I use to get them every time I went to Tijuana for my meds and give them to my sons. Now I get my meds from the VA and don't have to go down there anymore. Gumpa
Last I heard they were only illegal in certain states. States like CA. You can get anything on Ebay, or in Mexico. Other than that Im sure there are places online that you can get quality blades. The question is stilleto style (traditional) or another style I cant think of. Im curious as to how long this thread will last.
Hey Tingler being since I like a good rattlesnake tickler I would imagine the switchblade would produce a more of "quickdraw" advantage over its folding and sheathed predecssors. You could have one in your pocket and at the ready in a moments notice without the added fumbling that comes with the other knives. Now since you guys have that eastern diamondback I would suggest a good old bowie and a snakemaster.
IT's because Vic Marrow played a badass hoodlum in Blackboard Jungle, and pulled one on Mr. Dad-ie, yae. And James Dean and a black leather jacketed hoodlum 'Buzz" stuck each other with them in the fight scene in rebel without a Cause. Cause they are so 50's Hoodlum related,so if you carry one you are a true Hoodlum...Man... I got one at a knife shop in Cherokee,just the other side of Gatlinburg..Maybe one of your Greasy Hubcat friends can get you one,so you too can be a real Hoodlumn.....Man..
Pussies, I have one that flicks out into a comb for when I just have to "quick draw" my pomp back into submission. Danny
I can't believe noone's said this yet - THE FLEA MARKET. All four of our local flea markets have multiple crappy knife dealers that sell em. I usually pay $7 or so for the 'classic' white switchblade, but they have much fancier models. Just ask for an automatic knife if you don't see em, there's some in back.
here's the scoop...they are illegal to carry but not to own. you can get an assisted opening knife that is basically a switchblade in most states and they really can't do anything to you about them unless you're doing something stupid. tingler, why not get a real knife, www.kelgin.com it's my pops and he's over at smokey mtn knifeworks. mention me i'm sure he'll "cut" ya a deal. plus he's got plenty of connections to find or make you exactly what you are looking for. pm me if you want more info...or anyone else for that matter.
or if you want something really badass, try a butterfly knife...just make sure you tape the edge while you learn to use it or you'll have a hard time giving anyone the finger for awhile.
Not really sure how "illegal" they are as I have bought quite a few at different retail places, truckstops, flee markets and such. Maybe legal to buy but not carry? I don't know. I am not an expert, but here is a rundown of what I have enountered: ( a.) The $20 special. Made in Mexico, China, Pakistan, etc. Cheap and a bit flimsy. The more you push the button the looser they get. Blades are pretty dull, made of cheap metal, and don't generally hold an edge. These are either of the "Italian stilleto" design (which you know as the "50's" switchblade), or what I refer to as "truckstop specials" with cheap stamped handles with skulls or whatever. Basically these are kind of "novelty items" and would not be my weapon of choice for anything other than impressing pimply-faced 14 year olds at the arcade. ( b.) Real Italian Stilleto. I bought one of these at Floriland mall 10 years ago. Had a real wooden handle, better blade quality, better action, basically better everything. It was actually made in Sicily, and I paid $75 for it. Amazingly, it never got all loose an sloppy. Very crisp action. Never seen one like it before or since. ( c.) Benchmade law enforcement model. I think I paid $135 five years ago for mine. Excellent quality, razor sharp blade, very crisp action. The nicest one I've ever seen.
yeah, man switchblades are cool as hell. i got a small collection(only 6). and yes they are illegal to carry, but not to own. i keep mine in my toolbox in my garage rite next to my brass knucks. after all they are all just tools, rite . there is i guy that i've seen around that sells 'em at car shows and stuff. he was at the greaseball last sat. i'll prolly see him again in nov. if you want something thats still cool that you can carry look up the ken onion assisted open blade. they are online, but i found some at my local wally world. a little more pricey is one by smith&wesson. i think it was discontinued afew years ago(hence the high price), but they are on egay now andd than.
Friend of mine made a knife for me out of a leaf spring. I drew a picture of what I wanted and he made it for me. Them kind's the best.
I got a a switchblade from a friend that brought it up from Mexico it is in my display cabinet next to creeperlarry's photo taken at the antique nats.
What the hell dude... you sniffin' paint again?! Damn hoolums anyway. PM me I might have some info for ya.
They are legal in Oregon, Florida and in KY with a concealed weapons license. The whole law about them is just crazy and old fashioned. In Michigan you can have a concealed pistol permit but cannot have a switchblade knife. Is that stupid or what? I can and do carry a snub nose S&W 44 magnum some times but lord willing do not get caught with a switchblade knife or you will go to jail!!! Go figure. Gary M
Tingler: To really tell all about switchblades would fill a whole book and more.The laws regulating them vary from state to state and even towns within.There is a website http://www.knifeforums.com. that has a section dealing with the laws of the states and federal government. The original law did not prohibit the ownership(1958)but rather regulated their sale across state lines i.e.:interstate commerce.The laws have been re-written so many times since I don't anybody actually knows what is going on. I have been collecting knives since I was 10 years old and have probably a couple thousand now;among them a large collection of automatic knives.The so-called,"traditional"switchblades(the ones made primarily in Italy and Germany)are really not that high quality.They don't hold an edge very well(the German ones are better at that)and their lock and release mechanisms can be very temperamental.The springs have a tendency to either lose tension or break and most are difficult to repair. Although you see a lot of them listed on E-Bay their policy prohibits their sale and when they find them advertised the ads are usually pulled.Still a lot of them get through. There are a number of advertisers on Knife Forums that sell them as well as links to other places.They even have a for sale section for private sales.Be prepared to pay some money for one though. There are a lot of knife manufacturers out there now selling really high quality automatic knives but expect to pay at least $300 for a good one.Of course if your tastes run to fancy,I've seen some go for over 5 figures. Here's a pic of some of mine.
Someone once told me that switchblades were legal in South Carolina, if you only had one arm. Don't know if it's true or not, but there have been goofier laws. I've got a few of them, but only one that actually works well. The others only lasted a shot time before the plastic casing started coming apart, or the locking pins went to shit. I remember having a switchblade comb when I was kid and figuring out that a barbers razor from my mom's beauty shop would slide right into it after you pulled the comb out...
I ordered mine from Italy, about $75. Legal to own almost everywhere, except California, I belive(imagine that!) Some states, maybe Ohio, even legal to carry. A list came up when I bought mine. Can't find the info, I'll have to rummage around.
BTW, quality kida iffy, had to dick with it a bit to get it to open and close well. Of course I don't carry it. I do carry a $15 spring-loaded thumb opener that I would much rather depend on...But it's not as "Kool".
Hell man, there are just three knives you will ever need. 1. A good locking blade folding knife. 2. KaBar, worlds best general use knife. 3. Fairbairn Sykes, 'Commando' stiletto, best and ONLY fighting knife. I carried those on every Op for 10 years. Gerber make a nice modern version of the FB-S, called the Gerber MkII, sturdy but has a serrated edge midway along the blade on both sides. Kinda makes it difficult to get a clean to the hilt stab. If your gonna carry a knife, know how to use it, or you're gonna get your arse killed. Doc.
Strangely enough the most valuable one is the most unique:It was made somewhere between 1896 and 1904(the years the company was in business)and has a handle made of figured aluminum(at that time aluminum was as valuable as gold).The blade curves 90 degrees and has three points on it.It was known as a,"one-armed man's knife" and was designed so that a person could open the knife with one hand;cut food on his plate and then with the points(a fork)pick up the food off the plate and eat it. There is an etching on the blade still faintly visible advertising the A.A.Marks Company of Newark New Jersey;a maker of artificial limbs.These knives were supposedly given free of charge to veterans of the Spanish American War who had lost an arm. The actual design of spring operated knives goes back before the Civil War to about 1840 in France.
The Jalopy Journal
