Spyderco Forums

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:58 am**

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am

The Deacon wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:29 am

The ones I carry in my back pocket get broken down into two sizes. The ones, like the Stretch, that I carry most days are "large". The ones, like the Chaparral, that I carry when going into Greenville with it's 3" blade limit are "medium".
OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!

Usually the biggest couple of cities in any given state have stricter laws than the rest of the state. A lot of major cities have 2.5" limits, while the rest of the state is 4" or no limit.

Either way, you'd have to try really hard to ever get a charge for carrying too big of a knife. Millions of folks do it daily in the USA. I basically ignore blade length laws because everyone else does, including cops.

In all my interactions with police, the issue has never come up. I have no idea what one would have to do to make them interested in measuring your blade and charging you. I've EDC'd my Police while working in a city with a 2.5" limit and no one batted an eye.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:59 am**

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 2:43 am
For me personally I can say:

- Regular: Stretch 1, PM 2, Shaman, (Endura 4): That size/ bladelength is what I want to have with me on a regular day and find most usefull for the tasks I encounter; Endura 4 maybe already a little too long in the pocket
- Large: Military. I like it, but almost never need a folder that big
- TOO large: Police probably; Tatanka for sure
- Small: Delica, Native 5: To little cutting edge for my needs usually, only carry those when I want explicetly something smaller and I know that just occasional cutting will occur on that day
- X-small: Chaparral: A size that is very usefull (to be honest MORE usefull than the "small"-categorie"), but just in certain situations: IWB, unclipped in pocket and so on
- TOO small: Dragonfly, Ladybug and so on. Carrying a knife as small as the Chap NEVER bothers me, so why go even smaller and loose cutting edge?

I could live with this breakdown, with the following modifications.

“TOO large”—just the Tatanka. What was I thinking!? Still, I possess one hunk of multifaceted VG10. My Police4 carries smaller than my Millies, so I see it as a large knife. My tolerance for large knive has grown over the years.

“TOO small—not a category I recognize. My super-small Ladybugs and Manbug are effectively made bigger with fobs.

My going-to-Boston carry (2.5 inch limit) is my Techno.

My going-to-Canada carry is my slip-it Urbans/UKPKs, or my production (therefore replaceable) S30V PM2. The latter might get confiscated at the border; the former won’t.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:09 am**

The pm2 is the smallest spydie I own, and I'll soon be swapping my pm2's for other models. So obviously I like larger blades, but what I consider large or XL isn't much different from the norm. The only real difference is where I draw the line of "too large".

While some may view the pm2 or a Shaman as "freaking yuge" (Shabazz, lol), I see them as relatively normal length. I'd say maybe a 3.5 to 4.0 inch blade is Large, 4.0-5.0 is XL, and above 5 is "freaking yuge". I could certainly carry a Tatanka with no issues, despite me viewing it as a very large knife.

I also like bigger, thicker handles. Not monstrously thick, but a happy medium between filling my grip comfortably (something a Shaman does 100x better than a pm2, without being really larger) and not being such a big lump in my pocket. I don't need a knife to disappear in the pocket. I just don't need it to be so thick that it's a nuisance. Thicker, smoother handles yield less hotspots and less strain on my wrist during heavier cuts.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:16 am**

TomAiello wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:49 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am
OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!
Yes. But that's also true in Europe. When you move from one EU state to another (Denmark to Italy, for example), the rules change dramatically. The same is also true within cities of a certain state (Paris to rural Normandy, as another example).

You are right, but technically/ politically crossing from one EU state to another is the same as going from the US to Canada or Mexico. The EU is really not (yet) like the US, the EU "president" for example has not the powers of the US one by any means. But you'll probably know that anyway.

The difference between for example Paris and the rural sorroundings is new to me, thanks for the insight!

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:21 am**

Vivi wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:58 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am

The Deacon wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:29 am

The ones I carry in my back pocket get broken down into two sizes. The ones, like the Stretch, that I carry most days are "large". The ones, like the Chaparral, that I carry when going into Greenville with it's 3" blade limit are "medium".
OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!
Usually the biggest couple of cities in any given state have stricter laws than the rest of the state. A lot of major cities have 2.5" limits, while the rest of the state is 4" or no limit.

Either way, you'd have to try really hard to ever get a charge for carrying too big of a knife. Millions of folks do it daily in the USA. I basically ignore blade length laws because everyone else does, including cops.

In all my interactions with police, the issue has never come up. I have no idea what one would have to do to make them interested in measuring your blade and charging you. I've EDC'd my Police while working in a city with a 2.5" limit and no one batted an eye.

Did you happen to read THIS? :
//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... =5&t=82636

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:53 am**

Vivi wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:58 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am

The Deacon wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:29 am

The ones I carry in my back pocket get broken down into two sizes. The ones, like the Stretch, that I carry most days are "large". The ones, like the Chaparral, that I carry when going into Greenville with it's 3" blade limit are "medium".
OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!
Usually the biggest couple of cities in any given state have stricter laws than the rest of the state. A lot of major cities have 2.5" limits, while the rest of the state is 4" or no limit.

Either way, you'd have to try really hard to ever get a charge for carrying too big of a knife. Millions of folks do it daily in the USA. I basically ignore blade length laws because everyone else does, including cops.

In all my interactions with police, the issue has never come up. I have no idea what one would have to do to make them interested in measuring your blade and charging you. I've EDC'd my Police while working in a city with a 2.5" limit and no one batted an eye.

I think any knife looks so small in your hand that the police get fooled, lol.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:02 am**

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:16 am
You are right, but technically/ politically crossing from one EU state to another is the same as going from the US to Canada or Mexico.

Yes, but practically it's not.

The issue is that a real "border crossing" puts the traveller on notice that they are in a new jurisdiction, with new rules. When you cross the state line from Indiana to Illinois, there is no such "notice". The same is true when you cross the New York city limit (for example). But that's equally true when you cross the border from Italy into France (for example). In that sense, the border between Italy and Switzerland feels "real" and gives you mental notice of a jurisdiction change, where the border between Italy and France does not.

In a practical sense, the problem is that a traveller carrying a knife into a restrictive jurisdiction is often not "put on notice" that they have entered a new jurisdiction, where new rules may apply (and where they may get into trouble with a blade that was legal in the last jurisdiction).

I was honestly shocked, for example, when I flew from Catania to Rome and discovered that flights within Italy allow pocket knives in the passenger cabin. They actually have a sign at the AlItalia counter with pictures and measurements of allowable knives (the Roadie is allowed, if anyone is wondering, and so is the Urban). It would be very easy for an American traveller to get into trouble by not realizing that the rules on a flight from Catania to Rome are different from the rules on a flight from Rome to Copenhagen.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:13 am**

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am

The Deacon wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:29 am

The ones I carry in my back pocket get broken down into two sizes. The ones, like the Stretch, that I carry most days are "large". The ones, like the Chaparral, that I carry when going into Greenville with it's 3" blade limit are "medium".
OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!

Absolutely. You have Federal law, which regulates automatics and balisongs ane what's legal to carry on Federal property. Then each state has the ability to have their own laws regulating what's legal to own and legal to carry. Then, unless the state has a "preemption" law saying counties and cities cannot have their own regulations, there can be county and city ordinances regulating knife carry. As a general rule, violations of county and city ordinances are just "offenses", kind of like a parking ticket, and not "crimes" that go on your record. However, there are exceptions to that, New York City's being the most egregious.

South Carolina knife doesn't have any state laws regulating carry, aside from one saying you can't carry a knife with a blade over 2" on school property. Greenville county does not regulate knives at all and neither do any other SC counties. However, the city of Greenville has a 3" blade limit on locking folders and several other SC cities have similar laws. Like most knife laws, they're generally used against folks who've been caught breaking one or more other, more serious, laws and folks who think it's their right to be rude to the traffic cop who pulled them over.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:26 am**

I have found that for me there is no normal folder that is too big( although some companies are pushing it way beyond sanity, you know who i'm reffering to :)). i have carried the military for a while now and it does'nt feel big to me.
So i guess for me, stretch, military is in my normal carry range.
The manbug and dogtag is minute, my vrango, dragonfly and rhino, small but very capable.
Delica, calypso jr., ukpk, chaparral and native,Small+.
Pm2, manix, tenacious, polestar, shaman,clipitool and domino, Medium.
Military, stretch, goddard, spyderhawk and pacific salt, big (by no means to big)..
I don't own a Police yet, but i think for me it would fall into the big but not to big category.
:)

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:28 am**

The Deacon wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:13 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am

The Deacon wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:29 am

The ones I carry in my back pocket get broken down into two sizes. The ones, like the Stretch, that I carry most days are "large". The ones, like the Chaparral, that I carry when going into Greenville with it's 3" blade limit are "medium".
OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!

Absolutely. You have Federal law, which regulates automatics and balisongs ane what's legal to carry on Federal property. Then each state has the ability to have their own laws regulating what's legal to own and legal to carry. Then, unless the state has a "preemption" law saying counties and cities cannot have their own regulations, there can be county and city ordinances regulating knife carry. As a general rule, violations of county and city ordinances are just "offenses", kind of like a parking ticket, and not "crimes" that go on your record. However, there are exceptions to that, New York City's being the most egregious.

South Carolina knife doesn't have any state laws regulating carry, aside from one saying you can't carry a knife with a blade over 2" on school property. Greenville county does not regulate knives at all and neither do any other SC counties. However, the city of Greenville has a 3" blade limit on locking folders and several other SC cities have similar laws. Like most knife laws, they're generally used against folks who've been caught breaking one or more other, more serious, laws and folks who think it's their right to be rude to the traffic cop who pulled them over.

Thanks for taking the time and the detailled reply! Very interesting, and sounds like there are areas in the US where you really have to be aware of if you are for example inside or outside certain city limits. I´ll stop it here, since it is very off topic, but maybe I´ll start a designated thread (or search for an existing one) since I think it is an interesting discussion.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:33 am**

TomAiello wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:02 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:16 am
You are right, but technically/ politically crossing from one EU state to another is the same as going from the US to Canada or Mexico.
Yes, but practically it's not.

The issue is that a real "border crossing" puts the traveller on notice that they are in a new jurisdiction, with new rules. When you cross the state line from Indiana to Illinois, there is no such "notice". The same is true when you cross the New York city limit (for example). But that's equally true when you cross the border from Italy into France (for example). In that sense, the border between Italy and Switzerland feels "real" and gives you mental notice of a jurisdiction change, where the border between Italy and France does not.

In a practical sense, the problem is that a traveller carrying a knife into a restrictive jurisdiction is often not "put on notice" that they have entered a new jurisdiction, where new rules may apply (and where they may get into trouble with a blade that was legal in the last jurisdiction).

I was honestly shocked, for example, when I flew from Catania to Rome and discovered that flights within Italy allow pocket knives in the passenger cabin. They actually have a sign at the AlItalia counter with pictures and measurements of allowable knives (the Roadie is allowed, if anyone is wondering, and so is the Urban). It would be very easy for an American traveller to get into trouble by not realizing that the rules on a flight from Catania to Rome are different from the rules on a flight from Rome to Copenhagen.

You are right again. Since the EU was established, most borders between states are not easy to be aware of anymore. So a foreign traveller could easily cross a border without noticing it. "Older" locals (like myself, I´ll turn 50 in October) not so much. We are very aware of the borders that existed for a long time, and still when I was an adult, also culture and even language can change abruptely when you cross a border.
I´ll leave it here, since it is not the topic of this thread. But thanks a lot for the interesting discussion and the insight!

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 11:39 am**

I use other brands that may better fit into some of these categories, but among Spyderco mine are:

Teeny-weenie: Dragonfly, Rookie (They sit at my office desk where they get used, but I don't carry much)
Small: Caly 3.0, Native (carried if have to abide by city restrictions)
Regular: PM2, Advocate,Caly 3.5 (my preferred size for EDC)
Medium-Large: GB2, Endura, Pacific Salt
Large: Military

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 11:41 am**

I do not think there is really a different law for Paris and rural area.

A friend had to leave behind his victorinox classic (4cm) on an airport (6cm leagally allowed). At the end its always up to the law enforcer.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 11:47 am**

Small: Chaparral, Lil’ Native, Rhino
Medium: Para Military 2, Para 3, Native
Large: Manix, Military.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 2:59 pm**

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:21 am

Vivi wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:58 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am

The Deacon wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:29 am

The ones I carry in my back pocket get broken down into two sizes. The ones, like the Stretch, that I carry most days are "large". The ones, like the Chaparral, that I carry when going into Greenville with it's 3" blade limit are "medium".
OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!
Usually the biggest couple of cities in any given state have stricter laws than the rest of the state. A lot of major cities have 2.5" limits, while the rest of the state is 4" or no limit.

Either way, you'd have to try really hard to ever get a charge for carrying too big of a knife. Millions of folks do it daily in the USA. I basically ignore blade length laws because everyone else does, including cops.

In all my interactions with police, the issue has never come up. I have no idea what one would have to do to make them interested in measuring your blade and charging you. I've EDC'd my Police while working in a city with a 2.5" limit and no one batted an eye.
Did you happen to read THIS? :
//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... =5&t=82636

I did. The issue wasn't blade length. The issue was carrying a knife clipped to the pocket visibly in an area where that is against the law.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:23 pm**

Vivi wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 2:59 pm

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:21 am

Vivi wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:58 am

Wartstein wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:35 am

OT, but being European and out of interest may I ask quickly: So in the US knife-laws are not consistent (if that´s the word?) over a certain state, but can change from city to city ?! Or from outside to inside the city limits?!
Usually the biggest couple of cities in any given state have stricter laws than the rest of the state. A lot of major cities have 2.5" limits, while the rest of the state is 4" or no limit.

Either way, you'd have to try really hard to ever get a charge for carrying too big of a knife. Millions of folks do it daily in the USA. I basically ignore blade length laws because everyone else does, including cops.

In all my interactions with police, the issue has never come up. I have no idea what one would have to do to make them interested in measuring your blade and charging you. I've EDC'd my Police while working in a city with a 2.5" limit and no one batted an eye.
Did you happen to read THIS? :
//forum.spyderco.com/viewto ... =5&t=82636
I did. The issue wasn't blade length. The issue was carrying a knife clipped to the pocket visibly in an area where that is against the law.

I see!! Thanks

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:50 pm**

For the knives I own...

Small - Chaparral LW
Medium - Delica, Para 3, Salt 2
Large - PM2, GB2, Manix 2, Endura

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:00 pm**

Of the knives I own:

Tiny = Manbug
Small to medium = Calypso Jr., Native 5, Pacific Salt
Large = Military, Police 4

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:14 pm**

I don't really have size categories, more of ergonomic categories.

Of those categories, there are two. Fits and doesn't fit.

There are tiny knives like the Baby Horn that fit like a glove and much larger knives that don't even come close to fitting, like the Slysz Bowie.

There are larger knives that feel tailor made to my hand, like the Caribbean and miniscule knives like the Rhino, that feel like they were made for a toddler's hand when I hold them.

Kiwi? Perfect!
Kopa? Not even close!

It's a puzzle really.

Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:15 pm**

For me, there are three categories - small, medium, and large. Although there is a lot of crossover, these are their general uses, and the models I am currently in possesion of in each category,

Small - office, social gatherings, travel
- UKPK
- Caly 3
- Chaparral
- Native 5
- Delica 4
- Para 3
- Mantra

Medium - all purpose, for any occasion
- PM2
- Manix 2

Large - outdoors
- Military
- Endura 4
- Police 4

Favorite in each,

Spyderco Forums

Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?

Re: Your personal size categories?