impounded assisted knife
Moderator: Moderators
impounded assisted knife
Hey guys,
just wondering if anyones had an assisted knife seized before and if youve managed to dispute it and get it back.
apparently.. this is the current legislation:
Flick knives or similiar device, made of any material, that have a blade folded or recessed into the handle which opens automatically by:
a) gravity or centrifugal force; or
b) pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attatched to the handle of the device.
I rang customs and the girl said that as she understood it... that meant that there was some sort of device in the handle that helped open the blade and it didnt matter how much it helped.. whether it be 1% or 100% like a flick knife.
I said that to me.. it sounds like the release had to be attatched to the handle of the device ie. button..lever etc.
An assisted knife has to have manual pressure applied to the blade itself which doesnt fall in the same category but she disagreed.
any ideas?
thanks
just wondering if anyones had an assisted knife seized before and if youve managed to dispute it and get it back.
apparently.. this is the current legislation:
Flick knives or similiar device, made of any material, that have a blade folded or recessed into the handle which opens automatically by:
a) gravity or centrifugal force; or
b) pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attatched to the handle of the device.
I rang customs and the girl said that as she understood it... that meant that there was some sort of device in the handle that helped open the blade and it didnt matter how much it helped.. whether it be 1% or 100% like a flick knife.
I said that to me.. it sounds like the release had to be attatched to the handle of the device ie. button..lever etc.
An assisted knife has to have manual pressure applied to the blade itself which doesnt fall in the same category but she disagreed.
any ideas?
thanks
I find that talking to Keith Spencer at Australian Knife Collectors on laws and regulations is best, he has contacts in the various departments as well and has advised on laws and interpretation. I think you can get exemption if you are disabled and can show a usage, or are a member of Rescue/Security/Armed Forces but I am working from memory of an earlier debate elsewhere - so ask Keith and support him if you appreciate his assistance by joining the AKC (only $25 a year).
http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/akc-homepage.html
TEL: 08 9572 7255 FAX: 08 9572 7266
http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/akc-homepage.html
TEL: 08 9572 7255 FAX: 08 9572 7266
- jindydiver
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:06 pm
- Location: ACT
An assisted opening knife (like the kershaw Ken Onion series) is not a "flick knife" and is legal under the Customs act. Whoever it is you spoke to is talking out their backside and needs to go get themselves a job at a sheltered workshop. The Customs officer who is holding your knife is overstepping their authority if they think it is up to them to add whatever definition they feel like to the regulations.
Ring Kieth Spencer, he will set them straight.
Ring Kieth Spencer, he will set them straight.
Mick
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
its a buck rush and i tried to explain to the customs girl how an assisted is different to a flick knife but she refused to listen so i gave up.
ive got 30 days to lodge a form to try to get the knife released...ARGH!
Ill give Keith a call, thanks guys!
just out of curiousity... has he managed to get confiscated assisteds released before?
ive got 30 days to lodge a form to try to get the knife released...ARGH!
Ill give Keith a call, thanks guys!
just out of curiousity... has he managed to get confiscated assisteds released before?
- jindydiver
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:06 pm
- Location: ACT
-
- Posts: 550
- Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:43 am
- Location: Melbourne Australia
- jindydiver
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:06 pm
- Location: ACT
It isn't a problem at all. The assisted opening knives are not covered by the definition of "flick knives" that is in the Prohibited weapons act, and if that knife is a prohibited weapon then every knife seller in Australia who is selling assisted openers in their shop is breaking the law. Seeing as we aren't seeing knife shops being raided by Customs or the Federal Police you can be sure that assisted openers are fully legal to import and own in Australia.
from the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
Schedule 1 Prohibited weapons
(Section 4 (1))
1 Knives
(1) A flick knife (or other similar device) that has a blade which opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by any pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the handle of the knife.
from the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
19 Flick knives or similar devices, made of any material, that have a blade
folded or recessed into the handle which opens automatically by:
(a) gravity or centrifugal force; or
(b) pressure applied to a button, spring or device in or attached to the
handle of the device
Mick
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
thats what i said to the customs girl and her reply was "yes... they probably are selling them illegally in the country then"
the guy from the community protection said the same thing, "there are things that arent allowed in the country but are beeing sold anyway".
Im just going to wait for keith and get his opinion. hopefully he can do something about my Rush.
the guy from the community protection said the same thing, "there are things that arent allowed in the country but are beeing sold anyway".
Im just going to wait for keith and get his opinion. hopefully he can do something about my Rush.
-
- Posts: 550
- Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:43 am
- Location: Melbourne Australia
I know adding this is no real help in your situation but if you are looking for a real easy opening/closing (one hander) the older Buck Ghost Tactical is being sold pretty cheap 40/50 AUD $ in some Oz shops. Its not Buck USA made but seems pretty reasonable Quality/same guarantee's and a easy opener.Assuming you dont mind a camo blade.
- Chuditch
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:15 am
- Location: From Newman, Edge of the Little Sandy Desert
- Contact:
I had a triple action folder (like a bali song) taken from me by customs which I put down to bad luck and a lesson to be learnt. I do remember the letter from customs saying that I could try to dispute the decision but it was unlikely that I would be succesful or words to that effect.... It just seemed a bit harsh, like they were heavying me or something.
for an easy open folder I rate the spyderco endura wave, it has a neat little 'wave' on top of the blade that catches in your pocket and hey presto knife is open. Nice because it does not spring out completely open and you can choose to return it to the folded position or open it completely with a little flick of the wrist. Good for one handed operation if you need it.
for an easy open folder I rate the spyderco endura wave, it has a neat little 'wave' on top of the blade that catches in your pocket and hey presto knife is open. Nice because it does not spring out completely open and you can choose to return it to the folded position or open it completely with a little flick of the wrist. Good for one handed operation if you need it.
Can you go up the food chain at customs, ie, her boss, and find some one who reads the legal defininition literally and not by personal interpretation.
I have a Puma Prince locking folder, which has a fairly deep blade. By holding the back of the blade between thumb and finger and giving it a downwards flick, hey presto. 4" of clip point blade in 1/2 a second.
And mine is legal............
Just to be clear, mine is my bunny knife
Bali song knives are Butterfly knives and are designed purely for anti social purposes, it is no wonder it was confiscated.
They are a lousy shape for a hunting blade anyway in my opinion.
I have a Puma Prince locking folder, which has a fairly deep blade. By holding the back of the blade between thumb and finger and giving it a downwards flick, hey presto. 4" of clip point blade in 1/2 a second.
And mine is legal............
Just to be clear, mine is my bunny knife
Bali song knives are Butterfly knives and are designed purely for anti social purposes, it is no wonder it was confiscated.
They are a lousy shape for a hunting blade anyway in my opinion.
Three things you can never take back, time past, an angry word and a well sped arrow
- Chuditch
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 12:15 am
- Location: From Newman, Edge of the Little Sandy Desert
- Contact:
Woody
At the time I had the knife in question imported they were still available for legal sale in Australia. Note that I said it is like a bali song.I had a triple action folder (like a bali song) taken from me by customs which I put down to bad luck and a lesson to be learnt.
DjidiDjidi, Nullark Gullart Nyarrt.
- jindydiver
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2004 3:06 pm
- Location: ACT
Balisongs can come in all the blade shapes we use in hunting, and they are not "designed purely for anti social purposes", the handles are just another form of sheath for the blade. If there was a definition of "designed purely for anti social purposes" the bayonet would be right up there, but you don't see them restricted, the problem is that law makers are only human and they were scared after seeing West Side Story and thought that banning a knife would prevent all gang crimewoody wrote:
Bali song knives are Butterfly knives and are designed purely for anti social purposes, it is no wonder it was confiscated.
They are a lousy shape for a hunting blade anyway in my opinion.
Mick
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln