Concealed Blades

M

ms514

Joined
Dec 26, 2003
Messages
113
Hello again:

I am curious as to your folks views on the optimum blade length and the best concealed carry system for a blade to basically go invisible in public (sorry, the I am not graced with a police escort everywhere I go. I realize more and more daily you gotta learn to fend for yourself). It's gotta be concealed well enough to basically be invisible (talking about being at work with it...you never know where and when that bear may come in and attack you at your computer terminal...:eek: ) and easy enough to retrieve in a flash (what good is it if you have a blade you cannot get to it). I am also talking of a 24 hour carry, so it should be secure enough to keep on your person at all times (so no self-stabbing occurs at night). And this is not a trench coat carry...I would carry under a regular dress shirt.

Advice based on the HI blades would be best. I would have loved to carry the YCS Karda (11 incher) on me, but somehow, that seems practically impossible to conceal properly. And on this note, what do you think is the maximum length that could be concealed to invisibility. Pictures and any information you can provide would be most appreciated.

Again, thanks in advance.
 
Too many variables. Are you talking legal concealed carry or otherwise? What's your climate, where do you work, how are you typically dressed? What's your height and build? Do you prefer fixed blade or folder? Then comes the big one, if you have sufficient reason to believe your life/safety are at risk, you'd be much better protected by purchasing a handgun, getting a carry permit for it, and staying in practice with it. The knife would then assume it's proper role as a backup, a weapon of last resort, as it has been since firearms came on the scene several centuries ago.

Sarge
 
Thanks for your response. Will try to answer the questions as best as I can:

Legal: let's say both, legal and otherwise.
Climate: New Jersey (do you mean temperature or otherwise...not too sure).
Work: Office setting.
Dress: Dres shirt, dress pants, tie.
Height: 6 foot
Build: Medium
Blade: Fixed
Handgun: Maybe I'll work up to that.

Risk Assessment: Not too at risk, but New Jersey is not a picnic area in some places.
 
Getting a CCW in Jersey will not be easy.

Somewhat along those lines, if you have something that you really shouldn't (or rather, are not allowed to) have and you use it, are you prepared to face the consequences afterwards?

And running with that, are there alternatives that wouldn't create as much of a hassle for you?
 
Consequences can be dealt with. Alternatives, no. Though I understand and appreciate the warnings.
 
How about a emerson lagriffe? They are very tough. Very powerful cutters. Difficult to disarm. I hate to admit it but I tested one out on some extra formica counter top I had laying around. Chewed the thing up with out even blemishing the lagriffe. Sounds like just what you are looking for.
 
Good to see you MS514.:)

I've had a Lagriffe and it was great. You might also check out http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php

The HAK is designed and produced by a brilliant lady with the forum name of Frontsight. They aren't cheap, but they're good. Each one is sized to fit your individual hand, and there are many carry options. It's a last resort knife. She has a forum on badlandsforums.com.

Good luck in your search, and hope you never need one.

Steve
 
Hmmmm, office worker in New Jersey. I'm thinking liner lock folder with a pocket clip. There's no shortage of good ones to pick from, and the clip offers you several carry options. No need to rely on the knife by itself. A good, solid, old fashioned umbrella is a serious weapon in trained hands, and a perfectly docile non-weapon in normal use/carry. A cane/walking stick in an urban environment might draw suspicion, but everybody can empathize with a desire to not get rained on. ;)

Sarge
 
The La Griffe and Hideaway are both excellent choices for under the shirt carry in a concealed pendant rig.

A folder clipped to the inside of one's pocket is typically recommended, but hardly "invisible."

I had to wear similar clothes in an office environment where a legal folder would've probably gotten me fired -- carried my Vaquero Grande (6" blade) in an ankle rig for a .25 -- worked perfectly.

It is very difficult to conceal anything other than a short thin knife under the clothing you described. Oh, and if you get caught carrying a concealed kukhri in Jersey, you'll probably start to rethink your "consequences can be dealt with" remark after your first week in lockup. The accommodations leave a lot to be desired.
 
tyr_shadowblade said:
A folder clipped to the inside of one's pocket is typically recommended, but hardly "invisible."
Click to expand...

Depends, if it's just jammed in your pocket with the clip hanging out, then no. If it's slipped in your waistband with your belt mostly hiding the clip, and you don't tuck your shirt in too tight, it would be extremely difficult to spot.

Sarge
 
If your set on a fixed blade, consider the Cold Steel Culloden. It's a sgian dubh, blade 5", flat profile and conceals very well. Or look back on some of the threads of Sarges's work and make yourself one. Heck, just make yourself a nofrills shiv.
Terry
 
BruiseLeee said:
If you're in an office, you can keep a ball peen hammer in your desk. :)
Click to expand...

Learn about improvised weapons. They're all around you, and perfectly legal to possess.

Black Medicine, Vol. II, by Dr. Mashiro is the best book on the topic.
 
A word of advise from a former NJ dweller.

I had an unrestricted carry permit in NJ for 20 years. Scarcely anyone in the state had such a permit. It was necessary for me to be armed 24/7.

If you screw with the weapons laws in NJ you will be severly and unreasonably punished by the state. Gun or knife. Your life will be ruined and you will never be allowed to buy or posses a gun anywhere in this country again.

Don't believe me? Find a lawyer named Evan Nappen down the Jersey shore. He only defends guys in trouble for weapons violations and he is the best. Read a few of his books on NJ weapons laws.

Any thought of carring an illegal weapon (in the eyes of the NJ law) is foolhardy. Anybody that spots it or sees the outline of it under your clothes might turn you in.

I have not posted this agressively. My intent is to hopefully keep you out of the clutches of the NJ LEO's and the judicial system. Please take it in that spirit. I worked on the fringe of that system. It stinks if you are an honest, responsible citizen. You cannot defend yourself in NJ.
 
Hi Steve...:) ...hope your long-term project is going well...

To all the guys:

Believe me when I say that I appreciate the warnings being given. I am no lawyer and rely on your experience on this. And forgive me for saying that it is utterly depressing, if I may express my naive views, and smacks of unconstitutionality (I mean come on...what does the right to bear arms mean...I get to carry a sharp pencil??!?!!?). Thanks Mr. Poll for the locally based warnings.

Ok...so carry=trouble. Will keep in mind. Thanks for the warnings. The idea of an umbrella is nice (wonder if HI wants to make a 5 pound reinforced one...mwhahahaaaaa. Perhaps if I mount umbrella cloth on a baseball bat...:rolleyes: ). The cane idea I have dabbled in before, but it looks odd on a young 'un like meself. Perhaps it is time to buy a nice key chain...with an emphasis on chain...but probably get arrested for that too...:mad:
 
Next physical you have, complain slightly of a knee ache...don't go for tests, just suggest it aches occasionally. Or call your Dr. Get it on record.

Then go make/buy an unassuming cane.

The New Jersey situation Steve described appears to make it more hazardous to have a weapon than to be attacked without one. Not quite as bad as the UK, but closing in on it.

Best wishes.
 
I used to carry a cheapie wally world umbrella when I went to college. The dorms were on the far side of campus away from the undergrad buildings...go figure that one out:rolleyes: Anyway, it was not uncommon get caught, to quote The King, in the cold Kentucky rain. I carried a big ol' honkin' crook handled $2.99 special. You could walk with the metal tip, and it was big enough to offer shelter for two (great if you're caught out in the rain with a friend or go to a school where the ladies out numbered the guys 4 to 1;))
Anyway, to get to one of my classes I had to cross the street of a residential part of town. Of course, there was a dog. There's always a dog. The bane of the foot traveling college student. This thing sat on a porch unchained and looked to be part rot part lab and part gator. Not MEAN, but he liked to come off the porch right at you in a pretty aggressive stance. I was really thankful to have that 3' 'brella a couple of times. Stick it straight out like a lance and poke the pooch away. long enough to get past his turf. Finally, I found something that really freaked him out. When he ran toward me, I just popped the umbrella open right in front of him. FWOOMP and all he saw was a big black mass. I can't think of anything less weapony than an umbrella that works so well on beasts.
Another thing that I have seen is a very bland looking umbrella sword cane:
ac_nv_umbrella_crossed

ac_nv_umbrella_open_full


As others have said, I almost like my chances of NOT being attacked than I do getting the run around if I get "caught" defending myself. Luckily, I THINK I live in an area where common sense is still intact. If i run anyone through, there won't be any question as to if my life was on the line. However, I'm much faster than I am tough;)

Jake
 
Kismet said:
Next physical you have, complain slightly of a knee ache...don't go for tests, just suggest it aches occasionally. Or call your Dr. Get it on record.

Then go make/buy an unassuming cane.

The New Jersey situation Steve described appears to make it more hazardous to have a weapon than to be attacked without one. Not quite as bad as the UK, but closing in on it.

Best wishes.
Click to expand...

Yup, a cane can be really bad news for the bad guys. I bought a Canemaster's cane several years back. It has an edge along the inside with what they call, "Shark's teeth" in it and four grips along with the sharpened horn.
I also had a couple of ruby eyes embedded in my "snake's head" just to pretty it up.;)
Linky 1.
This is similar to my solid Hickory Heart Cane.:cool: Linky 2.
 
Hi MS14:

Please call me Steve.

Your assesment of NJ is accurate. It is an anti gun, anti self defense state that feels citizens will all be safe and sound if only criminals had weapons. Yeah, I know that sounds old and tired, but it is true. I wish it was otherwise. Penalties for "offenders" is severe.

In all likelihood I sound like I'm beating a dead horse. But, I speak from experience.

I wish you luck in finding some way to protect yourself if something bad happens.

During the decades I worked in NJ I evaluated jobs on weather I should carry one gun or two (a primary and a backup). There was always a loaded riot shotgun in my surveillance van or car. Always. But, I had priviledges above and beyond the unfortunate normal resident.

I know what it is like to wait six months until a permit to purchase (not carry) a handgun is issued.

I live in Florida now where the gun laws are refreshing.
 
I'm thinkin' hard about the cane idea, Yvsa. A weapon you can take into a restaurant or for that matter, the opera in plain sight. I got a hickory blank from Canemasters, and have been thinking about making it into a stealthy non-weapon, "Hey, it's just an ordinary cane, I have a bad knee, officer. This punk just sorta ran into it."
 
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