Importing Folding Knives to Australia: My Recent Experience

[TheCaptn]

I just had an Ontario RAT-1 seized and I'm trying to figure out how best to fight the decision (if at all). It's a simple liner-lock knife with a thumb stud and no buttons or devices on the handle, and was deemed prohibited by virtue of being a 'Single Handed Opening Knife'.

I'd missed the "double jeopardy" part of the letter, so thanks for that. I guess I'll also try the import permit process and see if the Tasmanian authorities are any more reasonable.

[AussieMark909]

@TheCaptn I've heard the Tassie cops are a bit more resonable with this stuff. It's the only way you have any chance of seeing your knife. Don't waste your time trying to change the customs decision, it just won't happen. Good luck.

[TheCaptn]

@AussieMark909 Well the letter's gone out today, with 18 days left on the clock. I'm kind of resigned to failure now though, whereas a week ago I was full of righteous indignation and a sense that surely reason must prevail... Nothing to do now but wait.

[AussieMark909]

@TheCaptn Good luck mate.

[dem0n1k]

Some one needs to make a Crocodile Dundee parody about AU customs... "that's not a flick knife!" ;) I had a Byrd Raven (89mm blade, liner-lock) seized just last month as a one handed flick knife. Lucky it was only $25 I guess. I will note that the latest seizure forms are now in colour! They must be doing alright down there at customs.

[AussieMark909]

@dem0n1k The whole shambles is a parody of sensible legislation and policy IMHO.

[Mykem1977]

Tried to get a Kershaw Drone in got seized by our lovely laws. But got a Katana in no worries at all. Thats a classic case of stupid people making rules that have absolutely no idea about the things they are banning and letting through.....................

[AussieMark909]

@Mykem1977 Presumably all knife crime is commited by folks using one hand opening folders ;)

[gizmocraft]

Were arent allowed any basic firearms ars , hunting rifles , even shotguns now no knives this country is seriously fucked mark everyday i consider defecting to america

[ikill4joy]

Why do people not let us Aussies have knives? Think about it. Most people stabbed are assaulted with kitchen knives. We aren't going to waste money on stabbing some guy we are going to spend money on usefull knives for bushcraft etc.

[TheBushCapital]

I hope that I never receive one of those letters. Thanks for the informative video.

[314194]

Before the new Grab it all legislation that came in (quietly) in December 2011, you could lodge a complaint with the the Ombudsman, but now they have the legislation that they always wanted. Customs have been interpreting the legislation to suit themselves for years now, whilst I understand that they had a job to do, I once complained to an officer there stating that we do live in a Democracy and was advised yes but its an Australian Democracy, which I took to mean that they do! and we don't.

[AussieMark909]

@314194 It truly is sad how our freedoms are being eroded. Even worse is that thanks to the insidious ways it is happening, most people are either unaware of it, or believe the propaganda thats it's done in our best interests.

[DeludedManiac]

Generic Kershaw thumb-stud and Spyderco Ladybug seized coming from USA to Perth.. Joy..

I can go and buy a crossbow down the road with no license, but no 3 inch blade for me.

Hmm, wondering where to move ...

[AussieMark909]

@DeludedManiac I know how you feel my friend. It sure does not make any kind of sense to me.

[iprovokefights]

New laws passed on 14th Dec 2011 - any knife which can be opened with one hand is now illegal.

[keeiamac]

if when you are buying from over seas if possible get the company and or person you are purchasing a knife from ask them before you purchase if they can tighten the pivot screw so it will not come out until loosened hope this helps

[AussieMark909]

@keeiamac This was done. I know people kep talking about this and it might have worked sometimes under the old regulations. But the regs not say no to any folder that can be opened with one hand. Mine were siezed nder the old regs, so if you decide to try this you are taking quite a risk I think.

[keeiamac]

@AussieMark909 oh wow would you possibly be able to link me to a sight explaining all the regulation please. as i have a fair few folding knives that can be opened one handed.

[AussieMark909]

@keeiamac There are links in the description.

[KINDABUSYHERE]

To comment on when you mentioned emailing them a link to the knife/knives on the manufacturers website. I emailed them about two knives myself recently and provided them links for each of them one being from the manufacturers website itself, apparently "Customs can't access the links I provided" and now I've gotta provide pics and descriptions of them myself. I'm not sure if since you made the video they've changed their stance on links in emails or what's happened but that's what I was told.

[KINDABUSYHERE]

@KINDABUSYHERE Cheers for the video as well, Mark. Would have put that in as well but didn't have the room.

[BaudouinIX]

Yeah good video mate, the centrifugal force phrase is a tricky one. I recently ordered some folding knives with thumbstud openings and I thought I read and understood the legislation and thought everything would be fine plus I saw similar models being sold at camping stores here in SA but obviously very overpriced. But then somebody on a blade forum told me customs confiscate thumbstud or spyderhole folders, so thankfully my US supplier had not mailed them yet so I promptly cancelled it!

[AussieMark909]

@BaudouinIX Thanks for the commment my friend. There have been chamges just recently and not anything that can be opened with one hand is not allowed. Also the regs specically mention flipper designs as not allowed. I can recommend a local supplier who may be able to help you. If interested PM me.

[CrowPollock]

That sucks so much...

[NOTuNOTme]

Is there any size limit for importing fixed blade knives?

[AussieMark909]

@NOTuNOTme No, fixed blades have no size restriction (swords into Victoria may be a different matter due to that state's laws). Be aware that some types of fixed blades are restricted i.e push knives, double edged blades, trench knives. The PDF that is linked in the description is worth reading.

[00116332]

Thanks for the good luck, after watching this vid i think i'm going to need it too. I ordered a knife from the US last week, a somewhat inexpensive Byrd Cara Cara 2 G10 though inexpensive i'd still be unhappy if it does get seized by Customs. You mentioned the locking mechanism, being that the Byrd is a fully manual with a back lock, what do you think my chances are?

[AussieMark909]

@00116332 The locking system is not the issue. If the customs officer who inspects it can get it to flick open, it's gone. Having said the package may not even be opened. The only consistent thing with all this is the inconsistency.

[00116332]

@AussieMark909 I got my package in the mail today complete with sticker saying it had been opened by Australia Post for inspection by Customs and inside a note stating no items have been removed. I guess i was lucky. Though going back to what you said about the Customs officer being able to flick it open, i've had a SOG Tomcat 3.0 for about 4 years now and i can see that trying to flick open my Byrd is definitely going to be a learning curve. Thanks for the awesome vids.

[NOTuNOTme]

Thanks for posting this informative video AussieMark. I now fear my last knife order will now be seized. However my Benchmade Triage was checked and ok'd by customs 3-4 months ago. Perhaps because it was still a fairly new model & not on the list, plus it comes from the factory with the blade pivot really screwed down so would pass the gravity test.

[AussieMark909]

@NOTuNOTme You were lucky that BM got through. A lot depends on the individual customs officer, it is all very inconsistent. For some real fun email them to get information on specific models import status and see how many follow up emails and so on you need to send to get an answer. Took me over two months, terrific system we have.

[MrMuffin769]

Wow, im glad I live in America, anyone over 18 can buy any knife they want here. not trying to brag.

[ihaterobbie123]

2:20

"They're an offensive weapon, I don't have any problems with that"

Congratulations, you're the victim of your own device. It's that sort of attitude which has prevented your knives reaching you. You'll throw other collecters under the bus so long as nobody messes with YOUR types of knives.

You have my sympathy inasmuch as you've obeyed the law and been screwed. That you have to live under such laws is only deserving considering your attitude.

[AussieMark909]

@ihaterobbie123 You make some sweeping assertions there based on a few words out of an entire video. This is quite funny and says more about you than it does about me. I am not looking for sympathy. This video is to hopefully help others in my country avoid this happening to them. You seem to have little or no idea of our government and legal system so perhaps you might consider that people don't always get the government they would wish for. Politicians are all much the same in my opinion.

[ihaterobbie123]

@AussieMark909 No I did not. I made an extrapolation based on not just what you said, but what is consistant with what you said.

You expressed an ideological opposition to "offensive weapons" being brought into the country which shows you believe such weapons ar elikely to be used to harm a victim. Such a behavioral trend has brought about the laws.

Any man who seeks to impose his will upon another deserves to be hung from the nearest bridge, in this respect few politicians differ.

[AussieMark909]

@ihaterobbie123 I suspect if we got past the semantics of the words I used we are probably not to far apart in our views. I fundamentally believe that people should be responsible for their actions, and that others should not suffer restrictions due to the actions of a few. But in the world we live in, it just does not happen that way. Strong lobby groups and weak politicians are a bad combination.

[ihaterobbie123]

@AussieMark909 Perhaps, I'm a bit anal on semantics and use of language and sometimes fail to spot what may be a benign passing comment. If that's the case I apologise.

Speaking of the actions of a few, Dumblane and Port Arthur really did both our countries a fuckload of good eh? Two months bring the citizens of two Commonwealth nations to their knees begging to have restrictions placed on them.

No point lamenting over something I won't have to deal with for long, Britain's lost to the nannies.

[Optionsaregood]

Hi Mark, I have had the same experience with "Customs". I sought legal advice about this, and was abvised that there was no point trying to get my "legally owned" property back. I will try the E-mail list to Customs next time I want to place an order and see what happens. Congratulations on staying calm while doing this video, I have tried to do one, on this subject, but every time I try it turns into an angry rant, so I stop. Thanks mate.

[AussieMark909]

@Optionsaregood Actually the email option is not working for me. I sent a list of knives, heard nothing for four weeks. Sent it again with a suitably wording prompt. I then got a generic response referring me to the customs website which tells us that some knives are restricted. No kidding! I sent another response, very unimpressed. After this blast I was told my questions were being referred to their "experts", two weeks later and still nothing. What a joke. Next step is a formal complaint.

[Optionsaregood]

@AussieMark909 That's dissapointing news, I really hoped that it would work.

Good luck with the formal complaint. I would be interested to know how it turns out.

Maybe a Freedom of Information Request, via your local Federal Member of Parliment?

Thanks for the update.

[AussieMark909]

@Optionsaregood I got a response to the complaint. All apologies over the delay, emails misdirected apparently (who'd have thought eh?) etc etc. Anyway bottom line is that five out of six knives I asked about were classified as flick knives. It sure seems like anything one hand opening is public enemy number one. Good news is it only took two months (to the day) and numerous emails to get this information. The system seems to be humming along nicely.

[Optionsaregood]

@AussieMark909 Thanks for getting back to me, I guess 2 months is better than never....just. I guess its typical of such organisations to blame someone else. Next time I want to place an order for folders, I will try the E-mail approach and see what happens. Thanks again, take care mate.

[predixxion]

I think I've heard if you order from certain places you can request they take the knife apart or something, then customs won't seize it.

[JohnFrumFromAmerica]

Hi Mark i have just been done the same as you. my fallkniven p as been taken for the exact same thing what are my options? do you think i can use being in the army reserve to get permission.

[AussieMark909]

@JohnFrumFromAmerica No idea if the army reserve thing will help. You will need to try to get a B709B Import Permit approved by the police in your state. If you are in Queensland I would not waste your time, it just will not happen. Sorry to hear about your knife, this whole thing is complete BS.

[Zulohhh]

Are you allowed to own a knife in australia.... for example, if i was to buy a knife of an U.S website (Not just a spring assisted) for instince a balisong, would i be allowed a 3 inch knife with a 1.5 inch blade just to keep at home as a novilty. Keep in mind im under 18. Please respond!

[AussieMark909]

@Zulohhh If you click on the link to the customs PDF file in the video description you'll see that butterfly knives (balisongs) are not allowed. It makes no destinction regarding the size. My advice is do not attempt to import such a knife.

[Zulohhh]

@AussieMark909 Ok thanks for clearing that up..... i hate the australian knife rules.... its annoying for me because i just want to collect and im under 18 so i cant get a permit... But ill be sure to sub you and stay an active sub! thanks

[AussieMark909]

@Zulohhh Age has nothing to do with it, I'm over 40 and can't get an import permit. Basically it seems to be a big crackdown supposedly due to knife crime. Lucky that nobody uses cheap camping store knives or kitchen knives to commit crime, oh thats right...they do!

[Zulohhh]

@AussieMark909 Hahahahahaha so true..... what are they going to do next ban you from having a knife unless your a cheff or a butcher.....

[BRAWLERBOY66]

I have been told that I'd a knife can be opened with on hand and with ease it is illegal.

[RUFNIT1]

Hi Mark, thanks very much for the informative video about importing knives to Australia.

I have just emailed Customs asking about importing a Cold Steel Rajah II or III. In the same email I asked how it was possible for knives to be prevented from import privately but able to be sold commercially within Australia. I'll post the response once I get it.

I'm also looking at making a freedom of information request to Customs for their allowed knives list and will also let you know how that goes.

[AussieMark909]

@RUFNIT1 Good luck mate, it's high time customs started to do their real job and stop behaving like some kind of secret police. Where is the accountability here?

[RUFNIT1]

@AussieMark909 Well, I got a generic response to my questions to Customs and after having the matter escalated to someone who could understand what it was I was asking and NOT respond with a generic response, the response was still in the negative. They would NOT provide me with a list of knives that could be imported and advised that the Rajah II could NOT be imported and refused to answer why I could buy the knife locally but not from the US.

Ultimately I got one from an Aussie eBayer.

[aebbelwoy]

My goodness, and I thought we had tough knife restrictions here in Germany. Sorry to hear you won't ever see your two knives. That's a real shame.

[professorgentzel]

Wow, I feel genuinely sorry for you guys in Australia. I'm from Pennsylvania, USA, and I complain and whine that I cannot carry my pistol on me when I drive into NJ! You guys can't even get a Benchmade knife into the country---it's terrible what your government has done to law abiding citizens.

[AussieMark909]

@professorgentzel Thanks my friend. I think all knife people in the USA should support the Knife Rights organisation. You sure don't want to end up in our situation.

[TheDishD]

If you can show that the imported blade is avaible in Australia to purchase (website/store) like the Rat 1, send that in with your permits as well, State laws are different to each state, Tas has no weapons laws against the ownership of any blade, so best to check with your state Police and customs before importing folding blades.

[AussieMark909]

@TheDishD Trouble is that I cannot get a permit. Try this for circular logic. If a knife is on the customs controlled import list I must obtain a permit from Qld Police to import it. Qld Police have made it clear to me that because it is on the customs list they will not grant a permit. And around and around we go......

[TheDishD]

Great vid mate, i had to go thru some hoops too get my Rat1 thru customs, 4 weeks of emails, permits (Tassie has no issue or laws against owning a "flick knife", Tas police issued me a permit after filling a form) and faxs i got it.

The best way is to import blades with thumb holes, customs do not consider thumb holes the same as thumb studs, iv had one blade taken by customs because it had a thumb stud, yet in the same package the same blade with a thumb hole was let thru.. go figure.

[zogary1]

Hey mate, just thought id tell you about this company that can sort out your problem of not being able to import the axis locks.

It's

urban conquest. com. au

Iv bought a 550 from him and it arrived in australia yesterday, Id recommend him.

hope it helps

[AussieMark909]

@zogary1 Thanks mate, I'm already there :)

[sachsunkelt]

G'day Mark - I am interested in buying a SOG Spec Elite II for my collection. I own a number of Spyderco, Cold Steel and Benchmade folders and previously had no problems bring them in. Are you saying that this SOG Spec Elite II is not allowed in anymore?? Thanks in advance for your advice.

[AussieMark909]

@sachsunkelt I just had a look at it on the SOG site and I reckon it would not get through, seems very similair to BM Axis (I lost two of those). I'd suggest emailing customs with details and a link to it on the SOG site and do not spend the $ until you know. I'm pretty sure I know what the answer is going to be. I get the impression that the goal posts have recently been moved. I've read of a guy's Delica 4 FFG being seized! So good luck making sense of the "rules"

[MrJaycee500]

When I spoke with the customs officer on my seizure notice, he suggested that if a knife is picked up by the 1st agent it is passed to a 2nd for further inspection. If that knife is tightened sufficiently chances are it will not open by centrifugal force and make it through... so in the future I will be instructing any vendors to 'tighten the hell out of them' before I import...

[AussieMark909]

@MrJaycee500 This may well not work (did not in my case). You may well find yourself losing your knives and money, and of course it could get even worse.

[MrJaycee500]

Great Video Mark. Very informative... I have just had a similar experience in NSW & had 2 knives seized. A Kershaw Oso Sweet & 1 other.But ironically I have been able to bring a a spydie para II, centofante III, BM710D2, CRKT drifter, Boker Plus Titan, SOG twitch II, Gerber air ranger, & a SOG flash I with no trouble at all... Some of the boxes were labelled by customs as being inspected??? It seems to be a bit of luck with who is working on what day...

[1OkiePackRat]

Mark, very informative video. I had no idea that Austrailian import laws were so restrictive. Here in the US state that I live in (Oklahoma) you can buy and ship ANY knife, and carry pretty much anything short of a full auto.  I've never understood what makes automatic, assisted or flick type knives more dangerous in the eyes of the authorities. A fully manual non-locking Spyderco UKPK can be opened increadably fast and is legal almost anywhere. Go figure......

[IMD4VE]

Great video, very informative. Sorry to hear about your knives. I have recently just imported a BM 707 (similar to the mini grip) yet I had no such problems. I have also in the past imported other benchmades all with axis locks including the full size griptilian and yes all my knife packages were opened and inspected by customs in QLD. To me there seems to be no consistency in what they take. I must be dependent on the customs officer doing the inspection.

[IMD4VE]

One possible suggestion for a legal way around it and to beat them at there own game is to have the seller tighten up the screws on the blades pivot point so there is enough friction that it can not be opened by centrifugal force. You can then adjust the knife back to factory tension when you receive it. How ridiculous is it that someone could possibly be slapped with an offence under the weapons act yet customs will not publish there list of prohibited knifes to help people comply.

[AussieMark909]

@IMD4VE I agree it is wrong that a person can be charged when they believed in good faith the item they were importing did not breach the rules. The list should be public, after all if you can email them details and get a yes or no response, why not just post the list?

[oromoto]

I am glad where I am they have no knife importing restrictions.

[AussieMark909]

@oromoto You are so lucky my friend. Lets hope it stays that way for you.

[13irishsailors]

wow i hope this doesn't happen in the united states cause some groups are really working hard at taking away our "weapons"

[AussieMark909]

@13irishsailors Actually this "weapon perception" is part of the problem. The sheeple and powers that be see them as weapons, and promote this view. Genuine people who use and collect knives view them as tools. Baseball bats, hammers, and all manner of objects can be used as weapons, but are they going to be banned? Of course not.

[RandomXxGuy]

thanks for the info on this mark. I would not have been informed of this if you didnt make this video and i probably would be in the same situation as you. By the way sorry to hear you couldnt get your knives. Keep up the good videos!

[AussieMark909]

@RandomXxGuy Thanks mate, it's great to know this has been helpful to you. I really appreciate your comment.

[defenseandsafety]

sorry to hear about this. keep up the good attitude!

[knivesandstuff]

Hey Mark, I looked up a video I did a while back to demonstrate what customs are actually doing to the knives to test. watch?v=J1tLAjLn4ho This shows what they are doing that makes them fail.. if the pivot is tightened then you cant do this. but this is on normal tension.

[AussieMark909]

@knivesandstuff Pivots were tightened, it seems if the knife is on the list then thats what they go by. From reading forums etc it appears that things have changed. Knives that got through without issues just months ago are now being seized. It is double jepardy as the letter states that while they are not tasking this matter further, they will keep a record, and if I try to import something they don't like again they may prosecute. I'm sure glad I live in a free country.

[knivesandstuff]

@AussieMark909 You are probably right.. once they determine knife model can be adjusted to fail, they probably just add it to the database. I guess we just have to make the most of it.. You need some good custom folding knife makers in Auzzie and start supporting them. Most of the laws are literally about Importation, not possession.. your law is like NZ I think in that any object can be deemed offensive when you carry it based on your attitude and context.

[knivesandstuff]

Thats a shame Mark. On the Centrifigal force. I believe its a misuse of the intent on the clause, which is to exclude butterfly/fillipino knives which use centrifigal force to rotate and open. Unfortunately all Axis lock knives are easily deployed with a wrist flick (centrifigal force) it pays to request the sender to crank the pivot pin so tight that you require 2 fingers to pull the knife open. Its a shame.

[TheAussiegearguy]

Hey mate dont even get Me started on qld weapons branch I rang them to ask about my pta for a glock which took 3 Mounths! This is why I am goeing to live in the usa working on my green card as we speak

[AussieMark909]

@TheAussiegearguy It's very sad. I love australia, but I don't like what these idiots in power are turning it into. It sure is not the country I grew up in. In those days every kid had a pocket knife and an air rifle and we spent all day out in the bush with our friends. We are becoming a nanny state full of poeple who don't have the first clue of what the term "individual responsability" means. Punish the many for the actions of the few. Insanitiy!

[knivesandstuff]

@AussieMark909 You just quoted modern NZ law :) I think we are both heading the same direction on policy.

[studiobtm]

@AussieMark909

The Tea Party movement grew spontaneously in the US over this very issue - the nanny state vs. individual freedom. I know that many on the Left have good intentions but their policies lead to disastrous consequences. Are there any groups you can affiliate with in AZ that support the right of law abiding individuals to bear arms and defend themselves from clear threats to life and limb?

[Soltero1595]

maybe you could ask the overseas seller to tighten the pivot so they can't be flicked out?

just an idea that poped up :). Hate it to see a knife collecter get set back by a law of some sort...

[AussieMark909]

@Soltero1595 That was done in this instance. The result speaks for itself. The knife was on the "secret list" and thats what decided it. Thanks for the idea anyway, I know it works sometimes in some places.

[ER720]

i wish they would let you return to sender and get your money back at least :( but now i guess some customs agent is now edc-ing his new benchmade .. i really hope thats not the case :(

[meldave6]

This video just echo's my frustrations. Excellent presentation and very informative. Job well done. Happy subscriber

[AussieMark909]

@meldave6 Thanks for the positve feedback. If only this video had not needed to be made.....

[1lupus]

I made my comments to customs a few weeks ago, when they called for public submission on the new rules, I also emailed the minister who was pushing the changes, and my local member. All those emails had to be non-anonymous (So I guess I am on some list somewhere)

[AussieMark909]

@1lupus Respect for doing a submission, but I did not bother. I know only too well that public consultation is just a PR exercise before the government does just what it had always planned. Seen it all before. In this case it is all too easy, the public already blieve that knives are horrible dangerous objects, despite the fact that everyone uses a knife of some type every day. So they will approve the govt for it's efforts to make them safer. Sheep!!!

[SirLingPing]

Thanks for this vid. I live in a Commonwealth country and our knife laws are quite similar. I would appreciate hearing your views on what the full interpretation of "can be opened by gravity or centrifugal force" means? I've resisted buying Benchmade axis lock knives because the blade is free to move once the lock stud is pulled. But what about other back lock and liner lock knives that can be flicked open with the thumb and wrist movement? Are those classified as flick knives?

[cam131313cam]

not sure if u know this but if you appeal the decision there are "obligated to commence legal proceedings"

[cam131313cam]

@cam131313cam lol u just said that....ok so i should have watched the whole vid before posting...

[AussieMark909]

@cam131313cam No worries, I've done that before. Thanks for watching, sounds like you've been down this road too.

[troy5690]

I've been doing the dance with customs and SAPOL regarding a knife I want to import at the moment. Customs would not give me pre-approval to import as they classed it as restricted, with no explanation why. It took over 3 weeks to get that reply. Where this process really gets tricky is with custom knives. The knife I want to get would be foolish to buy before getting a B709B, but to get that, I must have images of the exact knife.

[AussieMark909]

@troy5690 Good luck with it Troy, it will all come down the the response from SA police. I wonder if it will be the same as here, and if so does thiis indicate a nationwide agreement not to approve?

[troy5690]

@AussieMark909 I sent them some pictures of one "like" (same style of knife)what I want to get. I got a call at 1930 the other night and was shocked to find it was one of the guys from the firearms branch. They pretty much gave me the nod, but I still need to send them pictures if the exact knife before the b709b can be given.

From a conversation I had with the WA firearms branch I get the impression they are bring a little more helpful than the assistance you got.

[DevilWearsMulticam]

Dude I know retailers like Platatac stock lots of Benchmade knives, maybe it would be worth getting in contact with them and asking them to import these knives for you.

[NJDevilTactical]

That stinks I guess you need to change the laws in your country.

[AussieMark909]

@NJDevilTactical I'm sure they will change......for the worse. Thats already been flagged by the government :(

[slipdisc]

Thanks for sharing Mark. Sorry to hear about it though.

Knife laws seem silly. Politicians tell us they do it to help protect us. When the truth of the matter is, if you happen to be attacked by someone with a knife, it will most likely be a kitchen fixed blade knife. At least that's the case here in the US.

[AussieMark909]

@slipdisc You're right, I recently watched some security video on the news of a guy holding up a shop. He was using a kitchen knife. Perhaps we should ban them too?

[Zippy1one]

Big Brother at work.

[jobytoss]

Very similar issues with customs here in Romania! It really sucks! I can buy an imported knife from a Romanian web-shop, but I can't import it myself. It's just stupid!

[AussieMark909]

@jobytoss I feel your pain my friend.

[RedGladius]

Yikes. Knife laws such as these are ridiculous. I'm planning on making a video on general laws against knives. We shall see. At least there are quite a few knives allowed in Australia! It may not be perfect, but life goes on. Love that Rift by the way! I want one too! Fortunately for me the only thing holding me back is money. Sorry, bud.

[AussieMark909]

@RedGladius Thanks mate, if you ever get a Rift I really hope you enjoy it.

[gavkoo]

it reminds me the NYC knife laws situation... just ridiculous power trips of some dumb politicians.

[AussieMark909]

@gavkoo But all knives are dangerous! The sheeple support this kind of thing becuase they believe whatever they are told. It's all about instilling fear and then you can pass any law you want really.

[gavkoo]

@AussieMark909 knives are, always were and always will be tools first and foremost. whoever thinks otherwise is either dummy or already scared from all the bs coming from the politicians they trust so much...

you should start the aussie knife rights organization bro!

[AussieMark909]

@gavkoo In 1996 after the shotting at Port Arthur the government changed the guns laws. All semi-automatic weapons became illegal and had to be surrendered for destruction. Owners were paid compensation for their firearms, this cost the taxpayers many millions of dollars. This was done despite the Sporting Shooters Association (our version of the NRA) fight to give honest gun owners a say. They got a few concessions but not a lot. A new minority group would not be heard. It is how it is here.

[PavlovSandor]

Instead of seizing they should send the knives back to the sender so you would have the option to get your money back. That should be an opyion somehow. Maybe release them to you with a promise to ship them back in a certain time period. I don't know. Sorry my friend. How frustrating

[AussieMark909]

@PavlovSandor Thanks Pavlov, I appreciate you taking the time to watch.

[gavkoo]

mark, you gotta ask the seller to tighten your pivot screws before shipping them to you. no knife can be considered gravity knives that way... and also not marking the package as a knife...

imho whoever sells a knife and ships it to australia marked as a knife and pivots untighten is an ignorant dummy... im sorry to hear about your knives my friend and hope you can resolve it somehow. i cant stand how ridiculous the laws can get sometimes... almost every single knife can be gravity opened...

[AussieMark909]

@gavkoo Hi gavkoo, been there done that, did not work. Packages are scanned/x-rayed, knives that are on the list at customs don't get through. It does not matter if the individual knife cannot be opened that way. 

[gavkoo]

@AussieMark909 wow, now that really blows! our good old MIA buddy dishd was doing it that way and got many knives that way... sorry to hear that mark. then it really is only like you said, always ask before making the purchase. i feel your pain. but hey, fixed blades are better anyways. collect them :)

[AussieMark909]

@gavkoo I think they have tightened things up in that area, I am trying another way to get my dream Rift. Nothing illegal at all, but if I can get one, I will. This has just made me more determined. And yes, I like fixed blades too. Lucky for me nobody would never use a fixed blade to commit a crime or anything ;) I love who when loser use a knife in rob etc, we have to ban knives. Maybe we should ban cars because people kill people with them every day.

[gavkoo]

@AussieMark909 yep. cars, alcohol, cigarettes adn i even wonder when they will make some kind of ridiculous law for kitchen knives... which is actually the most used knife in "knife crime" its all just soo wrong. 

[tendollarword]

Sorry to hear about your knives being confiscated. Good on you for staying calm though, if that happened to me I'd be absolutely livid.

The Customs people here in the US tried to institute similar restrictions a couple years ago, but got stopped by Congress/public outcry.

I don't know if it's legal, or even if it would work, but you could ask the seller to tighten the pivot screw so the knife can't be opened one-handed. Some of the guys on British Blades do it to get by similar UK regulations.

[AussieMark909]

@tendollarword Good thought, but that was done in this instance. Things have changed here as far as that goes. I tell you, if I were in the USA I would join Knife Rights and support what they do. We are screwed here as we never had the rights in the first place, and we never will. You guys need to ensure you don't lose what you have, if you do, you'll never get it back.

[TheLazySpoiledKitty]

-cont with customs, a friend send me a package from the US, and the value was over 100 dollars and customs kept it and called me to come pick it up, so all in all i got my package but... it was a "gift" which i had to pay 22% tax of the value of the package...... harsh.... but i guess its not TO bad. I really pray that laws don't change in Poland that much, and that people will try to accpet "knife enthusiasts" :). God Bless and Take care of yourself Mark my friend!!!!

[AussieMark909]

@TheLazySpoiledKitty Thanks mate, yeah the lest part really is weird, but it's true. I'm thinking of buying the 555 off him just because I can. In essence it is almost like an import tariff system, rather than something to control the importation of "weapons"

[TheLazySpoiledKitty]

Mark i am truly sorry to hear about your recent experiance.... :(. I feel your pain and i would be truly truly angry about this if this had happend to me, i mean we are collectors and we just like to appriciate the beauty in knives, some people do not understand i guess. And the ending was quite funny, i mean... you can't import it but you can buy it for god knows how much more money in Australia?? Weird stuff.. In Poland we have laid back rules about importing i only had one experiance with-cnt

[ironmonkeyz]

@assuiemark909 Wow, that is an eye opener about how important it is to protect your rights. I am a bit dumbfounded by this. There are a lot of you guys is Oz here on YouTube you should really look into organizing a lobbying group despite how much I usually disapprove of them. I'm sure if you contact the group here they could hive you pointers. Good luck

[AussieMark909]

@ironmonkeyz Take my word for it, it would do no good at all. The federal government has already indicated it wants to tighten knife laws even more. Customs is "consulting" with stakeholders ATM. This is all window dressing, the government will play the consultation game and then do exactly what they had always planned to do. I work in government, and I know how these things play out.

[dazi4131]

Really sorry for your knives. Stupid laws...

[AussieMark909]

@dazi4131 Thankyou my friend.

[w3media]

@AussieMark909

Hey Mark,

I had the virtually same experience as you described. I ordered 3 knives Benchmade 710, Al Mare Sere 2000 and a Spyderco Tenacious.

I recieved the same letter and the same light weight envelope - Bye bye Al Mar, Bye Bye Benchmade...oh but thanks for letting me keep the Spyderco.

I did the same hoop jumping as you....spoke to the sturn coppa who basically just laughed and said he can't give me an approval for a "flick knife".....yudda yudda....

[w3media]

@w3media

I did find out that you can request to export them back to the person who sold them to you. Once you get approval you need to provide customs with a pre-paid envelope and a small fee for them to be returned. You do not get to handle them or even get visitation rights, but if the vender who sold them to you is cool about refunding your money, it's cheaper option than just incinerating all that cash...which is, by the way, how customs desposes of them.

[AussieMark909]

@w3media It would have been nice to have been given that option. Too late for me now. Just another example of how customs do not provide full information. Thanks for letting us know mate, appreciate the input. I've just sent a list of knives I'd like to import, so it will be interestign to see what thy have to say, and how long it takes to get a response. Thanks again for your comments.