Knife laws?

Steven Roos

Steven Roos

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
4,131
A couple questions about knife laws. I'm in Victorville, California...

1. I have a Cold Steel Recon Tanto, and I've been told they are illegal to carry due to size. How could they be illegal if the knife shop in the mall sells them? I was under the impression that as long as the knife is not hidden, it was okay.

2. What is considered a "knife" under CA law? I want to know if I can buy a practice balisong (no blade/not sharp) to learn with.

Thanks in advance!
 
According to State law, you can carry any size manual folding knife, open or concealed. Your city may have more restrictive laws and you should check that out.

A balisong is legal to own in your home, just illegal to carry. If you want a bali trainer to practice with at home there should be no problems with that at all. If you want to carry that trainer and flip it out on the street you could get yourself at least harrassed by law enforcement - I'd recommend keeping it at home.

For a good breakdown of CA knife laws, go here:
http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/knifelaw.html
 
Does it make a difference that the Recon Tanto is a fixed blade?

Also, anyone know of training bailsongs other than Benchmade? Any links?

BTW, thanks for the link!
 
State law has no length limits for fixed blades. They must be carried openly. Carrying a fixed blade openly could get you some negative attention depending on where you do it, even though it's legal. Check your city/county laws also.
 
I carry a balisong and I have no problems with it. I just don't put myself in situations where I would be searched by an officer. I was at Starbuck's this morning and there were several LEO's there off duty. I know a few of them, one of them is even a knifemaker. I was showing the head of our city's gang enforcement unit a few knives. He only said to be careful about what you do with them. Use common sense, no fancy manipulations in public.
 
Alright, so I was correct in my thinking about the fixed blades. Wonderful.

If balisongs are legal to possess in your home, will Benchmade (or any other maker) ship them to you in CA? Of course, I may want to stick with a trainer anyway...I don't need to chop off my fingers! :eek:
 
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