Good news: brand new Manix.... Bad news: LA knife laws?

bammann45

bammann45

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
Messages
881
I got my new Manix today the mail. I love it. Big, sturdy, and finally a pocket knife fits my hand. Can't say enough good things about my first impression.

Then it occured to me, is this thing legal to carry? I live in Los Angeles... things I could've checked before getting revved up reading posts then buying it. I am an idjit.

Anyways, I did a search on these forums, checked packing.org etc. and couldn't come up with a conclusive los angeles city carry answers for folders over 3". I see that it is a no-no to bring it onto school campuses. I am still not clear on whether over 3" folder is a totally illegal, semi-legal or whether it has to be concealed or there has to be a legit use case etc. I really want to be 100% law abiding.

Any LA area LEOs care to comment? Would be sad to have to leave the new knife at home or in my work bag. Thanks all.

Apologies if this is posted clearly in some other place, site and I am just not finding it. thanks all.
 
I'm not 100% sure but I believe that hte Manix blade is too long for carry. You might want to try to call your local police department and ask them what is the limit for a knife carry.
 
I could be wrong but Calif. has a plethora of weird laws on knives. Under two inches it can be a switchblade, under 4 inches it's a weapon but 5 inches or over it's a deadly weapon. I carry a 4 inch knife (Have for years) A Cold Steel Scimitar or Emerson tanto folder and nobody has ever, ever stopped me to search for a knife.
 
I have a Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Partially Serrated Tanto which features: Aluminum handle. Blade length: 3.22". Closed length: 4.06". 440C teflon coated steel blade. Thumb stud on both sides. Weight: 2.88 ounces. Includes pocket clip.

B0009JVG8M.01-A2S38629P1WM54._SCLZZZZZZZ_V23363403_SS500_.jpg

I use it as an utility knife mostly after giving an old small extremely sharp Cutco folder to a friend who got mugged. My buddy who loves knives says LAPD only confiscate ones that they want. So my advice is to not flaunt it and continue to carry it.
 
Apologies to all. For some reason initial search didn't return anything from the legal forum -- I am sure I did something wrong. Anyways, went over there and found what I was looking for -- just need to keep it concealed.... or be camping :) thanks all. sorry for the redundant post.
 
In case this helps:

I live outside Chicago and routinely carry a slightly less than 3 inch folder. When Chicago passed its 2.5 inch restriction, I called police headquarters for clarification. After a pleasant conversation with the Sgt on the desk (who was on active duty at about the same time I was), he simply said "If you don't go looking for trouble, neither will we."

It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Probably if you don't wave it around and you aren't getting in trouble for other reasons, no one will really care if your knife is a bit over the length limit.

I'm not a lawyer so please take that for what it's worth.
 
I'm pretty sure it's 3" in L.A. I frequent there often.
I researched it awhile back.... I can't
remember if it was for just LA proper or LA county.
 
There is a L.A. City Ordinance making it illegal to visibly carry a knife. you can't carry a fixed blade knife in CA unless it is visible. meaning you can't have a fixed blade knife in LA. As for length limit i've never heard of 5"+ inches as an illegal, lethal weapon.

stsparky said:
My buddy who loves knives says LAPD only confiscate ones that they want. So my advice is to not flaunt it and continue to carry it.
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Police can't just do that. The LAPD's reputation aside i'd oppose any LEO who tried to steal from me.
 
rottwang said:
Police can't just do that.
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Ohh yeah they can. Its happend alot up here in canada. And it wouldn't surprize me if it happen down there, catchin an officer on a bad day is just bad news for you, dont wave it around, and make a scene and you should be fine. Unless you have a reason for them to search you, keep it in the lengths that they specify, and you might get it back :rolleyes: :)
 
stsparky said:
My buddy who loves knives says LAPD only confiscate ones that they want.
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is your buddy lapd?? if not, then dont listen, he's wrong. any evidence taken is booked and a receipt is given. more often than not, the evidence is given back, excepting items illegal in and of themselves.

ive never met an lapd officer, or any other, that steals from suspects.


and the spyderco is perfectly legal. aside from school campuses, you can carry it in your pocket in los angeles. (barring airports private businesses and venues that have a ban on knives/guns/weapons of any kind, the staples center is one.)

forgot to add, it must be in the closed position while carrying. if locked open it is a concealed weapon under 12020 pc.
 
Fonly said:
Ohh yeah they can. Its happend alot up here in canada. And it wouldn't surprize me if it happen down there, catchin an officer on a bad day is just bad news for you, dont wave it around, and make a scene and you should be fine. Unless you have a reason for them to search you, keep it in the lengths that they specify, and you might get it back :rolleyes: :)
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maybe up there but down here you get a receipt. :D
 
MORIMOTOM said:
any evidence taken is booked and a receipt is given. more often than not, the evidence is given back, excepting items illegal in and of themselves.

ive never met an lapd officer, or any other, that steals from suspects..
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LAPD must be a noble bunch then, because there have been LOTS of problems over here in years past with officers confiscating knives and then "letting them off with a warning".
 
Revolvergeek said:
LAPD must be a noble bunch then, because there have been LOTS of problems over here in years past with officers confiscating knives and then "letting them off with a warning".
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yes, as i believe they should be. in any agency, or any business for that matter, there are people who break the rules. assigning a reputation to an entire department or profession based on the activities of a few is irresponsible.

i sense some sarcasm in your post, and i dont believe this is the proper forum for addressing issues such as police corruption.

the original poster simply inquired about los angeles knife laws, nothing more.
 
Maybe a touch of sarcasm, but really more admiration than anything else that a department that large could be run that honorably. Point taken though, and you are correct. Not the time nor the place. Mea culpa.
 
Revolvergeek said:
Maybe a touch of sarcasm, but really more admiration than anything else that a department that large could be run that honorably. Point taken though, and you are correct. Not the time nor the place. Mea culpa.
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hope i didnt come across as rude, there just seems to be a more appropriate place.

one more point re: lapd: i dont work for them but have many contacts with them. like every police agency they have had their problems, many very high profile ones too.

but it is my belief, from first hand experience with their officers and command staff, that the vast majority are truly honorable and do their jobs with excellence.

again, there is always a population of meatheads that can ruin the reputation of and entire department or profession.
 
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