help! good folding knife for california?

T

trbofrek

Joined
Nov 11, 2010
Messages
6
hi im looking for recommendations on good folding knives under 3 inches. many of the city ordinances i travel/live in do not allow knives 3 inches or larger because of the "dangerous weapons" clause. please help! thanks! :D
 
what kind of budget do you have in mind? on the more affordable side you could get a spyderco salt 1/delica 4, or benchmade mini griptillian. and if you have money burning a hole in your pocket you could get a chris reeve small sebenza or mnandi.
 
I'd recommend the BENCHMADE Shoki Nak-Lok M390 Carbon Fiber. Great steel, slim folder, under 3 inches. If you like more beef, I recommend BENCHMADE 755 MPR SIBERT M390. I'm not necessarily a BM fan, but I love M390 and they make a lot of blades in that. OK...maybe I do like BM :)
 
How about Spyderco Calypso?

or Emerson Cqc-14?

Benchmade mini-grip?

What are you planning on using it for?
 
I live in Los Angeles and I've never heard of any blade length restrictions, but if you must have a blade under 3" then I would recommend a Spyderco Delica or a Benchmade 525, 555HG, 556, or 585. Personally, if I were restricted to carrying a blade under 3" I'd carry a Buck 301 Stockman
 
There are no blade length restrictions on folders in any city in California that I'm aware of.

Take your pick of any folder as long as it's not a switchblade, gravity knife or Balisong 2" or longer.

I switch around anywhere from 3.5, to 4" to even my 5.5" Mad Maxx. I've even shown them to policemen in uniform in our neighborhood on two separate occasions, when striking up a conversation about what's going on in the neighborhood.

They admire them, ask questions about cost and availability, and then hand them right back and wish me a good day.


EDIT: Los Angeles DOES have a 3" limit, but it only applies to fixed blade knives, measured tip to handle. Hope this helps.
 
Los Angeles said:
There are no blade length restrictions on folders in any city in California that I'm aware of.

Take your pick of any folder as long as it's not a switchblade, gravity knife or Balisong 2" or longer.

I switch around anywhere from 3.5, to 4" to even my 5.5" Mad Maxx. I've even shown them to policemen in uniform in our neighborhood on two separate occasions, when striking up a conversation about what's going on in the neighborhood.

They admire them, ask questions about cost and availability, and then hand them right back and wish me a good day.


EDIT: Los Angeles DOES have a 3" limit, but it only applies to fixed blade knives, measured tip to handle. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

well, technically LA only outlaws OPENLY carried knives 3" or more, but since in Cali you must openly carry fixed blades, it essentially means that you can't carry them :P

Other than that, a lot of people talk about 3" type restrictions in Cali cities, but I have yet to find solid evidence of any. For instance in San Francisco there is a law about carrying a knife over 3" WHILE LOITERING, but not going about your lawful duty. I have heard other talk about San Diego and the like having them, but nobody offers up the code as proof.

So, do your own homework on where you live. I reckon only the larger, and more liberal cities would have any sort of restriction. But don't take people's word for it, find out the code yourself. For instance, if you listened to california police officers, you'd think that all knives over 3" are illegal, and locked handguns can't be transported in the same container as ammo, etc... And it's this sort of "knowledge" which just perpetuates those rumors.
 
Emerson CQC 14. Two point nine inch folder, excellent and sturdy build with large handle and thick blade. What more could a fellow want?
 
As wierd as Cali is they are pretty loose with knives. I know it's strange.

I carry whatever I want here and have never had an issue. I was using an Endura today setting up some stuff today at a birthday event in a public place right in front of police and they didn't say a word.
 
As has been stated, locations in California with true blade length restrictions are few and far between.

That being said, if you want something 3" or less, consider these of varying price ranges (some out of production, but can still be found):

Spyderco Caly 3, Delica, Leaf Storm, UKPK (fancy S30V CF or Ti, or the less expensive FRN lightweight version)
Benchmade Shoki, mini-Grip, 755
Buck Waimea, Vantage (small, your choice of S30V, 13C26, or 420HC, depending on version)

I'm sure there are good options from Kershaw, too. And you can look at traditional slipjoints, too - I have a number of them from Case, Queen, Great Eastern, etc, that would fit the bill quite well, too.
 
How about the Spartan folder from Cold Steel?

100_1119.jpg
 
There are 3" restrictions nearby me, and the 2 I find most appealing are;

Kershaw od-1

Benchmade 755 mpr
 
thanks everyone for the suggestions. well living in the san francisco bay area its pretty strict i realized. for example Berkeley, CA municipal code states:
13.68.010 Dangerous weapon--Defined.
As used in this chapter, "dangerous weapon" means and includes, but is not limited to:

A. Any knife having a blade three inches or more in length, or any snap-blade or spring-blade knife regardless of the length of the blade;

B. Any ice pick or similar sharp stabbing tool;

C. Any straight edge razor or any razor blade fitted to a handle;

D. Any cutting, stabbing or bludgeoning weapon or device capable of inflicting grievous bodily harm;

E. Any dirk or dagger or bludgeon;

F. Any "taser public defender" or other similar electronic immobilizer which causes, by means of an electrical current, a person to experience muscle spasms and extreme pain, followed by unconsciousness. (Ord. 4814-NS § 1, 1975: Ord. 2881-NS § 1, 1947)

and under this definition it also applies to carry of it on your person or having possession.
 
man pasadena is lucky! 5 inches? thats plenty for me. i wish i didnt live in such a horrible place...
 
trbofrek said:
man pasadena is lucky! 5 inches? thats plenty for me. i wish i didnt live in such a horrible place...
Click to expand...
Indiana is basically free game for knives. Last I checked (unless it changed in the last 2 months) we have no size restrictions, just a ban on butterfly knives and automatic knives.
I have walked around many times now with my 7in. Ka-bar hanging on my belt, and the cop I talked to told me about this guy that walks around in downtown Anderson with a katana on his back. And it is totally legal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top