Knife Common Sense

[zman308]

From reading this forum I have learned a few things. 1. If you carry in a city make sure it is in your pocket. Carry a knife that looks like it is for utilitarian uses (SAK) not a dedicated fighter. The Pocket Clip is a red flag to any LEO out looking for a bust. I have two LEOs in the family, one would tell you to put it in your pocket and the other is a self-righteous AH and would bust you. Being publicly intoxicated can be a misdemeanor in some places. Drunk and carrying a knife, you add extra charges. 2. Remember most public and some private buildings have security with metal detectors. They may not let you turn around if you are caught. 3. Don't carry anything exotic to Canada. If you fish or hunt keep it within these categories. If you are going to a city in Canada use rule #1. By the way western Canada is different than eastern Canada. 3. Going to a foreign country, buy your knife there if you need it. You can find good utilitarian knives in most places. You don't need a machete in down town Rio. Be prepared to loose it or throw it away when you return. I take my dive knife to the Virgin Islands with no problem. 4. There is no consistency with customs. I have seen people allowed on in one airport with small embroidery scissors and then have seen them confiscated in another airport. If you argue be prepared to be screwed over. 5. City rules are different than country rules. A park ranger or sheriff may look at you strangely if you are carrying your bowie knife out in the woods but understands its purpose. 6. Border checkpoints are also inconsistent, you may be the lucky one in 100 that gets the full search. Make sure you don't have any loose stray ammo or anything exotic in the car. One bullet in your car going to Mexico will put you in jail. And it will be TS. 7. Be thankful you live in the US and I am thankful I don't live in NYC.

 

[nodh]

It makes sense. Going between countries in Europe can be troublesome too. The big picture in the european knife laws are the same, but there are small annoying differences. A LM Fuse is not allowed in Denmark since the blade locks, it is about the same in UK. In Sweden you can be knife happy but in Norway there are different rules.

I guess though that most policemen on a good mood will let you go as long as you have a decent, "cute" and justifiable knife, even if it might break some minor technicality.

The knife confiscation at the airports are totally ridicolous. "This is a hijacking, fly me to X-land or I will use my embroydery scissors." I wonder which countrys government who forced all these totally meaningless "security measures" on all other countries. Maximum amount of fluids in clear bags, stupid. The liquid bomb threat was just a hoax.
I am happy I dont need to fly, the security measures are so totally pointless and harassing to the passengers. The most pointless security check I passed was on september 10, 2001 when I flew out of Eagle Base, Tuzla. 25 soldiers with two firearms each, knives, multi tools, weapon parts etc had to pass the metal detector. Why X-raying an assault rifle and a handgun? Stupid.

 

[Don G.]

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[reconranger]

Taking a different perspective on the clip showing from your pocket....as long as you are carrying a legal knife for that area I think this is an advantage when dealing with LEO's. In a sense, the knife really isn't concealed, and they obviously know you have one so it isn't like you are hiding anything.

I was pulled over by the Highway Patrol (at gunpoint!) once because my vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that had just been involved in a serious crime. He asked me to pull up my shirt, saw my knife clip, and asked me to pull it out with two fingers and place it on the hood....no big deal!

When you are dealing with bad guys, it might even work to your advantage because they know you are armed (if you have a knife, you might just have a gun too!), and why bother with you when there is much easier prey all over the place.......

Got to say that California knife laws are fortunately rather reasonable compared to most places. I can carry a 4" folder almost everywhere I go, except for LA County where I can carry a 3".