The M-724 Paratrooper SwitchbladeÌýwas designed for survival, evasion and escape, particularly for paratroopers in dangerous situations and behind enemy lines. This no-frills knife is a precise tool with a quality blade and a secondary hooked blade. Designed to cut parachute shrouds during self-rescue situations. The knife is currentlyÌýbeing issued for allÌýÌýmilitary aircraft survival kits, the U.S. Forest Service Smoke Jumpers as well as the military paratroopers in both the United States and in the N.A.T.O. countries.Ìý

The knife, folded, is 4.5-inches long and approximately 3/4-inches wide, weighs 1-ounce, and holds a 3-inch blade in addition to the hooked rescue blade. The handle is solid, strong and indestructible textured plastic, though not heavy. MOLLE-compatible, the knife is a push-button,with the blade locking into position once opened and also comes with a lock for extra redundancy to keeping the blade from accidentally closing.Ìý

The knife is a switchbladeÌýrather than an assisted opening knife, so local and regional laws should be taken into consideration regarding the purchase and sale of the knife. The switchblade mechanism has a powerful spring to it. You will want to hang onto the knife when you first open it, and keep an eye on customers that wish to handle the knife. The curved secondary blade is manual, unlike the primary blade.

The blade is razor sharp and made of 440-A series stainless steel with the blade Rockwell hardness of 68 C.Ìý

The knife we reviewed came with a rescue orange handle, but it also comes in black for Law Enforcement, mossy oak pink or mossy oak green and white along with olive drab also known as O.D. green. Depending on the individual knife, the blade may come with a black Parkerized finish in either non-serrated or 1/2 serrated cutting edge. The knife we received came in its own small cardboard box with the care instructions inside, and a printed history of the Auto Series®.Ìý Additional Auto Tools® include the Auto Marlin Spike for riggers, the Auto Hook for firefighters, police and EMT personnel, and the Auto Shackle for sailors.Ìý

MSRP for the Auto-Series®M-724 Paratrooper SwitchbladeÌýis $120.00, it has a lifetime warranty, and it is a quality tool to offer for customers that are veterans and thoseÌýlooking for authentic military switchblade. Colonial Knife Corp.® , a division of Colonial Cutlery International, Inc.® U.S.A.

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In order to get the bill moved, the amendment stipulates that knives with blades over 5.5-inches are now defined as "location restricted" knives. Meaning that except for schools, federal buildings, correctional facilities, colleges, houses of worship, and bars the knives may be carries state wide.

We in the knife industry would like to express our appreciation to our House sponsors, Primary Author, Rep. Frullo, Joint Authors, Reps. Dutton, Moody, Springer, Coauthors, Kuempel and Lambert.

As of September 1, 2015: Alphabetical Listings of states where civilian possession of switchblade or automatic knives are legal with any limitations noted.

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By Chuck Karwan, Editor, Tactical Knives Magazine

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