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Post by Aaron W on Mar 23, 2011 17:04:43 GMT
Morning ladies & gents, I'm new to this whole knife forum, so take it easy on me . That being said I have a question. For a few months now, I've been running around with a Cold Steel African Walking Stick ( www.coldsteel.com/africanwalking.html) at night for self-defense. The problem with this is, I'm a younger guy who's athletic, so everyone is always asking why I need a walking stick. Recently though, I've been exposed to the advent of the tactical flashlight. My goal is to carry this flashlight to deter attackers, but if that doesn't work, I now need a lethal device at my disposal because this guy is probably pretty pissed. Now the whole "a knife isn't really a great self-defense tool" trend isn't what I'm going for here. I'm giving this above info to show people a background for the following question: where do you usually wear your folders for everyday carry? The laws in Oregon state that as long as the folder isn't concealed, it's legal carry (they don't even recommend blade length, but I'll mention that later). I already have a folder in mind, so not looking for a recommendation either. The problem that I have is that in my line of work I usually end up having to wear scrubs. Yes, the hospital type ones, but I don't work in a hospital, pharmacy actually. The only real option here in other words is a folder. I can't clip a fix blade holster onto my scrub pants, there's no belt or even belt loops. The only location I can see from a non-concealed standpoint is going to be where the scrubs form a V at my neck. Usually one of the sides folds over the other, so IMO this is the perfect spot for non-concealed carry. Other than that, when wearing jeans, clipped to the pocket with the clip clearly showing is the best option I can see. But of course this isn't just about me, as I've asked above, where do you guys usually carry your everyday folders (assuming you don't have a concealed weapons license)?
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SanMarc
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Post by SanMarc on Mar 23, 2011 17:13:06 GMT
Well man, up here in WA state, I have a work knife, clipped to my pocket, clip out side, knife inside so it doesn't hit things I am working on, for me it is a tool, and that's what I tell the cops any time I have to talk to them.
....SanMarc.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Mar 23, 2011 17:19:19 GMT
I know very little about knife-carrying laws and I tend to use mostly common sense when EDCing a folder, so take what I'll type with a fair amount of salt. I usually carry my folder in the right-hand side pocket of my pants (jeans, 90 % of the time), with the pocket clip visible, to those who bother to look there (not many do, since I'm a 6'4'' good-looking guy ). I believe this is the best place to carry my folder, to have easy access to it and yet not have it fully concealed. I also tend to wear folders with a 3 1/8'' or less blade, mostly to avoid having a dangerous-looking knife.
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ghost
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Post by ghost on Mar 23, 2011 17:27:25 GMT
Clipped as well usually in my short pockets. I've walked w/ it onto campus a few times by accident, but no one seemed to notice.
I don't carry a knife at all for self defense, it's there for practical uses. S&W extreme ops folder and now changed to a seber construction/survival folder.
The laws in CA may have change, but I believe an unassisted folder below 6" or was it 5" in blade length was okay to carry concealed. Why not drop by the local police station, or give em a call to clarify what is legal.
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Post by templar on Mar 23, 2011 18:01:59 GMT
When not carrying a handgun (very rare), I carry clip outside, in my right pocket. When carrying a handgun, (on my strong or right side) I carry in my left. The police are fine with that mode of carry in these parts. It is advisable to NOT carry both weapons on the same side for a number of tactical reasons. When wearing scrubs (which I am familiar with), the only good option I can think of is a neck knife on a chain, like the Cold Steel line. Very handy and the CS line of spike knives are well suited and quite effective. Carrying anything of decent length and/or weight in the neck would be a pain in the... well , anyway My.02 Oh, and by the way, I agree that if you are going to aggravate with a tac-light or pepper spray or ? it is a good idea to have something more lethal available. The assailant is going to be quite POd and, if a banger, will be honor bound (their version of honor) to attack.
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Post by Aaron W on Mar 23, 2011 18:08:27 GMT
Well the idea is that if we were to square off, the tac light goes off in the eyes, followed by a well placed punch/kick to a sensative area. Hopefully, that will be enough to cause him to back off or allow me to get away. But the lethal weapon comes into play if he either gives chase as I'm escaping, or the tac light causes a lethal responce in the assaliant.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2011 18:26:50 GMT
I always have a clip on folder in my pocket, but it sits to the outside so it can be seen.
My grandfather always has a boot knife, and a folder in both pockets.
Luckily, unlike him, I've never actually had to pull one. I still like to have it in case. People are cruel these days, and there are a lot more crumbs than there are honest, good people.
Anyway, it's pretty self explanatory. If it cannot be seen, it is concealed.
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 24, 2011 14:03:31 GMT
I keep a small fixed blade (kabar 1232, usually) on my belt at the right hip as my first-use knife. I have used it to cut my streak or whatever food in a restaurant more than anything else, and nobody has ever said a word except my mother. I also keep one of three locking, thumb-stud assisted folders, from 2.5-3.5 inches clipped inside my right pocket, and a slightly narrower model without clip inside the pocket. Now and then I'll keep a simple Vixtorinox, the Cadet, I think, inside my left pocket, with my cell phone. On my left hip rides a multitool and I keep various tooly things, some with cutting edges, on my keyring.
My stance on concealing a knife: officer, it's CALLED a "pocket knife" for a very good reason.
Or: if somebody discovers your concealed knife...well, it want really concealed, was it?
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Post by S. Thomas on Mar 24, 2011 14:34:43 GMT
On a daily basis I wear two folders with clip attachments clipped to my right hip pocket with the actual knife part inside the pocket. You don`t notice them unless you`re looking for them.I can also wear one clipped to the cuff of my sleeve next to my wrist. On workdays I wear a Leatherman Multi-Tool and a Mora sheath knife on my belt on either side of the hip belt loop on my right. They are both visible; sometimes I do at least remove the Mora if I`m stopping in at the mall at lunch or the grocery store after work on the way home. Have been hassled once by police for wearing a belt knife. "It has to be in PLAIN VIEW"! I carry knives because I use them at work for a wide variety of cutting tasks. And I really DO need to carry so many; different applications. Outside of work I usually carry a knife very similar to this www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3102 only mine has a black titanium coated, non-reflective blade and a "non-skeleton" frame.
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Post by Larry Jordan on Mar 24, 2011 14:36:59 GMT
You state: David Wong's "Knife Laws of the Fifty States" (2006) says that concealed carry of a folding knife is NOT against the law in Oregon. ORS 166.240 Carrying of Concealed Weapons. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person who carries concealed upon the person any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any dirk, dagger, ice pick, slungshot, metal knuckles, or any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person, commits a Class B misdemeanor. Your folder is not a "similar instrument." Can you provide the Oregon statute which you think criminalizes concealed carry of a folder? The laws could have changed.
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Post by chuckinohio on Mar 24, 2011 15:07:54 GMT
99% of the time, how you are acting, and your attitude, will determine if the police will hassle you.
If you are acting a fool, you will get jammed up. If you are minding your own business and are not in a restricted area or building, the police could care less about your pocket knife.
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Mar 24, 2011 15:45:16 GMT
If you really feel it that important to carry a knife, get a neck knife: As long as you don't need to wear it while doing your job, you could just put it someplace out of the way and then when you leave the building, just throw it over your head. Handy dandy knife at the ready, and it's in plain view. However, I would advise you to seek some sort of instruction on self defense with a knife. Remember, if the victim pulls a knife, it can be used against them in the crime.
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Post by frankthebunny on Mar 24, 2011 16:06:45 GMT
with the security on our NYC subways since 911 being a bit on edge I have stopped carrying a knife altogether. there are consistent random searches being preformed right before going through the turnstiles and while I've seen some sheathed pocket knives getting through without issue they are usually being carried by folks who look like they use them for work. carpenter/construction types mostly. they are worn in a big leather sheath right in the open attached to a belt and nobody seems to look twice.
I don't sport the duds to pull off the look of needing to carry a knife and to be honest, whether the law allows it or not, it depends mostly on the judgment of the individual officers doing the checks. sure I could protest that it is in fact legal to carry one but it would almost assuredly be a hassle and this is not what I feel like going through first thing in the morning or on my way back from a long day at work. we here in NY are on high alert all the time and I can see everyone visually inspecting everyone else on the trains trying to determine if the packages they are carrying could be a b*mb or if they might be up to no good in general. reading the horror stories in the paper daily (especially when reading it on the train) sure doesn't help the paranoia. I think that unless I started wearing a hard hat to work the exposed knife thing would just be way more trouble than it's worth.
when I walk the dog in the evening I carry my trusty 4" folder reverse clipped in the back of my belt/waist. it's short enough so it doesn't scrape me or poke me and I actually forget it's there after I come back in. I have practiced drawing it quickly many many times and at this point it feels more comfortable drawing from behind me than it does from my front pocket.
I used to be nervous about carrying sword boxes on the trains but now I just figure if anyone asks about the box I'll just say it's a lamp or curtain rods. if the police ever ask I would be up front and tell them I collect them and work on them. besides, it's not like I could remove it from the box quickly with all the tape, packing materials, sword bags and such. if I were being mugged while holding a sword in a box I would have a better chance of getting away by smashing the whole thing over the head of my attacker than trying to get it unpacked, lol
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2011 17:22:28 GMT
that's why I would hate living in such a large city. I have been to Washington D.C., and while it is a nice change if pace for a few hours, I could never comfortably live there. I know what you're saying about the people checking each other over. I had a knife on me the whole time I was there, but it didn't get noticed apparently. The only thing I got told by an officer was "DO NOT SIT ON THE ESCALATOR!" when I...well, sat on an escalator, haha.
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Post by Aaron W on Mar 25, 2011 1:18:44 GMT
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Greg
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Post by Greg on Mar 25, 2011 6:34:15 GMT
Aaron, in reading the description, it says that you can disable the outburst functionality of your blade by removing a single screw. If that's the case, I'd go ahead and find that screw and remove it. If you leave it in, it MIGHT classify as a spring assisted knife. But only if the officer really hated you.
But removing that screw should put you 100% in the legal.
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 25, 2011 15:32:19 GMT
I'm questioning their definition of "centrifugal force," myself. Does this imply a rotating motion as in a balisong, or perhaps a blade that can be deployed by "a flick of the wrist" or perhaps this rules out any level of thumbstud-type interface, including that disc atop the spine, or even Spyderco's void, and similar holes as seen on other knives...
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Mar 25, 2011 15:42:51 GMT
I have a few knives with a loose linerlock that can be opened just by being swung hard, without having to use their thumbstuds. They aren't assisted-opening knives, technically, but I am certain that they wouldn't be looked at favorably by a police officer, even if they are ''legal'' in my country.
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 25, 2011 15:48:04 GMT
The only knives I keep are with thumbstud or other, similar features. A few can be "flicked" open, but I try to keep them a bit more snug than that.
Either way, it seems the safest bet is a non-locking, single-blade, classical pocket knife, something that grandpa would have used to whittle or what have you. Folks are bound to be terrified of anything sharp, but at least that's the least intimidating.
...I wonder where the knives I'm trying (and seemingly failing) to buy would fall in any of this...probably pretty safe, legally, but god forbid anybody see them...
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 25, 2011 15:51:47 GMT
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