Can I take a Spyder to NY?

casey1 · #1

I need to know if i can take my delica to ny for a missions trip. Do I need to tighten the pivot to where it can't be flicked open? do i need to take off the clip? I'm also wondering if i could take a benchmade 525. if i could take my presidio i can let my friend try out my spydie while i'm gone. If not i'll lend him my BM. thanks! I just don't know since i've read multiple things about knife laws and i'm confused.

Dr. Snubnose · #2

You can take your Spyderco to NY State, but if it's New York City that your talking about I would not clip it to your pants pocket, but only deep pocket carry concealment and stay out of trouble you should be fine. Personally if I was going to NYC I would not take a folder at all...It is legal to carry a fixed blade knife there with up to a 4" blade...as long as it's concealed.....No need for a pocket knife when you can have a fixed blade....Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties) have no blade length restrictions and you can clip a Spyderco to the pocket and no one will bother you including the Police.....For upstate maybe "The Deacon" can fill you in on what to do in the Northern Counties....Doc :D

bh49 · #3

Doc correct me if I am wrong. I read here and on BF in several threads that in NYC any locking knife=switchblade, so illegal. Is this changed already. On my last few trips to NYC, just to be safe I had SAK. :o

The Deacon · #4

Dr. Snubnose wrote:For upstate maybe "The Deacon" can fill you in on what to do in the Northern Counties....Doc :D

With the possible exception of Westchester County, unless you're caught doing something naughty or stupid you won't have any problems carrying a Spyderco folder north of NYC. As for NYC, it's not just Spydercos, any locking folder that can be "flicked" opened, even if that "flick" consists of grasping the blade and snapping your arm as hard as you can, will get you arrested.

gb12549 · #5

I live in NY and worked in NYC. I carry a 4.5" blade upstate and a fully concealed sub 4" fold into NYC, usually a Cara Cara 2. My whole load out for my NYC commute was that blade on me, another in my laptop bag along with a "Baton umbrella" and a "fighting belt". The belt as a weapon is one you can take anywhere, devastates, and will equalize uneven numbers pretty quick.
It's true in NYC like it is everywhere: dress like an adult and don't act the fool.....you'll be ok ! :D

casey1 · #6

wait so i can't bring a folder i can flick open to nyc? that's the only place i'll be... should i skip the folder and just bring my cold steel superedge to be safe?

pmbspyder · #7

Here's the deal - from a legal standpoint, the only thing you can be seen with and NOT be arrested for is maybe a SAK. The ambiguous knife laws in NYC state any locking folder, any flickable gravity folder, and any one hand opening folder are illegal. Adding to the issue is that 99% of the police in NYC don't really know what the knife laws are, because they don't need to. They can arrest you and let the courts figure it out.

All that being said, if you want to abide by the "law" in NYC, I would stick to a SAK; even a UKPK is open to interpretation by police. If you just don't want to get arrested, you can bring whatever you want as long as you keep it completely concealed and don't get caught. My warning with that is that if you enter any buildings with metal detectors etc, you run a fairly high risk. And despite what the "law" says, I would NEVER want to get caught carrying a concealed fb. That would equal automatic arrest to our boys in blue.

eloreno · #8

^^
This is all correct.
If you're going upstate however I wouldn't worry about what you carry at all.
I live in the Adirondack park and carry large folders daily.
When I go camping I carry a bush sword.
It all depends on where in NY you are going.
I go to the city for work fairly often. I don't carry a knife at all when I'm there.
And I ALWAYS carry a knife.

Dr. Snubnose · #9

pmbspyder wrote:Here's the deal - from a legal standpoint, the only thing you can be seen with and NOT be arrested for is maybe a SAK. The ambiguous knife laws in NYC state any locking folder, any flickable gravity folder, and any one hand opening folder are illegal. Adding to the issue is that 99% of the police in NYC don't really know what the knife laws are, because they don't need to. They can arrest you and let the courts figure it out.

All that being said, if you want to abide by the "law" in NYC, I would stick to a SAK; even a UKPK is open to interpretation by police. If you just don't want to get arrested, you can bring whatever you want as long as you keep it completely concealed and don't get caught. My warning with that is that if you enter any buildings with metal detectors etc, you run a fairly high risk. And despite what the "law" says, I would NEVER want to get caught carrying a concealed fb. That would equal automatic arrest to our boys in blue.

I'll have to disagree with that statement, I have seen (with my own eyes) on several occasions, NYPD hand back fixed Blades to indivduals, after a search, inspection or street stop....I'd sooner have the FB 4" or under than any folder in NYC....Seems like all folders are considerd Switchblades....Doc :D

casey1 · #10

the superedge is 2 inches long. i can't see myself getting arrested for it. is it against nyc law?

The Deacon · #11

casey1 wrote:the superedge is 2 inches long. i can't see myself getting arrested for it. is it against nyc law?

Depends. If a cop decides it's a double edge blade, or a push dagger, you're screwed.

pmbspyder · #12

Doc Snub - while I agree with you regarding the law itself, I have had different experiences. The lousy thing is, it's almost always up to the discretion of the officer. It's been my experience that they will always err on the side of "fb knife=illegal," than actually understanding the actual law. Point being, in NYC it doesn't matter whether or not you abide by the knife laws, it matters whether or not the cop grilling you is well versed in the law/ a decent fellow. I wish I would run in to cops more often who would return a fb after a search...

Casey1 - whatever you bring, just conceal it and avoid potential situations where you could be searched and you should be fine

Just saw Deacon's post as I was writing this - totally agree

Dr. Snubnose · #13

Pmb, I totally agree with you...the point being the end results will be different. If a folder clipped to the pants pocket(not considered concealed in NYC) or is in the pocket concealed, if found you will receive a summons to appear in court and then be charged and convicted of breaking NYC's interpretation of the law according to the DA Vance, that folders are dangerous switchblades. So you get a LEO who is not so familiar with the law and you get a summons to appear for a FB under 4"...unless you were brandishing, or menacing another with it, or up to no good, the judge who knows the law will through it out of court returning your knife....That's all I'm saying...Doc :D

razorsharp · #14

What's this dirtball coming to, as the years progress, our freedom is slowly getting sucked away from the laws made by those men in suits, seeking votes. There will come a day where a disaster happens and people, the ones with a survival instinct, will be left cutting through obstacles with a broken plastic ruler and a pair of dull scissors

pmbspyder · #15

Doc - good point, and I agree! Would just rather avoid the whole court thing though! :D

Dr. Snubnose · #16

pmbspyder wrote:Doc - good point, and I agree! Would just rather avoid the whole court thing though! :D

That's for sure...A lot of my students opt to carry a "Nok" into NYC.....no laws against pointy stick...well not as of yet...LOL....Doc :D

casey1 · #17

this is so upsetting. i use my knife to make life easier for people and myself. I don't stab people and if i did i'd be breaking the law anyways and not care so i'd carry whatever knife i wanted

they only take away knives from those nice people who use them as tools! not from criminals! so so stupid! they're supposed to be smart people but they're just not

JacksonKnives · #18

casey1 wrote: they're supposed to be smart people but they're just not

This sums up my feelings on most knife legislation.

gb12549 · #19

" Dress like an adult and don't act the fool "
- I think folks are too hyper over the NYC thing. I've been carrying into buildings around the city before and after 9/11. If I am unfortunately confronted with a self defense scenario which escalates to a lethality level, my least concern is legal......it's protecting me and mine that is the sole concern.
Really, just keep it in your pocket, non-visible, and do what you do every day of your life where ever you are from, which is to avoid confrontation. I'd even recommend to get something with a yellow, pink or blue handle ......Easter egg colored knives are tough to be scared of or menacing with! :p

Dr. Snubnose · #20

gb12549 wrote:" Dress like an adult and don't act the fool "
- I think folks are too hyper over the NYC thing. I've been carrying into buildings around the city before and after 9/11. If I am unfortunately confronted with a self defense scenario which escalates to a lethality level, my least concern is legal......it's protecting me and mine that is the sole concern.
Really, just keep it in your pocket, non-visible, and do what you do every day of your life where ever you are from, which is to avoid confrontation. I'd even recommend to get something with a yellow, pink or blue handle ......Easter egg colored knives are tough to be scared of or menacing with! :p

Good Advise gb.....Doc