Justifying a knife

7

76GMC

Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
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HI new to the forum, been reading for a while, great site with a lot of helpful people it seems, however I have not completely seen this subject talked about now to my question. I am a relatively knew knife enthusiast, starting about a year ago, and I like knives primarily for self defense. I was deciding on a fixed blade for self defense for reliability, already have emerson CqC-8 not too pleased with folders for getting attacked, I was going to by a short 5" Kabar. Upon my research i found an interesting concept, lets say im questioned by a police officer or even used the knife. How can I justify carrying a knife used for fighting, that in sense would not end well AT ALL :thumbdn:. So I am leaning toward a tool knife that can be used as the SHTF blade, esee 4 or esee 5 havent decided. For a fixed blade self defense blade 4-5", would it be smart to get a camping, tool, skinning, bushwacking knife instead of a more aggressive style blade? All for justifying purposes of course....i.e getting caught slaying a guy in court with a 7" Kabar as a pencil pushing office worker wouldnt sit well with a jury. Thanks, sorry for the long post, just trying to be as clear as glass :D
 
76GMC said:
HI new to the forum, been reading for a while, great site with a lot of helpful people it seems, however I have not completely seen this subject talked about now to my question. I am a relatively knew knife enthusiast, starting about a year ago, and I like knives primarily for self defense. I was deciding on a fixed blade for self defense for reliability, already have emerson CqC-8 not too pleased with folders for getting attacked, I was going to by a short 5" Kabar. Upon my research i found an interesting concept, lets say im questioned by a police officer or even used the knife. How can I justify carrying a knife used for fighting, that in sense would not end well AT ALL :thumbdn:. So I am leaning toward a tool knife that can be used as the SHTF blade, esee 4 or esee 5 havent decided. For a fixed blade self defense blade 4-5", would it be smart to get a camping, tool, skinning, bushwacking knife instead of a more aggressive style blade? All for justifying purposes of course....i.e getting caught slaying a guy in court with a 7" Kabar as a pencil pushing office worker wouldnt sit well with a jury. Thanks, sorry for the long post, just trying to be as clear as glass :D
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Due to concealment problems, the typical street knife is a locking folder with a blade length of 4" or less. That is my favoritie type of EDC knife. A 4" folder is plenty for general utility use as well as self-defense. Much lighter, less bulky and easier to conceal than fixed blades. Remember, concealed means concealed. With a bit of care and common sense, it is highly unlikely that you will ever be stopped or questioned by police.
 
76GMC said:
HI new to the forum, been reading for a while, great site with a lot of helpful people it seems, however I have not completely seen this subject talked about now to my question. I am a relatively knew knife enthusiast, starting about a year ago, and I like knives primarily for self defense. I was deciding on a fixed blade for self defense for reliability, already have emerson CqC-8 not too pleased with folders for getting attacked, I was going to by a short 5" Kabar. Upon my research i found an interesting concept, lets say im questioned by a police officer or even used the knife. How can I justify carrying a knife used for fighting, that in sense would not end well AT ALL :thumbdn:. So I am leaning toward a tool knife that can be used as the SHTF blade, esee 4 or esee 5 havent decided. For a fixed blade self defense blade 4-5", would it be smart to get a camping, tool, skinning, bushwacking knife instead of a more aggressive style blade? All for justifying purposes of course....i.e getting caught slaying a guy in court with a 7" Kabar as a pencil pushing office worker wouldnt sit well with a jury. Thanks, sorry for the long post, just trying to be as clear as glass :D
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A Mora classic (wood handle) might fit the bill without being very combat-oriented. There are a lot of smaller fixed blades out there - many of the neck knives can be worn on the belt or even IWB.
 
Possibly goes without saying but you did mention that you are somewhat new to knives (carrying, collecting) Familiarize yourself with the knife laws of where you live AND travel.
It is often times surprising how they differ and a "mistake" could be life altering.
 
I recommending reading this essay as an intro to the legal side for new comers to the hobby. It covers things most people never think of about what "legality" really means. And it has been vetted by a few police officers from different states and one criminal defense attorney:
http://weaponlaws.wikidot.com/start
 
Thanks very much for the replies guys, I have read up on knife laws, but I live in Las Vegas Nevada and they are extremely murky. I'm not worried too much about concealability as much as justification for carrying a blade in the eyes of a jury. Let's hope it doesn't come to it, but if anything happens I don't want to screw myself by having a karambit strictly for self-defense. I guess I'm asking if it really matters in court?
 
76GMC said:
Thanks very much for the replies guys, I have read up on knife laws, but I live in Las Vegas Nevada and they are extremely murky. I'm not worried too much about concealability as much as justification for carrying a blade in the eyes of a jury. Let's hope it doesn't come to it, but if anything happens I don't want to screw myself by having a karambit strictly for self-defense. I guess I'm asking if it really matters in court?
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NO KNIFE you carry is strictly for self-defense! Virtually every state in the union has laws on the books making it a crime to carry a knife with intent to use as a weapon (outside of additional permitting in some locales). Any knife on your person is first and foremost a utility tool.
 
Thanks, that is just the confirmation I was needing, it is so hard with all the tacticool knives out there. Love the fast replies, I'm going to like it here :D
 
HeavyHanded said:
NO KNIFE you carry is strictly for self-defense! Virtually every state in the union has laws on the books making it a crime to carry a knife with intent to use as a weapon
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This is a common perception/interpretation, especially among cops, but it does not actually appear in most statutes. Yeah I know I'm possibly sounding pedantic, but I am very staunch proponent of the actual law as written and interpreted by the courts, not conjecture by the LEO on the street. A cop is more than capable of being wrong and have been known to lose their badge for incorrectly enforcing a knife law.

What is the law in almost every state is the possession of a knife with intent to commit or while in the act of committing a crime, not merely use it as a weapon. In fact in my state they actually make that clear distinction: It's illegal to carry anything with intent to injure another in an unlawful manner, but that same statute contains an exemption for anything carried "as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger" i.e. self-defense.

The reason we often discourage explaining a knife to a LEO as being for self-defense has to do with the psychology of the police officer, and we'd prefer to avoid the hassle of an unlawful confiscation (aka "theft") or false arrest whenever possible.

Sometimes I like to carry this:
images%5C35936.jpg


How do I explain it?

"It looks cool and is made in the USA. And it's long enough for my apples."
 
^ haha love it, yeah I understand where your coming from, just getting insight from more experienced human beings out there. :cool:
 
glistam said:
This is a common perception/interpretation, especially among cops, but it does not actually appear in most statutes. Yeah I know I'm possibly sounding pedantic, but I am very staunch proponent of the actual law as written and interpreted by the courts, not conjecture by the LEO on the street. A cop is more than capable of being wrong and have been known to lose their badge for incorrectly enforcing a knife law.

What is the law in almost every state is the possession of a knife with intent to commit or while in the act of committing a crime, not merely use it as a weapon. In fact in my state they actually make that clear distinction: It's illegal to carry anything with intent to injure another in an unlawful manner, but that same statute contains an exemption for anything carried "as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger" i.e. self-defense.
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Check your local listings - many states have the "dangerous knife" included in the list along with "dirks and bowie knives". As I said, virtually every (but not all) states have established that the possession of a "dangerous knife" is prima facie proof of intent to use unlawfully, giving any LEO you come into contact with a wide latitude for action. Check your local laws before assuming anything or taking advice from someone on the internet (including and especially me!).
 
Yes of course, I'm quite aware of the laws in my area, just trying to aquire information not listed explicitely in the law, more ambiguous situations as the ones listed above. Thanks for the answers once again :)
 
In South Africa for Example:
The main concern with Knives is what is your intent?
Also knives must be no longer than 4"

I find when the cops ask to search me, before they do, I automatically pull all out and reveal all knives on my person and explain myself.

(Self defense, utility etc)

My willingness to comply has always gotten me out of trouble and never had any issues with the knives I carried

Lastly if you must use a knife for self defense remember, you are using it for defense, not Rambo type abuse

That being the case use a decent knife that won't break if you hit a wall accidentally but don't use a $500 super strong hard knife.

Firstly, its unnecessary
Secondly, you may lose it if the cops take it for evidence or the person who attacked you runs away with it stuck in him
 
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In all cases, it is best to not talk with the police, even if you are doing nothing wrong. Be polite, provide ID, and politely ask if you are free to go, and if not, that you wish to exercise your right to remain silent until you are able to speak to your attorney.

"Talking your way out of things" almost always talks your way into custody.

Of course, the preferred thing is to not do anything stupid or "suspicious," and then consequently get stopped. And yes, using the "least menacing-looking" tool which also meets your needs is always preferred.



[video=youtube;6wXkI4t7nuc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc[/video]
 
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