Automatic knife

[Squib Joe]

So would this law also apply to a cam assisted Kershaw Chive? Is it still automatic if you have to move the blade to get the cam to assist?

Nope. If you need to manipulate the blade forward at all, it isn't automatic.

[gyrfalcon]

Nope. If you need to manipulate the blade forward at all, it isn't automatic.

I've wondered when it comes to the blade manipulation, if the law specifies if it has to be directly manipulated, or if it can be indirectly manipulated.

[Squib Joe]

It is an auto if it opens "by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife" or "by operation of inertia, gravity, or both."

[tman]

It is an auto if it opens "by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife" or "by operation of inertia, gravity, or both."

Is that definition in the MN statutes? I've never seen it.

[gyrfalcon]

Is that definition in the MN statutes? I've never seen it.

No I think it's federal code... http://www.ebladestore.com/federal-swit ... -act.shtml

From what I can tell Minnesota doesn't specify what constitutes a switchblade and probably just refers to the federal law.

[goalie]

Considering the availability of quality knives that are easy to open with one-hand ambidextrously, I personally fail to see the appeal of an automatic knife anymore.

KISS for me.

[PileDriver]

It is an auto if it opens "by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife" or "by operation of inertia, gravity, or both."

So where does those cheap S&W / Schrade "MAGIC" knives fit in? Mine's a POS regardless, so I doesn't get carried. They claim to be legal since the button pushes the blade, activating the assist (blade manipulation). But I figure a button's a button.

[hammAR]

It is an auto if it opens "by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife" or "by operation of inertia, gravity, or both."

So where does those cheap S&W / Schrade "MAGIC" knives fit in? Mine's a POS regardless, so I doesn't get carried. They claim to be legal since the button pushes the blade, activating the assist (blade manipulation). But I figure a button's a button.

About there..........

[PileDriver]

About there..........

Well that part I know from experience. Curiosity attempts to kill the PileDriver. Often.

[thunderoussilence]

Emerson knives have a Wave feature as you are pulling knife out the blade is deployed, in 5 yrs never had an issue.

[JK-linux]

I carry a Microtech LCC DA to work. Very handy. Everywhere else it's a Large Sebenza or Strider SnG. Autos are fun, buy after clicking it open 100 times you realize they are overpriced and no faster than a folder with thumb studs.

[Norsesmithy]

So would this law also apply to a cam assisted Kershaw Chive? Is it still automatic if you have to move the blade to get the cam to assist?

If you have to manipulate the blade to get it to open, it's not an automatic.

So an assisted opener is legal, though ignorant cops and do-gooding meddlers often don't understand the distinction, and may hassle you over this.

[gyrfalcon]

...If you have to manipulate the blade to get it to open, it's not an automatic...

There was actually a big dust up about this recently with folding knifes for those who didn't know:

"Temporarily stymied in its efforts to move a gun control agenda forward because of strong public backlash, the administration of President Barack Obama is shifting its regulatory focus to pocket knives. No kidding. In a little noted proposed regulatory decision issued in May by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (”CPB”), the administration is seeking to ban the import of any pocket knife that partially opens with a flick of the wrist..."

[tman]

Is that definition in the MN statutes? I've never seen it.

No I think it's federal code... http://www.ebladestore.com/federal-swit ... -act.shtml

From what I can tell Minnesota doesn't specify what constitutes a switchblade and probably just refers to the federal law.

Minnesota doesn't necessarily draw on federal code for definitions. Maybe, but not always.

[clemmac]

I bought a Benchmade assisted opening "AXIS-Assist" knife instead of an automatic, works fast and slick. Nope, I don't baby it at all and it still cuts lots of frozen bale strings (and other stuff) every day here on the ranch.

http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/locking_mechanisms.asp