For those who EDC a fixed blade

Another consideration is a CCWL, and the state you reside. Here in KY, with a permit, I can carry "ANY" knife, beyond normal pocket or hunting knives. I just got my permit last week, and have not put too much thought into what knife or when or where. I don't take "weapons" into federal buildings, Post Office, my court house,. etc..
I cannot find any info or law that prohibits me from carrying a concealed tomahawk, so I do that when I'm not going into banks or Fed buildings. In KY, I can conceal carry police batons, ninja stars, throwing knives, any knife, and of course a handgun.
 
I live in Ontario, Canada. I edc an Izula in the inside pocket of my jacket in the winter and on my belt in the summer. Never had any comments on it. I have given some thought to belt edcing my esee 4 but don't really see the point, living in a small city. If i had a practical reason (farm work,landscaping) it might be more acceptable. A larger fixed blade in a urban setting (overkill) will more than likely get some looks.
 
I carry a Street Beat concealded at the small of my back horizontally. Sometimes I open carry my Skyline FB in the leather sheath on my belt. I've never gotten any comments or weird looks from it. I carry my BK2 occasionally with an Izula paracorded to the Becker sheath. I've gotten a weird look from a woman in CVS, but she didn't say anything and nobody else seemed to notice. When open carrying just act like its not even there until you may need it and no one should have a problem with it. Be a responsible knife owner and within your laws and you should be alright.
 
Another Canadian here. I usually edc a Manix 2 XL but I have often carried the Izula II, both have drawn attention thats usually not to extreme when I explain my knife enthusiasm. Any knife that isnt auto or come through your fist( ie pushdaggers etc.) is legal for open or concealed carry in Canada. I have walked into stores and gas stations with my BHK Bushcrafter on my hip in a dangler sheath when Im on my way to the bush or on the way home, as long as its justifiable and not for self defense its legal. If I were to go to a club downtown and the bouncer finds a knife on me thats a different story, or if I take my BK9 to a hockey game or even just walk in town with a bowie or something obviously the authorities will have something to say. Canadian knife law is relatively common sense knife law, governed the same way a hammer or screwdriver would be, public attitude is as always quite varied.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Inducing what panic?
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Maybe "inducing panic" is the wrong term. But if OP is worried about getting messed with for carrying a certain way, I wouldn't suggest strapping a knife or bayonet the size of his thigh to...his thigh. Sorry man, but I would be a little concerned if I saw you walk into the neighborhood gas station like that. Not to mention that a bayonet is designed for nothing else other than stabbing. I EDC my knife with intent to use it for everyday use. CCW is the one for the unlikely event that you need to defend yourself.
 
I carry everything from a little 2.5" fixed Barlow-like pocket slicer all the way up to a 15" khukuri in a shoulder rig. Generally speaking, I usually have something in-between on my belt most days. Indiana is a common sense state. There aren't much in the way of knife laws short of no switchblades or gravity knives. I generally keep most of my knives concealed out of respect to those that might find them a bit off putting, but I'm certainly not ashamed of my hobby/passion. Same thing with my firearm. I have a permit and could open carry, but most days I just throw a flannel shirt on over my t-shirt to hide my 1911/Glock.

I look like a typical contractor of the region most days even if i'm wearing my shirt tucked in, and a tasteful fixed blade really doesn't look that out of place next to my phone, tape measure, multi-tool, and small mag light in a nylon sheath. My knife load out changed on my work/mood. Today I knew I needed a bit of a beater so I brought my Himalayan Import Survival Knife (HISK) housed in an old Cold Steel Bushman sheath. Yesterday I packed around my 6" bladed Fiddleback Forge Woodsman because it's just so handy and sharp. I've got a semi-custom 12" over all length bowie on order from Himalayan Imports and plan on making a fairly decorative sheath for it to ride high and tight on my strong side as a birthday present to myself.

No one seems to make much of a fuss. A lot of my customers are cops and they often make it a point to rib me about what "knife of the day" I'm carrying on my hip. Once again, it has everything to do with regional attitude and personal demeanor. Obviously, one has to be smart about things. I don't pack anything sharper than a car key into a government building and leave any sticker on me in my truck when I drop off/pick up my daughter from day care.
 
I carry a Murray Carter Neck Knife. Under 3 inch blade length, and the circumstances generally will determine if it is inside or outside my shirt/jacket. If i'm in the woods, obviously it's outside. If I'm in my small redneck community, it's outside the clothes, visible. If I go into the city, or to anyplace where I could get a funny look, I'll tuck it into the shirt. No laws to take into consideration, but just a preference. Knives are generally unnoticed around here in WI.

JGON
 
People might want to think twice before they judge another persons choice of knife based on NEED. After all, how many people on this forum are carrying more knife than they really need, whether it be a fixed-blade or a folder. I imagine that there are a lot of people on this forum who go days, if not weeks, without needing a knife away from home, but that doesn't stop them from carrying one. And I'd imagine that there are a lot of people who could effectively perform all of their cutting chores away from home using a little key-chain pocket-knife with a 1 inch blade, but yet they carry something much larger. Isn't it great having freedom of choice beyond what we actually NEED.

And for those people who suggest "You shouldn't carry that knife because it might scare people or make them uncomfortable", well, believe it or not but there are a lot of people who would be uncomfortable seeing a Buck 110 in a sheath on someones belt. And they would be absolutely terrified if that 110 were actually taken out to open a package. And that's despite the fact that the 110 isn't the least bit "tactical", or "scary looking", and requires two hands to open it.

So where do you draw the line between trying to accomodate the irrational fears of others, and exrecising your personal freedons and choices under the law?

No matter how hard you try to appease the irrational fears of others, you will lose. That's the thing about irrational fears, they're IRRATIONAL. Some people will freak-out if you pull out a little swiss-army knife to cut something. Unless you completely abandon the idea of carrying a knife and using it in public, then you will NEVER please everyone who has an irrational fear of knives. And not carrying a knife is what I would definitely consider LOSING.

Being courteous to others is an admirable virtue that I believe should be practiced and taught to our children, but I say there is a limit. I say, the needs of others to have their irrational fears and hyper-sensitive feelings taken into consideration ends where the exercising of my personal freedoms under the law and my freedom of choice begins.

I want to carry a fixed-blade, the law says I can. My perceived need for carrying a fixed-blade is irrelevant. I don't know about other countries, but here in America we have a lot of freedom. And whats the point of having rights and freedoms if you refuse to exercise and enjoy them for fear of making people uncomfortable.

I carry what I WANT, the law says I can. I am exercising my freedom as an American citizen. I don't use my knives irresponsibly, I don't take them out in public without good reason, I don't play with them, and I certainly don't try to scare people with them. So if people become uncomfortable by the sight of my knife, if the sight of my knife causes them to have a panic attack or makes them wet their pants, I say tough shit.

And as far as the bayonet that Charlie Mike is wearing, that's a Zero Tolerance bayonet, and they have a very sharp edge which I'm sure is very effective at cutting all manner of materials. As a cutting tool, I'm sure it could prove very useful to someone who might need a cutting tool.
 
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Stinkypete85 said:
Maybe "inducing panic" is the wrong term. But if OP is worried about getting messed with for carrying a certain way, I wouldn't suggest strapping a knife or bayonet the size of his thigh to...his thigh. Sorry man, but I would be a little concerned if I saw you walk into the neighborhood gas station like that. Not to mention that a bayonet is designed for nothing else other than stabbing. I EDC my knife with intent to use it for everyday use. CCW is the one for the unlikely event that you need to defend yourself.
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Well, you're right on as far as my state statutes go...

RCW 9.41.270
Weapons apparently capable of producing bodily harm — Unlawful carrying or handling — Penalty — Exceptions.


(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

(2) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) above shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. If any person is convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the person shall lose his or her concealed pistol license, if any. The court shall send notice of the revocation to the department of licensing, and the city, town, or county which issued the license.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to or affect the following:

(a) Any act committed by a person while in his or her place of abode or fixed place of business;

(b) Any person who by virtue of his or her office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to preserve public safety, maintain public order, or to make arrests for offenses, while in the performance of such duty;

(c) Any person acting for the purpose of protecting himself or herself against the use of presently threatened unlawful force by another, or for the purpose of protecting another against the use of such unlawful force by a third person;

(d) Any person making or assisting in making a lawful arrest for the commission of a felony; or

(e) Any person engaged in military activities sponsored by the federal or state governments.

[1994 sp.s. c 7 § 426; 1969 c 8 § 1.]
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killgar said:
So if people become uncomfortable by the sight of my knife, if the sight of my knife causes them to have a panic attack or makes them wet their pants, I say tough shit.
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See that's where it gets to be a slippery slope. Because if there's a statue in effect like the one in my state I posted, and a cop gets called on you because you're "A man with a huge knife!" or whatever then the cop has the sole discretion whether you're breaking the law and to arrest you or not. That's the real "tough shit" part about this, is that no matter what the law says, you'll have to wait for your day in court to prove it. Remember that you're innocent until proven guilty... But that doesn't mean you're not going to be tossed in jail and treated like you're guilty. It's also important to remember that not all background checks are concerned with if you've been "convicted", but if you've just merely been arrested. Enjoy not having your fingerprints on file? Kiss that goodbye.

Personally I'd rather avoid all of that, and as someone else said it's your responsibility to get a feel for the public around you. You scare the sheep, they might just think you're a wolf.


Anyway, in my area it's really not that uncommon to see people with fixed blades on their belt. There's a lot of outdoorsmen, hunters, and it's an agricultural area. However on the West side of my state in Seattle and other more urban areas they have ordinance prohibiting fixed blades. Because of that I've heard occasional stories of State Patrolmen who use to work the West side giving people a hard time about a fixed blade, but I've never experienced this and at times they sound more like urban legends. Not to mention the only people I've heard it from aren't exactly on the straight and narrow, so there's a reason they were getting hassled by a cop in the first place.

Reminds me of my friend's dad... I had my Izula on my belt and he said, "They're going to hassle you for carrying a concealed weapon wearing that like that!" And I thought, "They're going to bust me for carrying a concealed weapon that's not concealed?" I think his experience is tainted by the fact that he spent a few years in prison and a few years before that distributing methamphetamine. I bet the police would have tried to get anything they could to stick to him.
 
I live in Canada and carry a fixed blade now and then. I've carried a fixed blade up to around 4.5 inches on my belt with no problems. Recently I have been carrying a pocket fixed blade and have had no pro elms using it in a variety of places. I'm a friendly looking and well dressed guy so I think that helps :)
 
Man.. I just said "asking for trouble" which is exactly what the OP is trying to avoid. I'm right with you in the -if you don't like it than tough shit thing- but the real truth is the law is made so if someone walks around like that it could be used against you very easily. I'm 110% rebelious but I also want to be able to go home at night
 
Basically i just carry my bk14 generally right underneath my shirt in the colder part of the year, but during the summer im seldom in a city area so i don't have to worry about it.
 
RE: CM's bayonet... The fellow who openly carries a large knife is probably the least likely to cause any problems. However, I'm pretty sure he's also the last dude a real bad-guy is going to mug or harass.

It must suck to live in a place where having a pocketknife or fixed-blade marks you as some kind of criminal. :(

Laws vary widely, and naturally I would never advise anyone to commit a crime just by walking outside with their preferred knife. Happily for me, I've lived in WI and TN for my entire adult life, and in both states it's perfectly legal to open-carry a fixed blade knife - except in places like bars, schools and gov't buildings. I can live with that... although I do find it odd that many public parks here have signs that feature an icon of a Buck 110 along with an icon of a handgun on their signs that say "No Weapons". :confused:

I've never been hassled by a policeman or citizen for having a knife on my belt; not on the street, in a store or in a park. (It may be worth mentioning that I'm a fairly large guy with long hair and a beard, and I do not typically wear a suit and tie... frankly, at first glance I look like some kind of biker or dirtball redneck.) However, I have had several brief, pleasant and friendly conversations with cops and park rangers who may have noticed that I had a knife. Did they stop and talk to me because they saw my knife? That's possible. Did they give me a bunch of guff for having it? Nope, not once. Did they send me on my way with a kind word and a smile after BS'ing for a minute or two? Yup, every time.

My point is that how one carries oneself and interacts with others can go a long way.
 
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I like a flat, leather pocket sheath for edcing a small fixed blade. By small, I mean an overall length of about six inches.

Lately it is an Izula and Spirit multitool together in a KSF Adirondack sheath. It is discreet and comfortable, and I can pull out the multitool if there are hysterical sensitive people around.
 
KennyB said:
See that's where it gets to be a slippery slope. Because if there's a statue in effect like the one in my state I posted, and a cop gets called on you because you're "A man with a huge knife!" or whatever then the cop has the sole discretion whether you're breaking the law and to arrest you or not. That's the real "tough shit" part about this, is that no matter what the law says, you'll have to wait for your day in court to prove it. Remember that you're innocent until proven guilty... But that doesn't mean you're not going to be tossed in jail and treated like you're guilty. It's also important to remember that not all background checks are concerned with if you've been "convicted", but if you've just merely been arrested. Enjoy not having your fingerprints on file? Kiss that goodbye.
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Here in San Diego openly carrying a fixed-blade of any size, any style, is 100% legal (with the obvious exceptions of schools and courthouses, which are places I don't go). Obviously people should obey their local knife laws, which is something I regularly advise throughout Bladeforums. And if the knife laws where a person lives are vague and leave discretion up to the cops, that really sucks and would certainly be cause for concern. Fortunately for us here in California the state knife laws are quite clear so I have no such concerns.

Since openly carrying a fixed-blade isn't a crime here, I have no fear whatsoever about being arrested for it. And the fact that several cops have seen me carry my fixed-blade without saying a word about it, is another reason for my lack of concern.

I've been arrested before, I've been to jail, and I've been to prison, and yet despite my experience through the criminal justice system and penal system I have no fear whatsoever about being arrested for LEGALLY carrying a knife. Being afraid to exercise ones legal rights for fear of being unjustly arrested isn't the way I choose to live my life.

Personally I'd rather avoid all of that, and as someone else said it's your responsibility to get a feel for the public around you. You scare the sheep, they might just think you're a wolf.
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I disagree. My responsibility is to obey the law, which I do. I feel no responsibility whatsoever to try and please, or try to appease, the irrational fears of others. And as far as people thinking I'm a "wolf", lots of people are afraid of bikers, should I stop riding a motorcycle? Should I stop wearing my leather motorcycle jacket? Some people are afraid of people with tattoos. Should people with tattoos cover them up in public to avoid scaring the "sheep"? Where do you draw the line between your personal freedoms and the irrational fears of others? If you pulled out a little pocket-knife in public to cut something, and if someone saw it and reacted with fear, would you stop carrying that knife?

Call me what you will, but I put the exercising of my rights and freedoms under the law as an American above the desires of irrational people not to feel scared.
 
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Stinkypete85 said:
Man.. I just said "asking for trouble" which is exactly what the OP is trying to avoid. I'm right with you in the -if you don't like it than tough shit thing- but the real truth is the law is made so if someone walks around like that it could be used against you very easily.
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I guess that depends a lot on where you live and what your local knife laws are. Where I live it's perfectly legal to openly carry a fixed-blade, if it wasn't I wouldn't be doing it. I've openly carried a fixed-blade for over eight years, countless people have seen me do it including several cops, and I've never had a negative experience as a result. I know the law and I know my rights, and I have no fear whatsoever that carrying a fixed-blade will somehow be used against me. Personally, I consider the fear of being arrested for LEGALLY carrying a fixed-blade to be just as irrational as the fear of knives.


] I'm 110% rebelious but I also want to be able to go home at night
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Just for clarification, my position on this matter has nothing to do with rebelliousness. My position is all about personal freedom and personal choice. My position is simple- It's legal for me to carry a fixed-blade, I want to carry a fixed-blade, I feel that I have a need to carry a fixed-blade, and so I carry a fixed-blade.
 
I EDC a Tops Firestrike 45 and its a 7" blade, but I also live in a rural town (4000 people) full of hunters in Oregon. Never had any issues, but I also open carry a Ruger SBH 44 Mag without issue as well.
 
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