Looking for recommendations for EDC in NYC

I was thinking about going to the custom knife show in jersey city this weekend, but wondered if that's all they would have, custom knives. Which I'm sure I'd love, but know I can't afford right now. Does anyone know if they would also have "production" (non-custom?) knives there? I couldn't figure it out from the website. Thanks.
 
You friend may have said to go non locking to make sure it can not be flicked by some one better at doing that action than you are. There is no requirment in the NYS PL that a folder must not lock, and in fact the NYC Admin Code says locking folders with a blade of longer than 4" in lenght may not be sold in the city. If there is a blade lenght restiction on sale of locking folders, then how can locking folders be banned in total? Most officers don't know the law and perhaps your friend is reacting too what he has seen in arrests ( valid ones and not)....Not to sound critical, most lawyers are not too well versed on the knife laws either as they tend to be low level add on charges to more serious offenses.....There was a recent trail in Queens on an assisted opener ( that clearly locked too), and the jury found the person not gulity of carry an illegal knife because that lawyer understood the law and was able to explian to the jury.....
 
Yes, I think you're right. His main message was "avoid getting arrested" and some cops will claim any knife is illegal and the person arrested can work out the details later. He didn't seem to think carrying it using the pocket clip was an issue but I feel like I've read that enough times that it is a problem. He said don't go near a demonstration like occupy wall street with even so much as a nail clipper in your pocket (more or less.)

He said there are many different sources of law which make the law about knives in NYC tough to discern.

Thanks, again!
 
Hi,
just found this link online to knife laws in the 50 states: http://knife-expert.com/ny.txt. It is, admittedly, based on old research, but, it seems to me that if anything, the knife laws and/or the enforcement thereof, has only gotten stricter since this research was done, seemingly in 1999 or so. The upshot seems to be that in New York City, one cannot carry a knife that is 4" or more in length, locks open, such that it requires the depression of a button or something to unlock it, can be flicked open with gravity and/or centrifugal force, can be opened with a push-button or spring assist. And, it can't be carried in plain sight, as in , clipped to a pocket. The not in plain sight and can't lock open were based on policies to reduce the encouragement of knife-fighting.
I'm open to more info if anyone has it.
Thanks,
Melissa

It does seem to allow for the carrying of knives just bought. Which means that if I find anything I both like and can afford at the Jersey City knife show on Friday, I should be able to get it home without being arrested, as long as I'm not playing with or wielding it in public.
 
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goldenrold, while you are trying to be helpful, PLEASE DO NOT incorrectly quote the law you linked!!! Take a second to read the NYC Admin Code 10- 133 and 134 and you will see the SALE of locking folders with a 4" or longer blade is not allowed ( as I posted above before your post). Locking folders per se are not banned for sale or carry when the blade is under 4". Also, Assisted openers are not banned per se also!!! DId you read that part of my post also? I don't mean to sound grouchy, but this is a section of the law that I debate often with the most senior NYPD officals and DA's in two different NYC boros.....Mis information only leads to false arrests and false ideas of what is illegal. I only discuss what I know as fact from years in law enforcement and interaction with those who still do it since.
 
Thank you. I'll read it more carefully and do some legal research to see what's current. It's clear you know your stuff. I wasn't trying to challenge you. It is subtle and I think intentionally vague.
 
tom19176 said:
You friend may have said to go non locking to make sure it can not be flicked by some one better at doing that action than you are. There is no requirment in the NYS PL that a folder must not lock, and in fact the NYC Admin Code says locking folders with a blade of longer than 4" in lenght may not be sold in the city. If there is a blade lenght restiction on sale of locking folders, then how can locking folders be banned in total? Most officers don't know the law and perhaps your friend is reacting too what he has seen in arrests ( valid ones and not)....Not to sound critical, most lawyers are not too well versed on the knife laws either as they tend to be low level add on charges to more serious offenses.....There was a recent trail in Queens on an assisted opener ( that clearly locked too), and the jury found the person not gulity of carry an illegal knife because that lawyer understood the law and was able to explian to the jury.....
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Tom, does this mean a precedent, case law if you will, as to what really constitutes a so-called "gravity knife"? Can any other defendants count on this acquittal as an affirmative defense in court, or did this defendant just get lucky in a high-stakes craps game that passes for justice in NYC? Heck, I am overjoyed that this person beat the rap and the jury saw NYC's interpretation of "gravity knife" law as the true B.S. that it is. It is my sincerest hope that more knife-possession trials end in this manner. On the other hand, I can only imagine what the defendant went through. Arrest, booking, time in a holding cell, bail, name in newspaper (for all to see, including family, neighbors and possibly even the boss or co-workers), court costs, legal fees, ad nauseum. Unless he/she was indigent, the financial burden was a personal one and probably amounted to thousands of dollars.
 
Any jury decision is not binding on any other case. In NYS only the Court of Appeals has true binding case law standing. Even if a lower court makes a judical decision ( a judge decides as a matter of law) that a certain knife is legal ( or illegal) that is not binding on any other lower court. If you were aware of the fact that a court had declared your exact knife to be legal that could be determined to be a affirmative defense for you to believe the same knife was legal. Remember each case is different, and goldenrold, let us know what you find, but remember opinions are just that. I get my facts from the NYPD legal division out of OPP, and the the DA office in two of the five boros.....Most officers will tell you any knife is or could be illegal, and most DA's will tell you it is all about design and intent....as always follow the law ....
 
Look at the Leatherman Juice or Squirt line of tools. They can easily take care of 95% of any chores that my come your way and they don't seem to disturb the "non-knife" public. Only issue is the non-locking blade but you learn to work a little more cautiously and keep your fingers.
 
Tom19176 thank you for all your reply's I think you do know what your talking about!
 
as a former nyc cop i wouldnt even carry in nyc.. 1 theres no real need unless you are going into a bad part of the city and 2 its not worth the headache with the rookie cops looking to write their moms a ticket.. I almost had a rookie write me a ticket while i was STILL a cop..
 
thegoldenrod said:
Thanks glistam and 2dead. Multitools, though useful, are too big for my pocket. I'm a woman and wear suits to work everyday and ideally would like to keep it in my jacket pocket. I also work in a courthouse and don't want to lose my license to practice law over a technicality in case I ever need to go through the detectors/screening devices. If these laws must exist, there should be a way for law abiding citizens to get a permit or something. I know I'd never use a knife to commit a crime. I am neither motivated to do so nor would ever risk going to jail or losing my license.

That said, I do like one-handed openers, and good quality. But not high prices...

Thanks, everyone!
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Just came back from Vegas and noticed a nice selection of SAK knives in the shops along the Strip. They range in size (and price!) from very small to fairly large. A medium-sized one, with blade, can/bottle opener/screwdriver and leather punch will probably fill your needs. I carry a Germany army version of the SAK. It has a blade, saw blade, can/bottle opener/screwdriver and leather punch. It has green handles and a lanyard hole, built to Bundeswehr military specs. It is a non-locking slipjoint. Like yourself, I work in an office and that leather punch has unjammed the photocopiers more times than I can count. It is big enough to be useful, but small enough to avoid scaring the sheeple. I purchased it about a decade ago for $20 retail at a firearms dealer in my area. Shop around and compare prices, though. There are deals to be had.
 
Thanks! That sounds cool. We don't have firearms dealers in NYC, that I know of, so all of my shopping is online. Though I went to one show in Jersey City in January or so. That was fun. But it was mostly custom stuff. Gorgeous, but beyond my means. (I have 3 kids, 3 & under, so most of my $ goes for diapers etc.)
 
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