Going to NY - any Blade restrictions ?

A

almtiba

Joined
Aug 29, 2003
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468
Hi Guys !

I'm going to NYC on the 24th this month.

Are there any kind of blade restrictions, regarding locks, opening method, function, blade size, color, smell, etc :) I should be aware of ?

I want to carry a knife, but don't wanna get in trouble down there...

Thanks in advance,

Andre Tiba - Brazil
 
Basically anything 4" and under is cool, but MUST be carried concealed. No autos, gravity knives, balis, or that sort of "dangerours weapon" stuff. That is for the city anyway, if you are venturing out upstate or far out onto the island things can and do change.
 
Thanks !!!

I'm going to Manhattan...
You know, tourist stuff... Shopping, Brodway, etc...

By the way,

Any interesting address for me ?

Thanks again,

Andre Tiba
 
If you are doing typical tourist stuff just keep in mind that many tourist sites may have rules regarding knives that differ from the NYC laws. Just as an example I know that the Empire State building puts you through metal detectors, and has a no knife policy. So do some of the museums.

As for knife places of interest if you will be in town until March 4th then you will be able to stop by the ECCKS. I usually like the NYCCKS better, but hey I take what I can get. Also you might want to check out Paragon Sporting goods, they have a good selection of knives, but expensive.

Of general interest the city offers a great deal of options. You can go from China Town to Little Italy in less than an hour. Lots of food, shows, museums, and other sites to see.
 
Also make sure that any knife you bring CANNOT be flicked open by any inertial opening technique. Many NYC LEOs are interpreting the laws such that so-called "flick knives" fall into the same category as gravity knives. You could probably argue the case and avoid being charged, but do you really want to spend your trip rotting in a holding cell somewhere? The best advice I can offer is to avoid using your knife in public at all costs, unless a life and death situation arises (God forbid). And keep your pocket clip hidden - there've been a few arrests in Queens based on a pocket clip showing. Oh, BTW, go to Paragon Sports in Union Square. Overpriced, but they have a nice selection of custom knives to ogle.
 
Metropolitan Museum of Art has a world class collection of arms and armor.
 
ErikD said:
Basically anything 4" and under is cool, but MUST be carried concealed.
Click to expand...

Basically anything UNDER 4" is cool ...

If you're comfortable getting by with a Swiss Army Knife, an Opinel, or a traditional slipjoint or lockback, you'll fly well under their radar.
 
ErikD said:
If you are doing typical tourist stuff just keep in mind that many tourist sites may have rules regarding knives that differ from the NYC laws. Just as an example I know that the Empire State building puts you through metal detectors, and has a no knife policy. So do some of the museums.
Click to expand...

I'm going in May. Do they make you leave the knife at the desk or do they take it away from you entirely? I'd consider taking a few FRN Cold Steels/Spydercos so if I got something taken away from me it'd be no big whoop.

Beats having to stash your Sebenza somewhere.

Once, I had to stash a Balisong in a plant in an airport because I didn't anticipate having to go to the gate for someone and was wrong. It was there when I got back.
 
The last time I went to the American Museum of Natural History, they had a sign about metal detectos, but the metal detectors themselves were collecting dust in a hallway off to the side, and all they were doing was looking in backpacks and bags for anything large and obviously dangerous, whatever that might have been.

On the other hand, you can't count on any place that restricts knives to be providing storage for them until you went back out. I would call ahead and find out what their policy is, because there is no one "system" in place. It's erratic bureaucratic paranoia.
 
Yeah, it would depend on the place but I wouldn't bet on them having storage for you. I took a girl to the Empire State building and they did the whole empty your pockets deal through the metal detectors. This was part of the way up the building, so you couldn't easily turn around to hide a knife somewhere. Also it was a point that you couldn't collect it on your way down.

As for the museums I remember it being basically like Esav said, they have the detectors and the signs. When I was there they didn't check me, but were checking bags. If you go during a busier time or to some special show it might be a different story. Personally I just go without a knife anytime I know they will be checking and have a policy against it, or they might hastle me. I just want to go out and have a good time, not get arrested.
 
Hi All-

Possession of a simple folding knife out on the streets isn't cause for concern. I've sliced apples in front of police officers and they didn't even throw me a glance.

The problem is the randomness of inspections at the touristy places. Broadway theaters don't use metal detectors, but they will search bags. Some of the hotels have airport-style metal detectors for incoming guest baggage. You can't be arrested (because you're done nothing of a criminal nature) but you can be denied entry into the hotel, museum, arena, stadium, nightclub, or whatever you're trying to visit. They are exercising their rights as owners of private property.

As an example, the tough part is that you either must go to the top of the Empire State Building in shifts, or leave the knife at home. The idea of "hiding" a knife in the streets of Manhattan in the middle of the day is very challenging. Somebody will invariably see you squirreling something away and will steal it unless you're a particularly smooth operator. This is especially troublesome if you're traveling with others who don't understand what it means to be prepared at all times with a serviceable blade. ;)

If you do opt to "hide" an expensive blade, my suggestion is to find a patch of grass or a large planter and discretely drive the opened blade straight downward until it is hidden COMPLETELY by the dirt. A piece of tossed garbage could serve as a marker proximal to where the blade is located. Don't ask me how I had to become aware of this innovative technique!

Don't get me going on a rant how perfectly legal items can essentially be "outlawed" by people who don't like them. "Gee, I think I'm going to not allow people with khaki pants and blue golf shirts into my establishment today..."

Enjoy your trip,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Also -- don't try to get on the Circle Line ferry to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island with a knife... Metal detectors.
 
Blue Jays said:
...the tough part is that you either must go to the top of the Empire State Building in shifts, or leave the knife at home. The idea of "hiding" a knife in the streets of Manhattan in the middle of the day is very challenging. Somebody will invariably see you squirreling something away and will steal it unless you're a particularly smooth operator. This is especially troublesome if you're traveling with others who don't understand what it means to be prepared at all times with a serviceable blade. ;)

If you do opt to "hide" an expensive blade, my suggestion is to find a patch of grass or a large planter and discretely drive the opened blade straight downward until it is hidden COMPLETELY by the dirt. A piece of tossed garbage could serve as a marker proximal to where the blade is located. Don't ask me how I had to become aware of this innovative technique!
Click to expand...

Nice! :D Good stuff. (But I WANT to ask! ;) )
 
Thanks for the inputs !

Do you guys think a BM 690BC1 is a good choice ?

I'm also planing to take a SAK, probabily the Hercules (it's my favorite SAK, but I think it would be a little too big to carry all the time).

Any sugestions ? I DO have lots of others knives I could take (Spydies, BMs, Sebenza, etc).

Regards,

Andre Tiba
 
You can always come clean before the confrontation. Find a nice looking security guard, tell him/her you have a SAK or whatever and ask if they will hold it for you or keep it in a safe place while you are attending the premises and that you would like to pick it up on the way out. If it is a legal sheeple friendly knife (and not pushing the limits as to be questionable) there should be no problem....I think most security personnel are somewhat knife friendly and I rarely meet one who won't talk.
 
All said, I think my only safe choice is to stuck with my SAK (Climber) and let go all other one bladed knives... :(
 
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