folding blades carried open?

M

mr_dove

Joined
Apr 12, 2004
Messages
90
I've seen a few people (and pictures) of people who carry thier folding knives in the open position, in some kind of sheath.

Being a bit inexperienced, I'm curious why this is? Can anyone explain this to me?

I recently came upon a possible explanation though. I learned that certain places (cities, universities, etc) may ban fixed blade knives outright while still allowing folding knives.

Keeping a folding blade in an open position allows some of the benefit of a fixed blade without running afoul of the law (for those who would really prefer is fixed blade if it were allowed).
 
At least here in cali, if the blade is locked open while you're carrying it, it falls under the same laws as a fixed blade in most cases (afaik).
 
Yeah in California you can carry any length folder you want as long as its carried in the closed position. But for fixed blades or folders in the open position they have to be carried in a sheath on your belt.
 
In the film Dirty Harry, Harry at one point carries an open switchblade taped to his lower leg which ends up saving his life.

That's a damn good film.
 
Yup. It's a legal thing.

When I went to Maryland recently, I looked up the state knife laws. Their case law specifically tried this situation, and found that a folding knife carried in the open position is _still_ a folding knife. AFAIK, lots of other states think differently.
 
I am not sure what you are looking at; but, there are catagories of folding knives that are designed to be carried in a sheath. The folding bowies, and similar knives, have blades which are much longer then the their handle length, so a sharpened portion of the blade will always protrude from the handle. These knives are so designed so that they may be carried more compactly (as in the WWII bailout survival machetes), or in order to provide additional utility since you can fold and shorthen your knife when doing finer work (like the Szabo RAD).

n2s
 
I would tend to think that if it would be illegal to carry a fixed blade, it would probably be illegal to carry a folder locked open. Even if it does get around the law through some technicality, would it really be worth all of the hastle if caught?
 
There's a sheath for an Emerson that will allow the folder to be sheathed in either the closed or open position. With the wave function you can pull the knife <click> it's open, use it, then resheath it without having to close it again. Quick one hand operation.

Still doesn't answer why, but it's pretty neat to see. There's a video of it on their site.
 
The (now discontinued) Gerber Parabellum came with a dual-purpose sheath. The knife could be carried folded in the main compartment, OR . . .
The opened knife could be carried in the "blade-only" portion of the sheath and survival gear (matches, compass, cord, etc.) could be stowed in the main compartment.
 
Masters of Defense and Emerson Knives both have folders than can be paired up with open carry sheaths.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top