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New to New York and need some advice
- Thread starter jamesbeat
- Start date
There is a lot of talk about what lock mechanisms are allowed, whether or not it is a gravity knife, etc. but what about a good ole fixed blade. I live in nassau as well and I've always carried a folder on me but lately I've been thinking about picking up a fixed blade like the BM Instigator and or BM Nimravus Cub. I've read the NY and NYC laws but I can't figure out what the restrictions on fixed blades are.
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- Jun 10, 2009
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Everything seems to indicate that less than 4’ is going to be ok. My rather limited understanding is that if it’s used as a tool, and looks more like a tool then a weapon and it’s under the limit it should be fine. I’ve never seen a distinction of fixed blades in my searches, though I see constant references to gravity/switchblades being a problem.
The fixed blade is an interesting question. The terms dirk and dagger are not defined and therefore could be any fixed blade knife in theory. Only NYC has the 4" rule but I would stick to it as most officers think the larger the knife the more it is being carried as a weapon. If you carried a fixed blade in a pocket sheath, you would most likely be within the law, if you never state it is carried as a weapon. In Nassau, you may enter into NYC (Queens), by just making a wrong turn in one of the border towns, which is why I stated to keep it concealled. There is no real requirment in Nassau to not have the knife showing, but it could invite questioning by a officer...
Does anyone else find the concealment requirement strange? It seems like most places specifically forbid concealment and WANT it shown...I have an uncle who is a lieutenant in queens and apparently my father was talking to him about a neckknife a family member has (most of us collect) and he said that concealed makes it super illegal. I was surprised to hear that after reading the laws. Maybe it was just one of those lost in translation/misheard sort of things, I'll be sure to ask. But I am surprised to hear the NYC wants it concealed. Not that I mind. In fact I prefer to be as discreet as possible for the sake of the sheeple and to keep from unnecessary LE encounters.
The fixed blade in a pocket sheath would be a major PITA unless it was a super-mini like the CS "Ready Edge" and "Super Edge" models. Just imagine having a 3 3/4" sheathed knife in your front trouser pocket and then sit down the wrong way. Us guys know exactly what part of our anatomy would end up injured. Also, unless you are wearing very baggy pants, the sheathed knife would "print", inviting unwanted LEO and sheeple attention. A locking folder of equivalent blade length would be much more convenient (and stronger too!) but it seems that every lockblade folder in NYC is a "gravity knife". Such lunacy knows no bounds. Perhaps the only solution would be an IWB sheath, but that would require one to wear an untucked shirt (looks sloppy) or some type of suitcoat or jacket (again, not always practical) or a leg/ankle sheath.
Dually noted on the gravity knife comment. That's most of the reason I'm looking at the fixed blades now. It seems like there is some damn interpretation to cover everything but they fool you by not just saying "knives are all illegal" so you think there has to be something you can carry. I figured a fixed blade would be no bullshit, and I always wear an un-tucked T-shirt so a belt sheath or IWB sheath would be an option. But I'm still not sure how within the law that is. I'm also starting to think that a 3.5" blade, making it a 7"+ overall fixed knife, is going to be called a "dangerous" knife as if there is such a thing as a non-dangerous knife. I wish I could just find a legal document that read "a concealed fixed blade under 4" of edge length is legal" instead of having to squirm around the vague ass restrictions and think wishfully.
jedidove, the lieutenant is WRONG about concealment, but that doesn't suprise me, as most officers regardless of rank don't know the knife law. If you talk to him, tell him a guy with one more lucky Saturday than he has had to date ( a higher rank) says recheck the PL and Patrol Guide on that one. The NYC admin code clear says how it must not be exposed in any way and sets balde legnths. If he is trying to imply intent for use as a weapon since it is concealled, then he should move to another state where the laws allow that interpertation. If the only good thing the NYC law did, it was to prove that non exposed was legal. As for a neck knife, there will be officers who will state that is designed as a weapon and therefore the mysterious dangerous knife...IS it? No, but I could see a judge thinking it was too...
Oops!
My error. Should have typed "smaller", not stronger. Sheer strength is definitely the advantage of the sheath knife.Yea I had figured he was wrong or my father heard him wrong etc. Coincidentally enough he himself said that most officers don't know the knife laws anyway (bit of an Epimenides
). I'm still a little bothered by the lack of definition for dirk, dagger, and even dangerous knife (though I've heard its defined as something designed to harm). Maybe I should just forget it all and if I ever get questioned be as straightforward as possible: "Its a utility knife" "I was raised with a knife" etc. Honestly, I'm sure they could construe any knife as "dangerous" so maybe its not worth worrying anymore than staying concealed, below 4", and out of gravity knife territory.