I like the guy at the end who flicks out his switchblade, and then sticks it in his belt.
12 Angry Men.
Need? Pretty damn rarely. I work with ropes and rigging regularly at my job, and a situation where I need the extra two seconds to avoid death or injury has never occurred but plausibly could; for instance, if my foot were caught in a loop as the rope went up, I might need to cut it very quickly. Still, who cares about need? It’s damned convenient, and I like it, and it does save me time in my daily life. Surely that’s enough reason to carry one? Unless you’re seriously contending that these are weapons of equal public danger and of as little daily use as pistols, why regulate them as strictly?
Plenty of kids of the “greaser” type carried switchblades in those days too, it wasn’t just guys in gangs. Where I went to school they also had a fondness for “wedgie” shoes with horseshoe and continental toe taps. If you were unfortunate enough to get into a fight with one of those guys you could suffer some serious damage. Other kids had them too. Some were the greasers’ girlfriends, who carried switchblades in their purses, and others were kids who carried them for what they thought (or hoped) would be self defense against the other kids who carried them. All this resulted in a significant number of kids carrying switchblades, and that in turn created lots of pressure from teachers and parents to get them outlawed. It wasn’t just an overreaction to West Side Story.
Are there any you’d recommend?
I strongly reccommend the SOG Topo Meridian.
http://www.amazon.com/SOG-Knives-Topo-Meridian-Knife/dp/B003YL966Q
It looks a bit techish, but it works pretty well. And, as the video shows, it opens. Now. It has a good lock, too.
I have the SOG Flash II. I have no complaints. However, it does have an ABS plastic handle (at least mine does), and that might be a turnoff. Benchmade starts at about twice that but has a very good reputation. Also check out Kershaw, they have a good selection but are also considerably more expensive than the SOG.
Kramer v. Kramer.
The video I linked was the TiNi. It’s smaller.
This is the right one.Nobody has any strong political reason to change the law. That’s the long and the short of it so far as why switchblades are still illegal. If I am a legislature I’m going to be spending my political clout on something a bit more worthwhile than switchblades.
Terminology hijack: what’s the difference between a switchblade and any other kind of folding knife? (Dictionaries are of no help here, they translate to navaja, which includes all folding knives)
Actually, it doesn’t seem like it would be hard at all. The federal law appears to have little teeth except on federal property and interstate commerce and such. All a state legislator has to do is introduce a bill that says “such and such” switchblade law from nineteen-fifty- whatever is hereby repealed. What significant group of tools is going to get nuts over that?
It appears to be the law in Maine.
Why someone would choose to carry a knife instead of a gun as a primary defensive weapon is beyond me. Using a knife as a weapon is always going to be considered lethal force. A firearm is a far more effective tool for that use. I carry a knife, but not as a weapon.
It should be noted that since the switchblade was made illegal, there has been a significant drop in “chicken” related auto accidents, rumbles, sass-mouth, and Greaserism in general. And NYC’s Hells Kitchen is no longer plagued by roving gangs of violent Italian and Puerto Rican youths (most with 5 years of classical dance and 3 years jazz tap training).
Although those stuck-up Socs have started showing their faces around again stirring up trouble!
It isn’t about people going nuts. As a member of the House what incentive do I have to introduce this bill? What kind of deals do I have to make with other member of the House to support my bill? I’m not going to waste my time introducing the bill and I’m sure not going to waste my political clout trying to get it passed. From that perspective, I see no upside to putting any effort into a bill nobody really cares about.
A switchblade pops out when you push the button. Other knives require a manual assist, at least in theory. In practical terms, if the manual assist is aided by a sufficiently strong spring or piston mechanism, there’s not much of a difference.
Switchblades, traditionally, are long, narrow stiletto blades.
http://www.wholesaleselfdefense.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=234
The S shaped microguard also appears to be traditional. It’s not necessary, but that’s the mental image that’ll pop up.
Thanks, E-Sabbath
Wikipedia has nothing on the utilitarian use of flick-knives. I was told that switchblades were invented for farmers who needed to open a kife while leaving one hand to hold an animal (there’s a scene in Far From the Madding Crowd where the sheep get into a cabbage patch and needed to be punctured to let out gas).
Navy boastwain mates may not carry straight handle knives in case they fall on them in heavy seas, so they have clasp knives (in special sheaths that also hold their marlinspike tool). A one-handed opening knife would be handy, but are outlawed for the same moral panic reason as elsewhere.
My older brother was in the tail end of the 50’s hood era, so I saw all the toys: switchblades, butterfly knives, stillettos that telescoped the blade out from the handle; even homemade zip guns(!) Nowadays when the world is ankle-deep in handguns, those all seems quaint, like brickbats and shillelaghs
I agree that firearms are generally better in most situations. However, I can think of many reasons why a knife might be carried as a primary weapon rather than a firearm:
Lower cost: Some people can’t afford a gun and nevertheless wish to have some defensive weapon.
Legalities: Felons can’t own a gun. many municipalities prohibit loaded guns which makes their use as a defensive weapon idiotic. Those with restraining orders after a hearing cannot own a firearm. Shorter knives may be concealed, although still useful and dangerous, whereby one need not alarm the public.
Broader usefulness in different situations: Knives can be employed silently. Knives still work after they get wet. You don’t run out of ammunition with a knife.
Fewer serious accidents: It’s far harder to kill yourself accidentally with a knife than a gun.
Less maintenance: It only takes a second or two to clean a knife after most uses.
Guns require more.
no permits and generally far less regulation.
Although I’d chose to carry both, and perhaps reach for the firearm more often in threatening situations, I’d still consider the knife the fundamentally more important one.
Just attach it onto another bill. Besides, it doesn’t have to be overturned by the feds. It’s the states that need to overturn their laws.
Many states prohibit felons from having any weapons, including knives and even pepper spray. And firearm preemption laws in most states wipe out the loaded gun ordinances.
But if someone wishes to carry a knife instead, to each his own. I just hope they don’t forget the old saying about bringing a knife to a gun fight.:smack: