Do You Worry About "Legal" Blade Length??

I try and obey the laws of our country, even if I don't get caught it doesn't mean that I won't eventually. I carry within the legal limit always, that's why it's the LEGAL LIMIT.

Knife laws aren't just for the 'irresponsible non-knife people'. Just like speeding laws aren't just for bad drivers.
 
knife laws are so arbitrary and variable that i don't bother thinking about them. is my knife inherently more dangerous in Chicago than it is in El Paso? no. the thing i don't do is brandish my knife inappropriately such that it would make fellow citizens uncomfortable.
if you're doing no wrong and a cop is messing with you enough to be in your pockets, they're bored enough to find a reason to get you for something regardless.
 
Last edited:
I actually texted my buddy who was a local cop now he's a state trooper about the legal limit on blades. He said off the top of his head he thinks 3 inches for Illinois, but if you're caught with anything reasonably bigger (Like 3-4 inches) they don't really care as long as you aren't being a moron with it or just doing something really stupid in general. It seems like here the treat it like the set belt law, they really never pull you over just for not wearing your seat belt but if you are speeding or something they tack it on the charges.
 
Other than an absolute ban on automatics, push daggers and butterfly knives, Canadian knife laws are pretty vague so I never worry about blade length. The truth is,if you're ever in a situation where you're being searched, the cops are going to seize your knife regardless of blade length.

I have friends in law enforcement.

there is no maximum blade length in canada but conceled carry is prohibitted. I carry my Buck 285 on my belt in a sheath to and from work (walking) and haven't had an issue. even stopped and talked to some officers at a traffic stop.
 
where i live ( kentucky ) i believe the limit is aroun 3.5 inches but i dont follow it, right now i am carrying a spydie police which has a 4 and one eighth inch long blade, i believe a knife is a tool not a weapon therefore i do not handle it like its a weapon or wave it around in public, and when i am im public and need to cut something i pull out my buck deuce
 
I openly carry an Izula around my neck everyday.No fuss no problems.Maybe the occasional odd look but no problems.
 
I live in Canada. We have no legal blade length (well...there is a legal bladelength for sword-canes...their blade can be no shorter than 20" or something like that), so I don't worry about it!
 
where i live ( kentucky ) i believe the limit is aroun 3.5 inches but i dont follow it, right now i am carrying a spydie police which has a 4 and one eighth inch long blade, i believe a knife is a tool not a weapon therefore i do not handle it like its a weapon or wave it around in public, and when i am im public and need to cut something i pull out my buck deuce

In KY there distinction on what you can carry- it kind of a confusing law. when you ggole the ky laws it shows certain cases where people have been arrested with very small knifes.:confused:
 
I won't carry longer than the legal limit.


Ankerson, what is the NC legal length limit, say that 5 times as fast as you can? Does Raleigh further restrict blade length with a city ordinance? I am in the western part of NC and have been told by my local police that a 4" long folder blade is fine to carry.

I also don't really worry about blade length as I am a law abiding citizen that minds his own business and doesn't place himself in a position to draw attention from law enforcement.

I also carry my knives with foldover, deep-carry clips that I shorten down to around 1.0" or 1.5", then cover with black 3M Stair Step grip tape that further makes them hard to see/notice. These clips also place the entire knife down inside my pocket, and as long as there is no "printing", and there isn't, then no one is really the wiser as to what I have in my pocket. Works well for me!:D
 
The blade length on most of my folders, are in the 3"-to-3 1/2" range.
No tactical knives either, just traditional looking lockbacks.
At my age and size (small), I ain't going 15 rounds with anyone.
Like the old saying goes:

Better to be tried by 12, than carried by 6.

Steve
 
The state laws here are rather confusing, i just stick with a general guide of 3-3 1/2 inches for knives. Havent had an issue so far.
 
I dont worry about it as long as you dont look like your up to no good then you wont get stoped. Plus most of the time no one will say anything unless you are like aressted and then they ask for weapons.
 
Back
Top