OK, I grew up in New Jersey and may move back soon. How is New JErsey knife wise? Are there any good custom knife makers there? I heard there maybe laws that would outlaw all but common pocketknives from being carried. Is there any truth to this? Does New Jersey have a large knife culture? What do you guys carrry in New Jersey? Can you clip it to your pocket and allow it to be visible? Thanks
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On New Jersey
- Thread starter Francisp
- Start date
I carried a 3" CRKT M16-02Z for about 3 years there, both on private school campuses, at work, on the bus, in four PD's -- even a courthouse. A different one had metal detectors and clear signage forbidding it, so obviously I left it in the car.
I had it clipped to my rear-left pocket, exposed if you knew what to look for.
No problems at all.
Keep in mind this was before 9/11.
I think if you check Bernard Levine's site, knife laws are reasonable in NJ.
However, while I was there, the damn liberals were working on a law to prevent the carrying of any locking knife, much less a one-handed opener.
Don't know if they managed to get it passed.
-Jon
I had it clipped to my rear-left pocket, exposed if you knew what to look for.
No problems at all.
Keep in mind this was before 9/11.
I think if you check Bernard Levine's site, knife laws are reasonable in NJ.
However, while I was there, the damn liberals were working on a law to prevent the carrying of any locking knife, much less a one-handed opener.
Don't know if they managed to get it passed.
-Jon
- Joined
- Sep 21, 1999
- Messages
- 1,819
Until 2 years ago, I lived in Jersey.
There's a decent amount of members here that live there, but I don't know about any "culture" to speak of.
(These guys sure ain't got none!)
Howard Viehle lives there, Westwood, I think.
The laws when I lived there were blurry as hell.
I was friends with LOTS of cops and not one of 'em knew what was legal or not. Some would do the airport security rule, placing the blade across their hands and if it was longer than your 4 fingers, it was bad.
I told them that was nonsense, as the law is SPECIFIC and not allow something that a standard could be set by a dwarf or a giant.
I was searched a few times and had knives found that were "concealed", but as I wasn't involved in any violent activities, nothing was mentioned about the blades and they were returned immediately.
Switchblades are a no-no tho. Unless you have a "reason" to have one, that is. I was a firefighter/EMT so I DID have a reason, and never got any grief about 'em.
Bottom line is as long as you're not acting like an idiot, most cops'll leave ya be as far as carrying knives go.
It's just that there's no definitive laws about knives that they can go by.
But if you act like an idiot, you'll be nailed with carrying a concealed weapon if you have a multi-tool on your belt, covered by a jacket.
Knife-wise, Jersey ain't so bad.
FIREARM-wise, on the other hand.... well, let's just say I didn't move to Nevada cuz I like oven-like heat!
Hope that helps,
VG
There's a decent amount of members here that live there, but I don't know about any "culture" to speak of.
(These guys sure ain't got none!)
Howard Viehle lives there, Westwood, I think.
The laws when I lived there were blurry as hell.
I was friends with LOTS of cops and not one of 'em knew what was legal or not. Some would do the airport security rule, placing the blade across their hands and if it was longer than your 4 fingers, it was bad.
I told them that was nonsense, as the law is SPECIFIC and not allow something that a standard could be set by a dwarf or a giant.
I was searched a few times and had knives found that were "concealed", but as I wasn't involved in any violent activities, nothing was mentioned about the blades and they were returned immediately.
Switchblades are a no-no tho. Unless you have a "reason" to have one, that is. I was a firefighter/EMT so I DID have a reason, and never got any grief about 'em.
Bottom line is as long as you're not acting like an idiot, most cops'll leave ya be as far as carrying knives go.
It's just that there's no definitive laws about knives that they can go by.
But if you act like an idiot, you'll be nailed with carrying a concealed weapon if you have a multi-tool on your belt, covered by a jacket.
Knife-wise, Jersey ain't so bad.
FIREARM-wise, on the other hand.... well, let's just say I didn't move to Nevada cuz I like oven-like heat!
Hope that helps,
VG
VG,
No s**t.
It took me ONE YEAR to get a permit to PURCHASE a handgun. We ain't talking about a CCW. Purely a permit to PURCHASE it. Luckily, I processed my handguns license at the same time, so it ended up taking the same year.
I moved houses once, and after EIGHT months of trying to get the address on the license switched, I demanded it back. After all, I couldn't transport the thing to ranges while they HAD the damn thing.
I hate NJ.
No s**t.
It took me ONE YEAR to get a permit to PURCHASE a handgun. We ain't talking about a CCW. Purely a permit to PURCHASE it. Luckily, I processed my handguns license at the same time, so it ended up taking the same year.
I moved houses once, and after EIGHT months of trying to get the address on the license switched, I demanded it back. After all, I couldn't transport the thing to ranges while they HAD the damn thing.
I hate NJ.
GigOne
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 1999
- Messages
- 15,783
Between '82 and '02. . .I've been here 17 years. JESUS H. ! Time flies. . . :sad:
I live in "Central Zoo Jersey." Rural area that is prety quiet (have to drive 30 - 60 minutes to get to a form of civilization). Other than that. . .it's cool ! Have been carrying for years and have never had a problem. But then again. . .I've been all over the US and overseas (carrying) and have never had a problem !
Downsides of Zoo Jersey:
1. Attitude(s)
2. Being able to handle a fire arm (especially a handgund ~ i.e., permit to PURCHASE a handgun). Takes a act of Congress and God !
3. Not enough warm months to ride my motorscooter !
4. Did I say "attitudes ?"
5. Cost of living (property taxes, vehicles insurance, etc.).
6. The women !
I won't say that Zoo Jersey SUCKS. . .but I'm moving to GA this summer !
Oh. . .need to know what maker is in NJ. . . Take a look at this:
http://www.cuttingedge.com/faq/makersbystatec.html
I live in "Central Zoo Jersey." Rural area that is prety quiet (have to drive 30 - 60 minutes to get to a form of civilization). Other than that. . .it's cool ! Have been carrying for years and have never had a problem. But then again. . .I've been all over the US and overseas (carrying) and have never had a problem !
Downsides of Zoo Jersey:
1. Attitude(s)
2. Being able to handle a fire arm (especially a handgund ~ i.e., permit to PURCHASE a handgun). Takes a act of Congress and God !
3. Not enough warm months to ride my motorscooter !
4. Did I say "attitudes ?"
5. Cost of living (property taxes, vehicles insurance, etc.).
6. The women !
I won't say that Zoo Jersey SUCKS. . .but I'm moving to GA this summer !
Oh. . .need to know what maker is in NJ. . . Take a look at this:
http://www.cuttingedge.com/faq/makersbystatec.html
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2000
- Messages
- 15,400
I have lived in NJ my 32 years. I have carried a knife for at least half of those years without incident. NJ knife laws are fairly decent. Carrying a machete is a no-no, but a 4-inch folder is acceptable. I have a few "friends" behind the political scene and not one of them has heard of any knife laws pending to ban locking knives. It seems to me that it is a nasty rumor. There may have been a small flare up of talk after 9-11, but that seems to have faded.
As VG noted, auotmatic knives are BAD, M-kay. Unless your a cop, in the military, or a firefighter (like me
), EMT, or paramdeic, you can't carry one.
There are quite a few knifemakers living in NJ.
There are many more but I can't remeber them off the top of my head and I can't locate my "KNIVES 2002".
So c'mon back.
As VG noted, auotmatic knives are BAD, M-kay. Unless your a cop, in the military, or a firefighter (like me
), EMT, or paramdeic, you can't carry one. There are quite a few knifemakers living in NJ.
Al Polkowski, Chester, NJ
Howard Veile, Westwood, NJ
Steven Licata, Clifton, NJ
JJ McGovern, Oakridge, NJ (retired)
John D'Andrea, Wayne,NJ
There are many more but I can't remeber them off the top of my head and I can't locate my "KNIVES 2002".
So c'mon back.
"Zoo" Jersey? As a resident, I love it
Vampire is right, the laws here are no specific enough, which in a way bothers me, because it leaves it up to "discretion"...meaning if person A has a bad day, so do you.
I noticed on the BassPro website, knives area, (I was looking at the Knives of Alaska stuff) they have a little flag that reads like this:
" The sale of all dangerous knives is restricted by law in New Jersey, New York, Michigan, California and Illinois. A dangerous knife is defined as any knife having a blade of five(5) inches or more, or an overall length of ten(10) inches or more. "
So there's that to consider, even if it's just one company's policy now.
A more authoritative source may be a great book called (IIRC) "Nappen on Firearms", available at gun shops here and on Amazon. He's a very pro-Second Amendment lawyer who did a fantastic job explaining gun and knife laws in ways that the average person could comprehend. I don't have a copy, or else I'd summarize the appropriate sections....
Vampire is right, the laws here are no specific enough, which in a way bothers me, because it leaves it up to "discretion"...meaning if person A has a bad day, so do you.
I noticed on the BassPro website, knives area, (I was looking at the Knives of Alaska stuff) they have a little flag that reads like this:
" The sale of all dangerous knives is restricted by law in New Jersey, New York, Michigan, California and Illinois. A dangerous knife is defined as any knife having a blade of five(5) inches or more, or an overall length of ten(10) inches or more. "
So there's that to consider, even if it's just one company's policy now.
A more authoritative source may be a great book called (IIRC) "Nappen on Firearms", available at gun shops here and on Amazon. He's a very pro-Second Amendment lawyer who did a fantastic job explaining gun and knife laws in ways that the average person could comprehend. I don't have a copy, or else I'd summarize the appropriate sections....
Ok still got my FID and I would be going back to my parents (I'm only a college student, not a bum). GOt my FID in Three months. I will return to Union. Do any of you have gun ranges or knife shops that you can recommend? I can't believe Al Polkowski is in New Jersey. I think Kelly McCann uses him. Thats great. Thanks for your help!
- Joined
- May 5, 2001
- Messages
- 919
Knives don't kill people - gun contol laws do. Otherwise, NJ's great. Hope to join the United States one day. Never heard of a problem with someone carrying a knife and many, many people here do. Our new governor might be gay - not that there's anything wrong with that.
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2000
- Messages
- 15,400
As far a shooting ranges go try Hudson County Pistol Range in Hoboken. Another good place is the Bulet Hole in Belleville. Yet another is in Paterson called The New Paterson Rod & Gun on Market St.
Give me a shout and maybe I'll join ya'.
Give me a shout and maybe I'll join ya'.
Ray's is right near where I grew up. I've never been on the range, but the store is pretty good, decent knife selection, pretty good gun selection, but I don't remember how prices were, as the last time I was in there I was still pretty young.
Also have a good selection of LEO gear; Surefires, ASPs, etc.
Joe S.
Also have a good selection of LEO gear; Surefires, ASPs, etc.
Joe S.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,229
Francisp,
I lived most of my life in the Bronx(Belmont section and Morris Park Ave. section) until I married a Jersey girl, I miss NY! For you uninitiated, Belmont Ave. is in the heart of Little Italy and has some of the finest pizza and Italian food in the world, as well as being the original home of Dion and the Belmonts. Check out the movie, the Wanderers for a good overview of the neighborhood.
Been in NJ 22 years, have found that for the most part as long as you're not committing a crime, you will not be bothered about any manual folder up to 4" blade length. Batons are not legal for civilian carry unless you can show the officer some reason related to your employment that makes it neccessary. The few times myself or a friend have had an officer see a baseball bat, nightstick or baton under the driver's seat of car, the most they've ever done is tell us to put it in the trunk.
Ray's and the Bullet Hole are highly recommended.
I lived most of my life in the Bronx(Belmont section and Morris Park Ave. section) until I married a Jersey girl, I miss NY! For you uninitiated, Belmont Ave. is in the heart of Little Italy and has some of the finest pizza and Italian food in the world, as well as being the original home of Dion and the Belmonts. Check out the movie, the Wanderers for a good overview of the neighborhood.
Been in NJ 22 years, have found that for the most part as long as you're not committing a crime, you will not be bothered about any manual folder up to 4" blade length. Batons are not legal for civilian carry unless you can show the officer some reason related to your employment that makes it neccessary. The few times myself or a friend have had an officer see a baseball bat, nightstick or baton under the driver's seat of car, the most they've ever done is tell us to put it in the trunk.
Ray's and the Bullet Hole are highly recommended.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2001
- Messages
- 32,359
I grew up in Jersey Exit 11 Fords NJ that is, largest exit ramp on the east coast. never had any problems carrying, in fact most times I was stopped and questioned about a blade in my possesion were in NJ. If you want a good interpetation of the laws contact your soon to be local LEO agency or The NJ State Trooper Barracks or click on the link below.
Personally I left because I couldn't take all the different interpetation of the laws, oh yea the taxes, the neighbors and the lack of room too.
http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/nj.txt
Personally I left because I couldn't take all the different interpetation of the laws, oh yea the taxes, the neighbors and the lack of room too.
http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/nj.txt
- Joined
- May 2, 2002
- Messages
- 407
NJ and Communism-Perfect together
Well it aint that bad....(who am I kidding? heheh).
Born Camden NJ 1963....
Moved East to Medford NJ 1968....
Still here...
(My wife refuses to move to Whitefish Montana, and I can't stand the heat if we go any further South...oh well).
Anyway back to the question at hand.
My best friend and I were knife-nuts growing up in the early '70's-(this is NOT A LIE)-he was allowed by his parents to purchase a Buck Special (back then I think it was like $20), which he proudly wore on his belt all over town! I never remember anyone doing anything about it other than casting him the obligitory diry looks. He wore it into stores and all. Imagine an 10yr. old kid with that saber on his hip! Those were the days....HA!
Fast forward to circa 1998. I sat on a Burlington County Grand Jury in Mt. Holly for like 12 (16? I forget now) weeks. During that time I had occasion to ask the prosecutor exactly what constituted a 'deadly weapon' when a case against an individual with a utility knife in his pocket was arrested in a bar (not for doing anything mind you-he was a carpet layer or something and had it in a sheath on his belt). My contention was that a utility knife blade is less than 1.25" when exposed and hardly constituted a 'deadly weapon' in my opinion. He quickly assured (reprimanded me is more like it!)that:
"ANYTHING THAT CAN BE CONSTRUED BY THE OFFICER ON THE SCENE TO PRESENT A DANGER TO ANOTHER PERSON CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS A DEADLY WEAPON." (This included a baseball bat, bayonet, pistol crossbow (there were no bolts found with it), tire iron etc. that had been found within the passenger compartments of a number of vehicles in cases we looked at). Thankfully I had removed my Benchmade Striker before going thru the court house metal detectors.
So that's the official line. In reality as stated by others above, it is up to the discretion of the officer. I have shown Police Officers that I know in the School I work at (yes, we have officers assigned to our high schools down here)my Benchmades, Spyderco's, etc. and none of them said it would be a problem for them, as long as I was upfront about having a knife on me if I were stopped for some reason (which obviously I would not tell them because if I were asked if I had any weapons of course I would reply NO! Because my knife is a tool). The only problem is, as our Peace Officers are getting younger and younger, they are more likely to be brainwashed into a liberal mindset. They WILL see our 'pocket knives' as weapons of mass destruction and we WILL be hassled for it. Great is the fall of a Republic whose citizens surrender their libery for the illusion of safety.
BOTTOM LINE-
Be as wise as serpents and LOOK harmless as doves! If we carry ourselves in a reasonable manner and take commonsense precautions (i.e.-if I am going into a crowded theater and I have to go past a younger Policeman who may be looking for 'terrorists' and 'badguys' I will unclip my knife and let it drop into my pocket, or I will switch to an IWB carry when going into public places. Yes I realize that this may make my 'weapon' concealed, but concealed is better than hassled and confiscated-out of sight out of mind. And I NEVER even bother to carry into an airport-even before 9-11-or other obvious places of possible detection and CONFISCATION of my hard earned blades!) we\you should make out fine. I work in a crowded HS and have carried either a Mini-AFCK, or a Sypderco Native in a pocket clip carry for years without a problem.
In spite of the political propaganda you may have heard, the average NJ man or women in the street is a bit more intelligent than our elected representitives and not really bothered by an individual with a knife. Remember though-STAY OUT OF THOSE SCHOOL ZONES!!! heheh...
sorry for the book....
Mongrel
Well it aint that bad....(who am I kidding? heheh).
Born Camden NJ 1963....
Moved East to Medford NJ 1968....
Still here...
(My wife refuses to move to Whitefish Montana, and I can't stand the heat if we go any further South...oh well).Anyway back to the question at hand.
My best friend and I were knife-nuts growing up in the early '70's-(this is NOT A LIE)-he was allowed by his parents to purchase a Buck Special (back then I think it was like $20), which he proudly wore on his belt all over town! I never remember anyone doing anything about it other than casting him the obligitory diry looks. He wore it into stores and all. Imagine an 10yr. old kid with that saber on his hip! Those were the days....HA!
Fast forward to circa 1998. I sat on a Burlington County Grand Jury in Mt. Holly for like 12 (16? I forget now) weeks. During that time I had occasion to ask the prosecutor exactly what constituted a 'deadly weapon' when a case against an individual with a utility knife in his pocket was arrested in a bar (not for doing anything mind you-he was a carpet layer or something and had it in a sheath on his belt). My contention was that a utility knife blade is less than 1.25" when exposed and hardly constituted a 'deadly weapon' in my opinion. He quickly assured (reprimanded me is more like it!)that:
"ANYTHING THAT CAN BE CONSTRUED BY THE OFFICER ON THE SCENE TO PRESENT A DANGER TO ANOTHER PERSON CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS A DEADLY WEAPON." (This included a baseball bat, bayonet, pistol crossbow (there were no bolts found with it), tire iron etc. that had been found within the passenger compartments of a number of vehicles in cases we looked at). Thankfully I had removed my Benchmade Striker before going thru the court house metal detectors.
So that's the official line. In reality as stated by others above, it is up to the discretion of the officer. I have shown Police Officers that I know in the School I work at (yes, we have officers assigned to our high schools down here)my Benchmades, Spyderco's, etc. and none of them said it would be a problem for them, as long as I was upfront about having a knife on me if I were stopped for some reason (which obviously I would not tell them because if I were asked if I had any weapons of course I would reply NO! Because my knife is a tool). The only problem is, as our Peace Officers are getting younger and younger, they are more likely to be brainwashed into a liberal mindset. They WILL see our 'pocket knives' as weapons of mass destruction and we WILL be hassled for it. Great is the fall of a Republic whose citizens surrender their libery for the illusion of safety.
BOTTOM LINE-
Be as wise as serpents and LOOK harmless as doves! If we carry ourselves in a reasonable manner and take commonsense precautions (i.e.-if I am going into a crowded theater and I have to go past a younger Policeman who may be looking for 'terrorists' and 'badguys' I will unclip my knife and let it drop into my pocket, or I will switch to an IWB carry when going into public places. Yes I realize that this may make my 'weapon' concealed, but concealed is better than hassled and confiscated-out of sight out of mind. And I NEVER even bother to carry into an airport-even before 9-11-or other obvious places of possible detection and CONFISCATION of my hard earned blades!) we\you should make out fine. I work in a crowded HS and have carried either a Mini-AFCK, or a Sypderco Native in a pocket clip carry for years without a problem.
In spite of the political propaganda you may have heard, the average NJ man or women in the street is a bit more intelligent than our elected representitives and not really bothered by an individual with a knife. Remember though-STAY OUT OF THOSE SCHOOL ZONES!!! heheh...
sorry for the book....
Mongrel
- Joined
- May 5, 2001
- Messages
- 919
Homosexuality is at an all-time high in NJ politics - and I'm not saying that that's a bad thing, necessarily. Who am I to say?
Ever been to Izzy's in Medford? It's our favorite.
Ever been to Izzy's in Medford? It's our favorite.