Knife law loop hole in Australia

[RattusRattus]

I am not sure if this is the right forum to post this in. I apologize in advance if it is not.

While out and about today I learned about an interesting loop hole in Australia's knife laws - specifically one which allows knives with thumb assisted opening mechanisms to be imported and sold in Australia. It's to do with Australia's free trade agreement with New Zealand. Long story short, knives made in New Zealand, like Hunters Element's knives (which have thumb assisted opening studs) can be imported and sold in Australia.

It may also apply to knives which are "repackaged" in New Zealand. Certain grocery stores in Australia have been importing "New Zealand" fruit and veg which was imported to New Zealand from China and repackaged in New Zealand.

I am not advocating that anyone, or any knife making business for that matter, does this sort of thing. But it is interesting.

Also, Hungers Elements makes good knives. Not the best steel, but well worth the price!

 

[Morrow]

Let's move this to Knife Laws.

 

[Chris Larrikin]

Potential loophole aside, I think Aussie Customs have now adopted a less broad definition of "one handed opening knives" and no longer arbitrarily seize knives just for a thumb stud. Plenty of knives with thumb studs/holes have been recently legally imported and I think they're more concerned with assisted openers (including waved knives and flippers) and those which can be flicked open with wrist movement. I have a draft email enquiry saved somewhere on this infernal machine and I really should send it off to see if I can get a written answer to share.

 

[RattusRattus]

I would be very interested in any answer you might get!

And sorry for not finding the Knife Law section. It seems I didn't look hard enough before posting.