Switchblades, the spring-loaded knives that government went to great lengths to restrict after their menacing use in films like “Rebel Without a Cause” and “West Side Story,” are now legal in New Hampshire.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed the the nation's first Knife Preemption Law, advanced by Knife Rights. The bill, SB1153, was passed by bipartisan votes of 36-19 in the Arizona House and 19-9 in the Arizona Senate.

If you have attended the BLADE Show in recent years, chances are you might have noticed an emerging trend among custom knifemakers opting for exhibitor booths rather than tables. With this year’s show June 4-6 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta fast approaching, that trend will continue.

Held for the second consecutive year at the Monarch Hotel and Conference Center in Clackamas, Oregon, BLADE Show West played host to a national and international bevy of custom and factory knives and knifemakers, knife enthusiasts and more this past Sept. 11-13.

Assisted opening knives could be reclassified as illegal switchblades if a measure proposed by United States Customs and Border Protection becomes law. Update: Customs denies AKTI's extension for public comment.

Hawaii Senator Les Ihara, Jr., recently introduced a bill that would essentially ban folders. In a letter to the senator, David Kowalski, of the American Knife & Tool Institute, lays out why the bill is bad for the state overall.

Read the Blade Trade news that had people talking at this year's SHOT Show in Orlando. Attendees of the industry trade show were buzzing about knife rights infringements, controversial court rulings and hope for the future of knife ownership.

Certain double-edged knives in Japan were banned following passage of legislation on Tuesday, October 21, according to the Associated Press.

The annual Blade Trade, which will be handed out at the SHOT Show in January, contains a directory of makers from around the world. Contact Ben.Sobieck@fwpubs.com to e-mail any changes to a makers' contact information.

Blade Trade needs submissions for its "New Products" section.