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Ten commandments of knife use!
- Thread starter psy-ops
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2003
- Messages
- 518
If you used to use and carry a knife for emergency purposes (like SD per example), always own a second knife which is the same (or almost) model.
If the first one is not available, because of maintenance or failure, it is better to have a replacement knife which have the same characteristics (tip-up or tip-down, hole or thumb stud, blade length, weight ) Simply because your hand get into the habit to open and use the EDC knife you carry it is important in high stress conditions.
If the first one is not available, because of maintenance or failure, it is better to have a replacement knife which have the same characteristics (tip-up or tip-down, hole or thumb stud, blade length, weight ) Simply because your hand get into the habit to open and use the EDC knife you carry it is important in high stress conditions.
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2002
- Messages
- 138
Is there any mileage in only carrying non-weapon knives.
That is, if the manufacturer calls it a "Camping Knife" or a "Survival Rescue Knife" will it be viewed by the courts more favorably than a knife with a name that implies it is a weapon (i.e. "Bowie" or "Special Forces Knife")?
I would never carry a long blade with a recurve or a sharpened swedge because any LEO would instantly think of it as a weapon.
In NJ a knife is a tool. Your intentions or actions make it a weapon. But, alas, perception rules. If the police think of it as a weapon it IS a weapon.
That is, if the manufacturer calls it a "Camping Knife" or a "Survival Rescue Knife" will it be viewed by the courts more favorably than a knife with a name that implies it is a weapon (i.e. "Bowie" or "Special Forces Knife")?
I would never carry a long blade with a recurve or a sharpened swedge because any LEO would instantly think of it as a weapon.
In NJ a knife is a tool. Your intentions or actions make it a weapon. But, alas, perception rules. If the police think of it as a weapon it IS a weapon.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2002
- Messages
- 1,419
Rule #11 in any 10 Commandements is that Murphy's Law is alive and well...
A couple of other rules I just thought of -
Customers at knife shows who insist on checking out if your knives are sharp by cutting themselves should be prosecuted and forced to pay YOU restitution. And they have to clean up the mess themselves.
Customers at knife shows who insist on fondling the carbon steel blade on your $2000 presentation piece, with sweaty fingers, to see if the finish is "smooth," will be taken by security and thrown from the 20th floor window.
Wait a minute, those aren't rules. Just some wishful thinking...
Jason.
A couple of other rules I just thought of -
Customers at knife shows who insist on checking out if your knives are sharp by cutting themselves should be prosecuted and forced to pay YOU restitution. And they have to clean up the mess themselves.
Customers at knife shows who insist on fondling the carbon steel blade on your $2000 presentation piece, with sweaty fingers, to see if the finish is "smooth," will be taken by security and thrown from the 20th floor window.
Wait a minute, those aren't rules. Just some wishful thinking...
Jason.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2001
- Messages
- 32,359
"Is there any mileage in only carrying non-weapon knives.
That is, if the manufacturer calls it a "Camping Knife" or a "Survival Rescue Knife" will it be viewed by the courts more favorably than a knife with a name that implies it is a weapon (i.e. "Bowie" or "Special Forces Knife")?"
Intent, image , and impression, what you appeared to be doing at the time, how you appeared,(tattooed, biker lookin' hippie type, or Pee Wee Herman lookin') and how you came off to the LEO at the time, nervous, aggitated, under the influence, or sober, calm, friendly non threatening.
These are key factors in how a situation and individual are perceived at the moment of initial contact,(damn I sound impressive
)
I've had a few family members in Law Enforcement, you learn quick how not to get to the point where a simple question, turns into a confrontation.
That is, if the manufacturer calls it a "Camping Knife" or a "Survival Rescue Knife" will it be viewed by the courts more favorably than a knife with a name that implies it is a weapon (i.e. "Bowie" or "Special Forces Knife")?"
Intent, image , and impression, what you appeared to be doing at the time, how you appeared,(tattooed, biker lookin' hippie type, or Pee Wee Herman lookin') and how you came off to the LEO at the time, nervous, aggitated, under the influence, or sober, calm, friendly non threatening.
These are key factors in how a situation and individual are perceived at the moment of initial contact,(damn I sound impressive
)I've had a few family members in Law Enforcement, you learn quick how not to get to the point where a simple question, turns into a confrontation.
friends:
i am a lawyer(who can't type). maybe you are also, i don't know. if i tell you anything you already know, i apologize. i can tell you that i carry constantly. courthouses, everywhere. i've also looked up the law in my state and elsewhere. the governing factor is almost always intent. this is a very special word in the legal business. you could carry a nasty knife intending to cut rope and not run afoul of any knife laws. you could also carry a sak intending to kill a rival and be in trouble. that's what everybody argues about when you get to court(granted there are some bright line exceptions in some states, like switchblades). the problem is the more practical aspects of it: when a cop encounters you in a questionable situation, they might make a judgment call that ends up with you being arrested. that's when the problem starts.
please don't assume that your interpretation of the laws will protect you. it's everybody else's interpretation that will cause you grief.
use your knife only as a tool, and it will probably never be a problem.
i am a lawyer(who can't type). maybe you are also, i don't know. if i tell you anything you already know, i apologize. i can tell you that i carry constantly. courthouses, everywhere. i've also looked up the law in my state and elsewhere. the governing factor is almost always intent. this is a very special word in the legal business. you could carry a nasty knife intending to cut rope and not run afoul of any knife laws. you could also carry a sak intending to kill a rival and be in trouble. that's what everybody argues about when you get to court(granted there are some bright line exceptions in some states, like switchblades). the problem is the more practical aspects of it: when a cop encounters you in a questionable situation, they might make a judgment call that ends up with you being arrested. that's when the problem starts.
please don't assume that your interpretation of the laws will protect you. it's everybody else's interpretation that will cause you grief.
use your knife only as a tool, and it will probably never be a problem.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2002
- Messages
- 1,419
They know what I do, and we talk a bit about daily grind stuff about judgement calls they have to make. I often have an EDC on me, but I have to be judicious about when and where I carry since I work in the psychiatric field. Even though "technically" folks here aren't allowed to carry even pocket knives, its never a problem, even though any cop knows that every SAK and Leatherman has a really sharp blade, many of which are now one-handed openers as well. I myself have had cops come to give me subpoenas for medical reports etc. and I've clearly got a folder clipped to my pocket. Never a problem.
Intent is a huge issue here in Australia as well, but problems generally only arise in really compromising situations. If you are found with several "nasty weapons" on you, if you are sporting a variety of tattoos, gang attire etc. and especially if you have any illicit drugs on you, even if it is only for personal use, forget it. You are going down for EVERYTHING, the weapons offences, drugs offences, everything. Add to that a difficult, anti-authoritarian attitude and it just ups the stakes for cops to take it a bit further.
Just a thought.
Intent is a huge issue here in Australia as well, but problems generally only arise in really compromising situations. If you are found with several "nasty weapons" on you, if you are sporting a variety of tattoos, gang attire etc. and especially if you have any illicit drugs on you, even if it is only for personal use, forget it. You are going down for EVERYTHING, the weapons offences, drugs offences, everything. Add to that a difficult, anti-authoritarian attitude and it just ups the stakes for cops to take it a bit further.
Just a thought.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2003
- Messages
- 1,913
teeky stated:
"you could carry a nasty knife intending to cut rope and not run afoul of any knife laws."
That may be true but only if that "nasty" knife fits within the guidelines and any restrictions set forth in that states dangerous weapons statutes.
The dangerous weapons statutes I'm aware of for various states have never mentioned that restrictions/illegal carry may be ignored or negated through ones intent.
There are many here who are new, young to the blade world. To give them an impression they only need "intending to cut rope" thoughts to carry something otherwise restricted by law may put some in danger of being arrested at a later date.
Brownie
"you could carry a nasty knife intending to cut rope and not run afoul of any knife laws."
That may be true but only if that "nasty" knife fits within the guidelines and any restrictions set forth in that states dangerous weapons statutes.
The dangerous weapons statutes I'm aware of for various states have never mentioned that restrictions/illegal carry may be ignored or negated through ones intent.
There are many here who are new, young to the blade world. To give them an impression they only need "intending to cut rope" thoughts to carry something otherwise restricted by law may put some in danger of being arrested at a later date.
Brownie
i agree with you. that's why i mentioned that there were some bright line exceptions. i did not "intend" to mislead. one still must be aware of and comply with knife laws in the jurisdictions in which one plans to carry a knife. i just wanted to remind people that their interpretations of the law may not go over too well in court. some have a tendency to read the law and state: "that's what it means." and that is not always true. i, unfortunately, have to explain this to my clients on a daily basis.
additionally, i often get sick of typing before i have written what i consider to be a complete post. i was actually trying to make the point (unsuccessfully apparently) that you will have a hard time explaining wearing a big ol' spydie military at a night club at 2 am and claiming that it's a "work knife" because that's what your local statute allows, etc.
take care
additionally, i often get sick of typing before i have written what i consider to be a complete post. i was actually trying to make the point (unsuccessfully apparently) that you will have a hard time explaining wearing a big ol' spydie military at a night club at 2 am and claiming that it's a "work knife" because that's what your local statute allows, etc.
take care
.., thanks guys...