Not being able to carry a folder over 3 inches really stinks

[Folderguy]

Well I'm no lawyer, but as far as I can tell that legalize there states nothing over 3 inches?


I had no idea there were so many other bladeforums people in SF. I figured I was the only liberal on this forum, and by liberal I mean the classic sense of the word: Give me my guns, my rights, and my red meat.

Time for an SF getogether perhaps?


-Freq

Thus, you are a classical liberal, in the European sense?

 

[YayILikePie]

Sacramento here. I don't really care much about length limits for the most part, but I would like to carry a fixed blade around without worry. Can't really put my mora through the ropes unless I go camping.

 

[tipoc]

As mentioned already by several folks, California knife laws ain't all that bad compared to many states.

It's also been mentioned that some towns, S.F., Oakland, L.A., etc. have local ordinances limiting folding blades to 3". However whenever I am up to the City I see a heck of a lot of Buck 110s with their 3 3/8" blades (4" as a cop measures) riding in sheaths on folks hips and a good many clips showing from pockets.

This is my experience...if a cop wants to stop you, for what ever reason, they will do it. If you have a 2" knife on you they will confiscate that dangerous concealed weapon or at least give you grief for it. They usually do not stop folks just because they suspect you are carrying a blade a quarter inch too long. They will stop you because you are speaking too loudly, because you are walking funny, because they think you gave them a look, etc. In other words, they are cops. But I have never seen them just stop someone for no reason and ask them how long the blade of their knife is.

They don't know the laws on knives or guns. They don't care to know the laws on such. Same as it is everywhere, the law is what a cop says it is when they have their arm on you. If you disagree get a lawyer and straighten it out. If a cop says he's taking your knife because he claims it's too long, that is what he will do. If you give him a lot of lip explaining you are a "law abiding citizen who knows your rights, etc. etc." he will take you too if he has a mind to. For several hundred bucks you can straighten it all out later.

tipoc

 

[CARRERA50]

yes from what I understand, san fran and most places in CA are 3" limit.

People keep mentioning in this thread that they have never had a problem. But no one ever has a problem, until they have one. Felony for a concealed weapon would not be so great, IMHO.


-Freq

I've lived in the SF bay area all my life and have never heard of
anything like this. The Kali no-nos are Balis, autos and concealed
fixed blades.

 

[iandh]

Regarding California knife laws... this is straight from the horse's mouth (one of them at least).

My father in law is a detective, and has been on the force for almost 20 years. We are in San Bernadino county.

I asked him if it was Ok to carry my large Benchmade Bone collector (over 3"), and he said (these exact words), "You can carry whatever the hell you want, as long as it folds, is not a switchblade or knife that flips open with wrist action, and the blade has a tendency to stay closed. Locks, and spring assists do not matter to us."

He said if you are clean cut, have a clean attitude, and have a badass looking knife, you're likely to get complimented on it, and if you look like a dirtbag, have a dirtbag attitude, and have a badass looking knife, you're likely to be harrassed for it.

 

[OTTO MATIC]

For many years all I had was a Buck 112 Ranger. It did all that was asked of it, and did it well. You know I really miss that knife.

 

[freq18hz]

all I want to do is carry knives like the ZT 0551, umnumzaan, SMF without worry.

From how I interpret the written San Francisco municipal code, 3 inches is the limit.

And that SUCKS.

-Freq

 

[OhShoot]

For many years all I had was a Buck 112 Ranger. It did all that was asked of it, and did it well. You know I really miss that knife.

You oughtta score ya another:
(( deal-spotting ))

I recently went way back and started carrying a classic Buck 110 and Stockman again, just as I did 30 years ago.

- OS

 

[sab13]

in my state it is legal to carry a blade up to 3.9 in. but you can't carry a fixed blade or a folders that can lock (all of them).

so i edc a spyderco terzula (ukpk), and carry the zt 301 when hiking or where i know there is no police.

 

[TUF]

A small Sebenza has a 2.94 blade. I have no idea what the law is here. Just about every male here has a large folder clipped in his pocket. You see a fair number of fixed blades too.

I carry my Nyala somewhat frequently and the only comment I ever get is "That a skinning knife"? Nobody cares here.

 

[HikingMano]

all I want to do is carry knives like the ZT 0551, umnumzaan, SMF without worry.

From how I interpret the written San Francisco municipal code, 3 inches is the limit.

And that SUCKS.

-Freq

The code is clear. I don't see what the problem is.



1) Don't loiter and carry a concealed knife with a blade over 3"

2) Don't get into fights if you're carrying a knife openly or concealed with a blade over 3"

3)Don't loiter where alcohol is served (bars, public events where alcohol is served) or at "places of public resort" (malls, stores, any place open to the public) and carry a concealed blade over 3"

4) None of the above applies if you're carrying ordinary tools and equipment in good faith for use in honest work or legitimate recreation.


The only one that could possibly be an issue, assuming you're not some hoodlum or generally pugnacious or foolish by nature, is #3, but as iandh pointed out: behavior is a large factor. Having a couple of drinks at a bar with a few friends? I doubt you'd have a problem. Lurking around a mall or outside a store, or getting rowdy in a bar or at a public event - then you'd have a problem.

And at most municipally sponsored public events, they simply don't admit you if you're carrying. I EDC a Para2 or Military all the time in stores, commuting, going to the library, catching public transportation, going to the movies, etc. in the city. Never had a problem, and never will, even if I end up having a friendly and polite conversation with an LEO one day.

Your misinterpretation helps keep misinformed opinions alive. This is my third attempt to clarify things for you, and I don't know how much clearer I can make it. Would you like to meet in person sometime to discuss it?

 

[BluesStringer]

Whether or not San Fran has a strict ban on folders over 3" (which I concede does not appear to be the case), and whether or not an individual carries a knife with the intention of using it as a weapon as opposed to a tool, what bugs me is that people acquiesce so easily to laws of any restrictive nature concerning knives. The plain fact is that when the 2nd Amendment was written, blades of myriad description were used as weapons, and therefore were protected as an unalienable right that could not be infringed upon by any jurisdiction without a definitive showing of compelling government interest. A simple showing of the possibility of a knife being used as a weapon would hardly be compelling to any court that abides by the Constitution.

It seems to me that in our zeal to distance our hobby from being seen as collecting weapons, we have handed the government the ability to restrict it with impunity. Like it or not, knives are weapons, and can be used as such legally for self-defense. Is it my weapon of choice? No. Would I even have the skill required to use a knife as a weapon effectively? Nope, and I don't plan on acquiring such skills either. But my individual intended use for the knives I own has no bearing at all on whether or not they are (or should be) protected for perpetuity by the 2nd Amendment.

So my question is, why does it matter what jurisdiction has which limits or restrictions on knife ownership, carry or usage? Our concern as good citizens should be to oppose such blatant government overreach, not spend pages and pages arguing what the illegal details of those overreaches are.

At least that's my opinion. YMMV, but I don't know why.

Blues

 

[HikingMano]

And I agree with you, but that is beyond the scope of this particular thread, at least, as the OP presented it. Better suited to the Political or Knife Laws subs. All I'm saying is the OP has no problem carrying those knives here under the current laws.

And for the record, I am a KnifeRights member and will become an AKTImember (beyond grassroots supporter) soon. :thumbup:

In light of that, this was badly phrased on my part (underlined) :

With the kinds of things I use my knives for, I don't find CA state law, or the municipal codes where I work, live, and play, to be overly restrictive. Sure, I would love to carry a fixed blade legally in a pocket or on my belt where my jacket or shirt happens conceal it from view. But all in all, I don't think CA is that bad, especially considering the kinds of knives I enjoy using and the typical tasks in which I employ them.

 

[meanoldbobber]

I think that attitude is a huge part of how any situation unfolds.
You can argue state/city/muni/uni statutes until the cows come home, but put yourself in a situation where you are in "contempt of cop", and your afternoon in the park is gonna sour...fast!
I live and work in downtown Philadelphia and own a fairly high profile business in the theater district, and have carried a Glock on one hip and a Spyderco on the other for about 8 years, and the thing they both have in common is no LEO has ever seen either of them.
And where as I don't think I look like a thug...I certainly do not blend in!

 

[Charlie Mike]

Here in CA most folks carry illegally. If you get busted CC'ing it's a misdemeanor. Unless you have an F on your record. I won't look at a gun let alone carry one.

 

[TacticalBlade]

Although I almost hate to tell this story as I dont want things to change. I live in a suburb of chicago that is pretty lenient on things like blade length because crime isnt that big of a deal here. about a year ago, my girlfriend and I decided to go downtown for christmas to see the lights, walk around etc. Play tourist in our home town. Neither one of us had been in the sears tower before and decided to go and see what it was about as they had recently finished updating the observation deck with "The Ledges." I had my Umnumzaan in my pocket and completely forgot about it and walked through the metal detector. I proceeded to take off my shoes, belt, ring, glasses, etc. Still didnt even remember the knife was there. Walked through again. Finally realizing I had my knife on me pulled it out wondering "How can I get out of this." I offered to let the guard hold it and that its become second nature to just have my knife there it didnt occur to me I would be passing through security that day. He politely said "Sir, you do not strike me as a threat and a knife ultimately wont bring down this building." Handed me my knife back and said "Have a nice day." Not something anyone expects in chicago, much less someone whos lived here his whole life seeing how the city operates.

 

[freq18hz]

Thats a pretty crazy story. Never been to Chicago, but Detroit is somewhat close. I think people are just in a different mindset here in California. They are afraid of red meat, and pesticides on their vegetables. Knives are super scary!

-Freq

 

[iandh]

As a californian knife and gun lover, sometimes I wish the doomsday nuts are right, and the entire state is going to break off from the continent and sink, taking all of these sissy scared-of-their-own-shadow men, and their lib girlfriends into the drink with it. If I have to go down with the ship, so be it.

 

[eccvets]

I'm sitting here debating on my favorite knives and you know what?

Not being able to carry a folder over 3 inches really really sucks.

There are so many knives I would love to EDC every day, like the Umnumzaan, etc.

Unfortunately, since 3 inches is the limit here, I am reduced to smaller, more petite knives. This really is unfortunate, as I think the sweet spot for awesome folders is around 3.5 inches in blade length.

Anyone else feel similarly?

-Freq

if you live in san fran, you can carry any sized folder in cali. I carry a 6 inch cs tilite when im in cali.

 

[tipoc]

As a californian knife and gun lover, sometimes I wish the doomsday nuts are right, and the entire state is going to break off from the continent and sink, taking all of these sissy scared-of-their-own-shadow men, and their lib girlfriends into the drink with it. If I have to go down with the ship, so be it.

I encourage you to move. There is no need for you to "go down with the ship" your exceptional talents are no doubt needed elsewhere.

tipoc