To fold or not to fold...

If he found out a few weeks ago it was legal, why the #**# was he even questioning you then????

Yet another fine example of total exercise of ego for no reason.

Allow me to further elaborate. I was in a sporting good store and I believe the girl working the counter called them. Of course all that other stuff would be unnecessary but I didn't see a reason to resist. I actually had a good conversation with the officer about pistols while he was checking my ID and calling me in. The store didn't have any signs and I wasn't asked to leave. I guess she just never saw a man walking around in public with a gun on his hip.
 
I was in Texas working on a job and decided to attend a rodeo. There was a metal detector you had to walk through with a nice lady that advised you to put you cell phone, car keys and pocket knife in the tray. That's the Texas attitude! They presume you have a knife and are not put off by it.
 
I'm in Austin, so I can pretty much carry whatever I want, but I haven't found belt sheaths very comfortable, at least not in the city. Getting in and out of cars, walking in crowded areas, etc. I have started carrying an Enzo Necker in a sheath in my pocket, with a short lanyard looped through a belt loop. It's replaced my modern pocket clip blade, and along with a small slipjoint, I feel I've got all the knife I need. The only reaction I've gotten when using it was from someone who didn't see the sheath, and thought for a moment I was carrying it loose in my pocket. "How do you carry that without stabbing your leg?" :eek: :D
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And it's true, the police are not lawyers. I'm always polite and respectful, but it would be nice if they were more knowledgable. Case in point: a friend of mine got "let off with a warning" for driving barefoot. I told him that the cop couldn't do much else since there is no such law on the books :rolleyes: but if he'd argued, and been issued a citation, he would have to have a judge explain it to the cop.
 
Long live small fixed blades!

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I prefer to just carry in my pocket. I don't carry lock backs often so running afoul of the law isn't a problem but can be if running across a less than knowledgeable LEO. About the only time I carry a fixed blade is when hunting and even then, not frequently.
 
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Fortunately in Maine carrying knives - mostly - attracts little attention. The tourists give me more evil eyes than the locals. I typically - every work day - carry both a small fixed in a sheath and a folder with a clip. Not working - I always have some folder, either in a belt sheath or clipped to my pocket (maybe a small one in my coin pocket too).

Surprisingly they all get used :) AND - my neighbors understand. :cool:

Ray
 
I carry a fixed blade from time to time. No problems here. I like having a small stout knife that I can use for rougher task and even food. If it's in kydex I usually carry IWB for convenience I'm not worried about it being seen but I've had issue with an exposed sheath catch on something when squatting down. Most of the time the fixed blade I carry is smaller than the steak knife at the restaurant. I've gotten compliments from the wait staff on my knives while eating steak. I think how you carry yourself has a lot to do with it. Of course like you said some people just don't know the law they're enforcing. Had that happen once while open carrying a pistol. I complied and was on my way in 10 minutes. After they ran my ID and all that fun stuff. He told me "I just found out this was legal a few weeks ago." Lucky me. Outside were 3 other cops waiting for me in case things didn't go so well.

Cops aren't lawyers and lawyers aren't cops.
you guys all raise legitimate points, cops just need to be notified when laws are changed and need to do more research themselves as well.
 
Hey folks, a discussion on the merits of carrying a fixed blade is fine. The discussion of different state laws and the ability or inability of the police to enforce them correctly is a topic for a different place. Thanks.

That said, I carry a small fixed blade quite often. Sometimes in a belt sheath, sometimes in a pocket sheath, and sometimes like r8shell mentioned. I could easily get by most days with only the fixed blade. It's the knife nut in me that demands more sharp options.
 
Here are my 3 favorite smaller belt knives.
snagit
The Western F48a was given to me as a kid, and I really need to start carrying it more.

When I'm carrying a fixed blade, I definitely like the simple draw use and put away convenience they afford.
In my rural part of NorCal nobody gives a second look at all.
 
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You are in the Metropolitan New York City area. :(
I did think of a number of exceptions after I posted that. Airports. Courthouses. Any place with metal detectors.

The only belt knife I own is a Schrade Sharpfinger that I got free with a subscription to Guns and Ammo magazine back in the late 70s. It has a leather sheath. I have never used it really. It sat in a toolbox in the carport storage room for most of 40 years until I rescued it and moved it to my desk drawer.

I don't hunt or fish, so I don't much run into any need to carry a belt knife. If my lifestyle changes in the future maybe that would change. The alleged question is "to fold or not fold." For me, folding still makes more sense.
 
In Georgetown, about 30 miles north of Austin. Big enough town that it feels city like, but small enough to still have that small town personal feel to it. Nice people, edge of hill country, and nice river and lake fishing. Most of all, a really great coffee shop with hand baked cinnamon buns, and three gun shops to choose from.

But I have to go all the way down to Austin for a good Irish bar with Guinness on draft and good corned beef.

Not to get off the topic but a good buddy lives and works in Austin. I was there for a conference a few years ago and he took me to a small town, I think North, to an old bbq place called Louie Muellers (I think). Holy smokes was that delicious!! And to stay on topic, I’ll bet they wouldn’t mind you using your 102 to cut up your food either;)
 
I live in Alaska, knife carry no problem. And, I like fixed blades. I'm not much for sheaths on the belt, though, unless I'm out in the boondocks. Usually, I'll have something like a nice Dozier tucked into the back pocket or tucked in the waistband. At 67, I'm another one of those who is finding some pocket knives to be harder to open than they used to be.
 
:D:cool: I now live in rual eastern North Carolina and I edc this
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The folders change often, but since I bought the 119 its been constant. I've carried fixed almost every day for years. Started when I was a kid. Everything from 4 inch blades to 7 inch kabar utility. I'm originally from southwestern Virginia, in the mountains, I carried a fixed all the time. Courthouses, and DMV is about the only place I'm knifeless,
 
Not to get off the topic but a good buddy lives and works in Austin. I was there for a conference a few years ago and he took me to a small town, I think North, to an old bbq place called Louie Muellers (I think). Holy smokes was that delicious!! And to stay on topic, I’ll bet they wouldn’t mind you using your 102 to cut up your food either;)
You were in Taylor, TX. Muellers BBQ is next door to Rudy Mikeska's, also good. :thumbsup: I often use my own knife to cut food. No one gives a second look. Unless you count my friends who roll their eyes at me when I stop to take a picture before I eat. :rolleyes::D
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I'd forgotten just how handy it was to take out knife, cut, put knife back in sheath. No opening, no folding up, just use. Way easier for old stiff fumble fingers to deal with. The knife is way easier to clean up after a messy job, just wash and wipe off and sheath. No joints to oil or hidden areas to worry about.

I hear ya on the maintenance and deployment. But the few times I've ever carried a sheath knife I've always fumbled putting it back into the sheath, especially if I'm wearing an untucked shirt or a jacket. Much easier for me to snap a knife closed snd drop it into my pocket. I don't hunt unfortunately but I fish and spend a lot of time hiking and tramping around in the woods and the only time I have any use for a sheath knife is a filet knife for the ones that DIDN'T get away.

-- Mark
 
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