Monochrome actual blade length - measurement starts where?

knarfeng

knarfeng

senex morosus moderator
Staff member
Super Mod
Moderator
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
43,075
Howdy,
The Benchmade web site says that the blade length of the Monochrome is 3.02". I wish to be able to carry it in areas that are limited to 3". But I gots a problem with the BM stats. If you would be so kind as to examine the rough sketch I made, you will see that the base of the handle curves. If I lay a ruler such that I measure at the most protruding part of the handle, the blade is less than 3". If I measure at the bottom or top, it is 3.02".

What say ye officers of the law?

Would I get dinked for the 0.02"?

This is assuming that an LEO wants to examine the knife of a pot bellied, gray bearded, funky old man, that is to say, me. The examination is thus highly unlikely ever to occur, but it's good to know the answer.

Thanks for your help,
Frank R

Monochromesketch.jpg
 
Frank,

In CT the weapons statutes refer to the length of the knife's cutting edges. (I don't know how knife companies measure their blades.) I would venture to say that most Officers measure the edge by holding a ruler alongside the blade and measuring the distance from the point to the end of the cutting edge, wherever that may be. However, the ball busters in the PD I work for have taken to measuring the actual cutting edge of the blade. Unless it's a recurve, they put the ruler on a table, put the point at one end of the ruler, and rock the blade along the curve of the blade. This does, in fact, give them the actual length of the cutting edge, although it seems a little unsporting to me.

As for whether or not you would get to slide if your blade was slightly over the legal length, the reality is that it would probably depend mostly on what you were doing with the knife and what your attitude was. For example, if you were in the park having a picnic and seemed like a decent guy, you probably would have no problem. However, if you were skulking around a high crime area, flicking your knife open, and gave the cops a ration of B.S., you would probably end up in jail.

You really need to check the state and any local statutes for your section of the left coast. See if they refer to the blade's overall length, or just its cutting edge. You could even call your local PD and ask. Otherwise, if you think your knife is borderline and that you are likely to get stopped by the Police, you might want to consider carrying something with a shorter blade. If you can find something comparable, I doubt the .2" extra on your blade will make it cut any better anyway.

Good luck.
 
Frank,

In CT the weapons statutes refer to the length of the knife's cutting edges. (I don't know how knife companies measure their blades.) I would venture to say that most Officers measure the edge by holding a ruler alongside the blade and measuring the distance from the point to the end of the cutting edge, wherever that may be. However, the ball busters in the PD I work for have taken to measuring the actual cutting edge of the blade. Unless it's a recurve, they put the ruler on a table, put the point at one end of the ruler, and rock the blade along the curve of the blade. This does, in fact, give them the actual length of the cutting edge, although it seems a little unsporting to me.
Click to expand...
Chris, knife companies use the AKTI method to measure blade length. The AKTI method measures from the forward most part of the grip to the tip, in a straight line.
http://www.akti.org/PDFS/AKTIProto.pdf

Connecticut is relatively unique with the edged portion verbiage. And, that language can be helpful- there are knives that have blades slightly over 4", overall, but have sharpened portions that are clearly under.

In New York City (IIRC), there was an appellate case involving the under 4" blade length requirement in the City's ordinance. The petitioner claimed his knife was legal to carry, because the edged portion was under 4". The blade length including the unsharpened portion exceeded 4". The court held that the knife was not legal to carry, since the unsharepned portion was part of the blade. OP- While not precedent for California, my recommendation is that if the law in your jurisdiction refers to blade length, and does not specify edged portion, that you consider the unsharpened and sharpened portion when calculating the blade length.
 
gonna have to check your local laws! in texas its measured from the most extended part of the handle and then goes to the tip, the whole letting states make these regulations have made it so that you really need to carry a copy of the laws of any state you are going to spend time in. that is its own issue and Im not trying to argue that its a good or bad thing, only that it can cause some minor inconvience.

sort of like that age of consent pocket card they had on reno 911.
 
mp510 said:
Chris, knife companies use the AKTI method to measure blade length. The AKTI method measures from the forward most part of the grip to the tip, in a straight line.
http://www.akti.org/PDFS/AKTIProto.pdf

Connecticut is relatively unique with the edged portion verbiage. And, that language can be helpful- there are knives that have blades slightly over 4", overall, but have sharpened portions that are clearly under.

In New York City (IIRC), there was an appellate case involving the under 4" blade length requirement in the City's ordinance. The petitioner claimed his knife was legal to carry, because the edged portion was under 4". The blade length including the unsharpened portion exceeded 4". The court held that the knife was not legal to carry, since the unsharepned portion was part of the blade. OP- While not precedent for California, my recommendation is that if the law in your jurisdiction refers to blade length, and does not specify edged portion, that you consider the unsharpened and sharpened portion when calculating the blade length.
Click to expand...

Um, not measuring only the sharpened portion I knew about. That was not my question. Sorry if I stated it poorly.

What I was wondering about was that "forward most part of the handle"
On the Monochrome, because of the way the center of the front of the handle bulges, if I measure from the forwardmost part of the handle (in the center of the knife) to the tip in a straight line, I am under 3". If I measure at top or bottom of the handle I am over 3" (albeit not by much.)

If an LEO were to measure the length of the blade, from whence would he begin his measurement? The center that protrudes out, or the bottom, which does not.

Would the blade will be measured as being under 3" ?(assuming I am not being an irrational PITA to the LEO)

Thanks,
Frank R
 
depends on the leo. I had a convo with one at my university while waiting to get my garage sticker and he said that he would measure from the pivot which imo is kind of far back but thats his thing and if I ran into a problem I would probably be looking for legal assistence anyway. but he also mentioned that he wouldnt even bother unless the knife was clearly over the limit or if you were carrying drugs or had a warrant/on probation.
 
Knives are supposed to be measured from the forward-most part of the handle to the tip of the blade. This gives the overall length of the blade.
 
I would sharpen off that last .02" and carry a piece of thin plastic ruler in my wallet if I was inclined to worry.
 
Wow, if States are using that AKTI method it looks like a lot of you guys are getting hosed on blade length by your State laws. I wouldn't have thought it common to count the choil (when it's forward of the rest of the handle or guard) when measuring a blade. As screwed up as CT is, our knife laws do seem to be more reasonable than many discussed in this forum.

knarfeng, you're really need to check with your local law enforcement to see how they measure things. Otherwise, you risk finding yourself in a jam.

Sorry I could not have been more help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top