How do you carry your Big Busse's (in California)

E

Edw00d

Joined
Jan 21, 2008
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Well, I'll be getting my first large piece of INFI steel (FSH)

I'm new to carrying large fixed blades, and since I live in California, and Los Angeles County specifically, carrying large fixed blades is pretty tricky.

The laws are kind of confusing, LA County does not allow Open carry of fixed blades, and California State requires open carry.

So the question is, can I carry my FSH in a sheath attached to the side or rear lumbar area of my backpack? I'm thinking of having a custom cordura sheath made to match the backpack material, and have a flap that covers the handle and pommel so that it's still concealed. And then the flap can fold down and expose the handle and pommel so it's Open carry for the rest of California.

So basically a Sheath that has Open Carry and Concealed carry modes.

I've read something about waist area carry being required, does that mean a sheath has to be attached directly to a belt?

So, Californian and LA Hogs, how do you carry your large Busse's when out and about?
 
I would strongly suggest contacting a county sheriff for advice. Even with the best intentions, if the advice you get here is wrong it's your butt that gets in trouble. :)

That does sound like the laws contradict each other.
 
thats califonia,,nothing makes sence here anymore:grumpy:
i dont carry my big busses around ventura or la county.just when im camping and that is usually in the sierras.
 
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California in general and LA County Knife Laws are actually quite reasonable for Folders at least. No blade length limit for concealed carry.

It's fixed blades that are confusing. I might have to resort to carrying a humongous folder like a Cold Steel Raja or something if I can't carry a big Busse when hiking local beach trails on the coast. (lots of brush overgrowing trails). But I'd really prefer to carry some INFI.

Would be great if Busse would make something that rivals or even exceeds the ridiculousness of the Cold Steel Raja. haha.
 
well I live in Northern Cal, so the fact that LA county has it's own laws I can't give advice however you are allowed (in cal) to carry any length as long as it is open (and not double edged). When I am in the mountains I attach it to my pack or carry it in a dundee style rig thrown over my shoulder. I have never been messed with, it is doubtful if you are hiking/camping you would either. I wouldn't suggest walking downtown with a 9 inch blade on your hip but in the back country it is okay.
 
Defer to state law because it is a felony to do otherwise. County is only a misdemeanor. The best solution is to leave the state or at least stay out of LA county and San Francisco. I use my knives at work, I don't tote around a big chopper, unless I'm out in the field and need one. Not a lot you can do, though you could always practice civil-disobedience. And always ask for a receipt if a offer confiscates anything from you. Law enforcements other motto is ~always think forfeiture.



A recent study on freedom reported California as the third least free state. Of course everyone who lives in California knows it has the heart to be the least free state in the union.
 
Um, yeah. Moving is not a solution right now.

Thanks, for the mountain hiking info, silverbullets. How / where do you attach it to your pack? Pics?
 
I traded away my CG FBM for that reason. But i still have rather large fixed blades (Uncle mofo and a RMD LE) that I take with me on hikes, concealed in a backpack or in a sheath on my hip. Part of me is thinking civil disobedience and part of me is hoping I don't get 'caught.' But I can't imagine an officer tracking me down on a deserted trail way up in the Verdugo Mts and arresting me for fashioning a walking stick outta some dead brambles when no one is in sight... CA sucks in this regard. "Freedom" means something different in LA County.
 
No worries, Allcaps321, cynicism is par for the course living in California. But the beautiful weather and scenery make up for it.
 
TerryBlinski said:
I traded away my CG FBM for that reason. But i still have rather large fixed blades (Uncle mofo and a RMD LE) that I take with me on hikes, concealed in a backpack or in a sheath on my hip. Part of me is thinking civil disobedience and part of me is hoping I don't get 'caught.' But I can't imagine an officer tracking me down on a deserted trail way up in the Verdugo Mts and arresting me for fashioning a walking stick outta some dead brambles when no one is in sight... CA sucks in this regard. "Freedom" means something different in LA County.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's why I settled on a FSH. At around 14" overall length, that's about the limit of being able to conceal within or on the side of a Day Pack. Now the real question is if I can even venture outside with my FSH in LA County? I suppose out of sight is out of mind. I don't call attention to myself with law enforcement, common sense being the rule. I suppose I could just get a 7" Becker and try and see how feasible it is to use outside hiking locally. I'd rather not have a $400+ knife get confiscated.

For local hiking, I'd primarily use my BM805 TSEK. It's a 4" folder and is plenty useful for most tasks, it's just the heavy chopping where it lacks (it's a helluva slicer).
 
Courts usual hinge on the concealment and accessibility part of the law. IF you are going to conceal make sure that the knife wouldn't be considered readily accessible on your pack. A knife can be carried on your belt in a way that it is discreet but not concealed too. You want to make sure your lawyer has something to work with if you ever get hassled over the knife. The only place I would ever expect to be hassled over a knife is if I was stopped on the sidewalk or asked to get out of my car, or if someone called and complained about it at a public place, so I always carry a smaller knife on public property. Besides an officer would be hard pressed to actually find me in the field, and only if someone told him where I was.
 
Edw00d said:
Um, yeah. Moving is not a solution right now.

Thanks, for the mountain hiking info, silverbullets. How / where do you attach it to your pack? Pics?
Click to expand...

this is just one example,
P1020476.jpg

Although once I am set up in camp if I carry it hiking around I use one of these types of rigs and sling it over my shoulder
P1050321.jpg
 
Skrapmetal said:
I would strongly suggest contacting a county sheriff for advice. Even with the best intentions, if the advice you get here is wrong it's your butt that gets in trouble. :)

That does sound like the laws contradict each other.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was going to post. I have contacted the local & State police as to what is, and isn't okay about many different things regarding knives; i.e. assisted opening, blade length (folder/fixed), concealment and etcetera… albeit I live in upstate NY - not the Boroughs (not that it matters with some misinformed stores who won’t sell to me anyway). If I could only post a jerk-it smiley...
 
silverbullets said:
this is just one example,
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e249/brohrbacker/camping-peak-09/P1020476.jpg
Although once I am set up in camp if I carry it hiking around I use one of these types of rigs and sling it over my shoulder
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e249/brohrbacker/camping2011/P1050321.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pics.

LOL, I also have a Lunada. Foliage Green looks great, the handle scales match perfectly. I use my Lunada for light hiking as well. I'm working my way up to more heavy duty hiking, so will have upgrade my gear accordingly. :)
 
BlackNinja said:
Exactly what I was going to post. I have contacted the local & State police as to what is, and isn't okay about many different things regarding knives; i.e. assisted opening, blade length (folder/fixed), concealment and etcetera… albeit I live in upstate NY - not the Boroughs (not that it matters with some misinformed stores who won’t sell to me anyway). If I could only post a jerk-it smiley...
Click to expand...

Heheh, I used to live near Rochester in North Chili. ;)
 
OP, I think the advice to consult your local sheriff is sound. But I don't see why the po-lice would want to disrupt the healthful leisure activities of a gentleman hiker such as yourself in a state with such lax knife laws. :cool:

Also, according to a study California has: amazing mountains and deserts and redwood forests and coastline, incredible weather, a friendly population, world class cities, the best burritos in the world, the freedom to walk around with a FBM on your belt in 99% of situations -and nobody puts their religion on what days you can buy beer and booze :eek: Now that's what I call AMERICA, baby!!

-Oh, I forgot something else from the study: California girls. Shoooooot :thumbup::thumbup:
;)
 
C'mon guys, let's not go there with firearms, back to carrying huge pieces of INFI steel, please. ;)
 
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