Vic Fieldmaster in NYC

J

JacDan

Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
20
Anyone know if carrying a Vic Fieldmaster on their key chain in NYC would pose an arrest risk? Technically it falls well under the 4" knife carry law and doesn't seem fit into any of the other categories NYC knife laws frown on. I always like carrying SAKs on my person for their utility usefulness but with arrest quotas and an economy heading in the dumpster which I figure encourages more arrests over nonsense in order to garner fines and such it's getting scary keeping small appliances on your person. Thanks.
 
Short answer, No. Provided that you keep it in your pocket and out of plain sight. As you pointed out, the knife in question is under 4 inches,non-locking and is generally viewed as a tool and not as a weapon. However,there is always the possibility that you MAY find yourself the subject of a search. And the officer involved MAY interpret the knife to be a DANGEROUS INSTRUMENT. Like most of us here, and especially those that live and work in NYC, there are many valid reasons to carry a knife. BUT, NYC and the NYPD is NOT KNIFE FRIENDLY AT ALL. Personally, when and if I decide to carry an edge in NYC, the biggest knife I will carry is no more than three inches and non-locking/slip-joint. Mostly a swiss army type knife. And if I anticipate the likelihood of police contact, ie;the subway,govt buildings,either go bladeless or something like a Victorinox classic or leatherman micra. Its also VERY IMPORTANT to articulate clearly the reason you are carrying said knife. "Just in case" even though true, usually isnt good enough. I use it for opening mail,breaking down cardboard boxes,slicing fruit,cutting string and twine,trimming my nails,fixing my eyeglasses...these really are the reasons I carry a SAK.
 
MH has it pretty well stated. I just want to stress that you can NOT have it exposed at all! Your question was having it on a key chain, and if you carry that exposed then you are in violation of the NYC Admin Code 10-133 by have an "exposed" knife. Key it in your pocket and never say it is a weapon or for self defense....
 
Thanks for the info MH and Tom. I always keep my key chain and attachments in my pocket and very rarely ever use a small knife in public, now even less likely in view of that admin code.
 
I always find it amusing that law-abiding people are the only ones concerned with rules. Sometimes we may stretch them, but we often seem to fear or at least worry a bit about breaking the rules. Not so for the criminal! They couldn't care less about the rules,only that they might get arrested if caught breaking them. I doubt there are any criminals with intentions to use a Victorinox Fieldmaster,for example,in the commission of crimes. It angers me that I am forced to behave as though I am committing a crime by carrying a Swiss army knife. And that I should have to explain,using great care as to the words I choose,to a law enforcement officer as to why I am in possession of said knife. Give any indication that its for self-defense,and now its a weapon! Dont even get me started on other,non-knife items that some people carry. Mini-maglites(and the numerous,similar,aluminum type lights),steel pens,steel rulers,heavy-duty carpenters pencils,large Sharpie markers,etc. All these are legal items that can be carried by almost anybody. They have legitimate uses. However,they can all be used to inflict injury. I suppose a knife is more easily identified as a potential weapon because of the sharp edge. I guess the only way to be totally secure from police scrutiny is to carry nothing but ID and enough cash to avoid being considered vagrant. But after seeing what Matt Damon does with things like books and plastic bic pens in those Bourne movies,perhaps drivers licenses,credit cards,and ten dollar bills will be eyed with suspicion too!
 
It angers me too that law-abiding people have to be made to feel like criminals simply for carrying a tool that makes handling day-to-day tasks in life a little easier. It won't surprise me if it gets to the point where we all have to go around naked in see through plastic body suits and only be allowed to carry documents and cash in see through plastic pockets.
 
Not to hijack but what about an Emerson LaGriffe for NYC? Very small, certainly not a gravity knife, and its by no means an automatic or "gravity knife."
 
I think the emerson lagriffe would be considered a dangerous instrument. Most cops would probably arrest you for carrying it.
 
I just googled it and saw the design, which was stateing it was the ulitmate back up knife....I agree it is weapon like and most officers would consider it a dangerous knife.....I can't see how you could argue that it is not designed for use as a weapon when that is it's selling point in the ad....
 
Having spent most of my life in NYC, I now no longer go there more often than a few times a year. I've even skipped the last few knife shows.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Having spent most of my life in NYC, I now no longer go there more often than a few times a year. I've even skipped the last few knife shows.
Click to expand...
+1 on that. Why spend your money in a city that obviously doesn't care about your personal security and legislates away your Second Amendment rights?
 
Was in the subway last week at Grand Central,one of the handful of times per year I use the subway. Noticed a transit officer patrolling the platform on the downtown 4.5.and 6 line.He had a leatherman on his duty belt(think it was a wave)and a spyderco endura(old style) clipped to his pocket. It was kinda crowded,morning rush,before I lost him in the crowd Im pretty sure I noticed three hash marks on his sleeve. Think that means 5 years per stripe, so he has 15 to 20 years on the job. Wasnt a kid, at least 35 or so. Wonder if an officer that enlightened,thoughtful enough to carry useful tools on the job,would give a law-abiding knife carrier any grief? Most of the other officers I see in the city are very young and look uncomfortable carrying a firearm let alone a knife.
 
MH13750 said:
Was in the subway last week at Grand Central,one of the handful of times per year I use the subway. Noticed a transit officer patrolling the platform on the downtown 4.5.and 6 line.He had a leatherman on his duty belt(think it was a wave)and a spyderco endura(old style) clipped to his pocket. It was kinda crowded,morning rush,before I lost him in the crowd Im pretty sure I noticed three hash marks on his sleeve. Think that means 5 years per stripe, so he has 15 to 20 years on the job. Wasnt a kid, at least 35 or so. Wonder if an officer that enlightened,thoughtful enough to carry useful tools on the job,would give a law-abiding knife carrier any grief? Most of the other officers I see in the city are very young and look uncomfortable carrying a firearm let alone a knife.
Click to expand...
Don't count on it. He has the right to carry anything that he wants; you don't. He doesn't have to worry about arrest/jail; you do. Remember, he also has a firearm, ammunition and pepper spray on his belt as well, maybe even a TASER, all of which is legal. What are the chances of Joe Sixpack getting a license to carry any or all of the above? I won't even say "slim" because the correct answer is "none". The badge and blue uniform carry power and privilege that the rest of us peons can only wish for.
 
TOM1960 said:
+1 on that. Why spend your money in a city that obviously doesn't care about your personal security and legislates away your Second Amendment rights?
Click to expand...

I think the point of the knife laws (at least in the minds of the legislators) is that they DO care about your personal security. And they would rather no one carry large lock-backs than let every lunatic carry one.

As far as your rights, I agree completely. We in the northeast could use a big libertarian kick in the pants. But I think this is not the proper forum for that discussion.

I wanted to say that I carried a Vic Cadet into a state building once where I had to empty my pockets, and security put it in an envelope and kept it by the desk. They returned it to me when I left and didn't ask questions. When I was leaving, I asked the guards why it was necessary to take the knife away and one said that it probably wasn't, but he would gladly call his supervisor to come down and make a decision on it for future visits.
So I think ignorance of the letter of the law is something you are more likely to deal with in most cases. If you don't mind pleading your case to a supervising officer down at the precinct, they will probably let you go on it...but most people are uninclined to deal with it.
 
MH13750 said:
Short answer, No. Provided that you keep it in your pocket and out of plain sight. As you pointed out, the knife in question is under 4 inches,non-locking and is generally viewed as a tool and not as a weapon. However,there is always the possibility that you MAY find yourself the subject of a search. And the officer involved MAY interpret the knife to be a DANGEROUS INSTRUMENT. Like most of us here, and especially those that live and work in NYC, there are many valid reasons to carry a knife. BUT, NYC and the NYPD is NOT KNIFE FRIENDLY AT ALL. Personally, when and if I decide to carry an edge in NYC, the biggest knife I will carry is no more than three inches and non-locking/slip-joint. Mostly a swiss army type knife. And if I anticipate the likelihood of police contact, ie;the subway,govt buildings,either go bladeless or something like a Victorinox classic or leatherman micra. Its also VERY IMPORTANT to articulate clearly the reason you are carrying said knife. "Just in case" even though true, usually isnt good enough. I use it for opening mail,breaking down cardboard boxes,slicing fruit,cutting string and twine,trimming my nails,fixing my eyeglasses...these really are the reasons I carry a SAK.
Click to expand...

This is your answer. I am a law student in NYC and this is how I've interpreted the statute. The vagueness of the "dangerous weapon" clause gives me the most worry.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top