knife for chicago

I live in chicago and I carry a spyderco urban. The blade is a tiny bit longer than 2 1/2", but no one will make a fuss. It rides low in the pocket so you don't get extra attention from police or knife haters. If you do find a cop asking you about it, its a very inoffensive knife and you shouldn't have a problem. Even though the spyderco chicago was made to fit our laws, I like having as long of an edge as i can get away with, so the urban is my recommendation.
 
Get a Pink Squeak. ;)

Seriously, the Squeak is an incredible small knife. Good steel, very corrosion resistant, opens and closes easy since you don't have to unlock it, finger choil prevents accidental closer, FFG leaf blade slices well. Just enough tip to get the job done. That, and everyone thinks it looks cute, even my wife, who happens to be very knife-phobic (I have made some progress with her, but she still hates most of em. She has inquired about getting a Squeak though). Her friend that came over to visit like it too and wanted one. If Pink is too girly for you, the black one (I got one of the black ones, will be getting an orange one when they come out soon) is actually a few bucks cheaper on the knife site I usually use.
 
Just to add my opinion: The law never specifies how blade length is to be measured, so you could probably get away with carrying a knife with a 2.5" edge, and the actual blade a bit longer than that. Along with the options already thrown out, I would recommend the new TOPS Tibo and Spyderco Native 5. Both have edge lengths 2.5" or under, and blade lengths of about 3". (The ESEE Candiru's a great choice, too. So is the Izula, but I think it might have too long of an edge length.)
 
Dan57 said:
Just to add my opinion: The law never specifies how blade length is to be measured, so you could probably get away with carrying a knife with a 2.5" edge, and the actual blade a bit longer than that.
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I think you are missing an essential point about Chicago law enforcement. One I tried to make earlier.

If you are minding your own business, not messing around, with your3.5 inch knife in your pocket. You are good to go in Chicago.

Now, say you start some minor trouble, that involves CPD. They come across your knife and you say "Well, the blade length is above the legal limit, but the actual edge is not. Hence, I am in legal compliance."

At that point, you are getting conked in the coconut and dragged in.

It's really much more about the way you act in Chicago than legal technicality.
 
I live in Chicago and I carry whatever I want because I don't create trouble. I did just pick up a spyderco urban penknife( foliage green)that would with well if you want to be legal.
 
Just a thought ... how about Cold Steel's little "Bird And Trout" neck knife? Eighteen bucks with neck sheath and bead chain. Your friends may be unfamiliar with this classic design. If so, tell them the hole at the end of the handle is designed to stick the little finger through so that one can simple swing the knife out of the way when needing all the fingers for detail work, thus not having to set it down. Blade on this handy little tool is 2 1/4". Here's a look at it:

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Handle-Concealex-Sheath/dp/B000BSZDNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343598541&sr=8-1&keywords=cold+steel+bird+and+trout
 
Two very good options for Chicagoland EDC would be the Kershaw Ken Onion designed Chive and Scallion, both of which are supposed to be compliant with the city's restrictions, but your specs include a non-locking requirement. This eliminates the Spyderco Chicago, and leaves the Squeak as a compliant option. You have a +1 from me on this choice. It's a great blade with the same form factor as the Chicago and a slimmer profile, plus the clip allows it to ride slightly lower for totally discrete EDC. Mine has done serious work so I'm confident it should stand up to the intended disaster/emergency work.
 
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Toothpick.jpgI live in downstate Illinois and have to go to Chicago on business occasionally. The sooner I get out of Cook County the happier I am.
I've always got at least one knife with me - never paid much attention to the length but I suspect all are less than 3". How is the blade length of a folding knife measured? From the front of the bolster to the tip or from the back end of the blade to the tip?
 
qncygnnr said:
View attachment 295772I live in downstate Illinois and have to go to Chicago on business occasionally. The sooner I get out of Cook County the happier I am.
I've always got at least one knife with me - never paid much attention to the length but I suspect all are less than 3". How is the blade length of a folding knife measured? From the front of the bolster to the tip or from the back end of the blade to the tip?
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I can't give you a qualified answer on this issue, so I hope another poster can provide a definitive answer. However, I would assume that HOW the blade is measured has a lot to do with WHO is doing the measuring, and also the circumstances and reason why the blade is being measured. In other words, it might be very subjective. Unfortunately.

Better to err on the side of safety and compliance with the law.
 
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