Deep pocket carry knife in plain view?

Rival

Rival

Joined
Dec 29, 2001
Messages
101
I have a "low ride" pocket clip on my SERE 2K, and the only part of the knife you can see outside is the clip. However you could tell a lot about a knife just by seeing a clip and that bothers me.

The deal is, you can not carry a knife like SERE 2K in PLAIN VIEW (in Los Angeles that is)... Now I'm pretty sure that Police Officer will be able to tell from pretty fair distance that I have a formiddable knife in my pocket - by the clip.

My question is this, can I argue that if the clip of the knife is the only visible part of it, the knife is NOT being carried in plain view?

I just want to hear your opinions to be ready for the potentional confrontation with a Police Officer... I don't want my knife taken away.
 
Hey Rival,

I live in the L.A. area and haven't had a problem with any LEOs asking about a knife when I'm carrying a clipped model (BM 710, Spydie Endura, CRK Sebenza, etc.). In fact I had dinner with our neighbors whose daughter is friends with ours, the father being a L.A. County deputy sherrif, and he didn't mention the clip showing from my Endura at all, if he even noticed.

I think that if you suspect it might be a problem to not use the clip, or carry it IWB next to a cell phone or pager, where it's practically invisible. That SERE has a shiny clip, which you might want to darken up a bit as well.
 
I dont think they would notice, i mean unless they are looking for it. I have walked down the street past a cop while i had my Ka-Bar on my belt in plain view and he didnt notice, im sure he would have said something if he did. Im not in L.A. but i still dont think anyone would really pay any attention to it.
 
I think what one has to consider is the situation. If you bump into a LEO in line at McDonalds and he notices your clip you probably won't have a problem. If you are being arrested for assault, you can feel safe that they'll be charging you with carrying a concealed weapon.

-Al-
 
alelser brings up a good point, it would depend on the reason the cop is looking at you. If you are running away from a crime scene for instance he would be much much more likely to nail you for it.
 
If you find that you would like to darken up your pocket clip, try automotive shrink tubing. It can be had in black and makes the clip less noticable. As an extra, it tends to make the clip grab your trousers pocket better.
 
Originally posted by ArchAngel
If you find that you would like to darken up your pocket clip, try automotive shrink tubing. It can be had in black and makes the clip less noticable. As an extra, it tends to make the clip grab your trousers pocket better.
Click to expand...

Do you always carry in the same pocket? or, same type pants?

If you are in a "high-visibility" area, I would consider either painting a cover to match, or sewing a wide belt loop to the inside of your pocket to clip on to.

Dan
 
Paint your clip to match what you are wearing. Heck paint it pink or with small lady bugs and butterflies on it. Make it look silly. Just a thaught.:p
 
Folders of any size are allowed in LA (unless you're in a gov't building, a school, or a place that doesn't allow them). Back in the days I thought "bigger was badder", I used to carry around a Vaquero Grande or a Rekat Sifu! Never had a problem. Of course, if it gets to the point where to have to explain to a LEO why you're carrying such a large knife, then maybe you're in some doo-doo!

Fixed blades, however, are a different story...
 
I know that you can legally carry folder of any size. However you can not wear any folder with blade 3 inches or more in plain view. The law states: CARRY KNIVES OR DAGGERS IN PLAIN VIEW PROHIBITED (and they mean ANY knife with blade length 3 inches or more).

So If I clip my folder to the belt it will be, in fact, against the law.

So I was asking if carrying folder in a pocket with only a clip visible can be interpreted by Police Officer as carrying the knife in plain view.
 
I wouldn't think this would be really noticed unless you gave someone reason to notice it. As long as you are doing nothing illegal, or something else that would attract attention to you, not that many people would be looking for pocket clips, even LEO's.

I live in NY and carry folders cliped to my pocket all the time, no one even turn to give me a second look.


Erik
 
Originally posted by Rival
I know that you can legally carry folder of any size. However you can not wear any folder with blade 3 inches or more in plain view. The law states: CARRY KNIVES OR DAGGERS IN PLAIN VIEW PROHIBITED (and they mean ANY knife with blade length 3 inches or more).

So If I clip my folder to the belt it will be, in fact, against the law.

So I was asking if carrying folder in a pocket with only a clip visible can be interpreted by Police Officer as carrying the knife in plain view.
Click to expand...
If the LEO who finds it on you doesn't know the law as well as you do, or if he doesn't like you, there's nothing to stop him from arresting you for it. You'd probably win in court, though.
 
I also have a SERE 2000. I like the way it sits low in the pocket. The problem I notice is that the shiny clip is easy to spot (as DB1 mentioned).

Check with Al Mar Knives. I think you can now buy the black clips seperately. That should cut down on the visibility.
 
Personally, if I lived in an area where there was that much confusion about what is and is not legal, I'd carry it completely out of view in my front pants pocket. If stopped by an officer, I would be sure to let him know about it in advance of any kind of search.

-Al-
 
Fella's, I don't mean to be a smart pants here but have any of you considered
a plain old pocket knife?? The issue of concealment becomes a non issue.

Don't scoff. I carry a 4 1/4 " stockman with a 3 3/8" main blade and I know a
lot of the large SAK's have a good size blade and these knife are as a rule considered
tools not weapons. That is what any cop cares about.... wheather you are armed.

Trying to hide and justify most one handers as tools is like trying to say a .357 Mag
is a squirrel hunting gun.
 
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