Is a SAK ok to have at university?

N

newadventure

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Jul 24, 2006
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I know they probably all have their own regulations, but what is the best way to find out without causing all kinds of commotion? I have a son that is going off to school next week as a freshman, and I suggested he take his Squirt P4, Vic Sportsman and Wenger nailclippers. Thinking about it, I wonder if he could get in trouble for this. I searched the school's online student guideliness, website, etc and could only find that "guns.... knives and other weapons" are not allowed. Of course the operative word is "weapon". I wouldn't have a problem calling someone and asking, if that would be the best thing to do. What would you all suggest? Thanks for any help you might have to offer.

Fred
 
Fred, calling would never hurt. But i am currently in class and i carry a small sebenza with me all the time. Of course it is deep in my pocket. Something like a SAK as long as it is in your sons pocket shouldnt present any problems. In fact a number of my professors carry and use openly in class their SAKs. As long as you feel your son is responsible enough not to be flashing it and it doesnt have a menacing look it should be fine. Hope that helps.
 
Every school is different but in this age you will generally not end up talking to someone with any real info or authority and even if you do get the right person at most schools it is a pat answer of no knives of any type. This doesn't mean that it is necessarily enforced as such but "officially" most schools (particularly state universities) use a blanket policy.
My advice to guys going to school is be particularly careful how you take out, open and use it (i.e. discreetly) don't carry it if you might be drinking and make sure others who might get in your room don't know where they are. Just accept that most other people don't know how to safely and responsibly handle your knives and their repercussions could also be yours.
Honestly his maturity and discernment will be the biggest determining factor on whether or not he may run into trouble with them.
 
If he keeps his nose out of trouble, he should have no problems at all carrying around even a midsize folder.

I've had my Caly III on me everyday with no problems, and before that I carried a HK 14440 Ally and Benchmade Griptilian.

TLR hit the nail on the head, if he acts mature and uses his tools appropriately, it's won't be an issue.
 
Thank you all for your thoughts - very much appreciated. I am concerned that if will never find the "right" person to ask. I am leaning towards suggesting he keep the "clippers" with him, the squirt in the bookbag and the sportman in a drawer in the dorm unless needed for a specific occaision or something along those lines. ...and to keep his eyes and ears open and stay out of "situations".

Thanks again.

Fred
 
I carry a CRKT my tighe virtually every day on campus. Its on a pocket clip, and i've never had any trouble for it. I use it occasionally in view of others, but never in a menacing way. my friends know there are usually another 2 + knives in my bag or in my car or whatever, but nobody cares.
I see plenty of people walking around with knives on pocket clips.. really shouldn't be a problem for your son.
 
newadventure said:
I know they probably all have their own regulations, but what is the best way to find out without causing all kinds of commotion? I have a son that is going off to school next week as a freshman, and I suggested he take his Squirt P4, Vic Sportsman and Wenger nailclippers. Thinking about it, I wonder if he could get in trouble for this. I searched the school's online student guideliness, website, etc and could only find that "guns.... knives and other weapons" are not allowed. Of course the operative word is "weapon". I wouldn't have a problem calling someone and asking, if that would be the best thing to do. What would you all suggest? Thanks for any help you might have to offer.

Fred
Click to expand...

You might check the school's Police Department web site. I noticed that the University of Arizona, for example, has blade size limitations and prohibits autos on campus.

GB
 
The only "correct" answer, IMO, is to read the state law and any municipal regulations that may be applicable. Sometimes it can be difficult to find these, and even more difficult to understand them.

In addition, the university may have its own rules which - though not law - could still get you suspended and so forth.

cheers
 
i go to a state school and we have a no tolerance rule...but i care a wave and a buck 110 and depending on the days i sometimes have been known to carry a ka-bar....it all depends on how u use it and in what situation....i do theatre and that is why i carry what i do...the officers here know that since i talk to them often and they dont mind at all...if i was drunk at a party and they were there...another story....a SAK is small and ur son should be fine...
 
I looked at the university police webpages - Apparently I had already looked there via links from the main university pages. The only reference I see is the that "weapons" are only allowed for authorized police officers. So againthe operative question is 'what do they consider a weapon'.

I do appreciate all of your thoughts and comments - thanks again for chiming in.

Fred
 
a quick glance at the illinois criminal code. relevant definitions highlighted. the illinois laws are fairly specific, relative to many other states. note the 3 inch guideline.

however nothing is mentioned of locking blades, thumbstuds, etc. but seems to me the sak is fine anywhere in the state.

but as mentioned, schools always have their own "rules". and violations, though not subject to criminal action, may be punished administratively.



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.-
720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of Weapons. (a) A person
commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he
knowingly: (1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses
or carries any... knife commonly referred to as a
switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens
automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring
or other device in the handle of the knife, or a ballistic
knife, which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as
a projectile by means of a coil spring, elastic material,
or compressed gas...
 
i carry my spyderco calypso 3 with me to class and around campus and no one seems to have a problem with it but then again i go to a culinary school and they give us a knife kit so it would be pretty hipocrital for them to say i cant carry a knife when they supply us with a whole set
 
I think it's probably okay for your son to have whatever he wants in his dorm room. I can't imagine any university giving him a hard time for any of the small, innocuous knives you've listed above. So long as he minds his own business, he'll be fine. If he gets into a fight and pulls a knife on campus, or gets drunk and runs afoul of campus security, then that's a different story. When I went through grad school at a state university a few years ago- I carried a Benchmade Stryker, plus a Leatherman Wave the entire time, even while I was teaching, and nobody cared. Most schools do keep strict gun policies in dorms, but in my experience, knives are generally ignored unless there is a reason for concern.

This is still America, after all.

Edit: noting Morimotom's post above- State laws are good guidelines to go by.
 
Thanks all. And thanks, MORIMOTOM, for posting relevent state of Ill regs. Well, tomorrow we take him off to school and he moves in!

It will be a bit quieter around the house...I hope I can handle it:(.

Thanks again.

Fred
 
I carry a 4" folder, a SAK, and a small fixed blade with me every day at my college. I've used all of them so far and no one has said anything besides "cool knife."
 
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