How to determine blade length?

[TrojanSteel]

It seems that blade length is generally calculated by the distance from the end of the handel to the tip of the blade. How does the finger choil factor? For example, with N5, the finger choil results in a cutting edge of 2.438," while the "blade length" is 3." How does this figure into the blade length calculation for legal purposes? I know this might differ among jurisdiction, but perhaps their are some general guidelines.

 

[Daniel J]

This question has popped up a few times on British forums, as our carry laws are beyond stupid. Some say from plunge to tip, some say from handle to tip. It can also be the length of the spine, or the length of a piece of string laid along the edge (to allow for any additional length due to curvature). Generally the consensus ends up being something along the lines of "no one knows until it comes up in court". Not terribly helpful I'm afraid. Most tend to err on the side of caution due to the ambiguity of wording.

 

[TrojanSteel]

Thanks for your reply. Well, given my Westlaw access, I'll do case law research and post what I find!

 

[zzyzzogeton]

By case law in Texas, it has been declared to be from the front of the handle to the tip of the blade, straight line, not along the edge. This does include the choil and/or ricasso if either are present.

If the handle does not have an obvious guard or blade beginning, such as with the Kabar ZK Acheron or some similar skeletonized knife, the measure ment is made from what would normally be the front of the knife, ex., the Acheron would be measured from the rear most point of the choil, as a choil is USUALLY the last point of the blade on a knife that has a guard. That part is still slightly subjective, but clearer than the mud seen with some knife laws.

Other states may vary.