Knife I can carry in every state

[Chronovore]

I think a SAK is what I need to go with. Now to find a smallish one I like. There are just so many to choose from.

A SAK can be handy but the knife blade tends to be my least favorite thing about them. It's not exactly terrible. I think I've just been spoiled by dedicated folders.

The 420HC blade on most of the Leatherman tools is a little depressing but pliers-based multi-tools can also be handy.

My recommendation for the small Ruike slip-joint was a side-effect from my exploration of their SAK-style multi-tools. (They are in the same family as the Boker Tech Tools.) I found that I really like the form factor on my key ring alongside my car fob and an AA flashlight. The S11 is decent, durable, and effectively disposable relative to its price. The 2" blade in 12C27 is a win. The S22 is on my key ring now. I haven't used the scissors enough to contrast them with a SAK or Leatherman.

 

[K.O.D.]

When my great aunt was alive, I used to visit her in San Antonio, whenever I flew down to Houston.

Texas has (or had) a law of no locking knives over 5.5" and San Antonio had a law at the time of no locking knives under 5.5" so I ended up buying an Esee Izula fixed to carry along with an SAK. That law was overturned in SA eventually.

A pocket sized fixed blade might be a consideration.

 

[Planterz]

Stay out of Philly.

 

[eveled]

Jim Bowie would be so disappointed at what has happened in this country.

I’ll tell you what I tell my kids. Carry a small SAK. When asked why, say for splinters. “One time on vacation I had a splinter, and those little tweezers saved me a trip to the ER”

 

[Drop bear]

A Multitool like the Gerber center drive has a pretty big blade that is quick to flip open.

But as a Multitool it doesn't look like it is a big knife.

 

[cbach8tw]

I think a SAK is what I need to go with. Now to find a smallish one I like. There are just so many to choose from.

my SA Alox Pioneer has been my most carried of all my Swiss Army knives. I want to get a Pioneer X with the scissors or a Farmer. The scissors I think would be more useful than the saw. I like the look and durability of the Alox too.

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

 

[Wasty]

Take a SAK, preferably one with ugly scales and you're good to go.

Below is my dedicated travel SAK. Ugly as sin, but perfectly functional and packed full of utility. That thing won't raise any eyebrows

 

[Pilot1]

Stay out of Philly.

Exactly! It's not just State laws it is City and other local laws also. I have a PA LTCF (license to carry a firearm). I can NOT carry a knife in Philly as it only covers concealed firearms.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Manly Wasp is Europe-legal so would probably be OK in most jurisdictions. Best to check your local laws tho'. But 99.9% of the time if you're just carrying it and not flaunting it, you should be OK about anywhere.

 

[afishhunter]

91 ~ 93 mm SAK. or 4 blade Scoout/Camp knife or "Demo" knife.
Buck 301/303/Schrade 8OT/34OT stockman.
Small (not a 5 inch closed "Daddy" or "Grand Dad's) Barlow
Canoe
Peanut
Taxas Jack
Muskrat/Improved Muskrat
Loom Fixer/Half Hawk (one or two blade)
Sod Buster/Sod Buster Jr.
Pen Knife/Jack Knife.
4 inch closed Sunfish
Full Size (4 1/4 inch closed) Trapper ...

Actually, pretty much any slipjoint at or under 4.5 to 4.625 inch closed should be fine.
(Schrade/Old Timer sold their 4.25 inch 858 "Lumberjack" Stockman nation wide from 1978 to 1984. The current BTI Old Timer 858OT/858OTB Lumberjack Stockman is only 4.5 inch closed)

Provided you don't be stupid and try to cut with the spine or stab something, the cutting/slicing pressure applied to the blade force the blade open.

In over 60 years I've never had a slipjoint/spring knife or a friction folder close on me. If you think about it, slipjoints (spring knives) have been around since the early/mid 1700's. Friction folders with nothing but the friction of the handle against the blade to keep them open or closed have been around hundreds of years longer.
Our ancestors weren't accidentally removing their digits when/while using their pocket knives.
As long as you keep our fingers out of the path of the blade when closing them, they won't cut you.

BTW, the sole purpose of the backspring is to keep the blade from drooping when open, and opening in your pocket. Contrary to what some believe, they are not intended to "lock" the blade open. You don't need a "bear trap"/Nail Buster pull.

Personally, I like the pull to be no stronger than a "5" (pull on a 91 ~ 93 mm SAK) or even a little less, like on the Buck 301/303.
I much dislike fighting with my knife to open it when my hands are cold and/or wet, or needing a tool ("steel thumbnail" or pliers) to open it. Truth to tell, that never made much sense to me.

 

[CAP55]

People will question why you feel the need to carry it though.

It'll get through the metal detector but I'll bet it

 

[CAP55]

The knife laws in New Mexico can define any and every possible type of knife carried any and every way as illegal. I have always carried a SAK and have never had a problem in NM but then I have never been stopped by the police for any reason either.

 

[Chronovore]

Jim Bowie would be so disappointed at what has happened in this country.

I’ll tell you what I tell my kids. Carry a small SAK. When asked why, say for splinters. “One time on vacation I had a splinter, and those little tweezers saved me a trip to the ER”

People sometimes have the snarky retort that if somebody doesn't like something in a particular state, they should move. In the era of working from home, I hope more people will do that. Having lived different places, I've really come to appreciate not having to worry about arbitrary restrictions on what kinds of tools you can have in your pocket. The fact that you could get fined or even arrested for having the same tool you carry every day without issue for being on the other side of some invisible geopolitical line is as dumb as it is an egregious violation of your rights.

I do what I can, donating to Knife Rights, writing to elected officials, etc. Still, I tend to follow the law. A Alberta Ed makes a solid point that "99.9% of the time if you're just carrying it and not flaunting it, you should be OK about anywhere." It's just the 0.1% chance when it does come up. For instance, you might get in a car accident or some other crazy thing happens, you get frisked after being in the wrong place at the wrong time, etc. It's very unlikely and especially so for people who look civilized and try to avoid trouble. It's just something that can happen.

Compare it to the odds that people prepare against in choosing to carry a defensive tool. Ideally, your odds of ever needing to use a defensive tool should be pretty low. Yet, if you ever do, you'll be glad to have been carrying it. Of course, the sorts of situations where you would both need it and be justified in using it are also situations in which you'll probably be having to talk to the police about it. There's nothing like celebrating the fact that you narrowly survived a defensive encounter by getting arrested for having the tool you used to do it.