folding knives in LA

8

80sskater

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May 30, 2018
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how's it going guys I wanted to buy a friend of mine a knife as a gift but I'm hearing different laws someone told me you could not have a folding knife with a 3-inch blade is this true also how about neck knives something like the minimalist?
 
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Get your friend a SAK, such a Tinker/Super Tinker, Recruit/Cadet, Pioneer (has Alox covers) or Huntsman (the Scissors on the Huntsman come in handy).

I lived in the San Bernardino area from 1976 until I left California in 1980. My EDC was an Old Timer 7OT and a SAK Recruit.
 
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Might want to have a mod move this the Knife Law forum. You can also search there and find a lot of great info.

Keep your folders under 3”.

As for fixed blades (maybe folders too)...it appears that open carry under 3” might” be allowed...might. Keep in mind that CA law prohibits concealed carry of fixed blades and LA law forbids open carry... It’s the 3” thing that might make it leagal.

13.62.020 – Carrying knives and daggers in plain view prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to carry on his person, in plain view, any knife or dagger.

13.62.010 – Knives and daggers defined.

As used in this chapter, the terms “knives and daggers” shall include any knife having a blade of three inches or more in length; any spring-blade, switch-blade or snap-blade knife; any knife any blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device; any ice pick or similar sharp stabbing tool; any straight-edge razor or any razor blade fitted to a handle.

13.62.030 – Exemptions to chapter applicability.

The foregoing restrictions shall not be deemed to prohibit the carrying of ordinary tools or equipment for use in a lawful occupation or for the purpose of lawful recreation, or where the carrying of a knife or dagger is a recognized religious practice.



So...probably just get a SAK like mentioned above.
 
I lived in the bay area for 4 years. As far as I know, they share the same laws (under 3in).

I wouldn't chance a fixed blade.

I carried a 2.75in blade locking folder every day I lived there, no issues whatsoever.

I had a Boker Exskelibur 2, but there are plenty of options out there, including the excellent Ontario Rat 2, and ESEE zancudo.
 
some good recommendations it's more for utility and stealthy self-defense I might just go with the cold steel Tuff Lite I have one and really like it myself
 
Folding knives in LA? I am assuming Los Angeles since this post.
Los Angeles City? (Piece of crap laws, Liberal mayor).
Or, Los Angeles County?
Been in the County 48 years..any folder, including spring assist, is fine concealed..never, ever had a problem including run ins with the Sheriffs.
All this under 3" talk is crap. If its a folder (non-auto) in populated areas, your fine. Believe me.
Fixed blade open carry is fine just dont conceal.
See this all the time at the local Walmart, Target.
Vets carrying fixed blades in the open.
Nobody ever says a thing!
 
Damn i would like to be able to carry blades were i live...
Seems that you can carry what you want if it isn't realy too big or agressive looking.
 
I live in San Diego where the knife laws are pretty lenient, but periodically go into (and rarely, have stayed awhile) in LA. I have never had a problem with whatever I was carrying. If I were really worried about the City of LA, I'd carry one of my 3"-bladed Spydercos, like my Narive 5 or Delica. But like I said, I've never even come close to having a problem with 4"-bladed folders. Sure, the City of LA might not be the greatest place for knife carry, but it sure ain't NYC, Boston, Chicago, or some of the other places in this country with their totally ridiculous knife restrictions. In the City of LA, if it's a larger folder, you might not want its pocket clip showing, but that's about it. I don't know about neck knives.

Jim
 
This is flogging a dead horse at this point, but the rule of thumb for LA is: Fixed=Do Not Conceal, Folders=Any length as long as its not showing. I have carried and used up to 4" folders whenever I went into LA for the last couple of decades and never been hassled by anybody. I use a Large Lum or Resolza all the time in restaurants. Don't show a pocket clip for any length folder, it has been prosecuted as showing intent to use it as a weapon--not as an individual charge, but as an add-on to go for the extra point. They got Capone on tax evasion, after all. Ordinances for fixed blades are brutally unforgiving for concealment, so if your jacket falls over your neck knife or your shirt falls over the grip of your belt knife, it counts as fully concealed. Length of blade does not matter for this, a Minimalist is just as illegal as a BK9 if it's concealed. I leave my Minimalists at home with my Limecutter (Nighthaxan rocks!) and stick with folders.
 
I work in Los Angeles and live in LA county. I keep my folders under 3 inches and haven't had the need to carry a fixed blade. I've seen people openly carry fixed blades at a mall in LA county near pasadena, no issues. The 3 inch rule for open carry was because of a bunch of paisa cholos that used to hang out in McArthur park and threaten people with Machetes.

I've carried:

Cold Steel Counter Point II
Cold Steel mini AK47
Cold Steel medium voyager tanto
Gerber Evo Tanto Med-size
Sanrenmu 7094
Buck Vantage(version that is <3'')
Martinni Pelican
Aitor Castor(3'' version)
Boker Magnum Duke
Cold Steel Micro Recon I

Out of all these the "smartest" buy has proven to be the sanrenmu. There are other sanrenmu's I bought through gearbest and haven't carried as I've enjoyed the 7094 so much. I bought like 100 dollars of LA-compliant knives via gearbest. Gave a bunch away to co-workers and such.
 
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James Y said:
I live in San Diego where the knife laws are pretty lenient, but periodically go into (and rarely, have stayed awhile) in LA. I have never had a problem with whatever I was carrying. If I were really worried about the City of LA, I'd carry one of my 3"-bladed Spydercos, like my Narive 5 or Delica. But like I said, I've never even come close to having a problem with 4"-bladed folders. Sure, the City of LA might not be the greatest place for knife carry, but it sure ain't NYC, Boston, Chicago, or some of the other places in this country with their totally ridiculous knife restrictions. In the City of LA, if it's a larger folder, you might not want its pocket clip showing, but that's about it. I don't know about neck knives.

Jim
Click to expand...

Yeah, Los Angeles City has different laws then the County. Ironically, there is a knife store in the city of LA that has hundreds of folders including several autos including the full size ones. Its been there for years. LAPD has never said a thing to them apparently.

BTW, I'm carrying a Protech TR-5 SA right now..comfortably :)
 
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