Switch Blade

Are they still illegal? Is there any market for them or just in the movies?

I have two boker kalashnikovs and a microtech utx. Here in Florida you need a concealed license to put them in your pocket. The microtech defiantly comes in handy when I’m fishing and only have one hand to cut line. Also it has the m390 steel and I have yet to sharpen it after almost 2 years.

It depends on where you live.

I think in California, they're legal if the blade is under 2 inches long.

I prefer larger knives, so I get assisted openers.

is a switchblade an “out-the-front” type?

there is market for EVERYthing.

legality depends on the laws
of your country/city/etc.

Il. Repealed switchblade ban in 2017. The caveat is to carry one you must have a valid FOID card. Firearm Owner Identification Card. Have been carrying Microtech LUDT daily for about a year now.

They’re legal here in Florida, although Miami plays a little shenanigans with them. Since I have my concealed carry permit, I’m golden.

I have a few WWII style lever locks from both German Boker and Hubertus, a Speedlock II from Boker, a Paragon, a Bitchmade AFO 9000, and a Robbie Daulton California.

They’re more ‘fidget spinners’ for me.

Chris

Yeah, anything that is ‘spring assisted’ is a switchblade in many jurisdictions.

OTF: out the front definitely qualifies, lol.

Chris

There called OTF now, out the front. There legal here in Nevada for open or concealed carry. And to answer question, there is a big market for them. Benchmade, Piranha, Microtech, Guardian Tactical, Hogue and Boker to name a few make OTF knifes. I want the Guardian Tactical Recon-040 but 380 dollars is a lot to drop on one knife.

There are switchblades that are not OTF. OTF means exactly what it means, the blade comes Out The Front. A switchblade could still have a hinged blade mechanism instead.

Yes, they are called spring assist now, I own a few from Boker. The Term Switchblade is not common now for legal reasons. Sure you can still find and buy switchblades but they are now called OTF or spring assist unless you are buying antiques or collectables.

Switchblade, a knife with a blade that springs out from the handle when a button is pressed.

I’d love to have a ballistic knife… just because.

Switch blades and spring assisted are different. A spring assisted knife needs to be opened by acting on the blade itself. A switchblade has a toggle or button that releases the blade.

Check out blade forums. Search for autos and fom there you’ll fall off a cliff into another world of happy, wallet thinning hobbying

Yes, you are correct, but that fact doesn’t mean that some jurisdictions don’t classify some spring assisted knives as ‘switchblades.’

Chris

Here in WA state, they are not legal in any size. A knife must be manual opening. An OTF DA knife or automatic knife, aka. Switchblade, is not legal in a lot of places unless you are LEO, military, or other first responder. In Oregon, they are legal to own (as far as I know).

I’m guessing zoulas isn’t asking about Victoria, Australia but just in case:

Source: https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/control-weapons-regulations-2011/002

The Control of Weapons Act 1990 allows for certain exemptions to the restrictions on prohibited weapons but don’t think they’re intended for randos who just want a switchblade. :slight_smile:

Legal where I live (arkansas) but besides being a fire fighter I’ve carried one for years because I could even when they were illegal for non emergency personal.

My daily carry is a benchmade OTF in my back pocket, a boker strike (IMHO better than the kalashnikov) in my front pocket, and a factory buck 110 auto on my belt.

Personally to me OTF is what I call a switchblade. I have some old Italian side opening which back in the day was what was called switchblades but I think the times have changed. Side opening to me are just and auto knife. I know where any “switchblade” is illegal anything auto is pretty much called switchblade. Just like any anti constitutional state any pea shooter is some evil killing devil device.

I cant imagine the thought process that made a switch blade type knife illegal. It must be the same idiots that banned high capacity magazines. Meanwhile there is no limit as to how many you can carry with you. Now that’s keeping Americans safe.

It stems back to the 50s or 60s when every bad guy in hollywood always had a switchblade. Karens all over banned together and pushed local governments to pass BS laws without even knowing what or why they were banning stuff. Just like the gun bans they are working on now. Half the idiots pushing for it have never even been in the same room as what they are against much less know anything about it.

Most of my blades are OTF knives. I also keep a Buck 110 auto around. But I find dual action out the front knives- blade shoots out when you press forward and retracts when you switch it back, are the most handy and safe knives to use. I’ve never got into the really high end stuff. But I have purchaced quite a few Lightning OTFs and given most of them away as gifts. If you’ve never used a dual action OTF, the blade isn’t under any tension to open till you put that tension on it with the button. Kind of like a rubber band isn’t under tension till you start pulling it back. But I find it much safer to use because I can retract the blade instantly with one hand when it’s not needed. The Buck 110 auto is not a dual action , and could be considered more dangerous to use if not used properly. A spring is kept under tension until a button is pressed. The blade slaps open with a satisfying snik. Anyways like others have said, look into it if you are interested but they can be another rabbit hole.