This may be a situation that is steadily evolving. I would give your local police one more try. Try the COP or head of the detective unit.
Not that long ago, in the Boston area, it was not uncommon to see many peolple with their Buck 110s on their belts.
I tend to carry small, non offensive, folders on the job and still get the "look" sometimes. It all depends on where you are, what it is and who sees it. I went to the Boston municipal court once and my small stockman set off the gate detector. The officer was very polite and held it for me until I exited. Simply a case of not thinking when I went in.
Limit yourself to folders of small/ moderate size and keep them out of bars and such, I don't think you'll have a problem. Leave the fixed stuff at home unless "sporting".
I had recently started using a Kershaw at work and found it to be too big/wrong point for what I do.(although the speed safe is great when I'm up in the air, playing in the racks) Smaller is better sometimes.
Scary looking stuff raises eybrows. Officers _can_ be a fair judge of character and I think most would go by state law. Pocket folders with blades under four inches should be fine for general carry.(unless they're scary looking)
Be good.
