Is the Kershaw Chive legally a Switchbalde in TN?

[D3vo]

I am just getting into knives and found one I like. The knife will be used for EDC so I am a little concerned this knife meets the legal definition of a Switchblade.

(17) "Switchblade knife" means any knife that has a blade which opens automatically by:

(A) Hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle; or

( Operation of gravity or inertia

I know legal advice is what you pay for, but looking for some opinions.

Here is the a link for the knife. The part that concerns me is "It's easy to release with the press of a button."

Kershaw Chive (Plain) Knife at The Kershaw Store

[Mike]

No.

[Guest bkelm18]

That's pretty clearly assisted opening. It's legal. There's no "button" on the handle to make it open. Any operation has to be accomplished by moving the blade.

[willis68]

Absolutely not, it is perfectly legal

[TM01]

I thought the same about having the "leek" version but like the "chive" it is legal to carry. Great knives for the money.

[D3vo]

I appreciate your posts.

If I understand, the difference rests in the definition between automatic and assisted.

Before I buy does anyone have other suggestions for an EDC? I am looking for light weight and under $50.00

I want knife priced to be used a not looked at.

[Oh Shoot]

I appreciate your posts.

If I understand, the difference rests in the definition between automatic and assisted.

Before I buy does anyone have other suggestions for an EDC? I am looking for light weight and under $50.00

I want knife priced to be used a not looked at.

Well, if you like Kershaw, but are still leery of the assisted opening model (although it IS legit), they make several non assisted flipper models. Most folks rave about the Skyline -- US made, razor sharp, very light and flat. Wally was even selling them for a while, maybe still -- it's in the ~$35 range.

It's not a brute, but should be quite serviceable for most EDC tasks.

- OS

[D3vo]

I am comfortable the Kershaw is legit, but I am not commited to it. Just wanted to reach out for some other blade options to throw into the decision.

[Moped]

Kershaw makes a good knife. You also might checkout Spyderco (The Byrd Cara Cara has a solid reputation in that price range), CRKT (The M16 seems to be a popular knife), SOG (I like the Large SOGzilla) and of course Buck (hard to beat the old 110, but it's not a flipper). I recommend you also checkout SMKW.com. They probably have the best selection around.

Edited October 4, 2011 by Moped

[Major Kong]

The Kershaw Blur is a great little assisted opening knife in that price range.

[willis68]

The Kershaw Blur is a great little assisted opening knife in that price range.

Agreed, I would go that route for your price range

[Magiccarpetrides]

I bought an unassisted kershaw skyline for $30 at wally world...its been awesome

[Erik88]

Syderco Tenacious is hard to beat for around $31 shipped on Amazon.

[VERO1]

I have 3 kershaws that I rotate for EDC. Excellent knives that stand up to my abuse with no problems.

[DaveTN]

Is there an AG opinion or case law on this?

Whether or not it is a switchblade is determined in this order, the responding Officers, the DA, a Judge or jury.

There is a thread on Bladeforums about a guy arrested in Illinois after open carrying a Kershaw Chive into a casino. I haven’t read both states laws myself, but from what is posted Illinois law reads the same as Tennessee’s on switchblades.

His charges were eventually dropped but he was arrested, handcuffed, and transported to the jail for booking (according to the story).

I carry an assisted opening Gerber, but I don’t advertise my carry, and the chances of me being stopped and searched are pretty slim.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to post links to other forums, so if you want to read it, go to bladeforums and search “Kershaw Chive under attack in Illinoisâ€.

[Oh Shoot]

... and of course Buck (hard to beat the old 110, but it's not a flipper). ...

No, but the excellent Buck Vantage series are unassisted flippers. I'm carrying a Vantage Pro right now (among some others )

- OS

[Oh Shoot]

Is there an AG opinion or case law on this?...

I think the case law is simply the lack of prosecution in the state, especially after the feds clarified the definition in an opinion few years ago.

- OS

[D3vo]

After reading the forum post DaveTN mentioned I decided to go with the Spyderco Ambitious, the little brother to the Syderco Tenacious. The bonus; the weight is less than the Chive and weight very important to me.