Trench Knives (legality?)

J

jp101

Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
112
I am a resident of CA and i come here to ask the experts about a knife style that has both intrigued and dumbfounded me. The trench knife, essentially a pair of brass knuckles with a dagger-like blade added to the end, was used in the trench wars. I am curious to know the legality of said knives, both in CA and in the USA. I know that i am a long ways away from purchasing a quality piece, but i want to know that any saving will have a light at the end of the tunnel.

example: http://www.bladeart.com/artists/mark_terrell/mark_terrell.htm

thanks in advance!

-JP
 
1) legal to own/carry according to the us constitution :)
2) legal by definition in california, its a fixed blade knife ...
3) would cost you lots of lawyer cash to defend this in court

(7) As used in this section, "metal knuckles" means any device or
instrument made wholly or partially of metal which is worn for
purposes of offense or defense in or on the hand and which either
protects the wearer's hand while striking a blow or increases the
force of impact from the blow or injury to the individual receiving
the blow. The metal contained in the device may help support the
hand or fist, provide a shield to protect it, or consist of
projections or studs which would contact the individual receiving a
blow.
Click to expand...


as always, this is not legal advice, i am not a lawyer
 
ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
i believe double edged blades are illegal in california. As are brass knuckles
Click to expand...

double edged blades are not illegal in california.

(24) As used in this section, a "dirk" or "dagger" means a knife
or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of
ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury
or death. A nonlocking folding knife, a folding knife that is not
prohibited by Section 653k, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use
as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death
only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.
Click to expand...
 
means a knife or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of
ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death.
Click to expand...

This would include pretty much any knife as well as any pointy object in general, no?

As for the knife in question, it´s a beauty but if you get stopped while carrying it, it will get you into trouble, regardless of legality. It´s designed to be a weapon and it clearly shows it. With most other knives, you can explain to the cop that you need it for some mundane task. With this knife, well, good luck explaining why you need the brass knuckles.
 
this wont be a carry weapon btw... more of a collector, ill carry when the zombie apocolypse hits. :P
 
It looks like a double edged dagger with metal knuckles mounted on it.
Design and legnth of blade suggest is more useful for stabbing or slashing (in both directions [back and forth]) than for utility cutting. I can't baton a double edge without ruining it nor can one put his thumb on back of blade to assist in stabilizing it while performing routine cutting task.
What do you think well I think it's a slam dunk case in court so unless your thinking of challenging the ban on WEAPONS I wouldn't want to get caught carrying it.
 
Actually the metal knuckles are part of the whole blade and tang it is quite a work of art, despite it's design, I do like this knife.
 
"i stand corrected. It may be legal if you open carry"

Not unless it's legal to own daggers in Cali
 
The knife blade is not a problem. Any fixed blade is legal in California, as long as its not carried concealed or in a prohibited area, such as a school. (Local laws may have additional limitations.) However the guard probably renders it technically illegal to possess, as brass knuckles. Your mileage may vary.

Best regards,

Argyll
 
Argyll said:
The knife blade is not a problem. Any fixed blade is legal in California, as long as its not carried concealed or in a prohibited area, such as a school. (Local laws may have additional limitations.) However the guard probably renders it technically illegal to possess, as brass knuckles. Your mileage may vary.

Best regards,

Argyll
Click to expand...

I can't think of anything that would attract more unwanted cop-attention than carrying a large knife openly...unless you had an AK-47 slung over your shoulder. :)
 
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