CT knife laws and this particular knife

[Uncurved_feline]

So under CT knife laws, I can't carry dangerous knifes, and dangerous qualifies as "(1) dirk knives, (2) switch knives, (3) stilettos, (4) any knife that has an automatic spring release device that releases a blade from the handle longer than one and one-half inches, and (5) any knife that has a blade with an edged portion four inches or longer."


So I found this 3.6 inch blade knife but it folds too

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-31-000...B9NC27P&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_


So I'm not sure if this qualifies as a switchblade or not, or even an automatic spring release, because the limitation for that is only 1.5 inches. I would like clarification on this.

Also, if there is some other <4 inch knife that you know is better, I'm open for recommendations as well.

 

[glistam]

This particular knife you linked to is NOT switchblade. The blades does not contain an automatic spring release device nor is it even spring-loaded in the first place. It's an ordinary folding knife with a blade less than 4 inches long and so is legal under CT law.

Are there better knives? Well, yes, of course there are. But they cost more, so it's really about what kind of budget you have to work with.

 

[Uncurved_feline]

Ok thanks for clearing that up.

I'm not much of a camper, I only really need it as an emergency for when I go hiking in the woods. I honestly don't even know what i'll use it for other than chopping wood and making a fire if I get lost or something. If this will get the job done, great. By the way, my budget would probably be <$100. Closer to 100 if I find more uses for the knife.

 

[hhmoore]

For that price, and your uses - get yourself a Mora or Hultafors.
If you want a folder, just to have a folder, there are numerous offerings that would still keep you in your price range (including the Mora).

*EDIT* Strike that - the Mora blade is a hair over 4" (at least for the HD Companion model I was going to recommend)
There are models with shorter blades, (ie some of their Craftline series ); and I believe many, if not most, of the Hultafors are below the 4" mark

 

[Uncurved_feline]

So I looked at the Mora and the Hultafors... The knife design kinda looks like a kitchen knife so it didn't appeal too much to me.

I did some more searching and found that the Schrade SCHF35 looks pretty nice, satisfies the 4", and it's fixed too so it'll be better. Btw, when a knife is advertise as high carbon stainless steel, it's both high carbon and stainless steel, right? Kind of a noob question but I didn't know both were possible, I thought it was either or.

 

[glistam]

So I looked at the Mora and the Hultafors... The knife design kinda looks like a kitchen knife so it didn't appeal too much to me.

I did some more searching and found that the Schrade SCHF35 looks pretty nice, satisfies the 4", and it's fixed too so it'll be better. Btw, when a knife is advertise as high carbon stainless steel, it's both high carbon and stainless steel, right? Kind of a noob question but I didn't know both were possible, I thought it was either or.

Looks matter very little when it comes to knife performance. Beware of junky knives dressed up with "badass" looks and fancy marketing that deep down are crappy steel that won't hold an edge.

Ok enough of my pontificating.

Blade steel is a huge topic, way more complex than knife marketing makes it look. Most blade steels involve some kind of trade-off among various attributes like flexibility, corrosion resistance, ease of sharpening and edge retention. No steel is "best" since it depends what the knife is for, but some are overall better than others. This will give you a start: http://bladereviews.com/knife-faqs/knife-steel/

"Carbon steel" usually doesn't mean anything unless they specify the type of steel. The Schrade is a 8Cr13MoV, which is a stainless steel of Chinese origin, but is considered to be good for the price. It takes an edge well, and is reasonably resistant to rust, but is not as tough as some other steels and tends it dull more quickly than more expensive steels.