Carry folder for Washington D.C.?

Klesk

Klesk

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Jan 5, 2003
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I'm heading to D.C. in January for a week-long conference, I don't want to walk around that long without some kind of blade. The trouble is, it appears that there is a 3" blade length limit in D.C., though the statute doesn't exactly say that. I guess it doesn't matter, after reading some in the BF archives and other places, it seems that the 3" limit is what is enforced.

Now, being a big-knife guy, I have no idea what is available in a sub-3" blade. I have somewhat settled on a Spyderco Yojimbo, are there any other suggestions?

I don't want a "throw-away" CRKT-level knife that I won't want to carry when I get home, but at the same time, I don't want to spend small Sebenza money on a knife that I may never use again. I guess I'm trying to say that I don't want to buy a knife that is so cheap that I won't want to carry it, but I don't want to spend so much that the knife will be wasted if I don't have another occasion to carry a small blade.

Any suggestions and/or insights into D.C. knife laws will be appreciated.
 
We live just to the north of D.C. and go into town very frequently, for museums, art gallery, resturaunts. Yes, it is strick on any weapons, and some gov't buildings have a no knive policy. You can't can't get into the Capitol with even a Victorinox classic on you. At the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art you go through metal detectors and all bags and breif cases are looked into. Something too tactical will get you closely looked at. I just carry a sak for my knife needs when in D.C and it never gets a second look, and if I need something for S.D. my Irish Blackthorn stick is always with me.

But it's alot safer town than you would think from reading the crime reports from out of town. Almost all the shootings you read about are in just a small area where there is alot of drug activity and the dealers get into turf wars. I've lived here my whole life and had not one problem. Just don't don't go into the southeast part of town. the city is divided into four parts of the compass. The northwest is upscale old residencial, the southwest is comercial and the very upscale Georgetown, the north east is very old residential and old buisiness and industrial, and southeast is like any big city in the worlds bad part- stay out!

If you are dinning out, I would suggest at least one meal in "china town". And in Georgetown on M street there is any ethnic resturaunt you can name.
 
Benchmade Mini Griptillian
Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Dragonfly
Fallkniven U2


These are very good small folders that are quite affordable. I would throw in a SAK if you think you'll be going to many places that aren't knife friendly.
 
The Yojimbo is a bit of a goofy knife. Not trying to disuade you of course, it's just not a knife for everybody (but if you're considering it, then you're probably one that it is for).

Since you're basically buying this knife just for a week, I'd suggest getting something that would also fill a niche in your regular life, or fullfills a curiosity. What I mean is, don't just get a Delica or Griptilian. Nice knives, but outside of DC, you'll proabbly never look at them again, since you're a "big-knife guy". The Yojimbo would definitely fill a curiosity of mine (haven't bought one yet, but I keep looking at it). Or how about a ZDP-189 Calypso Jr? See what all the buzz is about.:cool: Do you have a dressy knife? If not, here's your excuse to get one. I just got a Spyderco Kopa (cocobolo...and that new tiger coral one is looking mighty cool), and it's a slick dress knife. It's a small knife (less that 2" of cutting edge), very classy, and very inoffensive. But despite the small size, it's a very useful cutting tool, and it's most likely "enough" of a knife to get through a conference trip. My other favorite dress knife is a Benchmade 705-401 (silver twill G10 handles, available through edcknives.com).
 
I am from the local area and am in Law Enforcement, as is my roomate. We have had lots of talks about DC knife laws. In MD where we are, you can carry almost anything you want, but in DC it's just too grey. You would be safe with a Delica, or a BM 705 or 707. Have fun on your trip. Make sure you get up to Baltimore for some fun. It's a much better city in my opinion.
 
USAFSP said:
Make sure you get up to Baltimore for some fun. It's a much better city in my opinion.
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Baltimore is a great area, especially the area bordered by Campden Yards (Orioles Field) and The Inner Harbor. If the weather is nice, it's a great walk with a lot of bars, restaurants and the National Aquarium.

Other than that, I'd take my BM Mini Griptillian.
 
jackknife said:
and southeast is like any big city in the worlds bad part- stay out!
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I live in DC and would partially disagree with this. Not ALL of SE is bad. Capitol Hill is SE. Not even all of SE on the other side of the river is bad. Have you ever been to Hillcrest? It's one of the nicest, and safest residential neighborhoods in the city. What you need to look out for is really only a few square blocks in Anacostia. Heck, one of the most expensive parts of town in NW, Mt Pleasant/Columbia Heights is also among the most dangerous!! People get shot and robbed there all the time.

As far as a knife goes, bring anything reasonable you want. Just don't do anything to get in trouble with the cops, and don't try to take it into any government building and you'll be fine.
 
Matteo Escobar said:
As far as a knife goes, bring anything reasonable you want. Just don't do anything to get in trouble with the cops, and don't try to take it into any government building and you'll be fine.
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That's it. In D.C., I tend to do the same as Escobar and carry either a Spyderco Pride, Navigator I (not II), Cricket, small stockman (Schrade or Case), or Vic SAK (usually a small one like a Compact). All small enough not to raise eyebrows. For use for only a week, A SAK would be fine. You can give it away if you don't plan to use it again and it's no huge loss (Compact can be had for 10 or 15 dollars) loss if some official decides it's a 'dangerous weapon' and confiscates it.
 
Thanks for all the replies and the info. I hadn't noticed the BM 705 and 707 until now, they are both good looking little knives. I also just realized (because of Franciscomv's suggestion) that my wife's Mini Grip fits the bill. She's currently EDCing her pink Delica, she probably wouldn't miss the Mini Grip if I took it for a week.

However, I think that Planterz hit it right on the head, this would be a good time to try out a knife that I normally wouldn't consider because of its small size. I might find myself liking it enough to add to my rotation. At the moment, the smallest knife that I EDC is a Spyderco Military, if anyone wanted an idea of what I mean by big knife.

I'm still leaning towards the Yojimbo, but the 707 would be in the running if I knew for sure that I could pry out the G-10 insert and replace it with rayskin. Thanks again for the suggestions and insights.
 
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