Texas decision against assisted opening knives

[Mark F]

I have never really understood the "LOGIC" behind outlawing switchblades or similar knives. I can sort of understand the "LENGTH" issue although it's pointless too. I am much more worried about getting diced up by a razor box-cutter than any switchblade or assisted knife. And, that's why I always have a GUN in a KNIFE fight...

[Liko81]

Since tha law states...

Switchblade knife means any knife that has a blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and that:
(A) opens automatically by pressure applied to a button or other device located on the handle; or
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force.

Almost anything that helps open a knife could make the knife illegal.

Yep. because an assisted-opening knife requires applying pressure to the BLADE, not the handle, it doesn't fit the legal definition. However, if your knife can be opened by "flinging" it towards the ground, you are in possession of a switchblade. Virtually any knife with a thumb stud or other one-handed opening mechanism can be made to do this if you really want to.

[flintknapper]

Since tha law states...

Switchblade knife means any knife that has a blade that folds, closes, or retracts into the handle or sheath, and that:
(A) opens automatically by pressure applied to a button or other device located on the handle; or
(B) opens or releases a blade from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force.

Almost anything that helps open a knife could make the knife illegal.

Yep. because an assisted-opening knife requires applying pressure to the BLADE, not the handle, it doesn't fit the legal definition. However, if your knife can be opened by "flinging" it towards the ground, you are in possession of a switchblade. Virtually any knife with a thumb stud or other one-handed opening mechanism can be made to do this if you really want to.

If I really had to, I could drive a nail with a Crescent Wrench. That doesn't make it a "hammer" though...either by design or description.

Has common sense left the country? Who writes these laws?

[KBCraig]

I have never really understood the "LOGIC" behind outlawing switchblades or similar knives.

Simple: there was no logic. They were the "assault weapons" of the 1950s, where media hysteria created a hue and cry to "do something!"

[Liko81]

I have never really understood the "LOGIC" behind outlawing switchblades or similar knives.

Simple: there was no logic. They were the "assault weapons" of the 1950s, where media hysteria created a hue and cry to "do something!"

Right on; it was the "gang weapon" when gangs still had the desire to "rumble" rather than just go out and shoot up each other's houses in drive-bys. Now the gangs have resorted to guns, and so there's renewed efffort to ban them. In contrast, most people know exactly what a switchblade is, know how to work one, and it's an oddity to see one, but few people raise the hue and cry that a switchblade is out and about in polite society. I mean, they used to be gentlemen's knives, and in informal circles they are once again.

[casingpoint]

I am much more worried about getting diced up by a razor box-cutter

Slashing with a razor sharp knife is a proven technique among the street-wise. You want to kill, you stab. You want to be left alone, you slice and dice. The horror of seeing their own flesh flayed open is just too much for most people to maintain focus. Now, with the ready availability of box cutters you don't even have to bother with a "real" knife. On account of their efficacy, I would not be surprised to see box cutters singled out as prohibited weapons in some states.

The karambit appears to combine elements of the box cutter and the knife into one tool:


If you find yourself in a real tight without a real weapon, a beer bottle broken over the bar or your opponet's head makes one heck of a good impromptu slashing instrumentality. I'm sure some here will recall the old Houston icehouse protocol of yore. Airline, Market St., Telephone Road, Uvalde Road, Old Highway 90, Black Cat Ridge across the San Jacinto River from Humble, etc.

[KBCraig]

You want to be left alone, you slice and dice. The horror of seeing their own flesh flayed open is just too much for most people to maintain focus.

Brilliantly described here by Cowtown Cop.

[flintknapper]

I am much more worried about getting diced up by a razor box-cutter

Slashing with a razor sharp knife is a proven technique among the street-wise. You want to kill, you stab. You want to be left alone, you slice and dice. The horror of seeing their own flesh flayed open is just too much for most people to maintain focus. Now, with the ready availability of box cutters you don't even have to bother with a "real" knife. On account of their efficacy, I would not be surprised to see box cutters singled out as prohibited weapons in some states.

The karambit appears to combine elements of the box cutter and the knife into one tool:


If you find yourself in a real tight without a real weapon, a beer bottle broken over the bar or your opponet's head makes one heck of a good impromptu slashing instrumentality. I'm sure some here will recall the old Houston icehouse protocol of yore. Airline, Market St., Telephone Road, Uvalde Road, Old Highway 90, Black Cat Ridge across the San Jacinto River from Humble, etc.

The Karambit has been around for a long time (in Indonesia). It's just now making headway in the States. The west is not really a "knife culture".

The Karambit is meant to resemble a "tiger claw" and is a devastating weapon. There are some very nice folding units out there now. They take a good amount of training to be effective with... and you will not do well with one if you are squeamish about getting "up close" to your opponent.

But, in the hands of someone that knows how to use it, it is a deadly tool.

[iratollah]

I think switchblades are illegal because of the movie 'West Side Story'.

Auto openers are actually safer to handle than two handed openers or assisted openers where you have to touch the blade to open the knife.

[iratollah]

I would gladly go to court over it.

Would you be willing to spend the night in jail to tell your story? That was the option that NYPD offered my son over a $35 knife.

[lunchbox]

I would gladly go to court over it.

Would you be willing to spend the night in jail to tell your story? That was the option that NYPD offered my son over a $35 knife.

its not the $35 its the principle

[flintknapper]

I would gladly go to court over it.

Would you be willing to spend the night in jail to tell your story? That was the option that NYPD offered my son over a $35 knife.

Is their police department willing to be sued for false arrest?

You relinquished "principle" over an officers mistaken idea of what a "gravity knife" is... and gave up $35.00 to boot. He knew you would.

[Skiprr]

Now that Texas has decided that assisted opening knives are switchblades...

I still want to know what information led Roshi to this conclusion. There had to be something...

[lunchbox]

I would gladly go to court over it.

Would you be willing to spend the night in jail to tell your story? That was the option that NYPD offered my son over a $35 knife.

Is their police department willing to be sued for false arrest?

You relinquished "principle" over an officers mistaken idea of what a "gravity knife" is... and gave up $35.00 to boot. He knew you would.

[Bart]

The stupid switchblade law is why I carry a fixed blade knife. A bonus is it's legal in San Antonio.