Balisong?

[jugg2]

Alright, first of all, I am not starting this thread to promote any kind of illegal activity!

Now with that warning:

Since balisongs are illegal for the average person to own (unless you're liscensed) how can GP or NGK sell them? It seems that they just trust that you are liscensed.

See here. (http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=44278)

Also, that knife uses 154CM. What do yall know about it? I have heard that it is similar to VG10, but maybe slightly less rust resistant, is that true?

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Balisongs are legal in many places. :spyder:

[mikebandw186]

I believe Benchmade knives are made in oregon (can't guarantee that). so they can be shipped legally in most states, and can be shipped to any state via UPS in order to escape notice. Also, i believe most states do not yet classify balisongs as gravity knives. and similar to the automatic knife laws (not legal to own, or carry where i live) they can be open to interpretation

[chuxvoodoo]

If you want one for your collection, get one. Most online dealers will sell anything to anyone. The legal rep on any blade is this: If you have a good reason for carrying the one in your pocket, your golden. If not, it's a bond, court date and your blade is most likely gone.
Take care,

[jujigatame]

The legal rep on any blade is this: If you have a good reason for carrying the one in your pocket, your golden. If not, it's a bond, court date and your blade is most likely gone.
Take care,

I'd classify the first part of that advice as precarious, if not irresponsible, to give to anyone.

[chuxvoodoo]

I'd classify the first part of that advice as precarious, if not irresponsible, to give to anyone. What,, I have always been irresponsible,but precarious..never

[Ian UK]

Can anyone out there please explain why a 4" balisong knife is any more dangerous than a 4" folder or fixed blade?:confused:

Or indeed a 4" auto what difference do the law makers see to justify the banning of certain knife designs?:confused:

It realy does puzzle me, anyone know the logic behind it? :)

[chuxvoodoo]

90s US customs, switch blade act, stopped all importation of the fun stuff. The catch is if its USA made, you and I can buy it, we just can't carry it. A few states are lucky. I love my baby rattles.....

[Ian UK]

Chux

Thanks for replying but thats not what I meant, what/who initially logically worked out (and why) that one type of 4" blade is less/more dangerous than the same blade in a different handle, because thats all it is realisticaly. :confused: :confused:

Equally they are banned here in the UK like samuria swords will be from midnight tonight. :mad:

[The Deacon]

I would imagine that the "logic" is based on the at least partially true anecdotal evidence that cheap balisongs and switchblades are among the weapons favored by young punks. Cracking down on the gave politicians them ability to pat themselves on the back and claim to be "tough on crime" while not offending any major bloc of voters, or even a whole lot of normal knife users. Pure BS of course, since criminals by definition are those who disobey the law, but it gets them the votes of those too naive to understand that.

[Piet.S]

I would imagine that the "logic" is based on the at least partially true anecdotal evidence that cheap balisongs and switchblades are among the weapons favored by young punks. Cracking down on the gave politicians them ability to pat themselves on the back and claim to be "tough on crime" while not offending any major bloc of voters, or even a whole lot of normal knife users. Pure BS of course, since criminals by definition are those who disobey the law, but it gets them the votes of those too naive to understand that.

Paul what you are saying is exactly what is going on now overhere.

[jugg2]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

So it seems that it would be ok to buy one, just don't carry it.

[flyguy]

I like this knife. The latch is tight, I like the latch on the Spyderfly better. However, it is a fun knife.

Definately don't carry it. There's no real reason to carry it... The balisong will get too much attention. It is fun, flashy and addicting to play with... But non-knife people will freak out.

[smcfalls13]

Balisongs are perfectly legal to own in many states(check your local laws), it's the CARRY of them that is often prohibited. However, federal law has declared(erroneously in my opinion) that Balisongs are the same as automatics and has thus expanded(unfairly) the laws that apply to autos.

Autos can not be shipped across state lines unless they are being sold to active duty military, law enforcement, or a dealer which maintains those clients.

Autos are also prohibited from being sent through the U.S.P.S

However, once those Balisongs are in the state, the federal law no longer applies(it only applies to the TRANSFER of Balisongs, not ownership or carry). It is up to the state and local laws to determine if an individual may purchase and/or carry the Balisong.

The short version is this, if you want a Balisong, you have two choices, live in a state that allows the sale of them to non military/leo, or live in a communist state, and join the ranks of the military/leo, though I have to say if that is your sole motivation for joining the latter, you really need to take a step back and think a bit.

Be advised I am not a lawyer, and my interpretation of the laws could be entirely innaccurate. I have an extremely biased opinion over Balisong legislation, which may skew my research into the subject.

[smcfalls13]

Definately don't carry it. There's no real reason to carry it... The balisong will get too much attention. It is fun, flashy and addicting to play with... But non-knife people will freak out.

The same is often said of any knife, and I disagree. The whole "don't carry it" mentality is detrimental in the long run.

If you are legally allowed to carry a Balisong. Do it. Use it in a responsible manner, and set an example. Make it a point to prove to non-knife people that its not a dangerous weapon, but a useful tool.

[The Deacon]

However, once those Balisongs are in the state, the federal law no longer applies(it only applies to the TRANSFER of Balisongs, not ownership or carry). It is up to the state and local laws to determine if an individual may purchase and/or carry the Balisong.Scott, I'm not a lawyer, I only work for a bunch of them. :D However, it seems to me that in order for an auto or bali that has crossed state lines to reach the hands of a private citizen (non-LEO, non-Military) "somebody" had to violate the Federal Law. That "somebody" may be the dealer, rather than the final purchaser, but since the law says they can only be transported for sale to specific classes of purchasers, it has been violated. However, it could be argued that the purchaser is the one who caused the interstate transport. I think the more accurate statement is that, up until now, the Federal law has never been enforced against anyone other than manufacturers and importers and that since state law has not been violated in those states which allow private ownership of automatics, those states have no incentive to enforce the Federal law against dealers and private citizens.

[KaliGman]

According to the current interpretation of the Switchblade Act (at least the way the 10th Circuit seems to interpret it, which is where Spyderco ran afoul of this mess), 'flys are treated like autos. According to this standard, one of the key things to remember is Interstate Commerce. The federal government can regulate trade between the states and can prohibit certain items outright. As of now, I believe that a person residing in Oregon could buy a Benchmade Balisong in Oregon, since balisongs are legal in Oregon and the knife never traveled in interstate commerce. I have seen no regulation, yet, in regard to law enforcement officer property, either. Thus, let us say I move to Oregon, where balisongs are perfectly legal by state law and, after retirement, I decide to take a trip to Hawaii and need a little cash. I go through the gunsafe and decide to sell all the balisongs that I had legally purchased when I was a LEO. Is this legal? It probably is, as is stands now. If a LEO has bought an item and then is no longer a LEO, so far no one has said the item has to be turned in---and man would there be a backlash if this was the case, due to the fact that a lot of LEOs have spent money on autos and balisongs. The whole situation is convoluted and silly. The Deacon is correct in the fact that this law is haphazardly enforced. The law has been interpreted (badly I believe) a few too many times and would be a complete pain to totally enforce, not to mention a tremendous use of scarce law enforcement resources. My opinion of the whole thing is that the law is a badly crafted bit of feel good legislation designed to combat a "West Side Story" knife problem that never existed. I've never charged anyone with this code and hopefully never will be involved in an investigation where there is a need to use it.

[dialex]

Can anyone out there please explain why a 4" balisong knife is any more dangerous than a 4" folder or fixed blade?:confused:

Or indeed a 4" auto what difference do the law makers see to justify the banning of certain knife designs?:confused:

It realy does puzzle me, anyone know the logic behind it? :)

I remember I read somewhere they banned the balisongs because of the movie "The Outsiders", following the precedent that was created with the movie "Rebel Without A Cause" - which led to banning swithchblades.
It is such a crazy thing that it may actually be true.

[FLYBYU44]

It really annoys me that they are illegal in Canada. I would love to own a Spyderfly. My brother just moved the the Phillipines, lucky guy, he told me he's going to buy a balisong as soon as he get's there. They also sell switchblades there, he bought on last time he was there and brought it back on the plane :eek: I don't know how he got through security with it. In his defence he was unaware that they were illegal here.