What is considered a Switchblade Knife ?

[Vic]

Thanks, FlintKnapper!

That is very illuminating. So it has a bias toward closure as well as a bias toward opening, depending on where the blade is in its arc of possible positions relative to the handle.

[Tamie]

I'd hate to get stopped by an LEO in some Texas city and ultimately be told "Boy, you inna heap o'Trouble with that there knife - You caint carry such a thing in our town!"

I'd hate to be carrying a 1911 cocked and locked and get stopped by an LEO in some Texas town who thinks that's illegal.

[NEB]

Just to throw a wrench in....

When I was living in Amarillo 8 or so years ago, the DA decided to make up his own definition of a switchblade. In his own oh-so-confused mind, he believed that assisted openers such as the Ken Onion Kershaws with the ricasso extension met the definition of a switch blade and prosecuted an individual for carrying this type of knife. Now this individual had run from the police, so they decided to throw the book at him, and the arresting officer cited the individual's Kershaw as a switch blade. The DA agreed and proceeded with charges.

Local knife shops and even Wal Mart were bullied and threatened into not carrying Kershaws with the ricasso extension/flipper. One of my suppliers was actually threatened with prosecution for selling what is a perfectly legal knife anywhere else in Texas.

Not sure how that all settled out or if that is still the case. I happily moved my butt back to Lubbock (after finishing grad school) and never looked back. Just some food for thought....

--NEB

[flintknapper]

Just to throw a wrench in....

When I was living in Amarillo 8 or so years ago, the DA decided to make up his own definition of a switchblade. In his own oh-so-confused mind, he believed that assisted openers such as the Ken Onion Kershaws with the ricasso extension met the definition of a switch blade and prosecuted an individual for carrying this type of knife. Now this individual had run from the police, so they decided to throw the book at him, and the arresting officer cited the individual's Kershaw as a switch blade. The DA agreed and proceeded with charges.

Local knife shops and even Wal Mart were bullied and threatened into not carrying Kershaws with the ricasso extension/flipper. One of my suppliers was actually threatened with prosecution for selling what is a perfectly legal knife anywhere else in Texas.

Not sure how that all settled out or if that is still the case. I happily moved my butt back to Lubbock (after finishing grad school) and never looked back. Just some food for thought....

--NEB

Therein lies the danger of NOT having a Preemptive knife law in the State. No matter how ridiculous the charge, if prosecuted successfully, you now have Case Law.

[45 4 life]

It is not just Amarillo, San Antonio has differing views than the state on knives as well.