Why are switchblades illegal and machetes legal?

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I have a fine Italian switchblade (a pearl handled side-opener, not a lame chintzy stilleto), and while I sometimes bring it with me out on the town, I'm constantly remembering what a buddy told me:

"Be careful with that, bro... that's the same as a gun to a cop."

Is that true? Why? How come axes are legal then?

I suspect switchblades are more of symbol for something than a truly feared and dreadful weapon. Brass knuckles are illegal, but baseball bats are fine?

― andy, Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Because they're concealable?

― THAT Adam Levine (deangulberry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I believe it has to do with the fact that in the US it's ok to carry a knife, as long as it is not a *concealed* knife.
xpost, yeah what he said.

― Orbit (Orbit), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

machetes can be used for cutting sugar cane! switchblades don't have that feature.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

You cannot wear a machete in town either. No blade longer than 6 inches.

― Michael White (Hereward), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

It doesn't make much sense though because you can do a lot of damage with unconcealable things as well, but those things seem to have other purposes often.

― THAT Adam Levine (deangulberry), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

A regular pocket knife is concealable. Maybe it has to do with uh....ease of use in a quick stabbing situation?

― From a Land of Grass Without Mirrors (AaronHz), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Brass knuckles and switchblades' primary use is as a weapon. A machetes primary us is a gardening tool, a baseball bats primary use is as a sports, uh, implement? Nevertheless, if you were wandering through town w/a machete or a baseball bat in yr hand, I'm sure the cops wd pull you in an instant.

a friend caught a burglar trying to get into his neigbours house a few years ago, and he beat the shit out of him w/a broom handle. The cops weren't bothered by this, and he took the oppurtunity to ask them about home security. They told him not to keep a baseball bat in the house, keep a cricket bat instead. That way, you're more likely to get away w/using it on an intruder. Obv, this only works in the uk!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:54 (twenty-one years ago)

andy you trouble me

― kyle (akmonday), Thursday, 28 October 2004 20:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Hi dean! Why are you Adam?

― Orbit (Orbit), Thursday, 28 October 2004 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess my point is that there are all sorts of lethal, small knives that can be bought, owned, and carried in the pocket, even some that pop open quite quickly. Butterfly knives are legal in many states, though not in California.

I can legally but a pistol, but I can't buy a switchblade, and that's fucked.

― andy, Thursday, 28 October 2004 21:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Fortunately, the Italians with their "discreet packaging" have made our beloved little friends eminently available:
http://www.switchblade.net/

― andy, Thursday, 28 October 2004 21:07 (twenty-one years ago)

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