Spyderco Kasper Companion WARNING

B

birdie1212

Joined
Sep 8, 2003
Messages
22
Based on the comments to my earlier post about blade length, I want to draw your attention to the above knife. On every web site it gives the blade length as 3.5", so as CO is 3.5" I bought one.

However when you measure the blade, total length from tip to when it reach's the handle, it is closer to 4", so based on a lot of comments that would make the knife no longer legal here in CO.

As blade length is another chance for interpretation, and in some cases you will not be the one making that decision, then you should be aware that this knife blade is longer than advertised.
 
How long is the cutting edge? Maybe this is where is misunderstanding originated.
 
As shown at the above site is the one I am talking about. This is not a shot by the way at Spyderco, my daily carry is their very nice Ronin. Its just to highlight what I think could be a potential problem if you were trying to explain to a LEO how "long" the blade is.
 
At least you have a specific length to worry about. We have no real length limit here in NJ. But I have been told by a couple of LEO's that they use the "palm length" test. If you are carrying a knife with a blade longer than your palm they they may consider it to be a concealed weapon. I wasn't exactly sure how to interpret my palm length so I just let the conversations drop.
 
Bigger the hands the bigger the knife you can carry, the mind boggles as to what they whip out to determine barrel length
on a handgun.
 
Originally posted by WorkForALiving
At least you have a specific length to worry about. We have no real length limit here in NJ. But I have been told by a couple of LEO's that they use the "palm length" test. If you are carrying a knife with a blade longer than your palm they they may consider it to be a concealed weapon. I wasn't exactly sure how to interpret my palm length so I just let the conversations drop.
Click to expand...

I can assure you that the "palm method" is no longer valid. For starters it won't hold up in court. My father was an LEO for 27 years and not once did he confiscate a knife or arrest someone, nor did hear of another LEO doing the same by using the the fabled NJ "palm method". I have many family members in Law Enforcement and a few buddies who are lawyers and they agree that the "palm method" no longer applies. It is mostly based on the LEO's perception of the situation when the knife was found, the manner used, or the intent of the individual who possess it.

Edited to add that there are also no laws on the books as to what is considered a concealed weapon.
 
Originally posted by birdie1212
Bigger the hands the bigger the knife you can carry, the mind boggles as to what they whip out to determine barrel length
on a handgun.
Click to expand...

Oh sheesh, most of you guys would be stuck carrying nothing but snubbies!
 
Originally posted by WorkForALiving
But I have been told by a couple of LEO's that they use the "palm length" test.
Click to expand...

I've heard that one here in Texas too (where the limit is 5 1/2 inches on the blade), but not from LEOs, from some Joe Six-packs. If it was true, then that would go a long ways toward explaining all the letters to Penthouse with guys boasting of their size!

Matt in Texas
 
birdie 1212

In fairness to Spyderco, you shoud edit your original post subject, to reflect the actual maker. CRKT Kasper Companion ;)
 
It's difficult for the manufacturers; no matter how they measure blade length somebody will feel they've been misled....

The laws in most places are written with deliberate ambiguity so they can confiscate your pocketknife or leave you alone as they please, based on factors that they don't want to codify openly (how they like your looks, basically -- race, age, etc.) It's easy for a cop to confiscate your knife and get away with it, much more difficult to convince a court you've committed a crime because the way the prosecution would like to measure it your pocketknife is a half inch too long.

A lot of cops in a lot of places will tell you about the palm test. It isn't the law anywhere, and never has been. Cops are not a reliable source of legal information.
 
Since I work for the Govt, and must enter a building with airport metal detectors every time I come in, I deal with this max blade length BS everyday. All of the guards I have talked to tell me the same thing. The blade length they care about is what you are able to stab into somebody. It doesn't matter if the cutting edge is only 2"; the ricasso area is measured also. Something about a certain blade length will reach certain organs. Sounds like Politically Correct BS to me.
 
Originally posted by Danbo
Since I work for the Govt, and must enter a building with airport metal detectors every time I come in, I deal with this max blade length BS everyday. All of the guards I have talked to tell me the same thing. The blade length they care about is what you are able to stab into somebody. It doesn't matter if the cutting edge is only 2"; the ricasso area is measured also. Something about a certain blade length will reach certain organs. Sounds like Politically Correct BS to me.
Click to expand...
Hell, I'll cut my way to "certain organs" in-order to reach 'em if I have to.:D.
 
Why the hell don't they juse say that for a folder, the blade length is the total open length minus the total closed length ? :rolleyes: Its bad enough to have so many stupid laws, but do they really shouldn't be allowed to word them so stupidly that they can interpret it in their favor for any given situation :mad:
 
Hey Birdie,
I am also here in Colorado. ..I was wondering where does it say we can only carry a knife with a blade length of 3.5 inches ?
What law or revised statue is it ??
I never heard of this before here in Colorado.
Thanks Jack
 
Jack142, Excerps from Colorado Revised Statutes:

18-12-101(f)Knife means any dagger, dirk, knife or stiletto with a blade over three and one half inches in length....

18-12-105 (1)A person commits a class 2 misdemeanor if such person knowingly and unlawfully:

(a) Carries a knife concealed on or about his or her person
 
refers to the length you can carry concealed, I don't think there is a limit on what you can carry if it is plain view. Other than this is not a good idea in downtown Denver.
 
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