2.5" blade length ordinance in Boston, anyone experience this?

M

Mathew J

Joined
Apr 7, 2002
Messages
110
So in looking at knives I discovered that in Boston and a few surrouding towns they cap the limit of the blade length to 2.5"...

Wondering if anyone has any experience with this or similar laws?

I find most of the knives I like have 2.75 blades and wonder if that is an "issue" should something ever happen...

Thanks
 
something like that would be based on the discretion of the LEO that found it.

first, it would be based on the fact that he actually know the town/village/city ordinance that restricts the blade length.

After that, it would depend on what he wants to do about it. If he wants to be a stickler and follow the letter of the law, then he can/may charge you. But being a city ordinance, all you would get would be an appearance for a violation. If he wants to go by the spirit of the law, then he could/may let you go.

Another big thing that goes into their decision is you. How you act, how your carry the knife, what you say when they're talking to you, how you carry yourself, etc... Be nice to the officers, don't lie about anything, follow any and all directions, and it will help you out in the end.
 
i lived in boston for 2 months actually. i usually carried my spyderco poliwog when i was out and about in the city. you don't really have much to worry about unless you get arrested or searched or something like that. i never had any issues.
 
I lived in Chicago for years, where there is a 2.5" blade limit as well. If you are keeping it under 3" you would have to really be pissing a cop off for him/her to go after you for the extra fractions of an inch. The less "tactical" the knife looks the better. Another option is to take a small knife where the blade is just over, and file it down shorter to meet the 2.5" limit.
 
I currently live in Boston and I do regularly carry knives with blade lengths over 2.5 inches. That said, I also generally keep them down in the pocket though I might have a small folder with the clip exposed.

I also don't go looking for trouble, cause trouble, or flash my knives around. As far as I'm concerned I'm never going to be in a situation where an LEO has a reason to stop and search me so long as I can help it.
 
You shouldnt have a problem in THEORY
It's almost one of those how you carry yourself things
if your being an idiot then yeah you should probably not carry a knife at all.
If your a gentleman, act respectably IF searched then it shouldn't be a problem. ALSO if you ARE searched for some reason just be HONEST. dont B.S. tell the officer why you carry it, you use it as a TOOl not to protect yourself. Think about it. Who do you think a cop is gonna fine? some moron waving the knife around in public or a law abiding citizen who treats him with respect, tells the truth and speaks politely.

In delaware you're limited to a 4 inch blade but I was at a party (stupidly) and I was one of the few sober people there. I was speaking to a police officer, just talking like you'd talk to a normal person. In the middle of talking to him he noticed i had a buck 110 on my hip, he asked to see it, showed me his knife and we went back to talking.


stealthchaser13 kinda beat me to it....
 
Last edited:
And always carry a bag with a couple of fresh apples... tell your doctor prescribed you to eat fruits, so you carry your knife to peel the apples....
 
I live in Boston as well and this ordinance is a issue, but it is manageable. Unlike New York BPD disregards pocket clips. If cop notices a knife in your pocket, He will not automatically seize it. On the other hand; if you are stopped by a cop for breaking the law, they will confiscate your knife. So, I chose to obey the law, but do not follow the ordinace. I carry my BM Skirmish most days, I'd hate for it be confiscated but I have a duplicated just in case.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top