Dive/rescue knife legality in Florida.

[undara12]

I'm planning a canoing trip in Florida. I'll be camping in a State park. I have a Gerber River Guide rescue knife that I keep attached to my life jacket. It looks like open carry of knives in Florida is legal, but I would appreciate your opinion on taking a knife to Florida. I was planning on taking my Condor Kumunga, but decided against it after a little research.

 

[MAKnifenut]

Carry whatever you want. To my knowledge all of their normal laws get thrown right out the door as long as your doing some kind of outdoor activity such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, hunting, etc...

 

[Tallahassee]

You're asking about a rescue knife on a canoe vest in a Park. You should be fine. Here is my Fla-resident, non-lawyer experience on carrying knives here generally :
State parks here in FLA are usually fairly laid back, but the state overall is becoming more urbanized and sissyfied with all the relocatees from New York and other urban Borg hives where knives were scarrrrry. Don't be surprised if you draw a few stares from soccer Moms with a belt knife nowadays, even in a wilderness park. LEOs will be very aware of a visible belt knife anywhere. Common sense & good manners. For suburbia, strip malls etc: we have more than our share of relocated Unpredictable Crazy People here; retail stores & restaurants would probably feel more at ease if you leave a 7" KaBar USMC back in the car.(And some might be fine with it). Some will have no-weapons signs. Some cities have more restrictive policies.

When you Google FL knife law you will find it's very vague. (Carrying is one thing. Getting into an altercation with one is another). Concealed/pocket carry of multitools, SAKs, normal folders and anything under 4 inches is generally fine. (Ballistic knives are prohibited. Auto switchblades are supposedly legal but any LEO will still react). Open carry is generally fine. If you have a concealed handgun permit, Florida generally considers that to cover concealed knives as well as some other non-firearm deadly weapons. (That's a much more detailed question).
For that rescue knife on your canoe vest & camping you should be fine around the Park. If any questions, call the Park office & ask. If you're flying remember you have to put the knife in checked baggage. Have fun, there's great canoeing and kayaking here.