ATTN: Chris Meyer Another CT Question

[mp510]

I recently acquired another new knife, a Columbia River Shoshone with a 2.75 inch blade. The top of the blade has a false edge. It would still be considered a single edge and not a dirk or dagger under CGS, correct? I just want to verify it's legality before carrying it at all (ie. hiking, fishing, other outdoors sports). BTW, I intend on modifying the sheath to attach to a belt loop via carabeener instead of using it as a neck knife.

Here is an image:

 

[Chris Meyer]

You are correct, as long as the top edge is not sharpened (by you or the factory) it is not considered double edged and therefore not a "dirk" knife (at least not by reasonable people and my local court.) In my opinion, you will not have any hassles carrying that knife that you showed in your picture. Whether you carry it on your belt or around your neck shouldn't make any difference.

Please remember however that the Connecticut General Statutes do not actually define the term "dirk". (I have never been able to find a solid definition of a dirk knife in any literature. ) Sec.53-206

I know one Lt. who measures the actual length of any sharpened edge when he's measuring to see if a blade is "4 inches or over in length." It sounds a little weird, but he is technically correct and his contention is that a small double edged blade is okay, as long as the total edge is under 4 inches. He is the only one I have ever known to measuring this way.

 

[mp510]

Thanks Chris. While I was fishing over the weekend, while I was fishing, I had a good encounter with a Farmington LRO and he said nothing about it (it was around my neck at the time). Just wanted to check my fishing license and left me alone.