EDC for NY

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wickedwheels

Joined
Feb 14, 2008
Messages
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I recently lost my favorite EDC— a Benchmade Mini Barrage. I started looking to replace it, and saw that NY laws changed and it is now illegal. I loved that it was assisted opening that can be done with one hand, had a sturdy enough blade that I could use for occasional light prying (and held up better than my Kershaw Leeks). The locking mechanism never opened accidentally, so if my kids got into my pockets I didn’t have to worry.

Now I need a (legal) replacement. I would like to consider an unassisted flipper. The blade length can be slightly longer than the mini barrage, but preferably not shorter. Smoothness of action is important, as well as having a pocket clip. My budget is somewhat modest by the standards on this forum—under $200 is preferred. Any recommendations??
 
If you want the best chances of a hassle free experience in NY you should just carry a swiss army knife, or an opinel #8 or lower. You can also look into a Spyderco UKpenknife if you want/need something more modern. Im reading it's illegal to possess a knife where the pocket clip is shown even if it's the blade is not exposed, but don't quote me on that unless I'm wrong.
 
wickedwheels said:
I recently lost my favorite EDC— a Benchmade Mini Barrage. I started looking to replace it, and saw that NY laws changed and it is now illegal. I loved that it was assisted opening that can be done with one hand, had a sturdy enough blade that I could use for occasional light prying (and held up better than my Kershaw Leeks). The locking mechanism never opened accidentally, so if my kids got into my pockets I didn’t have to worry.

Now I need a (legal) replacement. I would like to consider an unassisted flipper. The blade length can be slightly longer than the mini barrage, but preferably not shorter. Smoothness of action is important, as well as having a pocket clip. My budget is somewhat modest by the standards on this forum—under $200 is preferred. Any recommendations??
Click to expand...
State of NY or NYC?

If NYC, then clip is verboten.

www.akti.org

New York State Knife Laws - American Knife & Tool Institute | American Knife and Tool Institute

Considerable care and caution should be used in selecting a knife if you reside within or are traveling to the “Empire State.” New York State Knife Laws
www.akti.org www.akti.org
 
NYSHITTY here.......No visible pocket clips..I clip to my waist band usually.......

As long as you don't act like an.idiot you can carry most anything without worry......NYPD has other distractions atm.....🤔

NYS is much more amenable with blades...
 
It's been 8 years since I lived there, but unless they've changed their laws about "gravity knives" recently, make extra super sure that you can't open it just by flicking your wrist, even by holding onto the blade like people do with 110s. Ironically I learned how to do that by watching a cop open one of my pocketknives before he confiscated it and gave me a ticket.

I got this Buck to carry for work specifically because it met the length requirements and couldn't be opened without the thumb stud. I did get hassled about it right after they changed their policy on clip visibility, but when I explained why I had that particular model and the officer was unable to flick it open, he gave it back.

20250610-095040.jpg


But I agree with the point above, you're safest with a SAK (or Leatherman). If you do happen to get stopped for any reason, it's better not to be carrying something they can fine or arrest you for.
 
InThePocket said:
It's been 8 years since I lived there, but unless they've changed their laws about "gravity knives" recently, make extra super sure that you can't open it just by flicking your wrist, even by holding onto the blade like people do with 110s. Ironically I learned how to do that by watching a cop open one of my pocketknives before he confiscated it and gave me a ticket.

I got this Buck to carry for work specifically because it met the length requirements and couldn't be opened without the thumb stud. I did get hassled about it right after they changed their policy on clip visibility, but when I explained why I had that particular model and the officer was unable to flick it open, he gave it back.

20250610-095040.jpg


But I agree with the point above, you're safest with a SAK (or Leatherman). If you do happen to get stopped for any reason, it's better not to be carrying something they can fine or arrest you for.
Click to expand...
I’m pretty sure they changed the gravity knife law in 2019
 
Correct. Gravity knives are no longer illegal. While the law on switchblades has not changed, a ruling by the NYS Court of Appeals has wrongly found assisted openers to be switchblades. Since that is the highest court in NY, their ruling is the law for now. You can own and very limited carry switchblades with a fishing/hunting trapping license. ( NYS PL 265.20#6).
 
If your goal and need is to have a cutting tool, and I assume you dont want to have a knife on you for a possible SD/ de-escalation via optics situation then youre best suited for a slipjoint, as it will satisfy the cutting tool needs 9/10 times and is the least threatening in appearance. I get it, two hand opening is "inconvenient", but so is getting hassled by a cop because the knife of choice was too "aggressive" looking to them.
This is just my opinion so treat it as such
 
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