Knives

Definitions

Dirk or Dager

Penal Code section 16470

As used in this part, “dirk” or “dagger” means a knife or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death. A nonlocking folding knife, a folding knife that is not prohibited by Section 21510, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.

Switchblade

Penal Code section 17235

As used in this part, “switchblade knife” means a knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. “Switchblade knife” does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.

Pellecer

Wade

A switchblade knife can be a concealed dirk or dagger. (People v. Plumlee (2008) 166 Cal.App.4th 935.)

Butterfly knives are switchblades. (People v. Quattrone (1989) 211 Cal.App.3d 1389.)

Pressure of gravity can be a switchblade knife. (In re Angel R. (2008) 163 Cal.App.4th 905.)

Worn down detent can be switchblade. (In re Gilbert R. (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 514, 417.)

47 ALR4th 651.

People v. S.C. (2009) concealed switchblade

PC626.10

People v. Bass (1968) People v. Geradoi (1985)

Prohibited Places

Schools under Penal Code section 626.10

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