What Spydie can I EDC in New York City ?

Nemo

Nemo

Joined
Oct 16, 1998
Messages
1,697
Hello,

I'll be in the Big Apple in may and I was wondering what is the law there about locking knives?
Should I take my Baby Goddard ?
My UKPK frn drop point?
My Gayle Bradley ?
Or my Tie Millie ?

Should I carry it on my person or inside a bag ?
Is there metal detectors everywhere ?

Thanks for any hints !
 
You should be fine carrying any of those, people there are sometimes afraid of knives so only use it when you have something to cut. Seeing how you are going to be flying though, I'd recommend a less expensive knife so you don't lose it.
 
there are metal detectors at most of the famous locations, museums, statues, empire state building etc...

EDIT:
A lot of places will let you pick up the knife when you are leaving though
 
Be careful in the subways. There are a lot of "random" searches that are, and a high police presence. If they spot a pocket clip you might be in for a hard time. Dont assume that the offier knows the law either. I have met plenty who are pretty ignorant of the actual rule. All they know is that you have a knife. I personaly prefer a s.a.k. for cutting purposes and a 20 oz. ball pein for anything else that might come up.
 
Not the Millie. Carried knives have to be sub 4". Other than that you should be fine. Make sure there's enough detent in the handle that you can't flick it open without using your thumb. Make sure no part of the knife is showing including the clip. Make sure you can articulate legal reasons for carrying it e.g. opening boxes, etc. Never ever say for self-defense or just in case, that makes it illegal. I wouldn't worry about the subway. I've never seen anyone searched in a subway. Don't give the police a reason to hassle you. For the most part, they aren't looking to bust regular people. They have bigger fish to fry. For example, I live by Borough Hall in Brooklyn which is like city hall and there are bootleggers selling dvd copies of movies that are still in the theaters everyday and don't get hassled. If you want to be extra careful carry a slipjoint but I wouldn't worry about any of yours except the Millie.
 
Thank you everyone for all your answers !

As I will also visit museums and monuments, I guess the UKPK inside the bag would be the wiser choice.

cheers !
Nemo
 
I would go for the UKPK as the other two knives can be "spydie flicked" or known to NYC law a gravity knife.

Also, make sure NOT to clip the knife to a pocket as it must be concealed as stated in the law.
 
1978terrorizer said:
Be careful in the subways. There are a lot of "random" searches that are, and a high police presence. If they spot a pocket clip you might be in for a hard time. Dont assume that the offier knows the law either. I have met plenty who are pretty ignorant of the actual rule. All they know is that you have a knife. I personaly prefer a s.a.k. for cutting purposes and a 20 oz. ball pein for anything else that might come up.
Click to expand...

20oz. ball pein hammer? I'm guessing you have a tool bag/belt to go along with that hammer? :)
 
Reeper22 said:
Not the Millie. Carried knives have to be sub 4". Other than that you should be fine. Make sure there's enough detent in the handle that you can't flick it open without using your thumb. Make sure no part of the knife is showing including the clip. Make sure you can articulate legal reasons for carrying it e.g. opening boxes, etc. Never ever say for self-defense or just in case, that makes it illegal. I wouldn't worry about the subway. I've never seen anyone searched in a subway. Don't give the police a reason to hassle you. For the most part, they aren't looking to bust regular people. They have bigger fish to fry. For example, I live by Borough Hall in Brooklyn which is like city hall and there are bootleggers selling dvd copies of movies that are still in the theaters everyday and don't get hassled. If you want to be extra careful carry a slipjoint but I wouldn't worry about any of yours except the Millie.
Click to expand...

I was stopped and questioned twice in the subway because of a visible pocket clip.
 
As said your safest bet would be a non locking knife that is slim and not easily seen. Do not clip the knife to your pocket! NYC enforcement is random. flickable knives can get you in trouble. Out of sight is your best bet. I work in NYC and carry a Lum Chinese daily in my RF pocket. But I also wear a shirt and tie all the time. so I have not been hasseled in 10 years. In the subway there are random bag search locations set up. So if you have the knife in a bag do not have it randomly in a large pocket in the bag.
 
K Williams said:
I was stopped and questioned twice in the subway because of a visible pocket clip.
Click to expand...

That I don't doubt. What I meant was I don't see random searches of people for no reason. Coming back on the J from Williamsburg there was a completely naked guy asleep in one of the cars. He didn't get hassled. If you conceal your knife you shouldn't have an issue.
 
From what I have read you want to make sure the knife is within the law. Not only that if you are stopped and found with a knife you want to make sure you state is ONLY a tool. If you say it is a tool but you might use it in a self defense situation you will probably be going to jail. There are multiple posts in general that cover the law in NYC and many posts are by a LEO that works/ worked there. If I find a good post I will link to it here.

Like others I definitely would make sure it's at the bottom of your pocket and don't forget and clip it to your pocket. I have no desire to go to a place where you can go to jail for even thinking about protecting yourself. I'll stay way down south here where I can tote all the knives and guns I want. :foot::D
 
Thank you guys for all the hints ! :)

UKPK will be in the depth of the RFP and my good old 35 yo SAK in the photobag.
NY-COmbo.jpg
 
Reeper22 said:
That I don't doubt. What I meant was I don't see random searches of people for no reason. Coming back on the J from Williamsburg there was a completely naked guy asleep in one of the cars. He didn't get hassled. If you conceal your knife you shouldn't have an issue.
Click to expand...

If you're completely naked, where do you conceal your knife ? ;)
(sorry, couldn't resist...:D)
 
Moved from Spyderco to Knife Laws. You got some terrible advice in this thread, along with some good ideas. Too many self-proclaimed experts who don't know what they are talking about.

Nemo said:
UKPK will be in the depth of the RFP and my good old 35 yo SAK in the photobag.
Click to expand...

You should be OK with those.

Here's a current thread on how to get in trouble.
(NYC) Caught a misdemeanor
 
You can carry pocket knives under 4 inches legally BUT if a cop sees it clipped to your pocket or your person -- it will get confiscated and you'll get a fine/citation -- or they can arrest you. No joke. What happens depends on the cop, what mood they're in and how you react to the situation.

Cops and the court can and will interpret the wording of the knife laws for the state of NY with respect to "gravity knives" -- which are illegal to carry -- as any knife that can be opened with "centrifugal force" (they mean centripetal).

What that means to you is, if they can do a "Spydie drop" and open your knife -- you're in trouble. Same for Benchmade Axis Lock flicks and any other similar opening technique on any other knife, regardless if it's under 4".

I read recently that a teenager on Staten Island got arrested b/c a Gerber Gator folder was deemed a "gravity knife." The judge sided with the cop's argument and the kid was convicted and sentenced to time in prison -- for carrying a Gerber Gator folder. Think about it.

Then, just two weeks ago I met a guy who worked at the only place in Manhattan I know of with a good knife selection who had just gotten out of jail because cops saw a knife clipped to his pocket and when asked what it was for he said "self defense," which means to their ears "intent to cause bodily harm."

I don't mean to scare people, but this is serious sh*t here in NYC. Cops will leave you alone unless you look suspicious, but better safe than sorry, I say.

I carry a Victorinox Bantam Alox or GEC Scout. When/if I decide to carry Spydercos or Benchmades, I will keep the pivot screw sufficiently tightened so as to require deliberate force of the thumb to open the blade.
 
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