I heard the DUMBEST thing about Spyderco Today...

Nalapombu · #1

Hey all,

This is my first post and I am not an owner yet. I was on the phone today with a Spyderco dealer checking to see what models he had in stock. This was the only dealer in my area that had any at all so I was excited. He told me he had the Military and a couple of the smaller ones. Being interested in the Police model, I asked him abou it. He told me that he did not have any and has not had them for quite a while. I asked him if they ever get them in and he proceeds to tell me that they are banned from sale in the US. I coudn't believe my ears. I asked why and was told that they found out that it will cut Kevlar so they banned them. He told me that he cannot even order them anymore. I told him that I can buy dozens of them all day long over the internet but it didn't phase him. He stuck to his story. I asked him if the edge was different on the Police than it was on any other Spydie and he said he didn;t know but that the Police would cut Kevlar and that is why it was banned. Near the end of the conversation he retreated a bit and said that maybe they are banned only in West Virginia but he thought it was all over the country.

I got off the phone and thought thatit was just about the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Then I got to thinking about it and tried to call Spyderco to ask about it, but couldn't get anyone to return my call or answer the phone.

Does anyone know if there is a shred of truth to this preposterous statement? Has anyone heard of anything similar or even close to that? I checked the WV code and there is no mention of Spyderco or knives that can cut Kevlar. I think it is made up.

What do you think?

Nala

Nalapombu · #2

I wanted to add that he not only said that the Police model was illegal to sell but also illegal to possess or carry.

Nala

boxer93 · #3

Hi Nala,
Welcome to the forum. I see the police for sale everywhere. You would think it's more likely a local blade restriction, but I believe that the Military is just as long as the police(or very close). It may be more a personal policy of that store not to sell them. To me the police LOOKS a little more agressive than the Mili, but then don't look at the civilian <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> If you have access to internet websites you should find the police available easily.
Chris

Be Excellent to each other.

Carlos · #4

Any moderately sharp knife will cut through kevlar. This is why knife resistant vests and bullet resistant ones have very different designs.

And a good knife like a Spyderco won't be stopped by a knife resistant vest either (they are designed to protect against shivs).

There is a knife restriction in Boston based on the fact that knives go through BP Vests like butter, in that blade length is now limited to 2.5" You may want to check to see if there are any length limits in your area.

spyderwa · #5

I have often been in a store where they did not have something in stock and been told a far-fetched story about why it was not available. The banned in US Police story takes the cake. There are knives that are illegal in some states and not others such as switchblades and other automatic opening knives. There are restrictions on mailing these knives, and exceptions for military and law enforcement use. There are other knives that are banned for concealed carry based on blade length and whether they are folding or not. And there is one type of knife that is totally forbidden. This is known as a ballistic knife which shoots the knife blade out of the handle with a strong spring and/or a explosive charge. While you can get a license for a full-auto machine gun, you can't get one of these...ever. I would be very wary of anyone, especially a dealer that misrepresents knife facts and law to you. What you can do is check out some of the knife law pages on the internet by Bernard Levine. The other thing that every knife enthusiast that wants to protect his or her rights is to support the AKTI organization that has actually worked to protect your ability to carry a knife as a tool. One last thing to note is that Spyderco is very aware of knife laws that some of us have to deal with and has made a number of models for that fit within certain regulations. This includes the Pride, (no lock), and the Dodo, (short blade) Spyderwa

Rare Spydercos www.angelfire.com/trek/spyderwa

Zrexxer · #6

While the previous posters all bring up good points, I'm going to go for the short and simple here:

The Spyderco Police has not been banned from sale in the United States. Period. Still a current model and one of their big sellers.

~Z~

"I have strong feelings about gun control. If there's a gun around, I want to be controlling it."

Edited by - Zrexxer on 9/26/2003 3:46:44 PM

Sword and Shield · #7

Howdy Nalapombu! Welcome to <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>Land! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

No, in short, the Police hasn't been banned. If all knives that could cut Kevlar were banned, the SAK Classic would be illegal.

The Man's Prayer- I am a man. But I can change. If I have to. I guess...

dialex · #8

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum. You'll get your Police eventually, that's for sure. May you enjoy it.

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex">(my page)</a>

danzomekahiro · #9

Hi Spyderwa

I have seen ballistic knives on ebay in Europe, NOT in England, mainly posted from Russia. I have seen one working and they are the most stupid thing ever created by a nation that mistook tractors for sports cars. If anybody in the US wants one, try hitting a shotgun shell with a hammer and throw a kitchen knife into your foot. Being American you will achieve both at the same time. Being Russian the ballistic knife either explodes in your face or silently shoots you in the foot.

Go figure.

Edited by - danzomekahiro on 9/26/2003 6:56:53 PM

Edited by - danzomekahiro on 9/26/2003 6:57:59 PM

J Smith · #10

To tell the truth the police is illegal in alot of places.I dought anything would be said about it here but TN law say a max of 4in length.

I learn something new everyday,even though I don't want to. Jeff

Alan2112 · #11

Nalapombu, welcome to the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>co Forums! The new issue of TK has a review of the outstanding new CF Police model. RKBA!

spyderwa · #12

Here is a pic. of one type of ballistic knife. The Russians have another one that shoots a bullet out of the handle. As far as the Police goes, the standard rule of what the local authority determines is threatening seems to be the biggest factor. The nice thing about a Spyderco is that they are not blatent like the guy that wears a foot long Bowie on his belt. Spyderwa

Rare Spydercos
www.angelfire.com/trek/spyderwa

spyderwa · #13

Let me try again on those images. They didn't come through the first time.

Spyderwa
www.angelfire.com/trek/spyderwa

Rex G · #14

Regarding knife laws, each jurisdiction has its own ideas. Just remember that what is illegal to carry concealed may be OK if it is carried openly, that which is illegal to carry on your person may be fine if it is carried in a toolbox or backpack or car trunk, and that which is illegal to carry in public may be OK to possess on the premises of one's own residence or business or inside a motor home or travel trailer. Cities may pass their own knife laws which are more strict than the state law, but violation of such a city ordinance is normally much less serious than violating the state law, and may be punishable by fine only. It is indeed difficult to keep up with all these laws, especially while traveling. Moreover, a knife which looks "mean" while be more likely to be scrutinized by a police officer, and more likely to result in an arrest or confiscation in areas with ambiguous or vague knife laws, and there are many such places.

Edited by - Rex G on 9/28/2003 1:46:09 AM

Jimd · #15

Ha ha, yes, that is a funny story.
I have a knife-resistant vest, issued by my employer.
About a year ago, I decided to test it out to see if it really IS knife-resistant.

I stabbed right through it with my Cold Steel Mini Tanto. Not once, but twice. Went through like butter. What a confidence builder.

Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com

Dragunov · #16

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>I have seen ballistic knives on ebay in Europe, NOT in England, mainly posted from Russia. I have seen one working and they are the most stupid thing ever created by a nation that mistook tractors for sports cars. If anybody in the US wants one, try hitting a shotgun shell with a hammer and throw a kitchen knife into your foot. Being American you will achieve both at the same time. Being Russian the ballistic knife either explodes in your face or silently shoots you in the foot. <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE>

Muhahahaha

Funny how you've never actually handled the knife, yet voice such strong opinions. Oh, yeah. You've seen it on Ebay. Sorry.

Can't use it - don't touch it.

Dragunov · #17

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>I have seen ballistic knives on ebay in Europe, NOT in England, mainly posted from Russia. I have seen one working and they are the most stupid thing ever created by a nation that mistook tractors for sports cars. If anybody in the US wants one, try hitting a shotgun shell with a hammer and throw a kitchen knife into your foot. Being American you will achieve both at the same time. Being Russian the ballistic knife either explodes in your face or silently shoots you in the foot. <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE>

Muhahahaha

Funny how you've never actually handled the knife, yet voice such strong opinions. Oh, yeah. You've seen it on Ebay. Sorry.

Can't use it - don't touch it.

Concord_Bob · #18

The Russian made ballistic knives that I have used in training are well made and quite impressive at close range. I wouldn't want one shot at me.