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**Bill Harsey** · 06-25-2009, 09:32

For general notice:
US Customs and Border Protection is proposing a ban on the import of any folding knife that has assisted opening.
An assisted opening folder is one where the spring holds the blade closed until the blade is manually opened then the spring assists in rotating the blade to the full open and locked position.
The reason for this is simply utility of use and this type of folding knife is estimated to be owned by 35 million United States citizens.

The way the proposed rule change is written this could effectively ban the import of any pocket knife that can be opened with one hand, IE a thumbstud or Spyderco with opening in the blade for thumb.
Many knives designed and sold by United States knife and tool manufacturers are produced in Europe, Taiwan and China. No matter what ones opinion of Chinese manufacturing, this is a fact of life and is how many affordable pocket knives are produced for the mass market and other outlets including AAFES.

Here is where it gets better, many states base their state law on US Customs law and said knives could become illegal to own, carry or transport interstate.

In Atlanta for Blade Show earlier this month I attended a meeting of the CEO's and owners of all the major United States knife and tool manufacturers.
The proposed US Customs rule change was the single topic on the table.
The rule change is written in a broad and non specific manner and could be used to define any pocket knife that can somehow be opened with one hand as illegal.

US Customs allowed only the minium thirty day period for comments and emails were not being accepted. By the time industry found out about this issue, one week was gone. US Customs denied the multiple requests by industry and lawmakers for an extension of the comment period.

Here is a recent article on the topic: http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009...-with-critics/

Please know that myself and others in the greater knife and tool industry have great respect for the difficulty and importance of the work done by US Customs and Border Protection. We do however have a serious concern about this proposed rule change and the effect it would have on the legal ownership of pocket knives for United States citizens.

If you have an interest in this issue, please see the thread on this same topic in the knife area here.

Thank you.

06-25-2009, 09:32	#1
Bill Harsey Bladesmith to the Quiet Professionals Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oregon, Land of the Silver Grey Sunsets Posts: 3,886	US Customs Proposed Pocket Knife Ban For general notice: US Customs and Border Protection is proposing a ban on the import of any folding knife that has assisted opening. An assisted opening folder is one where the spring holds the blade closed until the blade is manually opened then the spring assists in rotating the blade to the full open and locked position. The reason for this is simply utility of use and this type of folding knife is estimated to be owned by 35 million United States citizens. The way the proposed rule change is written this could effectively ban the import of any pocket knife that can be opened with one hand, IE a thumbstud or Spyderco with opening in the blade for thumb. Many knives designed and sold by United States knife and tool manufacturers are produced in Europe, Taiwan and China. No matter what ones opinion of Chinese manufacturing, this is a fact of life and is how many affordable pocket knives are produced for the mass market and other outlets including AAFES. Here is where it gets better, many states base their state law on US Customs law and said knives could become illegal to own, carry or transport interstate. In Atlanta for Blade Show earlier this month I attended a meeting of the CEO's and owners of all the major United States knife and tool manufacturers. The proposed US Customs rule change was the single topic on the table. The rule change is written in a broad and non specific manner and could be used to define any pocket knife that can somehow be opened with one hand as illegal. US Customs allowed only the minium thirty day period for comments and emails were not being accepted. By the time industry found out about this issue, one week was gone. US Customs denied the multiple requests by industry and lawmakers for an extension of the comment period. Here is a recent article on the topic: http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009...-with-critics/ Please know that myself and others in the greater knife and tool industry have great respect for the difficulty and importance of the work done by US Customs and Border Protection. We do however have a serious concern about this proposed rule change and the effect it would have on the legal ownership of pocket knives for United States citizens. If you have an interest in this issue, please see the thread on this same topic in the knife area here. Thank you.
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