Spyderco legal in or great to carry in Northern VA and/or DC

Tdhurl1103

Tdhurl1103

Joined
Dec 6, 2012
Messages
5,521
Hi all. I need some help. I haven't done any specific research just yet, but I thought I could put out some feelers to see what you all thought. I will be in the Northern Virginia/DC area soon and I was looking for a good/legal blade to pocket carry in those areas, maybe EDC. I have a list posted below (its sort of a wish list). Take a gander and let me know which ones might be best, IYO, for VA/DC. Some of the more expensive ones, I probably will not get though.

Any advice/recommendation welcome. Thanks again guys!!!

Double Bevel, Black G-10 Scale Handle, Satin VG-10, Plain
Domino, Black G-10 Glass Weave Handle, Satin CTS-XHP stainless steel blade(Flipper), Plain
Native5,
Sage 3, Black CF/G-10 Laminate Handle, S30V, Plain
Vollotton, Micarta Sub Hilt, S30V, Plain

Chaparral, Carbon Fiber Handle, S30V, Plain
Sage 1, MW Tribute, carbon fiber handle, S30V, Plain
Native, Black FRN handle, S30V, Plain

Delica 4, Wave, Gray FRN Handle, VG-10, Plain
Tenacious, G-10 Handle, 8Cr13Mov, Plain
CAT, Black G-10, 440C, Plain
Persistence, Black G-10, 8Cr13Mov, Plain
 
Hi my name is Todd and I am a retired law enforcement officer. In my entire career I never approached a citizen, who was minding his own business, and asked him to produce his pocket knife for inspection. Twenty years not once! Now if you are in a high drug area cruising for dope, leave your blade, or any other weapon, at home. If your out boozing it up, once again, leave any blade at home. Common sense is your best ally. Find a sensible blade you like, buy it, and then carry it with common sense. Remember all government buildings will take any blade if you try to carry it inside. My opinion, for what it's worth.
 
I know this is a stupid/basic question, but I just remember what I was always told, the stupidest question is the one not asked. Thanks or the feedback Todd. Much appreciated.
 
Tdhurl1103 said:
I know this is a stupid/basic question, but I just remember what I was always told, the stupidest question is the one not asked. Thanks or the feedback Todd. Much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Exactly, there is no stupid question, except the one not asked. When you get it, put pics up.
 
What are the limits regarding blades in those areas?

I'd probably choose a domino out of those that you chose.. followed by the Sage 1 and Chaparral.
 
Sparki said:
What are the limits regarding blades in those areas?

I'd probably choose a domino out of those that you chose.. followed by the Sage 1 and Chaparral.
Click to expand...
I am retired from Florida as a police officer so can't speak about the other jurisdictions listed. You can easily find that information online. The main idea in my experience is common sense about how and where you carry a blade. Also, I know DC might have very strict carry laws because of all the government facilities. The best advice... Knowledge and common sense.
 
As others have said, look up the laws online and use common sense. Years ago (pre 9/11 so things have probably changed) I was working setup for a convention in D.C. We had a break while we waited for some of our gear to show up so I went out and walked around. I found the J. Edgar Hoover building and decided to do watch one of the FBI firearms demonstrations. I completely forgot that I had a Benchmade Ares (a very beefy, 3.6" drop point axis lock) in my pocket. As soon as I got in line and saw the metal detector (why do I need to go through a metal detector to see a bad-ass FBI marksman demonstrate an MP5???) I realized my predicament. I simply approached the one of the security officers and explained the situation. He had me hand over the knife and held it for me at the security desk. When I picked it up he cautioned me to be more careful next time, but also told me that I handled the situation properly. He said had I turned around and tried to leave at the site of the metal detector I would have drawn all kinds of attention and the situation might not have gone as well.
 
quigibo said:
As others have said, look up the laws online and use common sense. Years ago (pre 9/11 so things have probably changed) I was working setup for a convention in D.C. We had a break while we waited for some of our gear to show up so I went out and walked around. I found the J. Edgar Hoover building and decided to do watch one of the FBI firearms demonstrations. I completely forgot that I had a Benchmade Ares (a very beefy, 3.6" drop point axis lock) in my pocket. As soon as I got in line and saw the metal detector (why do I need to go through a metal detector to see a bad-ass FBI marksman demonstrate an MP5???) I realized my predicament. I simply approached the one of the security officers and explained the situation. He had me hand over the knife and held it for me at the security desk. When I picked it up he cautioned me to be more careful next time, but also told me that I handled the situation properly. He said had I turned around and tried to leave at the site of the metal detector I would have drawn all kinds of attention and the situation might not have gone as well.
Click to expand...
Common sense and respect. It goes a long way! Yes with LEO's too. Great experience, thank you for sharing.
 
If I recall right VA law says no autos( militar/Le exempt while on duty and while traveling to and from base/duty), no fixed( exempted for camping/hunting and travel to and from such), 3.5 inch blade length on folders. DC is stricter, 2.5 inch restriction on folders. Some of this is explicit in the various laws ( which are typically and intentionally vague)other bits are via precedents and case studies. As posed above don't be dumb and you should have no problems.
 
Hi, I'm a local to MD but travel to DC and VA routinely, and have heavily researched the laws in all areas.

Before I get into the statutes, I would like to first compliment murfdog67 for his first post in this thread as it is the most valuable piece if of advice anyone can get about knife carry. It is completely consistent with all police officers I interviewed while doing knife law research and all the knife-related court cases I have looked up.

Ok on to the statutes. I did not look up each knife you posted but from the looks of them I assume they are all folding knives that are not button-activated automatics (switchblade).

For Virgina, see Code of Virgina 18.2-308 here: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308

No part of this law prohibits folding knives for carry. Concealed or open is fine. There is no limitation on length. The only ban is on true switchblades. There is a possibility of local county or city ordinances but I have never heard of any in VA, and they are never enforced unless one is arrested on an unrelated charge.

For DC, I just recently made this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1190451-Knives-in-D-C?p=13637860#post13637860

If you do not intend to visit any federal buildings, major museums in the heart of town, or clubs with security, there is little cause for concern. If you go to fed buildings, leave your knife at home and I will tell you why: While federal law limits knives on fed property to 2.5 inch blades, each facility is allowed to and often does put a full ban on all sharps for guests at the security checkpoint. While the other fella's story about the FBI building was likely true at the time, when I my little bro worked there as a tour guide a few years ago they had stopped doing that because it just got to be a pain. So people went outside and hid the knives in the planters. This is allowed, but not very smart: One of my bro's coworkers (non-LEO) used to go out and steal them.
 
KAEDC said:
If I recall right VA law says no autos( militar/Le exempt while on duty and while traveling to and from base/duty), no fixed( exempted for camping/hunting and travel to and from such), 3.5 inch blade length on folders. DC is stricter, 2.5 inch restriction on folders. Some of this is explicit in the various laws ( which are typically and intentionally vague)other bits are via precedents and case studies. As posed above don't be dumb and you should have no problems.
Click to expand...

VA law does not say fixed blades (and pocket knives) are illegal. Only certain kind of fixed blades (and pocket knives) that are explicitly named are illegal. There is also no blade length restrictions in VA state law. I carry a concealed fixed blade and an assisted opening pocket knife.

To the OP: As long as you don't carry in a church, k-12th grade school grounds, and on most state and federal property, you should be fine just as long as the blade does not have the physical characteristics of the forbidden knives and you're not committing another crime.
 
Last edited:
glistam said:
Hi, I'm a local to MD but travel to DC and VA routinely, and have heavily researched the laws in all areas.

Before I get into the statutes, I would like to first compliment murfdog67 for his first post in this thread as it is the most valuable piece if of advice anyone can get about knife carry. It is completely consistent with all police officers I interviewed while doing knife law research and all the knife-related court cases I have looked up.

Ok on to the statutes. I did not look up each knife you posted but from the looks of them I assume they are all folding knives that are not button-activated automatics (switchblade).

For Virgina, see Code of Virgina 18.2-308 here: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308

No part of this law prohibits folding knives for carry. Concealed or open is fine. There is no limitation on length. The only ban is on true switchblades. There is a possibility of local county or city ordinances but I have never heard of any in VA, and they are never enforced unless one is arrested on an unrelated charge.

For DC, I just recently made this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1190451-Knives-in-D-C?p=13637860#post13637860

If you do not intend to visit any federal buildings, major museums in the heart of town, or clubs with security, there is little cause for concern. If you go to fed buildings, leave your knife at home and I will tell you why: While federal law limits knives on fed property to 2.5 inch blades, each facility is allowed to and often does put a full ban on all sharps for guests at the security checkpoint. While the other fella's story about the FBI building was likely true at the time, when I my little bro worked there as a tour guide a few years ago they had stopped doing that because it just got to be a pain. So people went outside and hid the knives in the planters. This is allowed, but not very smart: One of my bro's coworkers (non-LEO) used to go out and steal them.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Let common sense prevail always!
 
Buildings in DC commonly use metal detectors at the doors. The limit in DC is 2.5", at least it was a few years ago the last time I was there.

I brought a Spyderco Lava. The 1.8" blade leaves no doubt to legality, and even that got some second and third looks when going through the metal detectors that seemed to be present at just about every building.

The Lava is the best "small" knife I've ever handled. The brilliantly designed (by martial artist Chad Los Banos) handle allows a solid grip and the blade has a lot of belly. If I didn't have a few now, I'd order 2 or 3 while they're available. I've not found anything like it, big enough for just about any cutting chore while being legal almost everywhere.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top