What constitututes open carry for a folder?

well if its visible... i've always heard that clipping it on your pocket visibly counts. there are variations though, such as having 1/4" sticking out.
 
Be extremely careful here.
Many laws are very vague and confusing. There is a lot of interpretation and possible abuses by police, prosecutors and judges.
Think of it this way. What is the current trend in the interpretation of the law in cases similar to what I might encounter in my state? It could be as simple as if the person carrying the knife is rich or poor or black or white.
 
in Virginia the phrase is often "common observation", meaning that an average person looking at you sees that you have a knife. I would imagine that means if it is obvious you have a folder, you're okay. But I'd like more guidance here.
 
It really mostly depends upon where you live.

In Ohio, you're allowed to carry a knife in your pocket, concealed, if, upon inspection, the length of the knife's blade can fit in the palm of the inspecting officer's hand. That leaves alot of leeway as the blades of all of my folders can fit in the palm of my hand, whether it's a LB-7 Old Timer, Buck 110, or a Gerber Paraframe II. It also depends upon the size of the inspecting officer's hand, and that cannot be foretold. If in-doubt, I always carry folding knives in a sheath on my belt, if the knife came with a sheath.

PalmTest.jpg


I'd suggest driving over to your local police station and ask them how they define "open carry," and to which of your knives that it would apply to. You might bring some knives along for them to judge for you, but I'd leave them in your car's trunk (Out of reach while driving...) until you get the discussion going.

GeoThorn
 
I live in The Peoples Republik of you know where , probably the only place more constricted by lame laws in America than NYC , asking a few LE acquiantences what was liable to get in trouble and what was not , every answer I got was vague , they didnt even know themselves.. Which is why I think most of the time you'll get judgement cases , i.e your drunk , you get pulled over , you have a Buck 110 in your pocket and your being totally cooperative , no problem , same case only your being a drunken jerk , you may get in trouble for concealed weapon.
Read some of these stupid laws and see how vague and confusing they are.

http://www.equalccw.com/knifelaw.html#SECTION TWO
 
geothorn said:
In Ohio, you're allowed to carry a knife in your pocket, concealed, if, upon inspection, the length of the knife's blade can fit in the palm of the inspecting officer's hand.
Click to expand...

There are no provisions for blade length in the Ohio Revised Code. None.

There is a section that says you will not carry a concealed weapon. If the machete you are carrying is to be used as a tool. it is legal. A weapon, illegal.

Same can apply to a Vic Classic.

Some municipalities may have provisions regarding blade length. You would have to know your towns laws to know if that is the case.

The "palm" rule is a carry over from what amounts to an urban legend. May have happened with Broderick Crawford or something from the 50's, but it is not law under ORC. It would also allow the same knife to be legal with a huge handed LEO, but illegal with a small handed one. :rolleyes:

Sorry man, just hate seeing this palm rule crap kept going.

Just had this same "discussion" at my table with an individual who proceeded to tell a 30 yr veteran local LEO just what laws are. Sheesh.... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
Thanks, thatmguy!

I have to say that I also thought that it was questionable, since palm sizes aren't of uniform size. Thankfully, I've never been in any position where I was asked to empty my pockets for inspection, so I am not speaking from experience.

Thanks for the correction,
GeoThorn
 
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