New Code 4: Over 3.5" Blade Length?

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B.F.U

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I recently received a code 4 spear point. I was told it was ultra smooth and that is the truth. It is also nearly the perfect blade and handle shapes. I also love how slim it is. However, I needed a knife that was 3.5" or less, not more. When I measure I get over 3.5". Am I measuring wrong?

I thought about dremeling down the tip (giving it a more pronounced drop) but I am afraid that with the already thicker grind at the tip it will become too thick to slice properly.

Any insight or suggestions would be appreciated.

ALLHSS
 
you could grind it down with some belt sander on a very coarse belt, then hand sharpen a sick convex on the blade.
 
mael333ca said:
you could grind it down with some belt sander on a very coarse belt, then hand sharpen a sick convex on the blade.
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I think I would leave the edge as is and just drop the spine. Do you have any experience with that?
 
Cold Steel Knives said:
Hi
thanks for getting in touch
I believe that measurement refers to the length of the cutting edge
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Thanks for the reply. I noticed that it is the cutting edge that is 3.5". I just now have to figure how blade length is defined by law... Hoping it is cutting edge.
 
ALLHSS said:
Thanks for the reply. I noticed that it is the cutting edge that is 3.5". I just now have to figure how blade length is defined by law... Hoping it is cutting edge.
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I can't advise you regarding state or country laws. I'm sorry that I can't be of more help
 
The AKTI standard is to measure the blade from the forward most aspect of the handle.

See link below with examples.

That said, every city and state has the discretion to set and follow their own standards for blade length measurement. I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the AKTI standard and then check your local and state law enforcement to see if you are in compliance.

http://www.akti.org/resources/akti-protocol-for-measuring-knife-blade-length

ETA: If you have the means I would also try and get an opinion from the local DA's office as they are the one's who ultimately decide what and how various laws are enforced.

Hope this helps.
 
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pbcg said:
The AKTI standard is to measure the blade from the forward most aspect of the handle.

See link below with examples.

That said, every city and state has the discretion to set and follow their own standards for blade length measurement. I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the AKTI standard and then check your local and state law enforcement to see if you are in compliance.

http://www.akti.org/resources/akti-protocol-for-measuring-knife-blade-length

ETA: If you have the means I would also try and get an opinion from the local DA's office as they are the one's who ultimately decide what and how various laws are enforced.

Hope this helps.
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I knew of the standard way, and assumed companies adhered to it. I am surprised and kind of disappointed that Cold Steel didn't, because I don't think I'll keep this knife. Where I am now there is no limit, I just wanted something below 3.5" because it is a good size and I know of some areas where it is the limit. Thanks for the link and information!
 
ALLHSS said:
I knew of the standard way, and assumed companies adhered to it. I am surprised and kind of disappointed that Cold Steel didn't, because I don't think I'll keep this knife. Where I am now there is no limit, I just wanted something below 3.5" because it is a good size and I know of some areas where it is the limit. Thanks for the link and information!
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Is Cold Steel a member of AKTI?
I honestly don't know but if not then they have no reason to adhere to the standard, and it has already been pointed out that states set their own standard anyways. And if you knew the standard already, why ask if you are measuring wrong?!

BTW, I just measured my Code 4 as per the standard and it is 3-19/32"...a whopping 3/32 over the stated length.
Did you seriously start a thread expressing your disappointment over 3/32??

Eta: you could get away with shortening it up with a dremel and a sanding drum, but if you have access to a belt sander it might be easier.
 
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cncpro11 said:
Is Cold Steel a member of AKTI?
I honestly don't know but if not then they have no reason to adhere to the standard, and it has already been pointed out that states set their own standard anyways. And if you knew the standard already, why ask if you are measuring wrong?!

BTW, I just measured my Code 4 as per the standard and it is 3-19/32"...a whopping 3/32 over the stated length.
Did you seriously start a thread expressing your disappointment over 3/32??

Eta: you could get away with shortening it up with a dremel and a sanding drum, but if you have access to a belt sander it might be easier.
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I would never, even before having heard of any standard measurement, have labeled the cutting length as the blade length. Is that common to do? I knew that the standard was high point of handle to tip. I didn't know if I angled it wrong or something. As you point out, it's pretty close.

I don't know if the police/judges operate in a drastically different way where you are, but in my opinion the law isn't a game of "close enough". If I am in a place with a blade length limit of 3.5" then 3/32 is absolutely crucial, in that there is no way that if you put a measuring tape up to the blade you will not notice that it is over 3.5". I never said I was disappointed with the knife, I love everything about it except that it has a longer blade than I thought. I would never attempt to modify a knife unless I really liked everything except what I was modifying.

I own more Cold Steel than any other brand, and I really like what they do. I wasn't at all trying to defame the company. I just don't have the funds to buy a knife that I don't have a clear cut use for, and what I needed was a knife that could be my full sized folder in a place with a 3.5" blade length limit. I am really hesitant to try and grind it down, because I don't want to mess it up and be totally out a knife/the funds for a knife.
 
Unfortunately it doesn't matter what measurement you get because it will all come down to the city and state your in and how they measure it anyway.

The same knife can be state compliant, but not city or town compliant and be legal in the next town over. That's why kniferight.org is filing so many preemptive law suits because as a practical matter it is impossible to be 100% compliant with many of these purposely vaguely written laws even if you are trying.

If your that worried then unfortunately your best bet is to buy a sub 3.5" blade so you know your within the limit. That's the only way to be sure..

Not to mention variances in manufacture right? I'll bet with any given batch of blades the size will vary even if ever so slightly.

My advice remains the same. Reach out to local law enforcement or better yet the DA's office and find out what their standard is and how they determine the blade size.

Shy of knowing that you will always be at some risk because of all the variables and no federal standard.

As an aside, never say to an LEO that you measured the blade. That can be used as an admission of guilt. Always say, with your attorney present that you determined the blades size by the spec's provided by the manufacture's catalog.

Hope this works out for you.
 
pbcg said:
Unfortunately it doesn't matter what measurement you get because it will all come down to the city and state your in and how they measure it anyway.

The same knife can be state compliant, but not city or town compliant and be legal in the next town over. That's why kniferight.org is filing so many preemptive law suits because as a practical matter it is impossible to be 100% compliant with many of these purposely vaguely written laws even if you are trying.

If your that worried then unfortunately your best bet is to buy a sub 3.5" blade so you know your within the limit. That's the only way to be sure..

Not to mention variances in manufacture right? I'll bet with any given batch of blades the size will vary even if ever so slightly.

My advice remains the same. Reach out to local law enforcement or better yet the DA's office and find out what their standard is and how they determine the blade size.

Shy of knowing that you will always be at some risk because of all the variables and no federal standard.

As an aside, never say to an LEO that you measured the blade. That can be used as an admission of guilt. Always say, with your attorney present that you determined the blades size by the spec's provided by the manufacture's catalog.

Hope this works out for you.
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That is all great advice! I am now thinking I will go with something clearly smaller. I definitely appreciate the final advice as well.

Also cncpro, I do appreciate your input as well!
 
I know in Texas they definitely measure the full length of the blade, not just the cutting edge...
 
I know of no state that defines blade length as only "sharpened area" or "cutting edge" or such. You can be pretty sure that any LEO that measures it will do it to the hilt/handle.

Rather makes sense, if the object is to limit total penetration. A good example is a push dagger, where sometimes half the length of total possible penetration is unsharpened.

- OS
 
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