Blade length

[ironmike86]

When laws say no blade above 3 1/2 that means from the handle not the cutting edge??? Some knives have 3 7/8 from handle but only have 3 3/8 sharpeded for a cutting edge.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I moved this from General Knife Discussion to Knife Laws.

Definitions of blade length may vary with jurisdiction. You need to check with your state or even your town. Generally speaking, blade length is defined as the distance from the tip of the blade to the front of the handle. But local laws may say otherwise.

 

[antonio_luiz]

Length restrictions are usually to limit damage from stabbing and have little consideration for slicing capability so you will find most jurisdictions interpret the blade length as handle to tip - sharpened or otherwise. If you stab with a knife it can penetrate to the hilt = blade length.

 

[joe-bob]

Usually, blades are measured from the handle to the tip.

 

[ironmike86]

Yeah that's what I figured. They don't say just any fix or folder with a blade length of 3 1/2 " Maybe I was just wishing. Thanks

 

[orthogonal1]

Also watch out for jurisdictions that treat a whole fixed blade, including the handle as "blade length".

How that is justified legally I have no idea.

 

[glistam]

It actually varies by jurisdiction. Very few actually enumerate in statute, but many states have case law that sets down a precedent. For example, in Delaware, case law established is from the top of the handle to blade tip. Whereas in California and I think Connecticut (local city ordinances on length for both), several non-precedent setting cases involved the defendant being found innocent due to the sharpened edge being below the length limit, even if the blade was larger.

It is however, in any jurisdiction, prudent to err on the side of caution.

 

[glistam]

Double Post

 

[shootist16]

I don't thionk there is really a "standard" for this. I believe AKTI recommends measuring from the handle. When I check someone I measure the cutting edge, but that's just me.