Does Benchmade's "Axis Lock" make it a gravity knife?

Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Messages
32
Let me start of by saying i'm new to legal definitions of knives.

I live here in Maryland where, unlike guns, knives aren't restricted as much as other states. Still not great, though.

My understanding of a gravity knive is that the blade opens with gravity or inertia. Or something like that. If I engage the axis lock with the blade closed, it will swing open, if the knife is angled correctly.

Could somebody clarify? It never occurred to me until today. I don't understand what butterfly knives are illegal, for instance. I can open any assisted opener or even a non-assisted opener much faster than a butterfly knife. But, whatever.

Axis lock = gravity knife? Thanks!

PS: Secondary question. Assisted openers in Maryland? I really want a Sog Aegis but am shaky on maryland law.

Maryland law states: § 4-105.

(a) A person may not sell, barter, display, or offer to sell or barter:

(1) a knife or a penknife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife, commonly called a switchblade knife or a switchblade penknife; or

(2) a device that is designed to propel a knife from a metal sheath by means of a high-compression ejector spring, commonly called a shooting knife.

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to

It seems like when you open an assisted opener you ARE applying pressure to a spring, which according to (1) would classify it as a switchblade. Am I wrong? I know its commonly held that it is legal to carry them, but that would seem to make it illegal.

Ive talked to cops but that has been a worthless endeavor. One said yes as long as it is under 3 inches which is clearly incorrect since there is no length requirement in MD for pen knives. The other said no its a switchblade. A third said completely legal. Lol! Any clarification?

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
Hello fellow MDer.

Actually 4-105 does not apply to butterfly knives or "gravity knives." Common misconception, because if you read that, it has no way to be applied to either. The words "hand pressure applied...in the handle of the knife" limits the applicability of this statute to "true switchblades."

The balisong (the formal term for a butterfly), axis lock knives and Assisted opening knives are all technically a "penknives," the explicitly exempted item under 4-101. In Mackall v. State, 1978, the high court of Maryland (the Court of Appeals) ruled that
"Penknives today are commonly considered to encompass any knife with the blade folding into the handle, some very large."

Balisongs and the others fold into their handle and are not switchblades; thus are penknives. This was upheld and further emphasized in Sorrell v McGuigan.
 
Thx glistam. Did I see you over ad Mdshooters?

No I'm not a member on that forum; I don't own any guns. I'm not anti-gun, I just never bought any because I have nowhere local to shoot, and MD doesn't have carry permits.
 
Back
Top