Using large folder in public?

DocJD said:
Some 4" folders I don't normally show off in public :


Two less "triggering " :
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Exactly - My RAT 1, P4LW, those are fine to pull out, the Espada Large, the smaller than the first two Matriarch 2... no. It is more than JUST the size. My RAT has beautiful maple scales, the othet is safety orange. Being near 4in is fine for that. Plus the "boring" shape. I feel like if I was using an orange RAT 1 and someone was like "Dangerous weapon???" I could point at the orange and go "No, its a safety knife, see?"
 
I edc an espada XL, Hold Out 1, Recon 1 XL, Raja 2, etc. Before that a Benchmade Lfk. I got pulled over with the LFK on the front seat. I was questioned about the knife, but thankfully I knew the local laws better than the cop. Not much he could do and that was that.

This was at 2am in So Cal. He pulled me over for swerving within the lane. Probable in a 2 door wrangler, so whatever.

I was not committing any crimes and I had on my USMC PT uniform. He was just like, "okay have a good night."

The bottom line is know ALL THE LAWS down to city ordinances for knives and it doesn't matter what any cop thinks.

I have known a lot of cops, some are my best friends, others are pieces of shit.

It behooves you to know, and be able to articulate the law, no cop knows every penal code.
 
not2sharp said:
If you show a flashy toy in public, don’t be surprised if someone tries to relive you of it.


n2s
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I and presumably the guy you replied to, do not using my knife while walking down the street every day. I use it at work, or in other shops, or in my breakroom or plaza that myself and others work, in a good environment. I do not leave it about. I don't mean to misunderstand you so please correct me if I got ya wrong.

Nobody should leave their knife lying about. But you won't get jacked for your Benchmade cause OG Lok noticed your Hinderer pocket clip or something
 
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Quiet said:
Candidly, I enjoy carrying large knives, but I also always carry a smaller knife as well to use when around others. Also, if you are going to use a larger knife, I'll say this: body language, a calm demeanor, and a relaxed face are everything when doing so. If you have to cut something, if someone sees you and you're entirely relaxed and casual as you cut the thing, then close and pocket the knife, that nonverbally tells onlookers that what they are seeing is "Person using a tool in a nonthreatening way". Virtually ten times out of ten, it works for me.
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This is pretty much my mindset. Use your tool how it was intended and go about your bidness. If you do that and don’t act like a goober waving it around or get all shiftyeyed like “I wonder if people are watching me use my big knaf” you’ll be fine. You are not the main character, and trust me - nobody cares.

There’s nothing wrong with using a knife to cut a sandwich and you shouldn’t act like there is.
 
I also edc a Bugout and Spyderco stretch 2 XL along with the big folders, for smaller tasks. I think they are something like 3 oz combined.

But I do cut apples, sandwiches, steak, baloon string, toy packages, hot dog sticks, etc with my xl folders because how else are the Range Rover Soccer moms going to know the glory of a polished G10 Espada XL.
 
Synov said:
You don't have to answer questions or explain anything to the police. Just ask them if you're being detained. If they say no then politely walk away or ignore them. If they say yes, ask them if they have reasonable suspicion you have or are about to commit a crime. Only if they have such suspicion can they detain you and demand your ID. If they persist in detaining you with no reasonable suspicion, ask for their supervisor.
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Found the sovereign citizen auditor.
But seriously, speaking like this just escalates things. Read the room and find a better way to communicate this. Please don't get your lines from a Youtuber you saw, please.
 
Another approach is to find a less threatening knife or mod that will do the same job.

This would essentially be a tactical gentleman's folder. A wonderful category of knives that has no shortage of options.
How about a locking sak w/ wood scales?
Or a Bugout with some fancy scales and a black blade? Or an Urban trapper in Rosewood? There are lots of options, especially if you are willing to mod.

I cut every piece of meat at every restaurant I visit with a pocket knife. Most of the time nobody notices, if someone does, it's because I left it out on purpose or I'm cutting while speaking to someone. This doesn't need to be a big deal.

I prompromise 100% that if someone busted out a 4 inch plus knife around the OP or any of the toolbags on here who claim they don't care about what others think, within arms reach with or without their kids/family, it would be a cause for concern. I know it would with me. Especially if I wasn't completely head over heels in love with the appearance, demeanor, and actions of the knife user.
 
As long as it’s legal in your area, I wouldn’t worry about it.

It’s not just the blade, but how you use it though. A 4” Police used discreetly to cut your sandwiches or whatnot will probably draw less attention than somebody flashing his Tuff Lite around to look tough or macho.
 
Hashishiin said:
I and presumably the guy you replied to, do not using my knife while walking down the street every day. I use it at work, or in other shops, or in my breakroom or plaza that myself and others work, in a good environment. I do not leave it about. I don't mean to misunderstand you so please correct me if I got ya wrong.

Nobody should leave their knife lying about. But you won't get jacked for your Benchmade cause OG Lok noticed your Hinderer pocket clip or something
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Well yeah, I meant my comment in the context of getting my knife out, cutting something, and putting it away. I don't fidget with it walking down the street or whatever.
 
Synov said:
You don't have to answer questions or explain anything to the police. Just ask them if you're being detained. If they say no then politely walk away or ignore them. If they say yes, ask them if they have reasonable suspicion you have or are about to commit a crime. Only if they have such suspicion can they detain you and demand your ID. If they persist in detaining you with no reasonable suspicion, ask for their supervisor.
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This is true in theory. However, the journey still has a cost. It's like how you could sue someone who violated your rights and you might win. You'll still need to have gone through the ordeal in the first place. Then you'll need to invest however much time, energy, and/or money in pursuing the case. Yes, you might be compensated in such a way that would cover your costs and you might even walk away with a tidy settlement. However, you can't count on that. Opposing counsel can be dishonest, corrupt, or just blindly good at their job. Judges can be biased, crazy, or just having a bad day. Sure, you could appeal but look how much of your life has now been spent versus just slicing an apple and moving on with your life.
 
stillshot2 said:
So I've been enjoying a Spyderco Police 4 lightweight recently as an EDC, it's been great for cutting sandwiches or hamburgers for my little kids when out and about. But it being a little on the large side (a little over 4 inch blade) got me wondering if I were using it in public and say someone from law enforcement saw me using it to cut something is there a high probability it could have them approach me for questioning? I live in Arizona so not many knife restrictions, and obviously I'm not going to be doing anything illegal but just curious what any of you on this forum that may be active law enforcement or even a retired officer would have to say on the matter? I don't care what the average person thinks of me carrying it unless they are going to freak out enough to call the cops and possibly get me searched or cause me headache even though it's legal for me to carry this knife. It is a crazy world we live in after all.. thoughts?
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If you're using it as you describe, most people don't actually care. At least that has been my case the past couple years in the Metro-Detroit area and we have many restrictions because each municipality can make their own limits, and many do.

Recently, I feel like I get more "woh! Nice knife" than anything else if I'm just cutting something and not doing silly things with it. I work with a Japanese company and deal mostly with engineers and sales people, so that may be part of it.
 
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Bottom line for me. I did have a need for a cutting tool when I was working doing computer installs or repairs. But I also had a tool box. If for what ever reason I had a fixed blade on my hip when walking into a public place. The knife went into the glove box.

Even after a hunt My fixed blade stayed in the car. Why attract attention? For that matter I rarely have a need for a cutting toll on a daily basis.

Rich K.
 
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