College Carry

N

NateReed

Joined
Jan 20, 2013
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I go to college (2nd year) and have been carrying a knife since my second semester. I have never had a problem with it, ever. Last semester I even cut some bagels that someone brought in that were not pre-cut. I usually carry something Kershaw Skyline sized or over. Never had a problem. Yesterday I was curious, so I looked up the school's rules. I live in California, which I know lets you carry pretty much any folder on college campuses, but I go to a private school. The limit is 2.5 inches, which is useless in most situations. Also, my school is in Stockton, which as you all know is a pretty crappy city. I feel as if my school is actively trying to make us victims. Your guys' thoughts?

Also, an assignment in my German class was to do an impromptu commercial on something in our pockets. I thought to myself, 'Damn. This is either gonna go really good or really bad.' I avoided pulling out my SOG Aegis and SOG Flash I and instead went for my Leatherman. I didn't even pull out the knife. I went straight for the pliers, and half the room just sort of gasped. Then again half of them are preforming arts majors. Notable comments: "Woah." "What is this?"

Yay, California...
 
NateReed said:
Also, my school is in Stockton, which as you all know is a pretty crappy city. I feel as if my school is actively trying to make us victims. Your guys' thoughts?
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All schools have annoying rules. Just live with it. There're plenty of better options for SD out there than a knife, anyway.

NateReed said:
The limit is 2.5 inches, which is useless in most situations.
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What do you use your knife for? Other than food prep, I can't think of any everyday tasks that would require a blade longer than 2".
 
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That is the problem with these protectionists. They have it all wrong. A gun free school zone is a very dangerous place. Criminals certainly aren't going to adhere to the laws. It's OK for important people to have a security detail that use firearms, but not ok for you, because you're not important. Doesn't make sense at all.

I'd say carry what you want to carry, however if you wish to follow the "policy", I could understand that too.
 
Dan57 said:
What do you use your knife for? Other than food prep, I can't think of any everyday tasks that would require a blade longer than 2".
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Exactly, even a self defense situation 2.5 inches is sufficient to pierce through sternocleidomastoid muscle and puncture/cut the carotid.. you'll be doing just fine with a little lockback.
 
Dan, you mentioned food prep. In my post I mentioned how I cut some bagels. I have done a little bit more food prep when my College Republican club has meetings on campus. Also, on self defense, the campus is like an enclave but occasionally there are events such as carjackings. 2 inches may do it for you guys, but I feel safer having a larger blade. If I could have a gun, I would. But I'm 19 and live in CA
 
Try a neck knife. I personally hate the little things, but they do not scare the sheeple... much. I carried a 3 inch and a 3.5 inch folder at college a year ago, no problems. However, I avoided the bar district, did not ever drink, and generally minded my own business. If you can avoid situations that make you feel the need for a weapon, do so. As far as neck knives go, I would recommend a CRKT Minimalist Wharnecliffe. Little bitty blade, decent sheath, cheap, but still useful if you really need it.
 
I say carry your two knives. Keep a larger one for self defense is that is waht you gotta do but also keep that flash one for regular stuff. Or better yet, get one of the case trappers for normal everyday stuff. That shouldn't get you in trouble. I feel for you man. I recently graduated form LSU and I carried a 3.5"-4" and a 2.5"-3" everyday of my four years. I often carried a purple endura 4. It was hilarious because everyone thought it was an LSU brand knife. They always asked where I got it.
 
I'm at college too, and the only blade I pocket carry is a Leatherman Skeletool. A bigger knife usually stays in the backpack.

In your case, my inner troll would have pulled out my light and started an impromptu vibrator commercial.
policestuff_2247_466530374

Uncanny resemblance.
 
I'm not gonna change my carry methods. I'd like to carry a neck knife, but CA doesn't let you conceal fixed blades. Guess I just shouldn't get caught... And I generally avoid any situations where it might get sticky. I'm not even on campus much since I live at home and have a job. Last year there was a couple car jackings. That's what I'm most afraid of, but I keep my head up when going to or leaving my car
 
I would go by the rules if I were you. You don't want to get in trouble, and if you're going to have to use a knife in a "self defense" situation, it's not going to matter that much that it's only 2.5 inches or whatever. That being said, for any practical use, 2.5 inches is plenty big enough and is far from useless by any stretch of the imagination. If you're worried about someone attacking and/or robbing you, might I suggest some pepper spray or something? That's definitely a better option as far as a first line of defense against attack. You don't want them to be close enough for you to stab.
 
NateReed said:
Dan, you mentioned food prep. In my post I mentioned how I cut some bagels. I have done a little bit more food prep when my College Republican club has meetings on campus. Also, on self defense, the campus is like an enclave but occasionally there are events such as carjackings. 2 inches may do it for you guys, but I feel safer having a larger blade. If I could have a gun, I would. But I'm 19 and live in CA
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Being a 20yr old in College near Compton, feet can get you a lot farther then a gun or knife will.

LegendTeller said:
I would go by the rules if I were you. You don't want to get in trouble, and if you're going to have to use a knife in a "self defense" situation, it's not going to matter that much that it's only 2.5 inches or whatever. That being said, for any practical use, 2.5 inches is plenty big enough and is far from useless by any stretch of the imagination. If you're worried about someone attacking and/or robbing you, might I suggest some pepper spray or something? That's definitely a better option as far as a first line of defense against attack. You don't want them to be close enough for you to stab.
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100% agree.
 
I carry some good flashlights with strobe to get some distance. If I can I'd get distance, but if that is no option, then it comes to the knife. I might play by the rules if I wasn't transferring out to Univ of Wyoming next fall. I cant wait until I get out there
 
Students here can bring a firearm to class if they are already a permit holder, so I am guessing knives are a non-issue. Oddly Stockton is one of two places I have seen knife fights outside my Trailways bus window while passing through. Sacramento was the other.
 
Well, I'm not a permit holder because I'm only 19. That and it's a private school, so there's a little bit different rules, although if I did CCW I'd do it on campus anyway
 
LegendTeller said:
If you're worried about someone attacking and/or robbing you, might I suggest some pepper spray or something? That's definitely a better option as far as a first line of defense against attack. You don't want them to be close enough for you to stab.
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Especially not if you pepper spray them 1st!! :D
 
CA might suck if you wanna carry a pistol, but for knives, it's one of the friendlier states. People aren't surprised by my carrying or using a knife around here and I see a lot of other ordinary citizens carrying folding knives which I find encouraging. I'm long out of school and haven't been on a campus in a while, so those particular regulations don't really apply to me, but I can see how it might be a little frustrating, depending on what you're accustomed to carrying off-campus.

Even so, being allowed to carry a 2.5" blade is pretty good. I mean, at least you can carry one at all. I don't carry for self defense myself, but I'm sure you could ruin someone's day with a 2.5" blade if you wanted or needed to. A neck knife under 2.5" is okay as long as it's worn outside your clothes and visible at all times -- that is, unless your school has its own restriction regarding them. That may attract unwanted attention, but you have the option... maybe something like a CRKT Minimalist might work.
 
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