What do you consider "true" blade length on a folder

GigOne

GigOne

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Was in a discussion, today, as to what is actually "true" blade length on a folder. Is it:

1. The distance from the center of pivot to to the blade tip

2. The length of the "exposed" portion of the blade

or

3. The full length of the blade



Here are several examples:



CRK large plain Sebenza

The distance from the center of pivot to to the blade tip is 4.0"

The length of the "exposed" portion of the blade is 3.5"

The full length of the blade 4.25"



DDR EDC (fighter blade)

The distance from the center of pivot to to the blade tip is 3 27/32"

The length of the "exposed" portion of the blade 3 5/16"

The full length of the blade 4 3/16"



Microtech LCC

The distance from the center of pivot to to the blade tip 4"

The length of the "exposed" portion of the blade 3 13/16"

The full length of the blade 4 1/4"

So. . .what's your opinion ?



*note: the above lengths are approximate
 
For practical purposes, it's up to the bolster or scales.

For LEO purposes, it's whatever they say it is.

That's how I go about my business, anyway.
 
I prefer to know the length of the cutting edge.
 
I always considered it, from the start of the edge to the tip of the blade. I don't measure with the shape of the blade (comparing the lenght of cutting edge comparing a KFF with an emerson Commander). I just take it and measure foreword to the tip.
 
Pat Crawford and Tom Mayo have both said (for them)it is the portion of blade that is exposed when folder is open

from the bolster ( pivot end of handle) to the tip of blade

Example on my two folders by these makers...

My large leapord has a 5" blade, but only 4 3/4 is actual cutting edge, the rest is a sharpening choil and pivot stock that sticks out when open..

On my TNT the blade legth is said to be 4 1/4, but again, actual cuting edge is 4", and choil makes up the rest......



I believe most makers(if not all)use this formula for simplicity...



However as someone already stated,LEO's or others may measure differently to suit their needs...................
 
I've always considered the amount of exposed blade as the blade length. Everything in front of the guard, hilt, bolsters, finger cutout or whatever is the business end of a knife as far as I'm concerned.
If a LEO is curious about your blade's length, I imagine he/she is looking for how much of that blade is gonna sink into flesh if driven with a commited thrust.
 
I think Misque has it right. I think the statutes and most LEOs want to know how deep a stab is going to be if the knife is buried up to the handle.

Of course, I much prefer the British system as defined by the General, that apparently only measures the sharpened part of the blade. Much better, but not enought to move to Angloland.
 
Good question. And one that I don't think is answered by the statutes in most states. That leaves a bunch of discretion in the hands of the local LEOs.

I generally take a ruler and measure from the tip of the blade to the bolsters at about the mid-point (pivot screw). I think that is a fairly "common sense" approach that would hold up in most courts.:rolleyes:
 
If you're in Alabama, just make sure it will fit in your pocket. City ordinances may differ.
 
For the sake of simplicity, the exposed portion of the blade is what I have always considered the length of the blade. For the ABS test, on a fixed blade, it is also considered from the guard or bloster to the tip of the blade. On a skelatonized blade without a guard or bolster, I don't know but most are small enough not to be considered scary.
 
I agree with Raker and Blues.
If I am concerned about the law I measure from the bolster. (If I am really concerned I would subtract 1/4th of an inch.) Of course in my old age the concern is minimal).
 
I work in a Govt building and asked the guard at the door how big of a knife I could carry in. His response was, "3" blade max". I asked him how that was measured, and he told me, "whatever you are able to stick in somebody". Evidently, they came up with that figure based upon whether or not your knife will reach certain organs in the body. ???
 
Thanks for all of the replies and inputs. As you can see. . .there are 3-ways that knife-knuts and knife-makers interpret "blade length."

The conversation, that I previously mentioned, was due to one of my buds purchasing a knife. The "knife-maker" ad's state that he produces a "small, medium and large" style knife. A large, as advertised, packs a 4" blade. The seller (not the knife maker) advertises a "large" knife. Typical. . .6 Heineken embellished individuals decided to measure the knife due to me stating that I didn't think that this particular knife was possessing a "4 inch blade. Our measurements produce the following:

1. The distance from the center of pivot to to the blade tip was approx 4 1/8"

2. The length of the "exposed" portion of the blade (bolster to tip) was 3 1/2"

3. The full length of the blade was 4 1/2"

LOL Dorothy. . .please click your heals together !

I've made my deduction. . .you can make your own. . . ;)

PS: Gus ~ you're old ? :rolleyes:
 
Fossilized at 46 my friend, but can still out paddle most of the young 'uns in white water :D.
 
Fossilized at 46 ?

Hell. . .that's young ~ Keep in mind. . .Gus is 98 ! ;)
 
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