pocket knife size; is there a legal size? california of course.

[vash]

i searched the penal codes briefly, and got a headache. i carry a knife at work full time. it is a tool for me. i do tunnel work, and if i need to get out ASAP, i am cutting thru some tarp bulkheads.

i had a tiny blade, and opted for a larger one that i had stashed for years. benchmade 3.5" blade. can i get in trouble for this? i have never been perfectly clear on the issue.

[emcon5]

For what it's worth:
What are the laws about knives in California? | Law Office of Joe Dane - Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Orange County

[ossiblue]

I carry a knife, albiet very small blade, and never considered it a problem. In Cali, the only restriction on pocket knives of which I'm aware is that of a switch blade or knife. I see many construction/utility workers with knives in a sheath on their belts and never thought about it. I doubt you will ever be harassed by a folding knife kept in your pocket (unless the bulge attracts some female interest)

[Targa Me]

As far as I know you can carry a pocket knife as long as the blade is under 4 inches in length.

[vash]

here is mine. (sorry about the nasty desktop)

i had a smaller benchmade with me. i had to cut a harness, and it would have been better with a stouter blade. so i dug through my "junk" drawer and found my long lost friend.

i seriously doubt i would ever get in trouble with the law. i was just curious.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

carry a chainsaw, they're legal!!

[masraum]

Really nice. I've got a slew of Benchmades. I love them. I used to prefer the liner-locks, but since the advent of the axis lock, that's the one for me.

[porsche4life]

Nice knife...


I love my leatherman though... Way nice to have tools available too.....

[daepp]

It really gets confusing when you talk about assisted opening knives. For anyone who works with there hands, the ability open a knife with one hand is invaluable. We checked the laws as best we could and my son and I purchased assisted opening pocket knives. I am just waiting to hear that they're illegal too!

[Pazuzu]

Cali has been trying to ban assisted openers since they appeared on the market.

Roughly, the law is:
4 inches or smaller
folders only
No doubled edged blades, or "false edged" blades
No "dirks or daggers", which are undefined stabbing weapons specifically mentioned in the state statutes. A ballpoint pen qualifies...
Automatic knives under 2 inches are legal if made in the state

And the most important Cali knife law:
Anything that the cop doesn't like is illegal and will get you in trouble

[juanbenae]

don't ask how to sharpen it it will fall to page 2 in a hurry.....

[Superman]

I carry a Kershaw assisted-opening knife. Love it. One-hand opening.

[924slover]

I have many knives and usually cary one at all times. my favorite is my fixed blade it may not be fully legal but it's not like im waving it around showing it off.

[scottmandue]

I believe the law has been changed from 4" to 2"

However I never see it being enforced, I work around state police and they never blink when they see one of us with a 4" knife on our hip.

Kind of like it is illegal to run anything other than stock wheels or exhaust on your car or motorcycle.

[Steve F]

Originally Posted by Superman

I carry a Kershaw assisted-opening knife. Love it. One-hand opening.

Ditto! Superb Knife

[Pazuzu]

http://knife-expert.com/ca.txt

KNIFE LAWS of the 50 STATES - Introduction and LINKS

The knife knuts tend to keep up to date on these things as much as the gun nuts do.

The "dirk or dagger" part is interesting:
--------------------------------------------------
12020. (a) Any person in this state who does any of the following
is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year
or in the state prison:
.
.
.
(4) Carries concealed upon his or her person any dirk or dagger.
see (32)(e)(24) below, for definitions.
.
.
.
(32)(e)(24) As used in this section, a "dirk" or "dagger" means a knife
or other instrument with or without a handguard that is capable of
ready use as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury
or death. A nonlocking folding knife, a folding knife that is not
prohibited by Section 653k, or a pocketknife is capable of ready use
as a stabbing weapon that may inflict great bodily injury or death
only if the blade of the knife is exposed and locked into position.
(32)e)(24)(d) Knives carried in sheaths which are worn openly suspended from
the waist of the wearer are not concealed within the meaning of this
section.

So, fixed blades under 4 inches, if EXPOSED are legal. If you carry something capable of stabbing someone concealed, you can be arrested (pen, screwdriver, open folder knife, fixed blade, whatever).