Legality on My Mind

Insipid Moniker

Insipid Moniker

Joined
Feb 28, 2011
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So, I usually do a fair amount of traveling for pleasure, mostly roadtrips to visit friends and family. Those friends and family, however, often live in locales that are less than cutlery friendly. With this in mind, one of the things I find myself doing is looking for knives that I like and can use for just about anything that also happen to be legal in various cities and states.

Basically, I'm mostly drawn to folders with 4" blades, they're just what I like, but I always make sure to have a knife that I really enjoy using and can get work done with a blade under 3.5", one under 3" and now, with a few friends moving to Chicago and Boston, I'm eyeing a Kahr Arms Delica so I can be a law-abiding citizen, but still have a knife that I feel can do everything I want it to.

Anyone else take this into consideration when you buy? Not just the local ordinances, but the rules you encounter as you travel around the country.
 
I generally carry a SAK type tool/knife anywhere that I am not sure if a knife would be a welcome sight by the locals/authorities.

I have recently picked up, and love, the Boker Plus Tech Tool line. Sub 3" blade, good steel, great finish, nice G10 scales, pocket clip, and a set of very basic tools. I recently went to the St. Louis Zoo. They have a "no weapons" policy. Now, I'm not going to argue the semantics of why a knife is a tool and not a weapon, but my ZT with a 4" flipper blade isn't going to be something I want to try and explain away. I opted for the little Boker, and didn't get a second glance when I used it to cut the tags off a stuffed animal we bought for my daughter.

Very familiar shape. Very tool-like.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I generally carry a SAK type tool/knife anywhere that I am not sure if a knife would be a welcome sight by the locals/authorities.

I have recently picked up, and love, the Boker Plus Tech Tool line. Sub 3" blade, good steel, great finish, nice G10 scales, pocket clip, and a set of very basic tools. I recently went to the St. Louis Zoo. They have a "no weapons" policy. Now, I'm not going to argue the semantics of why a knife is a tool and not a weapon, but my ZT with a 4" flipper blade isn't going to be something I want to try and explain away. I opted for the little Boker, and didn't get a second glance when I used it to cut the tags off a stuffed animal we bought for my daughter.

Very familiar shape. Very tool-like.
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I have the same model and it rides clipless in my left pocket almost every day. Great little knife. :)
 
More than legality, I consider whether a knife is socially and functionally appropriate for a particular destination. For this consideration, new, smaller knives were required and live with me now. ;)

I took a Benchmade 484 Nakamura along to Chicago for a couple of weeks in December and that was cool. I carried larger knives when I lived there 5-6 years back and never had problems. The cops there have plenty to do so I never got too worried about it. However, if visiting a small town with bored cops, it might warrant consideration. The ZT 0900 is also a great option to carry in places where a large knife would be socially inept. Or a Benchmade 940.

Above all, Victorinox to the rescue in any situation. Just ask MacGruber.

No matter what, it sounds like you have a definite niche which must be filled by new knives asap! :D
 
Yes, a SAK. I carry a Tinker in my pocket (at home) or a Deluxe Tinker in a belt pouch along with my Boker Plus City One in my pocket, when I am out. Of course I removed the pocket clip from my Boker.
Rich
 
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I research the knife length law and don't carry one longer than the limit. I could care less about "socially acceptable" or scaring the sheeple if they would happen to see it deployed. Face it, there will always be SOMEONE that finds a knife blade scary even if it is only 2" long.
 
Megawatt308 said:
I research the knife length law and don't carry one longer than the limit. I could care less about "socially acceptable" or scaring the sheeple if they would happen to see it deployed. Face it, there will always be SOMEONE that finds a knife blade scary even if it is only 2" long.
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I'm in between, I try to avoid raising blood pressures unnecessarily, but I'm mostly concerned with having a functional knife and, to me, that means a full sized handle. And I generally want a full size handle and one hand opening and closing.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I generally carry a SAK type tool/knife anywhere that I am not sure if a knife would be a welcome sight by the locals/authorities.

I have recently picked up, and love, the Boker Plus Tech Tool line. Sub 3" blade, good steel, great finish, nice G10 scales, pocket clip, and a set of very basic tools. I recently went to the St. Louis Zoo. They have a "no weapons" policy. Now, I'm not going to argue the semantics of why a knife is a tool and not a weapon, but my ZT with a 4" flipper blade isn't going to be something I want to try and explain away. I opted for the little Boker, and didn't get a second glance when I used it to cut the tags off a stuffed animal we bought for my daughter.

Very familiar shape. Very tool-like.
Click to expand...

The St. Louis Zoo had no issue with knives until some people started pushing for the "right" to carry guns into the Zoo. Zoo administration then responded with a no weapons policy.

I think a keychain knife, like a Spyderco Manbug, is also a great choice for utilitarian and non-threatening knife.
 
The Spyderco Roadie has been affixed to my keychain for about 4 months now, and I've come to appreciate it greatly. The small size makes it nonthreatening, but the blade shape and steel make it an exceptionally capable little cutter.

Another good smaller option is the SOG Access Card 2.0. Very small, slim, and light, with VG-10 steel and both clip and wharncliffe blade options.

Finally, I would recommend, really to pretty much anyone, a Böker Gnome. Inexpensive, small, kinda cute honestly, and very capable. It can be worn on a belt or as a neck knife, and one could very easily put the whole thing, sheath and all, into a pocket without discomfort.

I always have the Roadie with me, and that is my go-to if my other knives are MIA or are potentially a little ill-fitted to the setting. I try to not break out my 0452CF at the park, and my modded Triple Action ain't gonna win me any friends at the mall.

(Actually, it might win me some friends, but also a lot of unwanted eyeballs.)

It's for reasons like this that I just bought a Gnome, SOG Snarl, and am looking hard at a couple smaller neck knives that I could throw into a pocket or on my belt without scaring people half to death. I can get away with a lot because I have a serious look, upright posture, and a muscular physique, so people just assume I'm in the military (I've overheard more than one kid go "look, (mom or dad or both), a soldier!") but I don't want to intimidate people if I can avoid it so I have stopped carrying huge fixed blades when I'm not at work.
 
I live in the Boston area and regularly carry a knife that is officially outside of the legal limit.

I generally carry this combo. That's a (modified) Opinel #9 with a blade length well out past the 3" local ordinance limit.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr

I rely on 4 things to get me through Boston with peace of mind.

1) I pocket carry the Opinel loose in my pocket. No visible pocket clip that would give a police officer the justification for asking about what's in my pocket. IMO, a pocket clip is sort of a like taping a "kick me" sign on your back - an open invitation for a cop to ask for your knife.

2) I'm super careful of where I use my knife in Boston. No need to tug on Superman's cape.

3) The Opinel is one of the most people friendly, non-threatening knives. This is a tremendous advantage. It is most clearly not a weapon in most people's eyes. It takes 2 hands and as many days to open it (unless, of course, you practice, and you should).

4) The Opinel is cheap. If an officer said they needed to confiscate it, I have no problem handing it to her (or him).
 
Insipid Moniker said:
I'm in between, I try to avoid raising blood pressures unnecessarily, but I'm mostly concerned with having a functional knife and, to me, that means a full sized handle. And I generally want a full size handle and one hand opening and closing.
Click to expand...

Opinel.

Great hand filling handle.

One hand opening and closing, with practice.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Anyone else take this into consideration when you buy? Not just the local ordinances, but the rules you encounter as you travel around the country.
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No sir, not me. I live in the foothills of No. CA, in a little rural town with 5-acres minimum parcels. So, it's basically fixed blade Heaven! As a lot of Bladeforums members know, CA (some municipalities within CA do, like LA, but not where I live) has no length limit on fixed blades as long as we open carry. I collect & EDC custom fixed blades only, so I'm very lucky living where I do, and not being a traveler for the most part. In my rural town, I almost never get any looks or questions when I've got an 8" - 10" OAL knife in a leather sheath on my belt...& even when I go into Sacramento & its surrounding towns, I don't get much, & when I do, it's typically someone complimenting me on my knife/sheath.

I do feel for those of you who live in places with more stringent knife laws, I really do feel naked if I leave the house without a fixed on my belt.
 
If the law is 3", find and enjoy one of the many excellent sub-3" knives available. It isn't like any of us have just one knife.
 
I haven't met a job that a sak can't do. Can't say the same for any modern folder I've ever owned. No matter how often people say saks are great, they seem to be seen as inferior for some reason. One hand opening is cool but I've yet to need that feature either. Honestly, at a certain point are we even discussing utility anymore?

It would be nice to see threads that say "Yeah I might cut something but I'd really just like a new knife to play with. So what's cool?" A bit more honest don't you think. ;):p

A sak or multi tool is your best bet. Delica if you want a one hander.
 
pinnah said:
Opinel.

Great hand filling handle.

One hand opening and closing, with practice.
Click to expand...
Yup, a flick of the ring, a coup de savoyard, and a spydie drop will get it open, along with a little push. That's my go to hard use knife in company of strangers, although I never have a problem taking out a slipjoint. I was arrested with a larger than 3" blade on a slipjoint in my pocket, and they didn't charge or confiscate for it, even though it is not 100% legal to carry it concealed.

Connor
 
In my state (MI) blade length is only a factor as it has to do with intent. Also it is now ok to conceal carry a fixed blade as long as it's a single edge design. The way the old law was written you could only carry a fixed blade when hunting.

If you are out committing crimes, the cops will be much more interested in your knives (as an extra charge). Law abiding citizen, they don't care. I have yet to see one with a ruler.

*not a law professional.
 
I don't see the appeal of the Kahr Arms Delica, but I have a HAP40 Delica and love every second I'm carrying and using it. :thumbup:
 
I only worry about it in certain cities where I know the local PD can be a bit more aggressive than other areas. Also situations that may require a bit more discretion than others. Otherwise I don't worry about it much. My philosophy is kinda reckless but I just feel if there is a moment I really need a knife I don't want to be limited in its capabilities. I don't mean self defense. I mean in situations where its an emergency. It may never happen in my life. But I don't want my life ever to hinge on needing a hammer and bringing a feather.
 
RX-79G said:
If the law is 3", find and enjoy one of the many excellent sub-3" knives available. It isn't like any of us have just one knife.
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That's part of the fun. Figuring out which knife gives me the most blade I can legally carry in X while still giving me a nice, big handle and the capability to get some serious work done.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
That's part of the fun. Figuring out which knife gives me the most blade I can legally carry in X while still giving me a nice, big handle and the capability to get some serious work done.
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PURPLEDC said:
I only worry about it in certain cities where I know the local PD can be a bit more aggressive than other areas. Also situations that may require a bit more discretion than others. Otherwise I don't worry about it much. My philosophy is kinda reckless but I just feel if there is a moment I really need a knife I don't want to be limited in its capabilities. I don't mean self defense. I mean in situations where its an emergency. It may never happen in my life. But I don't want my life ever to hinge on needing a hammer and bringing a feather.
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From what I know about NYC, if I visit again, I will not carry a knife with a clip. I think one handlers are trouble there too. Last I read, there have been 60,000 pocket knife prosecutions there in the last ten years, largely because of stop and frisk.
 
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