Would You Wear a Fixed Blade On Your Belt in a Big City Environment?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Rockabilly Interim Pardon Viscount
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Here in Chicago, I would not wear a belt-hanging knife, for fear that an L.E.O. or security guard would hassle me. People around here just don't do that, except maybe electricians or other tradesmen who carry tools. I want to carry these knives sometimes, just to show off the craftsmanship, but there is a whole different attitude in the urban environment.

I had a roommate who came here from New Mexico, to attend college. When he came, he came here in his F-100. Of course, he kept a gun rack with a 30-30 hanging in the back window. The Chicago cops pulled him over and told him "We don't do that in Chicago." They let him off with a warning. I guess it really is illegal. I just tell this story to portray the general attitude about weapons or anything that looks like a weapon, in this city. I think a fixed blade looks like a weapon to people around here, even if it is under 3".

I grew up in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. In that place and time, a cop would not even think of pulling anyone over for having a gun hanging in the cab of their truck. I don't think fixed blades on the belt were any big deal either.

What's you guys' view?
 
I wear my IZULA all the time, a bit different than a big dangler but never had a problem in MPLS.
 
Never. Even if it's completely legal, you will no doubt get attention and very possibly hassle from law enforcement.
 
I almost always carry a fixed blade, whether it be an Izula, BM211, Esee 3 or 4, or other fixed blade.

I do live near Salt lake city and go there often, always carrying a fixed blade unless I know I am going into a building or event that won't allow knives. LEO's around here are reasonable and most just admire the blade when they notice it. Seldom do regular people care either. I guess you could say that Utah is fairly knife friendly.

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I wouldn't.
I think you are asking for trouble and just needlessly scaring the sheeple.
I know I always have my folder in my pocket. NO need for anybody else too.
Plus you never know when you need that advantage of somebody not knowing you have a blade on you, just saying.

To me knives are tools first and foremost.
I know damn well most of the world sees it as a weapon and I'm a "send out good vibes" kinda guy.
 
No, I wouldn't carry a fixed blade on my hip in public. That's just asking for hassle, one way or another.
 
This completely depends. There's a difference between San Antonio and Chicago. Alot of it is common sense. You can wear a Devil's Toothpick downtown San An and not catch a second glance from liberals, law enforcement, business employees, you name it. You breathe to anyone that you have the ability to cut something and you get arrested for carrying a weapon in Chicago. I carry on campus in a town of 500,000 people, and when I have my BK11 or HEST out, people are passing me pencils to get sharpened so they don't have to use the noisy manual sharpener in the back of the lecture hall. When I was at Lackland I'd go out on the town with buddies wearing a 5 inch Kabar. When I lived in Wisconsin, if you owned a fixed blade knife that was anything other than a stereotypical Git-R-Dun! deer skinner (AKA if you couldn't buy it at Cabela's), then you are a violent person. Again, use common sense. With a concealed carry permit that's good in 34 states, there are few places where I really have to worry about keeping a BK11 or a HEST hidden in my pocket, so I really don't have to sweat much.
 
I live in Texas, where up to 5.5" fixed or folder is legal (with several "prohibited weapons" exceptions). However, I still wouldn't wear a fixed blade on a sheath in the city. For one thing, I don't like the looks of sheaths, whether they're for knives, cell phones, multi-tools, whatever. If you're a contractor or electrician, that's one thing. But for me, not working in those professions, no thanks. I'll wear them in the woods or when working on something, but it's a practical thing not a fashion statement. Plus, since I don't need more than a folder in the city, I don't need to project how macho I am by wearing a sheathed knife. Again, if somebody has a practical use for a sheath, I'm not talking about YOU. So no offense intended.
 
Why would I need a fixed blade in an urban environment? I asked myself this and couldn't think of a good reason. I always carry a small folder because it's useful, but a fixed blade seems unnecessary to me.
 
Fanglekai said:
Why would I need a fixed blade in an urban environment? I asked myself this and couldn't think of a good reason. I always carry a small folder because it's useful, but a fixed blade seems unnecessary to me.
Click to expand...

Some folks might need one for work, I guess.
 
Most people who have replied here are against it. IMO the Izula is a great EDC option even in a big city. Sometimes I just don't want to clutter my pocket with a folder. Even if I use a small folder people seem to be on the verge of freaking out anyway. Luckily I don't have to use one in public very often.
 
Count me among those who wouldn't.

PayetteRucker said:
There's a difference between San Antonio and Chicago. You can wear a Devil's Toothpick downtown San An and not catch a second glance from liberals, law enforcement, business employees, you name it.
Click to expand...

Um, no you can't.
 
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