Legal Fixed Blade Carry

C

CarlRexHubbard

Joined
Jun 6, 2001
Messages
132
I have not had the opportunity to carry a fixed blade knife, but I think that it has its merits. The reason many folding knives are so expensive is due to the fact that the lock takes up a good deal of money to make and assemble. Legally carrying a fixed blade could be cheaper and just as effective, seeing that a handmade fixed is just about as much as a production folder. If the state you live in allows fixed blade knives to be carried, do you think that it is a better idea to buy fixed than folding? Any other thoughts will prove helpful.
 
For Me, it's simple question of lifestyle, attire, and expected cutting chores.

The modern urban dweller encounters routine cuttings tasks that a good folder can handle. The daily city attire works well with a pocket knife, offering convienent carry and thus always at hand. Employment that requires heavy duty cutting might call for the inherent strenght of a fixed blade.

A good daily fixed blade system is highly dependant upon the carry rig. If the knife/sheath system is awkward within one's lifestyle it's left behind at home.

Knives as defensive weapons suffer the dilemma of all weapons; for each advantage in a design there is a trade-off disadvantage. How these design factors balance out is specific to each user.

Honest Self examination of lifestyle will hold the answer to what blade style will be on your person, when you really need it.

 
If it were legal here in Arkansas, I'd definitely have a fixed blade EDC. (I'd still carry my Commander and CQC7 though!)

Attire is an easy work around if you give it a little thought. A lot of it depends on your climate and your work dress.

In the summer months, I can almost always be found wearing what's known as an Aloha shirt, Hawaiian shirt, whatever.

I'm lucky as my wife will sew the shirts to my specs, and I can pick out my own materials.

I ALWAYS go for the loudest colors and flashiest prints I can find, as I find that people are so busy seeing the LOUD shirt, they don't notice all the little bumps and bulges underneath it!

My wife makes them intentionally loose fitting, as they have to cover a .45 auto, spare mag pouch, and at night, a Surefire 6Z flashlight. I also ask for an extra long "tail" on the shirt, to prevent it from riding up and "flashing" my secrets to the world. This has the added advantage of just barely covering my jeans pockets, making the clips of my Emersons invisble as well.

In cooler weather, I'll wear the ubiquitous "Photographer's Vest" which, to those in the know screams that I'm carrying concealed, but to the average Joe and Jane on the street, it's completely unremarkable.

Concealment is easily accomplished if you just think about it a little bit. "Hula Hula shirts" may not be the answer for you, but there's an answer out there somewhere. Think around corners, you'll figure it out.
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My EDC is a fixed blade and wouldn't consider ever going back to a folder as my main knife.Dave
 
This is very state specific. Since I now carry a Dozier K-1 around a lot in my town when I'm not dressed for work, I checked into the specificity of california law...

Up to 3" fixed blade is OK if carried unconcealed for example on a simple vertical belt sheath. If the knife happens to be covered by a jacket, that is OK and not considered "concealment", but if the knife is covered by an untucked shirt that could be tucked in, then it is considered concealment and illegal. Just an example of how specific the law can get. So far, in my town which is a mix of rural farmers and suburban escapees, no one has even noticed my K-1, but my new (not yet arrived) Tichbourne will have to be a ghost knife being used only around the homestead or away on camping trips because it will have a 4" blade, well above the legal limit in CA.
 
Fixed vs. Folder

I alway prefer fixed when I can get away with it (outside of the city, around my house, camping). Like Matthew, I live in Northern California where having a fixed blade on your hip out on the streets draws a little too much attention, even if the blade is small. Plus I work in a professional environment, pickup/drop my kid off at pre-school. All places where a fixed blade would not work for me.

On an average day, I carry an Emerson Commander cliped to my right front pocket. I don't think anyone has noticed yet.

The Emerson cost me $125 and was not very expensive even compared to my fixed blades. I still dream of the day when carrying a fixed blade is acceptable, but I don't think that day is ever going to come where I live.
 
Thanks for the responses. I live in Alabama, where you can pretty much carry anything except a bowie knife or something that is just plain offensive. I have been looking at Dozier's knives for EDC as opposed to a high quality folder.
 
I carry along with my Sebenza, and leatherman a fixed blade every day. There are chores a folder just cannot do as well. I have had some strong opinions from others when I take it out to use but instantly upon seeing its usefullness it quiets down.

My other thing, Issue, Call it what you will is that preparedness means preparing for the unexpected. Everyone thinks their bugout bag at home is enough to insure survival. Im not running around in the woods preparing my shelter but I am aware of the fact that I spend a majority of my day away from my house. Now granted, knowledge is your best freind but .... Ok here is where it might get a little wierd ... if there is a natural disaster or a man made one and Im in Manhattan (I live in Queens) then what I have on me is what I have to make it. If I am one of those (Fortunate or Unfortunate) to still be counted amoungst the living. Sure you might say what is the chance of that. Well take a look at the news. Supposedly advanced, civilized cultures are thrown into chaos all the time. I have made quite comfortable carry sheaths out of leather for my fixed blade, carried some of legal size or toted one in a bag but it is a good tool to have around.
My Ten cents
Alex
 
Even when I'm in urban environments - and working a white collar job - I carry a pack with some gear in it. It isn't as large, complete, or heavy as the jump kit that sits in the car. It does have a fixed blade knife in it though, even when I'm wearing a folder only on my city clothes. Its a small blade, not like the machete in my jump kit, but its there in case the unexpected deprives me of my folder.
 
i carry mostly folders,but on ocasion carry a fixed blade. arkansas' law says 3 1/2 inches blade length, so theres not a whole lot to choose from,as i prefer blades a little longer than that.

i have carried and still carry every once in a while my cooper drop point,and raker fixed blade, both have a blade longer than the law says is accptable,but have never had a problem.

one fixed blade that im not afraid to carry but comes in handy is my mike irie skinner. carries well,legal length,and a good all around user.

find one you like,and go with it.one piece of advice though. if you carry openly,go with something "non-tactical". wont be as offensive to the many flocks of sheep out there.
 
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