It's finally happened(Australia)

[jylong_away]

I'm not sure if this belongs in the 'off topic' section, but it does involve Spyderco knives as a whole, and is probably important enough for everyone to hear about. I've only ever seen it posted on a private forum in a local Australian knife board.

Australian knife import regulations has taken another turn for the worse. On Dec 14th, the list of Prohibited Items was changed to specifically include 'Single Handed Openers'!.

The concerning thing is how they've chosen to define what a 'Single handed opener' actually is. From the customs factsheet, it's been defined as:

'Single handed opening knives that have a blade recessed into the handle that can be opened with gravity, inertia or centrifugal force (including parts)'

Ambiguous much? It's a bit hard to tell if it means that only single-handed openers which can be 'flicked' open are prohibited(as with the old 'flick knife' definition, which caused no end of havoc anyway) or if any knife which can be opened with a thumbstud/spyderhole/etc is fair game. The feeling on the local forum is that it's been intentionally worded this way to allow all one-handed opening knives to be seized.

I've emailed the appropriate department to clarify this, and to also ask specifically about Slipit models, but it's not looking good....

[MIL-DOT]

I'm not at all surprised ( I don't mean this to be un-sympathetic).
In fact, I've actually been looking at getting a non-locking UK PK for when the United States ultimately goes the same route as our Aussie and Euro cousins, which I believe is inevitable, and not only with knives, but with guns,as well ( hence my revolver-kick of the last couple years :D )
And yeah, I'm fully aware of how unpopular this concept is ( from my experiences on other forums) but nevertheless, this IS the future.
And no, I ain't happy about it,either.

[psimonl]

'Single handed opening knives that have a blade recessed into the handle that can be opened with gravity, inertia or centrifugal force (including parts)'

Ambiguous much? .

Here in canada, our laws have basically the same interpretations as yours do.... being old England's colonies... :rolleyes:

Anyway, here in canada, the centrifugal situation means if a Custom Officer is able to open a knife without touching the blade, it is considered centrifugal force.

And we all know how to do this

Simon

[jylong_away]

Here in canada, our laws have basically the same interpretations as yours do.... being old England's colonies... :rolleyes:

Anyway, here in canada, the centrifugal situation means if a Custom Officer is able to open a knife without touching the blade, it is considered centrifugal force.

And we all know how to do this

Simon

Yeah, it used to be that way here with the 'flick knife' regulation, but then they became more and more liberal with the interpretation of 'centrifugal force'. Got to the stage where if you could push it mostly open with the thumbstud and then flick it the rest of the way, it was a 'flick knife'!

Now with the added term of 'single handed opener', which in my opinion, is using an industry term incorrectly, it's open slather on modern knives everywhere...

[Niles]

Why are they opposed to modern pocket knives?

[jakemex]

no freedom of any kind, one world order... enjoy slavery it's coming to your neighborhood soon.

[DRKBC]

My nail clippers are gravity openers, there mean SOB's stay out my way I've got a licence to a er ... clip

[jylong_away]

Oh dear goodness...

Have just been advised by Aus Customs that the UKPK has been classified an 'Assisted Opening Knife'!! What on earth...

[KardinalSyn]

Australia is implementing some heavy measures rather fast these few months and I suppose the security rules will get tighter further in the coming months.

With all this ongoing regional co-operation other countries may also follow suite with similar restrictions.

I guess its time to stock up at my end.

[razorsharp]

Oh dear goodness...

Have just been advised by Aus Customs that the UKPK has been classified an 'Assisted Opening Knife'!! What on earth...

Im speechless...

Heres hoping NZ doesnt follow along

[Zerimas]

I don't really understand all these knife laws. It seems like the law-making process is based on populist rhetoric rather than logic or critical thought. Then again, that seems to be the case with most laws. I hope they don't do the same in Canada. I am thankful for that our laws are so "lax" in comparison to many places.

[dem0n1k]

Yes very sad news. my importer has confirmed that any ball-bearing lock or compression lock spyderco will fail the new customs "test". there is still a bit of question mark over one-handed openers that use a frame or liner lock. Basically the "test" is that if they can operate the lock & the blade can be flicked out of the handle it will fail.

not exactly the xmas news i wanted to hear right after reading the awesome new 2012 spyderco catalog there goes any chance i had of owning a manix xl still... these are just IMPORT laws... if spyderco opened a manufacturing plant in australia......

the laws make no sense & serve no real purpose. they are just about law-makers & lobby-groups justifying their useless existences.

o well ... at least i have this forum (& the picture gallery) to enjoy the new spydies vicariously through you guys ``@_@``

[SteelDragon]

Here in canada, our laws have basically the same interpretations as yours do.... being old England's colonies... :rolleyes:

Anyway, here in canada, the centrifugal situation means if a Custom Officer is able to open a knife without touching the blade, it is considered centrifugal force.
And we all know how to do this

Simon

That would include over 90% of my knives, Para's, Manix's, Military, etc etc. That's just wrong and I feel for all of you that have to deal with these political laws.

Any issues with fixed blades? Spyderco may need to up the fixed blade production to keep the profits rolling in.

[jylong_away]

Yes very sad news. my importer has confirmed that any ball-bearing lock or compression lock spyderco will fail the new customs "test". there is still a bit of question mark over one-handed openers that use a frame or liner lock. Basically the "test" is that if they can operate the lock & the blade can be flicked out of the handle it will fail.

I think it's worse than that. The customs guy I emailed has confirmed that any knife that can be opened with one hand (thumbstud/spyderhole) will be considered a one-handed opener and seized, irregardless of 'flickability'.

That being said this is from the guys in HQ in canberra. I assume each official at the various checkpoints will determine on the day...*sigh*

[razorsharp]

you guys need a petition
post in all forums
get support from all you can

[dem0n1k]

Any issues with fixed blades? Spyderco may need to up the fixed blade production to keep the profits rolling in.

oh yes. along with the new import restrictions on folders.... we are also hit with a new import restriction on fixed & folding blades that are "designed as fighting knives".

so stuff like karambits & warriors are definitely restricted import & any "hunting" knife would probably be risky to import in case the customs officer decides that you might want to fight the animal you are hunting with it... or something like that

[DRKBC]

So its worse to get stabbed with a folder than a fixed blade? Seriously, I am not a criminal and I don't use my knives for self defence (if I ever did need to use one for SD purposes I would use the but end before I ever,ever opened it) so, so dumb.

[Zerimas]

We need a way to fight all this silly legislation. Unfortunately, it is far too easy for us to be depicted as a bunch of stab-crazy psychopaths. Even if one does make a carefully reasoned point as to how the legislation is silly, it is unlikely that politicians will repeal it because no one wants to look soft on "weapons" in eyes of voters. I feel like once these laws are enacted there is zero chance of repealing them.

There might be some hope however, in Canada they are trying to do away with the long gun registry--legislation which has been described as "feel-good" as it does nothing to actually combat violence and gun crime which are far too complicated to address with a bit of simple law making. I feel like this is a bit of "feel-good" legislation as well. Maybe if all you Aussies banded together and pointed out the purposeless of your new law you could have some hope changing it? I feel as if the general populace will never be supportive of knife-carry, but one thing they are definitely against is useless and wasteful policies.

[dem0n1k]

I think it's worse than that. The customs guy I emailed has confirmed that any knife that can be opened with one hand (thumbstud/spyderhole) will be considered a one-handed opener and seized, irregardless of 'flickability'.

****. i hope not...

you guys need a petition
post in all forums
get support from all you can

of course the whole knife community are united in their opposition to the laws & are doing what they can. i don't hold out a lot of hope given the history of such changes. :|

yeh DRKBC it's really stupid. most assaults with knives are kitchen knives in domestic disputes... no call to ban their import coz even retarded lobby groups need to cut their food.

[Minibear453]

Unfortunately, common sense isn't used much when it comes to knife laws. Here in cali, a bunch of gangs were toting the balisong, and combined with hollywood's use of them as the choice of weapons for all criminals, some genius decided that by taking away the balisong, all knife-related murders will cease. There's no reason a balisong works better than another knife, in fact, it might be worse than a fixed blade. Yet, it's illegal. I feel sorry for you australians. But maybe, if the dealers glue the pivot together.... and you use a heat gun to remove the glue? :p