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shabusta
0
Oct 6, 2014
It ships to New Zealand, but not Australia?
KajSorensen
20
Oct 6, 2014
shabustaThat's likely due to Australia's importation laws.
From customs.gov.au (http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4369.asp):
"Daggers, automatic knives, single handed opening knives, butterfly knives, trench knives, ballistic knives, concealed knives/blades, throwing knives/blades/axes, star knives, push knives, sheath knives, non-metallic knives.
To import daggers and throwing knives/blades/axes you need written Police Certification (B709B Form) from the relevant Police Firearms Registry, prior to the arrival of the goods in Australia.
To import all other knives you need written permission from the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, prior to the arrival of the goods in Australia."
The Leek would fall under the "single handed opening knives" definition which is a restricted import according to Australian law.
NZ law is very similar to Canadian law in regards to knives and importation of them. I'm from Canada, so I have some experience with our laws in regards to knives and firearms.
From customs.govt.nz (http://www.customs.govt.nz/news/resources/factsheets/Documents/Fact%20Sheet%2005.pdf):
"Knives having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife — sometimes known as ‘flick knife’ or ‘flick gun’.
Any knife having a blade that is released from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force, and that when released is locked in place by means of a button, spring, lever, or other device — sometimes known as a ‘gravity knife’ or ‘butterfly knife’"
As the deployment of the Leek's blade is not centrifugal or achieved through the use of a button or other device, and it uses a torsion bar as opposed to a spring it sidesteps the law in this regard. The blade is deployed by applying pressure to the blade itself (through the flipper tab), it is assisted by a torsion bar instead of a spring, and due to the torsion bar helping in keeping the knife closed by design it is not classified as an automatic knife, but an assisted opening knife.
It sucks, but that's the way the law works sometimes.