are button lock Knives illegal?

[rakden]

I know it depends of the state. but I got a little confussed here.
I have read that a button lock knife falls in to the category of gravity knife
is that true?

 

[glistam]

Not necessarily. Actual definitions of gravity knife, both statute and case law, varies a great deal by state.

Now here is a real gravity knife, just for comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xjsyAFSl6s

Note how its defining feature is a switch that releases the blade, and allows the blade to fall open by gravity alone. While knife aficionados like us know full well what a real gravity knife is, the laws written about them are usually very badly worded and often seem to be intent on targeting butterfly knives, with mixed results. What amuses me is true gravity knives are not very good fighting blades if you ask me. There is nothing special about them that makes them better at combat than a conventional locking folder or a fixed blade.

Generally speaking in most jurisdictions, if you have to hold the lock down, then apply inertia to "flip" the blade open using your arm, it's not a gravity knife. There is some confusion over this in New York where they have ruled that any locking knife that can be flipped open is a gravity knife. But I don't know much about it other than, to the best of my knowledge, they are the only state with such a definition.

 

[rakden]

that's what I thought, and It was actually the New Yourk law that was confusing to me..

thanks...