If you’re a hunter, an emergency medical technician, or you work outdoors and need something handy to cut through soft materials, you may need to own an automatic knife. If you need to defend yourself against fatal threats, it is also important that you have a switchblade.
But before considering whether you should or shouldn’t have an automatic knife, you need to find out whether it is legal to possess and carry the knife in your state. This is why we are here to give you the list of states that legalized and criminalized automatic knife possession and carrying.
But before showing you that list, let’s first find out what an automatic knife is and how it works.
What Is Automatic Knife?
An automatic knife is a kind of pocketknife that you can release and retract its blade by pressing or pushing a button. It has a spring that automatically releases the blade when you push the button. This is why it is called an automatic knife.
This kind of penknife is also known as switchblade. So when you see switchblade mentioned in this article, know that we are also referring to an automatic knife.
How Does an Automatic Knife Work?
Automatic knives work by releasing a safety catch that holds the blade activating spring. When this spring moves, the blade is deployed immediately and with a great speed. After the blade is deployed, the catch is automatically put back into position to prevent accidental closure or retraction of the blade while still in use.
After using the blade, it has to be returned to the sheath for safety.
You may need to know that automatic knives come with different designs that work slightly differently. It all depends on the manufacturer. So, when you buy one, look at the buttons it has to know how it works. If it has a manual, read through it too.
How to Use an Automatic Knife
If you must own an automatic knife, you need to learn how to use it. Here are a few tips on how to use one:
- Slide down the safety lock, if it has one.
- Press the blade release button to deploy the blade. Remember to keep your hands out of the way while doing this.
- After use, push down the blade to retract it.
- Return the safety lock (if that is how the knife works).
- Remember to read the manual and follow the design of your switchblade when using it.
Should You Have an Automatic Knife?
One of the questions many people ask is whether they need to have an automatic knife. Well, the answer to this depends on a lot of things, one of which is why you want to have one in the first place.
All the same, here a few cases, where you should use a switchblade:
- For self-defense.
- In emergency situations, such as rescue operations, where you need to cut off some materials. Imagine how it will come in handy in a car crash, where there is a need to cut a seatbelt.
- Hunting and other outdoor activities that need quick access to knives.
- Proves handy for law enforcers, the military and other tactical cases.
So now that you know when to use automatic knives, you may wish to know why it is a must have, especially if you do any of the things we mentioned above. Well, here are some reasons you should have a switchblade:
- You can operate it with one hand. This means you only need a free hand to open the blade in cases of emergency, self-defense, or when you just want to focus on what you’re doing while fetching the blade.
- It is quick to deploy. This means you don’t have to waste time unfolding your knife when you want to use it.
- It is durable (that is, if you get a good one) because it is made with materials that can protect the blade from damaging when it’s retracted.
- Good ones are equipped with safety devices that prevent accidental deployment when in your pocket or closure when you’re using it.
- It is handy if you are working with gloves.
Caution while Using Automatic Knife
As attractive as automatic knives are, you have to be very careful while using it. You need to learn how to open, grip, cut through, and close the knife safely. If you have never used one before, you should seek professional advice on how to do that.
But while looking for a coach in this case, here are some tips to bear in mind:
- Make sure your hand is stretched out of your body while releasing the blade.
- Also make sure there is nobody close by as you do this.
- Remember to keep your hands and fingers away from the path of the blade when releasing it.
- Make sure your grip is firm.
- Sheath your knife when it’s not in use.
- Read the usage manual for the maintenance guidelines.
Automatic Knife Legal States
Fortunately, automatic knife is legal in many parts of the United States. However, they have different legal status in these states. For example, while some allow its carrying without any form of restrictions, others place different levels of restrictions.
This means that when you want to buy your switchblade, you should first find out if it’s legal in your state. All the same, we are going to show you the list of states with restrictions and those without.
But let’s first look at the states that out rightly banned automatic knife carrying. If you’re living in any of these states, you should carry a switchblade:
- Hawaii
- Washington
And if you live in any of the following 12 states, you can acquire a switchblade but you should first find out the restrictions for its carrying:
- California
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
If you live in any of the 36 states that we didn’t mention, it means you’re in the part of the United States that has no restrictions on possessing and carrying automatic knives. So, you can go ahead and get one for yourself now.
Let’s Wrap It Up
You have seen how amazing it is to have a switchblade, especially when you are a hunter, a law enforcer, an emergency medical technician, a military officer, or you’re need some sort of self-defense. However, you need to learn how to use the knife to avoid hurting yourself or the wrong people. You should also make sure it’s legal to possess and carry automatic knives in your state so you don’t break the law unknowingly. Fortunately, we have given you the list of switchblade legal states so you can make the right decision now.