Knife question

[Thunder Chief]

This may or may not be the place to post this, but I didn't really see anywhere better.

My question is in regards to a pseudo-balisong I found online. This thing:

http://www.assistedknife.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/24999/subcatid/75171/id/345366

The handles fold around the sides of the blade rather than front to back. Are these really legal? And if so, legal how? Could I wander around with this thing in my pocket or is it legal like a standard balisong is legal?
Mind you, I'm not looking to buy this one, I was simply curious about the concept in general and I couldn't find any other examples.

[Ron-Solo]

How many times did they call it a Balisong in their video? Carried on your person, it is considered a switchblade or gravity knife, just like a Balisong is considered a switchblade.

They fall under 653k PC. (not sure if the number changed at the first of the year)

[Thunder Chief]

How many times did they call it a Balisong in their video? Carried on your person, it is considered a switchblade or gravity knife, just like a Balisong is considered a switchblade.

They fall under 653k PC. (not sure if the number changed at the first of the year)

Well, that sucks. Thanks for the quick answer though. Is there any good reason that balisongs are illegal in the first place?

[mej16489]

Well, that sucks. Thanks for the quick answer though. Is there any good reason that balisongs are illegal in the first place?

lol, this is California, our legislature doesn't think it needs a good reason when it comes to 2a issues.

I think this knife still qualifies as a CA Defined Switchblade.

17235. As used in this part, "switchblade knife" means a knife
having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade
knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type
knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length
and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button,
pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device,
or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of
mechanism whatsoever. "Switchblade knife" does not include a knife
that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to
the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade,
provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides
resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that
biases the blade back toward its closed position.

21510. Every person who does any of the following with a
switchblade knife having a blade two or more inches in length is
guilty of a misdemeanor:
(a) Possesses the knife in the passenger's or driver's area of any
motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the public.
(b) Carries the knife upon the person.
(c) Sells, offers for sale, exposes for sale, loans, transfers, or
gives the knife to any other person.


21590. The unlawful possession or carrying of any switchblade
knife, as provided in Section 21510, is a nuisance and is subject to
Sections 18000 and 18005.

[9mmepiphany]

Besides how it opens, it would also be illegal as a dirk or dagger as it has two sharpened edges. So you'd get a tofer...a misdemeanor and a felony

[Thunder Chief]

lol, this is California, our legislature doesn't think it needs a good reason when it comes to 2a issues.

I think this knife still qualifies as a CA Defined Switchblade.

17235. As used in this part, "switchblade knife" means a knife
having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade
knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type
knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length
and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button,
pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device,
or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of
mechanism whatsoever. "Switchblade knife" does not include a knife
that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to
the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade,
provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides
resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that
biases the blade back toward its closed position.

21510. Every person who does any of the following with a
switchblade knife having a blade two or more inches in length is
guilty of a misdemeanor:
(a) Possesses the knife in the passenger's or driver's area of any
motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the public.
(b) Carries the knife upon the person.
(c) Sells, offers for sale, exposes for sale, loans, transfers, or
gives the knife to any other person.


21590. The unlawful possession or carrying of any switchblade
knife, as provided in Section 21510, is a nuisance and is subject to
Sections 18000 and 18005.

Yeah, upon rereading the actual text, I came to same conclusion.
I make knives as a hobby and was looking for something interesting to make. Since it won't be this, got any ideas?

[mej16489]

Besides how it opens, it would also be illegal as a dirk or dagger as it has two sharpened edges. So you'd get a tofer...a misdemeanor and a felony

'Dirk or Dagger' has nothing to do with double sharp edges

Also, dirks and daggers are only illegal if concealed

[ElvenSoul]

Get a Spork while they are still legal, or a spatula!

[kasusbelli]

I read that description and it would appear to an out of state citizen that that my SpeedSafe Kershaw would be defined as a switchblade, but they are legal because they untilize a lever-assist function as opposed to a button operated one? More paradoxical California laws.

[mej16489]

I read that description and it would appear to an out of state citizen that that my SpeedSafe Kershaw would be defined as a switchblade, but they are legal because they untilize a lever-assist function as opposed to a button operated one? More paradoxical California laws.

The Kershaw speedsafe system clearly meets the requirements for not being classified as a switchblade in CA.

[kasusbelli]

I understand that and is why I own one, well several - I digress, but considering that it is essentially a spring loaded system that can be deployed by "flicking a switch" - albeit part of the blade - is strikingly similar to the concept of a switchblade. If an alien came down and you were tasked with explaining why one was illegal and one was not, you'd have a hard time articulating as to why. Now you've created a much bigger problem, you've frustrated said hostile alien, who's got a strange interest in bladed weapons and California's legal system. Well congratulations Mr. Ambassador to the human-race you've just doomed us all to vaporization via photon laser. I hope you're happy with yourself, sir!

[ElvenSoul]

You know how come Calguns does not have a Knife Forum?

[Thunder Chief]

You know how come Calguns does not have a Knife Forum?

Sensitive subject?

Also, purely as a conceptual question, if one was to make a balisong with a "detent or other mechanism that provides
resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade", and with a thumb stud, would it then be legal? I'll post a sketch of what I'm talking about when I figure out how to post pictures.

And lastly, is there some overarching organization (for the state) that I could direct my questions to, whose word is law, and to whose answer I could point if ever I were accused of something less than kosher?