Why do YOU care what OTHER PEOPLE think of your knife?

[killgar]

I've worked all over New Jersey in the past, and was never once hassled while out and about and in stores with a 5"blade hanging from my belt. Since I travel for a living I always look up the local knife laws and will print out the written code on the matter and place it in my wallet with my id. If some local leo decides they wanna hassle me specifically for something I'm legally carrying I hand em the paper along with my id and ask for a supervisor.


Once they realise I know the law and my rights they'll typically send me on my way. Sometimes they themselves weren't even fully aware of what was legal and what isn't. However in my 8 years of travels across the country I've only had this even happen a handful of times.

It's the places that have a law that's open to interpretation where you gotta be conscious of what you carry and make sure it can't be considered illegal at all. Like nyc, the laws open to interpretation at the discretion of the particular leo your dealing with.

I have to say it was a pleasure to read your post. It's always nice to see someone take the time to research the law, and it's nice to see people educate themselves on their legal rights. And it's nice to hear that a person is willing to assert their rights when encountering a member of law enforcement rather than just agreeing with everything they say out of fear.

Of course, one cannot win an argument with an LEO on the street, and if they want to do something like arrest you or confiscate your knife, there is nothing one can do to stop them on the street. But it doesn't hurt to politely inform an LEO that you know the law, and your rights, and to point out when the officer is wrong.

Long ago my attorney advised me to do exactly as you are doing- carry a printout of the relevant knife laws to provide to any LEO who might be mistaken about my knife. And although I've never needed it, I have passed on the same advice to others. And on a few occasions they have informed me that producing that printout to an LEO convinced the LEO not to confiscate their knife.

And the part about asking the officer to call his supervisor is excellent advice. Many LEO's simply don't know every detail of their local knife laws and they need someone to educate them, whether it be a member of the public or their superior officer.

Good post Bobby3326 :thumbup:

 

[slims_88]

I'm lucky to work at a small local business. My boss doesn't care what knives I carry, but since it is retail, I do keep them concealed, just like the gun she doesn't know I've been carrying since long before I worked for her.

Since I started about 3 years ago, I now have my boss carrying a knife, and gave one of my employees a knife, since he was always asking to borrow mine. Whenever I get a new knife, I'll carry it just to show off to a couple employees who are interested in my knives. I get requests now for which knife they want me to bring to work.

 

[Bobby3326]

I have to say it was a pleasure to read your post. It's always nice to see someone take the time to research the law, and it's nice to see people educate themselves on their legal rights. And it's nice to hear that a person is willing to assert their rights when encountering a member of law enforcement rather than just agreeing with everything they say out of fear.

Of course, one cannot win an argument with an LEO on the street, and if they want to do something like arrest you or confiscate your knife, there is nothing one can do to stop them on the street. But it doesn't hurt to politely inform an LEO that you know the law, and your rights, and to point out when the officer is wrong.

Long ago my attorney advised me to do exactly as you are doing- carry a printout of the relevant knife laws to provide to any LEO who might be mistaken about my knife. And although I've never needed it, I have passed on the same advice to others. And on a few occasions they have informed me that producing that printout to an LEO convinced the LEO not to confiscate their knife.

And the part about asking the officer to call his supervisor is excellent advice. Many LEO's simply don't know every detail of their local knife laws and they need someone to educate them, whether it be a member of the public or their superior officer.

Good post Bobby3326 [emoji106]

Thanks, when I first started traveling I soon realized the well it's legal in my state I wasn't aware it was illegal here story didn't work lol. So now when I find out where I'm going for work I pull up the state code for knives and try to determine if there's any local ordinances where I'll be. It good preventive maintenance, the chances of being stopped are unlikely but always a possibility.

If I can't find a definitive answer I'll either ask here, or carry something that will not run a risk of putting me in cuffs.

 

[flipe8]

Out of curiosity, how many people here have been stopped by police for carrying a knife? I've done a fair bit of travelling and always carry a knife(with exception of times during airline travel) and have never been stopped by an officer on the street. I'm genuinely interested, because if people are being stopped at random, it makes me wonder if there's something the police are seeing that draws their attention? Or is it simply the knife that they see?

 

[footballplayerchris]

Out of curiosity, how many people here have been stopped by police for carrying a knife? I've done a fair bit of travelling and always carry a knife(with exception of times during airline travel) and have never been stopped by an officer on the street. I'm genuinely interested, because if people are being stopped at random, it makes me wonder if there's something the police are seeing that draws their attention? Or is it simply the knife that they see?

I've been stopped twice, but both were just the officer complimenting me on my knife and them showing me their knives.

 

[Bobby3326]

Out of curiosity, how many people here have been stopped by police for carrying a knife? I've done a fair bit of travelling and always carry a knife(with exception of times during airline travel) and have never been stopped by an officer on the street. I'm genuinely interested, because if people are being stopped at random, it makes me wonder if there's something the police are seeing that draws their attention? Or is it simply the knife that they see?

In the past 8 years of traveling the country I'd guess I've ran into an issue 3 or 4 times. The most memorable was while working an over night remodel in Huntington beach ca. I was outside getting stuff in and out of a storage trailer opening boxes and crates when I hear a 12 gauge rack, followed by drop the weapon. (Which was a work beater at the time,a Gerber prodigy). After about 20 minutes and being cleared as working on the premises the supervisor informed me the young officer saw me with what he determined an illegal weapon, and given the time of night thought I was up to no good.

Another time I got stopped in mass, just cause the officer wanted to know why I was carrying a knife.

 

[Gaston444]

Out of curiosity, how many people here have been stopped by police for carrying a knife? I've done a fair bit of travelling and always carry a knife(with exception of times during airline travel) and have never been stopped by an officer on the street. I'm genuinely interested, because if people are being stopped at random, it makes me wonder if there's something the police are seeing that draws their attention? Or is it simply the knife that they see?

Of course this is because of the fixed knife that they see on open display... Which is why it is a boatload of hassle to carry a fixed knife openly by its belt loop... For an officer to find a concealed knife on you he has to do a lot more than just stop you on the street...: He has to actually arrest and search you: What on earth could you possibly be doing that would require that?

If your behaviour has ever led an officer to search you, then you probably shouldn't be carrying any knife ever... The trouble is, by carrying a fixed blade openly in an urban environment, you practically force the officer to at least do a token gesture about it... So you you are just wasting both his time and yours. If you are searched without probable cause, the search results get thrown out... The law is amazingly strict on this...

So which do you think is simpler?

Gaston

 

[The Aflac Duck]

I was stopped and arrested in Iowa a few years ago, and I had a Manix and a Leatherman Rebar on me.

The knives were taken and given back to me after I was released:thumbup:

 

[slims_88]

I was stopped and arrested in Iowa a few years ago, and I had a Manix and a Leatherman Rebar on me.

The knives were taken and given back to me after I was released:thumbup:

Was the stop due to the knives or something unrelated? I have never gotten hassled over a fixed blade on my belt, or a handgun open carried.

 

[Bobby3326]

Of course this is because of the fixed knife that they see on open display... Which is why it is a boatload of hassle to carry a fixed knife openly by its belt loop... For an officer to find a concealed knife on you he has to do a lot more than just stop you on the street...: He has to actually arrest and search you: What on earth could you possibly be doing that would require that?

If your behaviour has ever led an officer to search you, then you probably shouldn't be carrying any knife ever... The trouble is, by carrying a fixed blade openly in an urban environment, you practically force the officer to at least do a token gesture about it... So you you are just wasting both his time and yours. If you are searched without probable cause, the search results get thrown out... The law is amazingly strict on this...

So which do you think is simpler?

Gaston

Omg again you come in on another post spewing garbage about openly carrying fixed blades. People do it all the time all over the place and don't get bothered. It's on the few occasions where either a rookie or pro on a power trip will harass a law abiding citizen for legally carrying a fixed blade openly.

And as far as the bs comment about if your getting searched you shouldn't have a knife...Wtf get off your high horse with that s$&t. A person these days doesn't need to be doing anything wrong to find themselves getting searched. I've been stopped, (non knife related) detained, searched, and released in Baltimore just bc I was white in the the wrong part of town so they assumed I was there to score drugs, when in reality I was working there.

 

[slims_88]

Omg again you come in on another post spewing garbage about openly carrying fixed blades. People do it all the time all over the place and don't get bothered. It's on the few occasions where either a rookie or pro on a power trip will harass a law abiding citizen for legally carrying a fixed blade openly.

And as far as the bs comment about if your getting searched you shouldn't have a knife...Wtf get off your high horse with that s$&t. A person these days doesn't need to be doing anything wrong to find themselves getting searched. I've been stopped, (non knife related) detained, searched, and released in Baltimore just bc I was white in the the wrong part of town so they assumed I was there to score drugs, when in reality I was working there.

Gotta agree with you.

My work supplies the local k9 units all their food, so I have cops in and out of the store all the time. Had this big biker looking guy in their one day when an officer was in getting food. He glanced at the fixed blade the guy had on, and never said anything to the guy about it.

In my experience, your behavior is going to get you stopped quicker than what you have on you. When I'm not at work, I frequently open carry a fixed blade and a gun. Only time I've ever been stopped was when I lived in Kansas, and they struck down open carry bans statewide. The day it went in effect, I was walking the same route I always walked my dogs on, but was celebrating open carry that day. Someone called the cops, when the cop stopped me, I just told him I was celebrating not having to hide anymore. He laughed, and went on his way. Never even got out of his cruiser.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Discretion is the better part of valor.

 

[Wowbagger]

BASguy,

Among all my other life disappointments, I've never won a spelling bee.

I can relate.
If you have ever heard or seen the comic Brian Regan perform his bit called "Stupid in School" . . . I'm that guy.

Doesn't mean I'm stupid; I have surprised myself with all the things I have learned with hard work and diligent study and practice . . .
Spuleng isn't one of them . . . I'm sad to say.

 

[Bobby3326]

Gotta agree with you.

My work supplies the local k9 units all their food, so I have cops in and out of the store all the time. Had this big biker looking guy in their one day when an officer was in getting food. He glanced at the fixed blade the guy had on, and never said anything to the guy about it.

In my experience, your behavior is going to get you stopped quicker than what you have on you. When I'm not at work, I frequently open carry a fixed blade and a gun. Only time I've ever been stopped was when I lived in Kansas, and they struck down open carry bans statewide. The day it went in effect, I was walking the same route I always walked my dogs on, but was celebrating open carry that day. Someone called the cops, when the cop stopped me, I just told him I was celebrating not having to hide anymore. He laughed, and went on his way. Never even got out of his cruiser.

Yea obviously if you're walking down the street or thru Wal-Mart practising your knife twirling with a fixed blade then chances are your gonna get harassed. If you're minding your business with a knife on your hip you're not gonna get a second look.

 

[slims_88]

I also think the manner you handle a knife when using it also can have a big impact. It's not uncommon for one of my employees to bring me a box to open, even if I'm with a customer. I took her box cutter privileges away since she kept leaving them laying around the sales floor, often with blade still out.

I have no issue pulling out any knife I carry and merely cutting some tape, and returning it to my pocket, or it's sheath. A couple customers have looked surprised, I just shrug and tell them my grandpa told me never leave home with a knife. Oldest tool in civilization. That little statement seems to put sheeple at great ease when you refer to something they consider a weapon as a tool.

 

[Wowbagger]

and somethings I many never understand let alone develop a taste for.

the golden rule. I treat others how I want them to treat me

Ha, ha, that one has always been my way but I am sure there are some out there that have a whole 'nuther perspective . . .
they might for instance WANT to be woken up at two in the morning by straight pipes on a Harley because they dig the sound so much they wouldn't dream of missing a chance to hear it . . .
or . . .
maybe one of their favorite things is to be hand cuffed, stripped naked and spanked . . .

Yes there are A LOT of things I don't understand about my fellow travelers on this planet . . . and to attempt to treat them as they want to be treated or to have them treat me as they want to be treated is just too exhausting and or dangerous for me to keep up with.

so
I have barricaded myself in this bunker with my ear plugs, espresso machine and a pastry chef and I categorically refuse to budge.
(((( that is until I have to go to work on Monday )))).

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Was the stop due to the knives or something unrelated? I have never gotten hassled over a fixed blade on my belt, or a handgun open carried.

Non-knife related. The cop actually recognized the brand and showed me his camo Paramilitary

 

[killgar]

If I typed out every story of a time when I was within six feet of a cop, and that cop didn't say a word about my openly carried 10" fixed-blade it would fill a few pages of this thread. But just for the hell of it, here's one story that I have told on BF before-

I rode my bike up to the front of a fast food joint, got off and walked in. It was cold out so I was wearing a leather motorcycle jacket and leather pants. There were about six cops sitting at a table near the counter eating their dinner. I have no doubt that they heard me pull up, as I mentioned before my bike is a bit loud. I walked up to the counter, placed my order, and stood there waiting for it. I was less than six feet away from the table of cops, with my knife facing right towards them. A few of the cops were close enough to reach over and touch it. But not one of them said a single word to me. After I received my order I left.

Now you would think that among that group of cops there might be at least one who might want to show off to their buddies by hassling the biker, but no, they weren't the least bit interested.

On another note, if I typed out every story where I pulled out my knife in public to help a total stranger it would probably fill an entire page. But just for the hell of it, here's one story (that I have also told on BF before)-

A couple had purchased a live Christmas tree. They had twine to tie it to the roof of their car, but they forgot to bring anything to cut the twine. The guy was about to try and saw through the twine with his car key, so I stepped up, and with a friendly smile I offered to help. So there I was, this "rough" looking biker, pulling a 10" fixed-blade out right in front of them, and there was not a hint of panic, no screams of terror, no shouts for someone to call 911. I cut their twine for them, they were both very grateful and relieved, they thanked me repeatedly, and I left.

Who knows, maybe I just emit lots of positive vibes, but I've never had a single cop say a single negative word about any knife I have ever carried, and not a single citizen has ever freaked-out, or said a negative word about my knife.

 

[Bobby3326]

If I typed out every story of a time when I was within six feet of a cop, and that cop didn't say a word about my openly carried 10" fixed-blade it would fill a few pages of this thread. But just for the hell of it, here's one story that I have told on BF before-

I rode my bike up to the front of a fast food joint, got off and walked in. It was cold out so I was wearing a leather motorcycle jacket and leather pants. There were about six cops sitting at a table near the counter eating their dinner. I have no doubt that they heard me pull up, as I mentioned before my bike is a bit loud. I walked up to the counter, placed my order, and stood there waiting for it. I was less than six feet away from the table of cops, with my knife facing right towards them. A few of the cops were close enough to reach over and touch it. But not one of them said a single word to me. After I received my order I left.

Now you would think that among that group of cops there might be at least one who might want to show off to their buddies by hassling the biker, but no, they weren't the least bit interested.

On another note, if I typed out every story where I pulled out my knife in public to help a total stranger it would probably fill an entire page. But just for the hell of it, here's one story (that I have also told on BF before)-

A couple had purchased a live Christmas tree. They had twine to tie it to the roof of their car, but they forgot to bring anything to cut the twine. The guy was about to try and saw through the twine with his car key, so I stepped up, and with a friendly smile I offered to help. So there I was, this "rough" looking biker, pulling a 10" fixed-blade out right in front of them, and there was not a hint of panic, no screams of terror, no shouts for someone to call 911. I cut their twine for them, they were both very grateful and relieved, they thanked me repeatedly, and I left.

Who knows, maybe I just emit lots of positive vibes, but I've never had a single cop say a single negative word about any knife I have ever carried, and not a single citizen has ever freaked-out, or said a negative word about my knife.

Naw it's probably just the biker persona and the fact that if you're willing to show everyone a 10"blade they didn't wanna find out what they couldn't see, so they just kept their cool lol had you been driving a prius and been in plain clothes those cops would have surely harassed you according to Gaston.

 

[killgar]

Naw it's probably just the biker persona and the fact that if you're willing to show everyone a 10"blade they didn't wanna find out what they couldn't see, so they just kept their cool lol had you been driving a prius and been in plain clothes those cops would have surely harassed you according to Gaston.

Yep, those Prius drivers are a sketchy bunch. I mean, those cars are so quiet, the owners must be sneaking around, up to no good.