Illinois Knife law questions

[ragsbo]

I have tried to read and understand the Illinois knife laws but still have some questions. I live in the very southern part of the state and not in any town, closest "big" town would be Metropolis.

1. It seems that any folding blade over 3 inches is questionable if not illegal. But I can not find where it tells how to measure the blade (what counts and what does not). By this, would I be correct to think a Spyderco Endura would not be legal to carry? Or would your intent make it so?

2. I carry the Endura clipped to my pants pocket so the clip and top part are in view outside the pocket? Would this be considered open or concealed carry and would it matter?

3. I couldn't find anything about neck knives. Does anyone have any ideas the legal requirement there?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. It would be nice if they wrote laws in plain English. That legalese crap just confuses the issue.

 

[CRH]

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/il.txt

720 ILCS 5/33A-1... A person is considered armed with a
dangerous weapon... when he carries on or about his person
or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II
weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife
with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk,
switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or
dangerous weapon of like character.

It's not illegal to go "armed with a dangerous weapon". It's just illegal to use the "weapon" unlawfully.

 

[Watchful]

Ragsbo,

There's no standard for measuring the length of a blade; it's up to the LEO at the scene. Some measure the entire blade as technically defined (the plunging length); others are interested in the distance from the choil to the tip (the cutting edge).

I'm no executive of the laws here in Illinois, but none of your three questions appears to be illegal.