Sal,sal wrote:The Aussie legal battle has been going on for a while now. They've also changed their minds a number of times in the past year as to their restrictions. We've been in communication with our distributor in Australia (Zen) and he's been on top of it throughout the changes.
The Resuce models are very popular with the emergency teams in Oz and now they aren't permitted to purchase or carry them. So, at this time, we are designing a Rescue model that will meet their needs and their laws. (two hand open, impossible to "flick" open).
Many countries are adjusting their knife laws almost on a daily basis. we've been working with afi's in different countries to try to create models that meet their new knife laws. (UK, Germany, Denmark and Australia to name a few).
sal
Thanks for chiming in on this. When did you last year about the Rescue models from Zen?
From the last email I got from customs, which I referenced in a previous post, it would seem that just being single-hand opening(as defined by the proper industry standard) doesn't make it prohibited. I've had a bit more follow up from the customs dept, and they had this to say(the italic text was a quote from my email to them. the bold text is their reply):
"Could I further clarify? Would this mean that for a knife to be prohibited, it would have to be openable by inertia/gravity/centrifugal force, and the thumbstud/opening hole does not really factor in to the issue? Much like the previous 'flick knife' definition? - That is correct
In other words, the ability to open the UKPK with one hand using your thumb in the thumbhole does not in itself make it a prohibited 'single handed opener'? For it to be prohibited, it would *also* have to be opened via gravity/inertia/etc? - That is correct"
The officer goes on to give a link to the customs 'flick test' which can be viewed here <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NthM0-j76AU>
All in all, it's looking a bit more hopeful, as it sounds like most spyderco models, including the current rescue models, should pass through OK, as long as they have strongish detents, and not ultra-smooth blade pivots, as with the new Bushing systems.
It'd be really interesting to hear what the boys at Zen have heard about the latest news.