3 1/8" Blades?

anthony cheeseboro

anthony cheeseboro

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
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I wonder why there are so many knives with 3 1/8" blade sold in the USA? When one realizes that 3" is a very common legal limit in America, it would seem logical that knives with 2 7/8 or 3 15/16" blades would be more common. In practical terms, there is no difference between a 2 7/8" blade and 3 1/8" blade.
My only conclusion is that many knife owners problems get a bit of a kick out of having a knife with a blade just a hair over the limit because unless the carrier of such a knife does something pretty dumb to attract attention, no one will ever notice the tiny bit that the blade is over the limit.;)
 
To be honest, lets just say if you do get a pat down or whatnot by a LEO, and they find the knife, they are NOT going to take out a ruler and start measuring it.
 
That 1/8" used to stop me from buying certain knives, but at this point I realize that if you're not in trouble with the police, they're never going to find out. I'm a pretty law abiding citizen so I don't worry too much when I have a 3.25" blade on me when the law is 3". For some reason I still refuse to get anything larger than that, it must be some sort of psychological defense measure :D
 
By and large, knife owners like longer blades. I honestly think that the 1/8" is worth a certain number of sales. I bet that marketing people have studies that would prove what I think.
 
Misanthropia said:
That 1/8" used to stop me from buying certain knives, but at this point I realize that if you're not in trouble with the police, they're never going to find out. I'm a pretty law abiding citizen so I don't worry too much when I have a 3.25" blade on me when the law is 3". For some reason I still refuse to get anything larger than that, it must be some sort of psychological defense measure :D
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Illinois is interesting in that a knife with a blade over 3" is a weapon only if the carrier intends to use it as one. A blade under 3" is not considered a weapon. That law does not apply in Chicago. St. Louis, which is next door has a 4" limit. So I guess a 3 1/8" blade knife is not much of an issue for me.
 
For me it seems that 3" blades are borderline too small feeling. Add that tiny bit more to the blade and it might feel acceptable. This is assuming that when the blade is scaled up that 4% that the rest of the handle is scaled up to match. Reading the number 4% it sure doesn't sound like much. I would prefer to have a 3.25" or 3.375" blade myself. All this is based on how the knife feels to me, I won't carry a knife that is over the legal limit. If someone in the legal system wants an excuse to mess with you, don't give them one.
 
bdmicarta said:
For me it seems that 3" blades are borderline too small feeling. Add that tiny bit more to the blade and it might feel acceptable. This is assuming that when the blade is scaled up that 4% that the rest of the handle is scaled up to match. Reading the number 4% it sure doesn't sound like much. I would prefer to have a 3.25" or 3.375" blade myself. All this is based on how the knife feels to me, I won't carry a knife that is over the legal limit. If someone in the legal system wants an excuse to mess with you, don't give them one.
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I agree with that sentiment 100%!
 
I travel all over the lower 48 and carry everything from 3.75" folders to smaller fixed blades (neck knives, TDI) and don't give it any thought. The only thing I won't have is an auto.
 
Hauling said:
I travel all over the lower 48 and carry everything from 3.75" folders to smaller fixed blades (neck knives, TDI) and don't give it any thought. The only thing I won't have is an auto.
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How, then, do you do your traveling?:)
 
Funny you should mention that. This is waiting to be given the ok by a customer.

2012-06-28_23-45-37_939.jpg
 
Hauling said:
I travel all over the lower 48 and carry everything from 3.75" folders to smaller fixed blades (neck knives, TDI) and don't give it any thought. The only thing I won't have is an auto.
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If you don't fit a profile that gets police attention, you can travel with anything pretty much. If you do fit a profile, you better be very legal if you choose to carry a knife.
Speaking of little, I just picked a very cute pink Spyderco Slipit. I can't imagine anyone catching flak for that knife unless they carried into a security line at an airport or courthouse.
 
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