When Kershaw revealed the Chive at the Shotshow in America during 2003, people were amazed at the simplicity of its' design. After all, how could someone pack so much technological advancement into such a small package. Acclaimed American custom knifemaker Ken Onion is the man behind this wonderful new design. But perhaps the origin's of Mr Onion's marvel need a little more exploring.

design protocol ...

Some have questioned the legality of carrying something that opens so readily, yet the law is quite clear. The Dangerous Weapons Act that banned automatic knives defines an auto as 'any knife powered by a spring, or operated by a button or any other device attached to the handle'.

Strangely enough, this law was based on US California Law which has exactly the same legal definition. Of course, the Chive has neither a spring nor any device attached to the handle, relying instead on a pre-tensioned steel bar to provide the power (an invention pioneered by Blackie Collins on the Meyerco Power Assisted range). It also features an extended tang that protrudes from the handle, another idea developed from Kit Carson's Flipper system found on his Columbia River M16 models.

Combine the two ideas and ... wow! It's fast alright, but still within the limits of acceptability.

Some argue that this just exploits a loophole within the law, but I would point out that this is just extremely clever conceptual design and it should be appreciated as such. Kershaw promote the safety aspect of the design, and irrespective of whether it is fast or not, you can't escape the fact that the whole idea is to provide a tool which is easily and readily available for use with maximum safety in mind.

conclusion ...

The ease with which the tool is useable in no way makes it any more or less 'offensive' than any other knife, just safer for the user and others in close proximity to it's use.

The automatic knife has accumulated a bad reputation over the years. Terms like 'flick knife' banded about by our tabloid press have not helped. Lets not forget that the original auto's pioneered by Schrade Cutlery during the 1920's were developed as a tool for fishermen to cut nets in extreme sea-going conditions where a rough swell and a snagged net could sink a trawler.

SPECIAL LINKS
Product Page: Kershaw Chive
How Does it Work? Download the Video Here

LEGAL NOTE: THE BKCG DOES NOT OFFER FOR SALE OR SUPPLY AUTOMATIC KNIVES, BALISONG KNIVES, OR ANY OTHER KNIFE WHICH IS PROHIBITED WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. SO PLEASE DON'T ASK! NEVER ATTEMPT TO IMPORT ANY KNIFE YOURSELF. THIS ARTICLE REPRESENTS SPECULATION ON THE PART OF THE WRITER ONLY, AND IS PRESENTED STRICTLY FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES PURPOSES ONLY.