Automatic knives in MD

LostSoul · Apr 7, 2010

I've read a few threads here regarding the legality of autos in general and specifically in MD. I'm just recently getting "into" knives, and I'd like to have a nice auto someday just for the cool-factor. I'm already aware that a good assisted-opener or regular folder can be just as- if not more effective than an auto.

I understand I can't carry it anywhere outside my home. No questions there, I'll just keep it at home and use/ fondle/ play with it here. What I don't know is, where can I legally buy one? I know they cannot be shipped to me, I know they cannot be sold in MD. (at least, not to a non-military, non-law enforcement peon like myself) But, correct me if I'm wrong, they can be purchased out of state and brought into MD. So, where do I go when I'm ready to buy one? Are they legal for sale in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware? If so, can anyone recommend a shop to go to? If not, am I just shit-outta-luck?

lx1x · Apr 7, 2010

hmm.. i thought i saw somebody in frederick gun show selling some "stilletos"(if i spelled it right).. it may be fake ones if it is illegal to be sold in maryland.

buzzzyy · Apr 7, 2010

Pretty sure not legal to buy/sell in Maryland. You can get them tho, and can prolly get them shiped here. Keep at home = Don't get busted.

deathracer · Apr 7, 2010

I bought a nice Microtech in S Carolina, cash and carry. Plenty to be had in many outdoor/western wear shops there.

pumperp5 · Apr 7, 2010

I ordered 1 and had mailed to my house before. Didnt have any problems.

smokey · Apr 7, 2010

a close friend of mine *ahem* had a front-opening concord all through high school and most of college. He used it regularly as a box-cutting knife at home depot to cut through the plastic wrap and boxes where the HD supplied box-cutters just sucked. It was a PIA to sharpen with a lansky kit and so he just turned to sharpening it old school on an arkansas stone. i remember he got it mailed straight to his house from an italian company. i believe it was exactly like this from what i recall......
http://www.uniqueblade.com/products...tomatic_knife_Black_Silver_by_AKC-229-17.html

strube · Apr 7, 2010

I may be wrong but I believe that federal law prohibits interstate commerce for auto knives which would technically make buying them out of state illegal. I don't see any reason that people wouldn't sell them locally since I don't think possession is illegal in MD but carrying is.

Edit: I know its wikipedia but the sources are listed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchblade#Federal_law

LostSoul · Apr 8, 2010

strube said:
I may be wrong but I believe that federal law prohibits interstate commerce for auto knives which would technically make buying them out of state illegal. I don't see any reason that people wouldn't sell them locally since I don't think possession is illegal in MD but carrying is.

Edit: I know its wikipedia but the sources are listed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchblade#Federal_law

Thanks for the link, I did find something interesting in it near the end of the Maryland source...

§ 4-105. Transfer of switchblade or shooting knife.
(a) Prohibited.- A person may not sell, barter, display, or offer to sell or barter:
(1) a knife or a penknife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife, commonly called a switchblade knife or a switchblade penknife; or
(2) a device that is designed to propel a knife from a metal sheath by means of a high-compression ejector spring, commonly called a shooting knife.
(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or a fine of not less than $50 and not exceeding $500 or both.

So does that mean literally "a person" cannot sell a switchblade, or does that also apply to businesses?

From other posts I've read, it seems like you can only buy one locally if you're LEO or military.

HardHatMan · Apr 9, 2010

I carry a Kershaw which has a "assisted opening" blade. Completely legal. They are great knives too.

WeaponsCollector · Apr 10, 2010

I don't know if switchblades are legal or not nor do I really care. Any bans on knives are against my religion

. I have seen real switchblades for sale on the internet and at local Maryland and Virginia gun shows within the last year.
Unfortunately most of them are cheap Chinese made ones but they are out there.

OldGunner · Apr 11, 2010

HardHatMan said:
I carry a Kershaw which has a "assisted opening" blade. Completely legal. They are great knives too.

So do I, the Kershaw Leek is a well made knife and has a reversible pocket clip. All the guys I work with have one clipped to their pocket. They can be bought on EBay for about $32.

I've owned auto knives before and the Kershaw can be opened and closed with one hand just as fast as any of the auto knives I've owned. Basically the Leek functions like an auto knife when opening and with a little bit of practice can close with one hand nearly as fast.

I've even seen the Kershaw assisted opening knife (not the Leek) for sale at Wal-Mart.

A Lansky sharpener makes these things pocket razors. Although I do not recommend the Damascus steel version of the Leek. The Damascus version is hard to sharpen and it was constantly rusting even though I regularly wiped it down with oil. It finally got so bad I had to bead blast it clean. Then I lost it.

MDMOUNTAINEER · Apr 11, 2010

I'm a huge fan of kershaws but they aren't auto's. Never had an interest in an auto. Assisted Opening is plenty for me. My EDC now doesn't even have the torsion bar, Kershaw JYD 2, probably my favorite EDC in years. I'm also a fan of the leek, but the ergonomics are pretty slim for a decent hold for stout chores, but they open boxes and letters very well, and they look real cool.

travistheone · Apr 11, 2010

I have had a few cool ones, HK branded Benchmade 14700, that is used by my buddy in landscaping. Paragon out the front, that I sold awhile back.

I carry fixed blade, always open!

TSS, here is the blade you saw at LR the other day http://www.kosterknives.com/

jmiller320 · Apr 11, 2010

I was in Memphis a while ago and every gun show had tables full of them. Most were cheep junk, but there were a few dealers selling top quality brands. The first show I went to I didn't buy since I wanted to check to compare prices at a knife store. I went to a knife store in a mall and the owner told me switchblades were illegal to own unless you were military or law enforcement. He told me the Memphis Police would stake out the knife shows and watch someone buy a switchblade and then hem them up once they left the venue. I picked up one a few years ago. After a while the belt clip broke and I had to get it replaced. I contacted the company www.osograndeknives.com and they sent me a replacement belt clip. After a while the safety wore out and the knife would open itself in my pocket. Always had to be careful putting my hand in my pocket. Many of the legal assisted opening knives can open just as fast. The anti switchblade laws date back to the West Side Story days. Mine always came in handy at work when one hand was full and I needed to open a box or cut a rope.

MDMOUNTAINEER · Apr 12, 2010

travistheone said:
I have had a few cool ones, HK branded Benchmade 14700, that is used by my buddy in landscaping. Paragon out the front, that I sold awhile back.

I carry fixed blade, always open!

TSS, here is the blade you saw at LR the other day http://www.kosterknives.com/

Thanks for the link, I didn't look too hard, but I didn't see yours?

nice knife btw!

ToneGrail · Apr 12, 2010

tss1004 said:
I'm a huge fan of kershaws but they aren't auto's. Never had an interest in an auto. Assisted Opening is plenty for me. My EDC now doesn't even have the torsion bar, Kershaw JYD 2, probably my favorite EDC in years. I'm also a fan of the leek, but the ergonomics are pretty slim for a decent hold for stout chores, but they open boxes and letters very well, and they look real cool.

My current EDC is a Spyderco Tenacious I bought after watching a Nutnfancy review.

This thing opens just as fast as any assisted and it's completely manual. No torsion bar or spring to break either.

LostSoul · Apr 12, 2010

I have both a Leek and a Tenacious, they're great knives! The leek is definitely the fastest opening knife I have, and the Sandvik steel it's made of seems to hold a good edge. I haven't had the Tenacious very long, but it's a tank and opens very quickly considering it's not assisted. The steel's a little soft though(8cr13mov... Chi-com stuff) but it sharpens easily. I carry the Tenacious at work, and I have a small rotation of other EDC's for everywhere else.

As far as the Auto thing goes, I'm currently under the impression that I'm S.O.L. I can't legally buy one in MD, and buying out-of-state is dicey due to the "interstate commerce" B.S. I'd like to think I'm wrong about something, hopefully I'll find a loophole eventually!

xcavater · Apr 13, 2010

I carry a Benchmade 9100 Auto Stryker everyday.
Probably one of the last auto knives that was sold on Ebay.
I have a NIB Benchmade 5000 axis auto that my brother brought back from Afghanistan in the safe

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy287/xcavater/DSCF5682-1.jpg

ToneGrail · Apr 13, 2010

I believe that you can go to a jurisdiction where autos are legal for civillians to posess and carry and buy one. They just won't ship one to you here or sell one to you while they are here unless you are LE.

Porsche · Aug 31, 2010

LostSoul said:
I have both a Leek and a Tenacious, they're great knives! The leek is definitely the fastest opening knife I have, and the Sandvik steel it's made of seems to hold a good edge. I haven't had the Tenacious very long, but it's a tank and opens very quickly considering it's not assisted. The steel's a little soft though(8cr13mov... Chi-com stuff) but it sharpens easily. I carry the Tenacious at work, and I have a small rotation of other EDC's for everywhere else.

As far as the Auto thing goes, I'm currently under the impression that I'm S.O.L. I can't legally buy one in MD, and buying out-of-state is dicey due to the "interstate commerce" B.S. I'd like to think I'm wrong about something, hopefully I'll find a loophole eventually!

Well no loophole needed, I have purchased several in state and am currently selling a microtech halo II if your interested

ToneGrail said:
I believe that you can go to a jurisdiction where autos are legal for civillians to posess and carry and buy one. They just won't ship one to you here or sell one to you while they are here unless you are LE.

In maryland you are allowed to own them just not carry them around.

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