Pocket Knife Restrictions

[GypsmJim]

Grandpa had a pocket knife. Dad had a pocket knife. I have carried one since I was old enough to have one.

A few years ago I worked with a middle aged muslum man. I often had to pull out my knife for one task or another. He often saw me using it. One day he commented how useful it was. Since I had another at home I offered to give it to him. He said Ohhh Nooo, "we" can't be seen with such things.

 

[Smoke]

Today, I picked up my renewed West Virginia concealed carry permit and while at the Sheriffs office, I asked about any pocket knife restrictions and was told that in West Virginia, there are no restrictions and you can carry any kind of knife that you can fit in your pocket.

Never ever ever just take the random word of some cop for what the law is. I highly recommend you look up the statute for yourself.

This is just my opinion but an auto opener is just one more moving part to break. Every knife I carry has a thumbstud on it so I can open it one handed But I don't have any auto openers.

 

[pawngal]

I would never consider carrying an Italian style switchblade due to the failure of the safety and the protruding deployment button as some of you have had the bad experience.
This is what I carry, not cheap, but in my opinion well worth it. It is a Benchmade Autocrat DA/OTF, spine fire, 3.71 in blade. I decided on this at the Shepard of the Hills knife store in Branson. I handled many other autos there and this was a natural for me.
I realize this is totally illegal in many places but it is legal for me to carry in Iowa.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I never understood the attraction to automatic knives aka switchblades.

For the OTF knives the attraction is quite simple. slide a switch and the blade shoots out the front of the knife. Slide the switch back and it shoots back into the knife. Endless entertainment and you look cool when you whip it out at a business lunch to cut your salsbury steak.
I know, I have one.

 

[Farmer17]

I think switchblades are cool and have several but I never paid a lot of money for them and most are used around the house as letter and box openers. I do have a Lightning Out The Front automatic in my truck and use it all the time on construction sites and I'm amazed it has held up so well and it was under 30 bucks. I use it to cut cardboard, plastic, wood, zip ties, straps, rope, whatever, and if it breaks I'll probably get another one because it's so handy and fast if you're holding something to deploy it then retract the blade and put it back in the pocket.

 

[MaricopaKid]

I'm not much for carrying a knife, but I admire your justification. The older I get, the more I find it an appropriate response to most questions that ask "Why?"

 

[grover99]

After checking to see if it is legal I sometimes use a sword cane. They tend to be a bit heavy and are slow to get into action but can do a lot of damage. Other than a need to cut brush they are not much use for anything else.

 

[steelslaver]

Here I can and do carry any knife or gun most anywhere. The exceptions are an actual court room or judges chambers, and inside actual school buildings. I can carry a knife in those as long as the blade is less than 4". I also suspect most of the district judges in Montana have their own guns handy. The local school superintendents can grant permission for individuals to carry inside the buildings

We used to have a law that only knife collectors with the permission of their sheriff could own automatics, but our legislators figured that and the need for concealed carry permits were stupid and did away with both at the same time.
Also any law abiding citizens legally allowed to posses firearms were given an exclusion from the federal gun fee zone laws.

45-8-360. Establishment of individual licensure. In consideration that the right to keep and bear arms is protected and reserved to the people in Article II, section 12, of the Montana constitution, a person who has not been convicted of a violent, felony crime and who is lawfully able to own or to possess a firearm under the Montana constitution is considered to be individually licensed and verified by the state of Montana within the meaning of the provisions regarding individual licensure and verification in the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act.

That law was tested and upheld in 2023 by a federal court in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. GABRIEL COWAN METCALF, because Metcalf, who lived directly across the street from a school sometimes "patrolled" the side walk in from of his house with a rifle.

 

[A10]

I think switchblades are cool and have several but I never paid a lot of money for them and most are used around the house as letter and box openers. I do have a Lightning Out The Front automatic in my truck and use it all the time on construction sites and I'm amazed it has held up so well and it was under 30 bucks. I use it to cut cardboard, plastic, wood, zip ties, straps, rope, whatever, and if it breaks I'll probably get another one because it's so handy and fast if you're holding something to deploy it then retract the blade and put it back in the pocket.

Lightnings are surprisingly reliable. I have one and have used it for pretty much every task around the house. Plus, as Caje said, they're fun to play with. Kind of a grown-ups fidget spinner.

 

[soFlaNative]

Is that an auto opener in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?
3.5 Lansky clipped on my right rear pocket every time I walk out my door. Freebie with a stick sharpener I've carried it ever since I worked the wastewater plant. Like sunglasses and lighters the cheap ones never get lost.

 

[Bald1]

For the OTF knives the attraction is quite simple. slide a switch and the blade shoots out the front of the knife. Slide the switch back and it shoots back into the knife. Endless entertainment and you look cool when you whip it out at a business lunch to cut your salsbury steak.
I know, I have one.

Salsbury steak? Damn you are living large down in the swamp. I had bologna and cheese for lunch. My wife lets me buy it about once a month.

 

[snubbyfan]

Sounds great.


Here is a good website that keeps up to date with that stuff if you ever need to check


State Knife Laws | American Knife and Tool Institute

Thanks, that confirms what the Sheriff told me.

 

[DWalt]

Are those Balisong knives still around? I haven’t seen one in a long time. I once had a friend who carried one and practiced whipping it out quickly. He was very fast.

 

[snubbyfan]

Are those Balisong knives still around? I haven’t seen one in a long time. I once had a friend who carried one and practiced whipping it out quickly. He was very fast.

I've still got a few.
I usta carry one when I ran the Toyota Parts warehouse.
The one on top is 15" open.

 

[snubbyfan]

My everyday carry S&W pocket knife. It has a pocket clip on the other side.

 

[wood714]

I think switchblades are cool and have several but I never paid a lot of money for them and most are used around the house as letter and box openers. I do have a Lightning Out The Front automatic in my truck and use it all the time on construction sites and I'm amazed it has held up so well and it was under 30 bucks. I use it to cut cardboard, plastic, wood, zip ties, straps, rope, whatever, and if it breaks I'll probably get another one because it's so handy and fast if you're holding something to deploy it then retract the blade and put it back in the pocket.

I've had a Lightning OTF for years. It's a great knife. I doubt you could buy a better knife for twice the price.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I always carry my three blade, "Trout" knife in my pocket, just in case
I might need it for some thing.

A larger 4" is always in my car, in case I need to cut my seat belt, if it ever fails to release.

A great little tool to have on hand, just in case you find a ripe apple, or
a dead fish.

 

[wood714]

Are those Balisong knives still around? I haven’t seen one in a long time. I once had a friend who carried one and practiced whipping it out quickly. He was very fast.

I got my first one back in the 80's. With practice they are most fast. I received many cuts getting good.

One on the bottom is a Benchmade.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The only knife I carry with any regularity is this auto given me over four years ago by Kevin.

A faithful companion.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Logan has a balisong given him by a forum member.

He also has 4 switchblades given him by forum members.