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Boston Knife Law Question
- Thread starter cds1
- Start date
Always refers to the entire blade. 2.5 in is limit only for Boston proper. 4 in in the rest of the state. Kitchen knives are exempt. Although I've also read an amendment recently (for Massachussets, not Boston), which was outlawing all types of knives that allow a knife be drawn in ready position but was specifically allowing kitchen knives and folding pocket knives without restrictions and without any reference to they length or type such as locking or slipjoint (switch blades obviously do not counts as folding pocket knives). What was not clear to me was that in principle this amendment would disallow any type of fixed blade which is not meant for the kitchen even though they are sold at Walmart?! 
HoB said:Always refers to the entire blade. 2.5 in is limit only for Boston proper. 4 in in the rest of the state. Kitchen knives are exempt. Although I've also read an amendment recently (for Massachussets, not Boston), which was outlawing all types of knives that allow a knife be drawn in ready position but was specifically allowing kitchen knives and folding pocket knives without restrictions and without any reference to they length or type such as locking or slipjoint (switch blades obviously do not counts as folding pocket knives). What was not clear to me was that in principle this amendment would disallow any type of fixed blade which is not meant for the kitchen even though they are sold at Walmart?!
So, that means all averged sized SAKs [91mm(3.5") - large blade is 2.75" but edge is 2.3"] are illegal in Boston? :grumpy:
I was near Quincy market at Chesapeake Knife & Tool, and they sold the deadly SAKs right there!!
(Of course at those prices, nobody will buy them).
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2003
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- 1,913
The blade length restriction in Boston is 2.5 inches after 9-11. That should be regarded as total blade length for safeties sake if questioned.
Outside the city there is no blade length restriction on fixed or folders. "98" Case law exempts kitchen, folding, swiss army type knives from the dangerous weapons statute in Ma.
I would not worry to much about the blade length in Boston. Cops there carry folders in the ticket pockets daily that are restricted in Boston as well. They are not exempt from the law in Ma. but they carry them anyway.
I carry over that length restriction in the city almost everyday, no one even gives you a second look [ they are not looking for clips on the pockets ]. You could run afoul with the law if you were detained for any reason or passed through a metal detector, etc.
Keep your nose clean, don't draw attention to yourself and you'll be fine.
Brownie
Outside the city there is no blade length restriction on fixed or folders. "98" Case law exempts kitchen, folding, swiss army type knives from the dangerous weapons statute in Ma.
I would not worry to much about the blade length in Boston. Cops there carry folders in the ticket pockets daily that are restricted in Boston as well. They are not exempt from the law in Ma. but they carry them anyway.
I carry over that length restriction in the city almost everyday, no one even gives you a second look [ they are not looking for clips on the pockets ]. You could run afoul with the law if you were detained for any reason or passed through a metal detector, etc.
Keep your nose clean, don't draw attention to yourself and you'll be fine.
Brownie
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- Jun 17, 2004
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- 8,436
I don't quite understand these kind of laws, unless they will be used as excuses for keeping people off the streets. In theory, the cops could probably arrest everyone coming out of the Chesapeake store (if they bought something) and that applies to Stoddard's as well. Many people in Boston walk around with a big leather sheath that obviously holds a knife or multi-tool and the cops do nothing. On the other hand, metal detectors are more commonplace than ever. I don't think that I would try to get into a Red Sox home game with a SAK in my pocket. Also, during the Democratic National Convention, there will be random searches on the public transpotation, or so they say. I am not sure how random random is. My guess is that if you wear a suit & tie, carry a briefcase, and talk on your cellphone all the time you are less likely to be "randomly" searched than if you have a bunch of tattoos and wear a do-rag. (Like the terrorists couldn't figure that out.)
So, for the most part, stay clean-cut, and don't go to a concert, sports event, nightclub, or anything like that, and you'll be ok. Otherwise---there are lots of nice little 2" knives out there.
So, for the most part, stay clean-cut, and don't go to a concert, sports event, nightclub, or anything like that, and you'll be ok. Otherwise---there are lots of nice little 2" knives out there.
>Keep your nose clean, don't draw attention to yourself and you'll be fine.
That is the key. I carry a highly illegal Spydie to school everyday and have it right at my hip. Could get me expelled anytime. At first people make some remarks, but over time they see what you are doing with it, e.g. you use it in a productive and careful way.... and then they start borrowing it.... My Professors know about it and they don't flinch. As a matter of fact, when we modified a freezer for our samples we had to cut out the insultating foam. The damn razor blades (which are a liability, because you can not hold on to them) that are flying around EVERYWHERE in any lab of any school, were to short to cut through the 4 in thick foam and the kitchen knife someone brought in (also illegal) was too blunt. In the end I had two pocket knifes to go around that did the job.
In the end a locking folder with a good handle and a sharp blade is the safest tool for many jobs, and people will aknowledge that if you go about it in the right way. I tend to stay away from black coated blades though and tend to pick knives that aren't obviously made for combat use. I was playing with a Spyderfly at Chesapeake Knife & Tool, and even though I liked it, I decided that that would be exactly the type of knife I would NOT want to be caught with.
I also make sure, that I leave my knife in the car when I pick somebody up from the airport, or go to something like a game. I think it is just common sense and a courtesy towards the police officers: That attitude just makes me one person less to worry about. I think in the end respect for the people in the police force and the job they have to do, will get you a long way. If you don't get in their way or do something stupid they won't get in yours. At least that has been my experience.
That is the key. I carry a highly illegal Spydie to school everyday and have it right at my hip. Could get me expelled anytime. At first people make some remarks, but over time they see what you are doing with it, e.g. you use it in a productive and careful way.... and then they start borrowing it.... My Professors know about it and they don't flinch. As a matter of fact, when we modified a freezer for our samples we had to cut out the insultating foam. The damn razor blades (which are a liability, because you can not hold on to them) that are flying around EVERYWHERE in any lab of any school, were to short to cut through the 4 in thick foam and the kitchen knife someone brought in (also illegal) was too blunt. In the end I had two pocket knifes to go around that did the job.
In the end a locking folder with a good handle and a sharp blade is the safest tool for many jobs, and people will aknowledge that if you go about it in the right way. I tend to stay away from black coated blades though and tend to pick knives that aren't obviously made for combat use. I was playing with a Spyderfly at Chesapeake Knife & Tool, and even though I liked it, I decided that that would be exactly the type of knife I would NOT want to be caught with.
I also make sure, that I leave my knife in the car when I pick somebody up from the airport, or go to something like a game. I think it is just common sense and a courtesy towards the police officers: That attitude just makes me one person less to worry about. I think in the end respect for the people in the police force and the job they have to do, will get you a long way. If you don't get in their way or do something stupid they won't get in yours. At least that has been my experience.
Thanks for the replies, guys. On a recent trip to Massachusetts I took my Spyderco Native along. The sharpened portion of the blade is 2.5", but with the addition of the choil it is about 3 1/8th inches. I figures that being that the choil has a bit of a guard, the blade does not have a penetration depth beyond 2.5 inches, so I would at least have an "arguable" explanation if questioned regarding the knife.
Brownie - thanks for your input. I was hoping that since the "letter of the law" is so extreme the cops wouldn't be rigid about it. From what you are saying that sounds to be the case.
It's unfortunate the when travelling interstate your "maximum" carry has to be the lowest common denominator. Travelling from NJ through NY and Connecticut to Lynn, Massachusets, I still need to carry a Boston-acceptible knife, since I pass through Boston on the way.
Regards,
cds1
Brownie - thanks for your input. I was hoping that since the "letter of the law" is so extreme the cops wouldn't be rigid about it. From what you are saying that sounds to be the case.
It's unfortunate the when travelling interstate your "maximum" carry has to be the lowest common denominator. Travelling from NJ through NY and Connecticut to Lynn, Massachusets, I still need to carry a Boston-acceptible knife, since I pass through Boston on the way.
Regards,
cds1
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I love this board. Having threads like this around is always so informative and helpful.
I'm headed to Boston this week for MacWorld, and was curious as to how the laws had changed since last time I'd gone. I'd heard that they had changed for the...not better. so, from this thread, I've at least gathered enough info to know that my native should be good enough for safe carry. I plan on keeping my nose squeaky clean, but who knows what could happen, eh?
I'm headed to Boston this week for MacWorld, and was curious as to how the laws had changed since last time I'd gone. I'd heard that they had changed for the...not better. so, from this thread, I've at least gathered enough info to know that my native should be good enough for safe carry. I plan on keeping my nose squeaky clean, but who knows what could happen, eh?
horseclover
Basic Member
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- 3,421
I read Lynn and the bells and whistles go off. You might want to peruse this thread from the past, regarding the same issues.
New Knife Prohibition in Boston
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-171943
Good luck in your travels. I tend not to worry about it but I do find myself checking my pockets when I get out of the car in Boston these days. Not so many years ago I sallied through the gates of Logan to pick someone up, forgetting about a five inch bowie at the small of my back (like 1981 or thereabouts). I got bagged at a courtroom detector about ten years later for a stockman. Just what was I thinking when I scooped up the pocket pile that day?
Cheers
GC
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2003
- Messages
- 81
I was in Boston over the 4th of July. I carried my Rainbow Leek everywhere. Before the fireworks I was talking to a state trooper for a few minutes. Like any highly observant LEO, he noticed the shiny clip holding the knife in my pocket.
He said "I'll bet that's a nice knife." And I said "Yes, it is. Its a Kersaw Leek". There were like 500 Thousand people on the commons and even though we were having a friendly conversation I wasn't about to whip it out and show it to him in that huge crowd.
We talked a bit longer and I went on my way.
Be a good citizen and keep you nose clean and you will be fine.
He said "I'll bet that's a nice knife." And I said "Yes, it is. Its a Kersaw Leek". There were like 500 Thousand people on the commons and even though we were having a friendly conversation I wasn't about to whip it out and show it to him in that huge crowd.
We talked a bit longer and I went on my way.
Be a good citizen and keep you nose clean and you will be fine.
shaldag said:
Just to toss a thought in here....if you BUY a knife that is bigger then the 2.5 inches that the law in Boston regulates....keep it in the BOX and the BAG and keep the receipt with you. Then you won't have to worry about it. It won't be out and waving around and in someones face or a danger to someone.
That is how they are able to sell the knives that are longer. There isn't a law against selling them - thank god they havent killed that right yet!!!!!
Just do as they say - keep your nose clean and don't attract attention to yourself or your knife. I carried a spyderco endura for years and years and never had it mentioned to me.
I like the "keep your nose clean" idea, but I still worry primarily about one thing - the chance of being searched when stopped for a traffic violation. I don't commit any crimes, but I do sometimes go 10-15 miles over the speed limit (as we all do). I know it's not likely, but so far I have read two accounts of people being searched while they were being stopped for a traffic offense. (One of them is in the thread that was just quoted by horseclover.)
Other possible ways of getting into trouble would be metal detectors or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time (i.e. being near the site of a crime when police come to investigate), but those seem even less likely.
Then again, you never know, so I may just end up buying a Dodo for Boston carry.
Regards,
cds1
Other possible ways of getting into trouble would be metal detectors or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time (i.e. being near the site of a crime when police come to investigate), but those seem even less likely.
Then again, you never know, so I may just end up buying a Dodo for Boston carry.
Regards,
cds1