az few words about switchblades

[ArmsMerchant]

I speak with some authority here, since I sell the things (I was ArmsMerchant in totse).

First, know that they are illegal under federal law for most folks--but the law has never been enforced to my knowledge. BATF is more worried about machine guns, FBI about terrorists. They are also illegal in most states.

That said, they do have a very high cool factor, especially the automatic stilletos, and OTF's (that is, ones that extend the blade Out The Front).

But for utility, and speed of opening, they are no better than a good a/o (assisted opener).


I'll cut this short here (no pun intended) and add more later as appropriate.

[Virus]

I see no point in any spring actuated knife opening mechanism. Many companies have there version of a carson flipper which allows for easy one hand opening without having to wory about maintaining the mechanical parts of it. Besides the "coolness factor" they aren't my cup of tea.

Here are some laws on so called "switchblade" knives by state:

Switchblade Laws by State (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchblade#State_laws)

[Afromonk]

I still reside by my Cold steel Ti-lite.
All teh "coolness" of a stiletto AND switchblade in one compact non-illegal handle.

Fairly cheap.
Ok metal composition.
Not my favourite but hey its only for fucking around with.

[blue_monday]

Awesome to see you Greyfox, I was thinking of emailing you and telling you totse was closing but it looks like you've already found out.

I've had 2 assisted opening knifes, I didn't buy either of them. One was a kershaw speedbump that was the best pocketknife i've ever owned (and kershaw's warrenty is great, i had 'em replace the blade once), the second was a cheap chinise knife my friend gave me that was ok but the blade had a tendency to come loose.

I recommend kershaw's assisted opening knives if someone's looking for one.

[LuKaZz420]

I really like Opinel knives, they're made in France, quite good blades, they come in handy when in the outdoors.

[electric wizard]

Aye, moving parts combined with a thin blade usually spells disaster in combat situations. A fixed blade in a sheath would be much more desirable, imho.

[ArmsMerchant]

I really like Opinel knives, they're made in France, quite good blades, they come in handy when in the outdoors.

Agreed, but with that locking ring thingie, they take like forever to deploy.

[Walrus Jones]

I still reside by my Cold steel Ti-lite.
All teh "coolness" of a stiletto AND switchblade in one compact non-illegal handle.

Fairly cheap.
Ok metal composition.
Not my favourite but hey its only for fucking around with.

Really anything from Cold Steel works. I've toyed around with some friend's knives, and CS seems good for fucking with.

[Random_Looney]

Only interstate commerce in switchblades is federally prohibited.

[LavaRed]

I got a very nice stiletto style switchblade, made in China, for around $10 at a gun show in Florida back in 2005. The safety got ruined real quick, but I'll swear by the knife any day.

However, seeing as I usually carry it closed inside my backpack for utility use, the switchblade feature proves more of a hindrance, as it will deploy automatically.
So yes, the quick opening is more of a coolness factor, although I wouldn't say no to having it in an emergency situation.

[ArmsMerchant]

Really anything from Cold Steel works. .

Amen. I own a lotta knives, but the only one I always carry is a Cold Steel Tuff-lite.

[blue_monday]

Really anything from Cold Steel works. I've toyed around with some friend's knives, and CS seems good for fucking with.

Cold steel is the way to go, they don't make shitty products

[Random_Looney]

Cold Steel makes decent knives, but their marketing puts a lot of people off. They're are comparable knives for the price, but there isn't anything wrong with Cold Steel products.

[Afromonk]

Personally i find most of their products great value for money.
Beats most companies i have found.

[Random_Looney]

Benchmade and Spyderco have knives of equal or greater value for the pricing, depending on the quality of steel you want and/or blade style.

[Afromonk]

I've always found syperdco to be a bit pricy for what i use my blades for.
i mean great quality yes.
But just doesn't cover the cost.

[Random_Looney]

I've always found syperdco to be a bit pricy for what i use my blades for.
i mean great quality yes.
But just doesn't cover the cost.

What knife models are you looking at? The Spyderco Native retails for $40 and has CPM S30V blade steel. The Endura/Delica models aren't exactly what I'd consider expensive either. Cold Steel's knives are often more than that for something akin to 420 HC or 440C steel. Though 440C steel is good, I've often found the Cold Steel expects a lot of cash for it when they could be offering 154 or another CPM steel.

[Vladimir Lem]

My Kershaw Scallion has speed safe. I've read somwhere that speed safe does not really count as a switchblade. For this reason, I carry this knife as my EDC blade. For some reason I have always felt though that swithblades and OTFs have a weak locking mechanism. I have never picked one up and felt like I could trust my life on it. Thats just me though

[Random_Looney]

Because it is an opening-assisted knife, where you have to use a thumb stud or Carson to partially open the blade before the mechanism kicks in, and it does not open automatically from the mere press of a button, it is not a switchblade.

[Afromonk]

Its coz I'm british.
For some reason getting cold steel knives is as easy as pie.
Spyderco not so much.
The retail price is not really their fault but rather the international trade.
:(

And i really can't be bothered to travel for them.
Well too lazy for those shenanigans.
:P

440 seems to be just about fine for most of my "tasks" but i know what you mean when you say about the over valuing of it.

[ArmsMerchant]

^FYI, Spyderco just came out with an insanely expensive knife for the UK market--the blade does not lock.

[supperrfreek]

I've got a Kershaw a/o, it works well, the only problem is occasionally during the summer rust develops on the blade and i have to brush it with steel wool, but that has to do with the steel according to the manual. Otherwise it's an awesome knife.

[ArmsMerchant]

^True dat-- high carbon = high maintenance.

[Afromonk]

DO you keep it in humid conditons?
Or just normal atmosphere?

[Nelokjer]

Cold Steel carbonV; all I ever carry

[The Swede]

... You DO know that Cold Steel is prohibited to mention in this forum due to their lack of quality?

[Afromonk]

... You DO know that Cold Steel is prohibited to mention in this forum due to their lack of quality?

Lack of quality?
What planet are you from?

Your probably only saying this because the only Cold Steel you have been able to get is cheap malaysian knock-offs

[Afromonk]

Amen. I own a lotta knives, but the only one I always carry is a Cold Steel Tuff-lite.

Is it the clip point or the tanto?
Personally, never been a fan of Tanto.

[Random_Looney]

Cold Steel carbonV; all I ever carry

Carbon V isn't a steel, and is in fact only a marketing term for whatever steel Cold Steel happens to decide to call such (and this can vary).

[ArmsMerchant]

Is it the clip point or the tanto?
Personally, never been a fan of Tanto.

Clip point.

Tantos are kinda faddish, despite their virtues. Right now, they are popular, so I carry a few.

[Afromonk]

Good man
:)
I have one or two tantos.
Don't use 'em.
Just cheaps though.
Suppose i should really toy with a decent one.
:)