Do You Worry About "Legal" Blade Length??

[BlackNinja]

Where I am in Upstate NY I have no problem with blade length. However, NYC is a different story; and the laws are just getting worse here! NY is passing some of the dumbest knife-laws! Some stores won’t even ship (at least folders) to NY addresses anymore, regardless of the blade length (I’m not sure with regards to fixed blades though)!
I called the State & Town/village Police stations where I am in NY and they (they being the Chief of Police) and I was told that as long as it doesn’t have a spring attached to the blade (AO is on a fine line but as long as the spring is attached to the handle and not the blade {or vice-versa, I can’t remember} then it’s not a switchblade) it doesn’t matter what the length of the blade is. So I tend to stay away from AO’s, or I take out the spring (I have done this on a Ken Onion AO Leek & Chive) He said if I wanted, I could carry a 12” bowie knife on me; albeit people would probably look at me a bit funny.

[Sequimite]

Whenever I drive through the greater Seattle area, I always carry a 3" Spydie in order to comply with the strictest local law I might encounter.

[The Deacon]

Where I am in Upstate NY I have no problem with blade length. However, NYC is a different story; and the laws are just getting worse here! NY is passing some of the dumbest knife-laws! Some stores won’t even ship (at least folders) to NY addresses anymore, regardless of the blade length (I’m not sure with regards to fixed blades though)!
I called the State & Town/village Police stations where I am in NY and they (they being the Chief of Police) and I was told that as long as it doesn’t have a spring attached to the blade (AO is on a fine line but as long as the spring is attached to the handle and not the blade {or vice-versa, I can’t remember} then it’s not a switchblade) it doesn’t matter what the length of the blade is. So I tend to stay away from AO’s, or I take out the spring (I have done this on a Ken Onion AO Leek & Chive) He said if I wanted, I could carry a 12” bowie knife on me; albeit people would probably look at me a bit funny.

That's pretty much the way it is around here. No blade length limits, no problem with balis or AO's unless you've done something else to attract negative attention. While an Embassy or Citadel would be fairly certain to get you arrested, I doubt any of them would consider the Bi-Fold an auto if you showed one to them. An otherwise normal looking adult walking around town with a huge fixed blade would entail some risk of being reported as a "suspicious character", unless perhaps it was big game season, but the cops themselves could care less. Under 21 and dressed in whatever costume today's youth have chosen as their symbol of rebellion (in my day it was black denim and engineer boots) and the outcome might be less pleasant.

[Dr. Snubnose]

That's pretty much the way it is around here. No blade length limits, no problem with balis or AO's unless you've done something else to attract negative attention. While an Embassy or Citadel would be fairly certain to get you arrested, I doubt any of them would consider the Bi-Fold an auto if you showed one to them. An otherwise normal looking adult walking around town with a huge fixed blade would entail some risk of being reported as a "suspicious character", unless perhaps it was big game season, but the cops themselves could care less. Under 21 and dressed in whatever costume today's youth have chosen as their symbol of rebellion (in my day it was black denim and engineer boots) and the outcome might be less pleasant.

So the only difference in your dress code from years ago is....that you added Hawaiian shirts to your get-up? :p Doc :D

[The Deacon]

So the only difference in your dress code from years ago is....that you added Hawaiian shirts to your get-up? :p Doc :D

Nah, back then I wore chinos and Hush Puppies. Either I was one of the squares, or smart enough to maintain a low profile. :D Did go for the Native American beaded belts though for a touch of color. :)

[MountainManJim]

Here’s how quickly you can get in trouble and lose your knife. I was flying out of Denver one morning and, unfortunately, forgot I had dropped my Adventura into my computer bag; naturally TSA found it. The agent explained to me that if the blade was over the 3.5 in. permitted for concealed carry in CO, the Denver police would need to get involved. I assured him that the blade was under the limit; which it is. So, we went over to his ruler and the agent proceeds to measure blade from the hinge point to the tip. He exclaims that the blade is over the limit. I just shook my head and roll my eyes because I have never heard of such an idiotic way to measure a knife blade. Fortunately, at this point he asks me if I would like to mail the knife to myself. I enthusiastically say yes, definitely.

So, because the TSA agent was a little clueless, I almost had to have a discussion with the police about my knife carrying obsession. I’m sure they would have let me go, I’m over forty and dressed for a business trip. Had this happened in my younger days, you know there would be a pat down, seizure of the knife (it’s almost happened before), a long talking to and a missed flight.

I figure, why bother carrying a knife over the limit. You never know when a LEO might ask you to step out of the car. Heck, I’m even wary of carrying a larger knife out in the open even though law seems to imply that I could. It’s just not worth the trouble. The one exception is hiking in the woods. I now always carry a large blade to protect my wife and I from the big kitty cats. I think the police and rangers will understand that and the law appears to allow this.

The funny part of my airport story was when I got to the post office window. The clerk took my sealed package and felt the heft. She smiled and said, “So, trying to get on the plane with pocketknife?”. I said, “Yeah, I forgot it was in my bag”. She smiled again and said, “Yeah, all of the terrorists come to see me”. :p

Jim

[The General]

Course I am concerned about remaining within the Law.

Technically as I have only ever been stop and searched by the Police ONCE in my entire life, the odds are good I could carry what ever I wanted and not have any issues. Be it a Spyderfly or a Military.

As I was only stopped and searched while out with friends drinking, I could also argue that I could simply refrain from carrying anything "interesting" when out with friends drinking. Which is the case anyway, just my UKPK and a SAK on my keys as both I can legally justify without needing to give a reason.

Sub 3" blade, non locking.

However, to argue that one need not be concerned about the Law under the belief that one will be unlikely to fall foul of the Law is begging, nah, requiring a man called Sod to apply his Law to you personally.

Risk, not worth! :D

[JNewell]

I wasn't going to reply, but after looking at this for a few days now, I just gotta asK: if the answer is "no," WHY ON EARTH would you post that in a public place? :eek: :D This is the sort of question and answer discussion that really can only get people into trouble, like people posting pics of themselves doing inappropriate things at company-sponsored events on their Facebook pages. :rolleyes:

I'm from Michigan where blade length is not a problem.

I read posts and threads by members here and on BF about carrying a knife

with the "legal" blade length. If you look presentable and dont do anything

stupid(not smart) to draw attention to yourself does is really matter if you

carry a blade 1/4 to 1/2 longer than is "legal". I think its much more important

to be smart about the way you handle the knife once its out of your pocket

than worry about being "legal".

I usually carry a knife the size of a Millie,bigger sometimes, but I also carry an

se Dfly too.

Do you worry about being "legal" as long as you're smart about what you

do with your knife when its out of your pocket?

[Blerv]

There's also a slim chance of getting cancer or kidney failure from artificial sweeteners. I still won't drink 4 of them on a daily basis :) .

If 1/1000 houses were haunted by evil angry ghosts and they were all a great deal...would you buy one? That's your choice.

I'll personally try to pay a bit more for one with a "non-haunted" clause in the deed. :p

[schneider]

There's no blade length limit in my state. None of the towns/counties that I frequent have blade length laws, either. The only places where I have to be concerned are

1. My college, which has a limit of 5".
2. A couple of cities I go to infrequently which have length limits of 3" I believe.

I don't have any knives that have a blade of longer than 5" so the college limit isn't a problem. When I'm going to one of the cities which does have a length limit I'll usually take my waved Delica instead of the Military that I usually carry.

Although I'm sure I have accidentally gone through cities that have a length limit that I'm not aware of carrying my Military which probably breaks those limits.

[TrojanDonkey]

It's this kind of attitude that gives law abiding knife enthusiasts a bad name.

Lesser of two evils. I agree with him-he lives in New York.He needs to carry a knife that most states allow.It isn't a gravity knife.What if "they" outlawed all knives with a Spydie hole in America? How many would carry anyway because the law is silly? What if its a misdemeanor? A felony? EDC or just for emergencies? These are questions individuals have to decide for themselves.Knife enthusiasts aren't the problem.Ignorant politicians and sheeple are the problem.

[SolidState]

The first step to truly challenging any law's constitutionality is getting arrested for violating it. How you deal w/ that arrest is your choice.

I don't carry anything that is no longer in production. I can buy a new one when I get out of county on the <$500 bail and contest the charges in court... unless I end up in Gitmo.

[Handwrecker]

I spend my time in New Hampshire or southeast Ohio. The are no laws for blade length, or what I can EDC. I almost feel sorry for you folks who have big brother watching your pockets :)

[jeep45238]

Nope, don't worry about it - have never heard of an illegal blade length where I live anywho :)

[chuck_roxas45]

The only blade length I need to worry about here, so far, is the measurement that fits in my pocket and still be comfortable. :D

[white cloud]

:spyder: Here in Wisco there's no length statute, but we empower the LEO's to confiscate anything they want. Don't be a jerk and you won't get a knifectomy. :spyder:

That is about what its like here in S.C. The police here are reasonable if you are. Since it is summer I carry a spyderhawk or tasman salt but come October and the sweat/yard work factor goes away I will carry a Chinook. I don't look or act like a trouble maker and never have an issue.

[bh49]

I am not worry about legal blade length because I always take this in consideration. Fortunately for me, in my state legal limit is >4" and all my EDC in compliance. It is a little different, when I travel, so I am taking Caly3 or SAK.

[gr5]

and im sure all of those who are for the law have never gone above the speed limit either :D

[KBR]

I don't worry about blade length, however, I may be somewhat cautious to not attract too much attention if I were to be carrying say a Madd Maxx. The legal blade length of 5.5" here in Texas gives me a variety of options, however, I find that 3.5" to 4" is ideal for my needs.

[dj moonbat]

I live in CA -- no blade length limit. But I also live in Los Angeles -- blade length limit.

If you're EVER going to get pulled over by the LAPD, you'd really rather have no knife at all. But if you want an EDC in a place where the cops are that aggressive about making arrests, it should be legal.