| The very controversial switchblade knife has been | | | | is where we get the knives called Stilettos. |
| around a very long time. This blade is the size and | | | | Later street gangs started to use these knives |
| shape of most of you average pocket knives but | | | | and there started the bad name for |
| with a twist. With the push of a button a | | | | switchblades. People started to think that if they |
| spring pops the blade out and is ready to be | | | | put a ban on them that it would stop gang |
| used. There are two sorts of switchblades one | | | | violence. The US congress chose to make these |
| opens though the top, and one from the side. | | | | knives illegal. So in the 1960s switchblades that |
| The blade that opens from the side is much like | | | | where made in America where only being soled to |
| other pocket knives. You push the button and the | | | | the military. Later knife makers found away |
| blade swings out the side like any other knife. The | | | | around these laws by selling switchblades in build it |
| out-the-front or the OTF switchblade, pops out | | | | your self kits. Now though this loophole is closed in |
| the front as the name suggest. Now there are | | | | many states. |
| two different types of OTF blades a single and | | | | The legality of these knives differs for country to |
| double action. The single action is when you push | | | | country. Although many country’s banned |
| the button and the blade pops out and then you | | | | them and many more have very strict laws, you |
| have to manually push the blade back in. The | | | | can carry them in some country’s. In the |
| double action is the same this the different of | | | | United States you can not carry them on federal |
| that to put the blade back in you just push the | | | | lands, Indian reservations, military bases, or |
| button again. These knives have been at the | | | | Washington DC. The Act that limits switchblades |
| center of controversy for years, because of the | | | | also limits Ballistic knives. But other then that the |
| popularity with criminals. People that might want | | | | federal government leaves the rest of the |
| to brake the law like these knives for there very | | | | decision making to the individual states. |
| quick opening systems. | | | | In many states the are out right illegal, and in |
| The concept of these spring loaded blades | | | | some they are perfectly legal. Then there are a |
| have been around for many years. With | | | | few that they are legal but with some guide lines. |
| examples of them appearing on flintlock pistols | | | | In Missouri, Montana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, |
| and on coach guns as early as 1700s. Then later | | | | Tennessee, and Texas they are illegal, but |
| in 1790s being made a more offered tool. Many | | | | exceptions are made for antiques and collectors. |
| of the early examples switchblades are either | | | | In Virginia you can own one but you can’t sell |
| English, of French. | | | | one. In Rhode Island you can own one but it |
| Right after the civil war in America knife | | | | can’t have a dagger, dirk, or stiletto blade. In |
| production was industrialized. That is when the | | | | Ohio you can have one but you have to buy it |
| first American switchblade was made. It is called | | | | though a online retailer. In New York you and |
| the Korn Patent knife. These blades really took | | | | have one but only if you have a hunting or fishing |
| off in the 1890s and where even soled to | | | | license. So of these laws are pretty out there |
| lady’s to put in there sewing kits. Then Italian | | | | but to each there own.pocketknivesdepot. |
| makers got in to the switchblade game and that | | | | |