holds the blade partly open

Holds the blade partly open? I've never heard of a conventional knife with that feature. Is it referring to the snap-off type of utility razor?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_knife#Retractable.2C_with_snap-off_blades

 

[glistam]

This phrasing appears to only exist in Georgia among a few city municipal codes (Atlanta and Covington from what I have found). I haven't the foggiest idea what these lawmakers had in mind. I can only hazard a guess that they were talking about weird gadgets like the CRKT Merlin Pro, or that old trick the mafia used to do where you take a non-auto stiletto and wrap the tip in a matchbook so you can "wave" it out of your pocket.

 

[Clang!]

That may be it. I remember sheaths a long time ago that would snag the blade of a folder when it was pulled and pop it open. This had to be a good 20 years back, but it would fit the intent.

 

[tom19176]

There were belt sheaths made for the Buck 110 that open the knife as you remove it from the sheath. I suspect this sort of item is what is being detailed.