LEOS: Would You Arrest Someone With This Knife?

[flop-shank]

Problem with a knife like that is that you or somebody else is sooner or later going to cut the snot out of themselves with it. I think a double edged folder is one of the dumbest things I have seen in a while. If I were a cop and stopped somebody with a kinfe like that, I'd probably let them keep it as sooner or later they would hurt themselves with it.

Balisongs work great when double edged, as long as the user isn't a dub.

I use balisongs at work. They are, IMO, the best work knives. There are no springs to break, or locks to fail. They are completely one handed and ambidextrous. They can be opened in a forward, or icepick grip, with the cutting edge facing either way. I never sharpen the swedge on mine as they work great as a box opener blade or scraper.

 

[westkybanded]

I believe the length may make it illegal here in KY (I doubt you could pull it off as a "hunting" knife), but considering it's covered under our Concealed WEAPONS License, I kinda want one.

I think here in KY (aside from Northern Kentuckistan) you would be just fine. I gutted a deer with a much scarier looking knife just yesterday. Yes, the blade does go over the 4" limit, but I think the majority of officers here would look at it as a pocket knife. Nothing more.

 

[Lt JL]

I bring two or three guns, and reserve the knife for a move I learned in a wepons retention class. CAje is right: a double edged folder is really stupid. John

 

[Texas Star]

I bring two or three guns, and reserve the knife for a move I learned in a wepons retention class. CAje is right: a double edged folder is really stupid. John

Bear in nind that the original knife does NOT have the upper edge sharpened. The jerk in the video had that done on his own.

My question pertains only to the knife as delivered from Gerber. Honing the false edge makes it a dagger in many places.

T-Star

 

[flop-shank]

I bring two or three guns, and reserve the knife for a move I learned in a wepons retention class. CAje is right: a double edged folder is really stupid. John

No. Not necessarily.

 

[MrJT]

Pff.... that looks like a toy compared to my standard carry knives.

 

[LazarusLong]

I bring two or three guns, and reserve the knife for a move I learned in a wepons retention class. CAje is right: a double edged folder is really stupid. John

For someone who has neither the skill or inclination to use it, yes.

 

[Onomea]

I got around to watching the original video in T-Star's first post. The guy makes the point that when the knife is closed, the blade is completely concealed/buried in the handle, so you can't cut yourself on it when it's closed. While not a switchblade, the knife opens and locks into place via a small knob for the thumb. "Assisted opening," I assume.

The guy in the video also makes the point that the dagger design of the knife is for stabbing, and that it is not very good for anything other than self-defense, i.e., stabbing people.

So, if that is the knife's purpose, and given its design, why is it dumb to sharpen both sides of the blade of this particular knife?

Interestingly, the guy also says he has a company called Razor's Edge in Salt Lake City professionally give his knives a razor's edge. I believe he says he has them alter the bevel, although I guess that's easy enough for someone who knows what he's doing.

 

[RightWinger]

Here in TN, anything over 4 inches is considered illegal along with Switchblades unless you are active military, firefighter/paramedic, or LEO. I have never once arrested anyone soley for a knife not being in compliance with TN laws. I refuse to arrest someone for a law i disagree with, and as a LEO I do have that discretion.....Hence I have never written a speeding ticket in 5 years either!!! To me a switchblade is no more "evil" than a spring assisted knife, or an Emerson that has the hook that opens when you pull it from your pocket. Yes, a switchblade is illegal and when a person not authorized chooses to buy one, carry one or possess one he has to be ready to deal with the consequences because not all LEO's have the same views as me. Its interesting if one researches why "switchblades" are illegal, the original theory behind the laws banning switchblades were designed to curve gang members back in the 50's who use to have a fascination with automatic knives. This is not really the case anymore and obviously switchblades are something I rarely deal with in a negative situation. I own several Benchmade autos and they are great, and I bought them for their design more so than the fact they are an auto. I really don't see too many advantages to an auto being that most folders now can easily be opened with one had w/o any effort.

 

[MKT]

The knife in the original form should be no problem in CA, but in the modified form of being double edged it becomes illegal. IIRC, you'll find reference under PC12020, or is it 12025 (?? I should double check the book) to dirks, daggers and snees as well as double edged weapons. I would probably only make an issue of it if the holder was a dirtball.

 

[Texas Star]

The knife in the original form should be no problem in CA, but in the modified form of being double edged it becomes illegal. IIRC, you'll find reference under PC12020, or is it 12025 (?? I should double check the book) to dirks, daggers and snees as well as double edged weapons. I would probably only make an issue of it if the holder was a dirtball.

Thanks. But what is a "snee"? We have a radio hostess here named Victoria Snee, but that's the only place that I've seen the word. (Really.)

Just curious...

T-Star

 

[Texas Star]

I got around to watching the original video in T-Star's first post. The guy makes the point that when the knife is closed, the blade is completely concealed/buried in the handle, so you can't cut yourself on it when it's closed. While not a switchblade, the knife opens and locks into place via a small knob for the thumb. "Assisted opening," I assume.

The guy in the video also makes the point that the dagger design of the knife is for stabbing, and that it is not very good for anything other than self-defense, i.e., stabbing people.

So, if that is the knife's purpose, and given its design, why is it dumb to sharpen both sides of the blade of this particular knife?

Interestingly, the guy also says he has a company called Razor's Edge in Salt Lake City professionally give his knives a razor's edge. I believe he says he has them alter the bevel, although I guess that's easy enough for someone who knows what he's doing.

Onomea-

No, it isn't "assisted opening." I do have a Kershaw that is, though, and am even more reluctant to carry it on the street. The Gerber just pivots open, like most similar thumb stud knives. I won't carry the Kershaw in a pocket, for safety reasons. In a strong belt pouch, I guess it couldn't open accidentally.


I know of a mall knife shop in a Dallas suburb that can sharpen false edges on knives, but don't know if they will, as it might involve liability.

I disagree with the narrator in the video that the A-F folder has no utility value. I open mail and packages and other utility needs with mine. The saw teeth at the base of the blade would be a real boon if you had to cut rope. It is also very effective on package strapping.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, T-Star. Makes sense.

Could someone explain to me the difference, then, between "assisted opening" and a switchblade (AKA auto knife or automatic knife)?

I am most familar with a pocket knife that has a slot in the blade for a thumbnail. Next, I am familar with an auto knife, out-the-front and the more conventional side opening, i.e., switchblade But I am not really familiar with what is between those two. I think some knives only open partially when a button is pushed...? Maybe that is "assisted?"

 

[BarbC]

A spring-assisted opens like a folder, and you can either open it manually or by pressing on the lever.

The Kershaw Leek is an assisted opening knife.

YouTube - Kershaw Leek knife review

 

[2Loud4You]

Automatic means you push a button to open the knife where assisted opening means you open the blade beyond a specific point and a spring will open it to the locked position. I own dozens of pocket knives and assisted opening knives are my favorite. My current carry is a Benchmade 580 Barrage and it has the quickest assisted opening I've come across.

 

[bk43]

Could someone explain to me the difference, then, between "assisted opening" and a switchblade (AKA auto knife or automatic knife)?

A switchblade has a trigger on the handle that opens the knife automatically. The trigger is on the handle and not the blade. An assisted opening knife has something, usually a knob, on the blade. You use that to start opening the knife and then at some point(usually about 45 degrees open) the blade opens on it's own the rest of the way. In passing, the other type of tacticool knife today is the balisong which opens with a couple flips of the wrist that would make any mall ninja feel all warm and fuzzy. It is not tacticool to carry a standard pocket knife with a nail nick or a fixed blade knife these days. Reality is, however, a person good with knives can deploy any of the above with essentially the same speed.

The PC crowd is going after assisted opening knives with about the same zeal as the Brady crowd after assault weapons.

Bob

 

[flop-shank]

In passing, the other type of tacticool knife today is the balisong which opens with a couple flips of the wrist that would make any mall ninja feel all warm and fuzzy.

Or someone like myself that realizes that they make the best work/utility knives on the planet. It is believed that balisongs were originally sailor's knives centuries ago, long before their association with martial arms. They can be produced under crude conditions and the only decent piece of streel needed is for the blade. There is no lock to fail and there are no springs to break, make, or fit.

Balisong = fixed blade dynamics in a folding knife.

 

[MKT]

Thanks. But what is a "snee"? We have a radio hostess here named Victoria Snee, but that's the only place that I've seen the word. (Really.)

Just curious...

T-Star

T-Star,

I believe it is a sword-like blade but smaller than a cutlass. A rather obsolete term, but that is how it is written in the law.

 

[Rule 303]

In Texas double edged knifes (Daggers) are illegal. In my 34 years of LE I stopped lots of good folks who were carring illegal knives or pistols (before CHLs) and I never arrested one. I'd explain the law to them and ask them to leave it at home.

I arrested lots of crooks for carrying pistols and illegal knives in my time, but I usually let the good folks go. Some may not like it, but it was refered to as Officer Discretion.

Rule 303

 

[BigRich315]

I think here in KY (aside from Northern Kentuckistan) you would be just fine. I gutted a deer with a much scarier looking knife just yesterday. Yes, the blade does go over the 4" limit, but I think the majority of officers here would look at it as a pocket knife. Nothing more.

Fair point, there's too much Yankee influence in these parts.

 

[The Highlander]

I have the smaller of these two knives. Someone early in the thread posted a photo. The locking mechanism is great, I have plenty of faith in it.

I'll also agree that the clip and its screws are utterly useless without locktight, even then, it is the sorriest clip on any folder I own, even a cheap S&W knife has a much stouter clip.

As for the edge, I royally screwed up a few years ago, and mine is now basically ruined. I was at a well-known knife shop, that will sharpen customers knives. The guy that always did this was really good. Well, long story short, he wasn't there that day. When I handed my knife to the "other" guy, a friend walked in at that exact moment and spoke to me. While my head was turned, the moron laid my A-F on a polishing wheel! He not only ruined the really good serrated section (that I normally detest), he rolled the bevel so badly that it will be hours of work to get it back in shape. Made me sick to my stomach. I don't even get the knife out of the safe now. Oh well.

As for legality, here in TN the smaller of the two versions is legal to carry, the original isn't. But the original also lacks the locking mechanism that makes the smaller version so safe.

The Highlander

 

[enidpd804]

1. No, I don't arrest average joes for carrying illegal knives.
2. Yes, it's illegal to carry in OK.

An exerpt from state law: "It shall be unlawful for any person to carry upon or about his or her person, or in a purse or other container belonging to the person, any pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle whether loaded or unloaded or any DAGGER, bowie knife, dirk knife, switchblade knife, spring-type knife, sword cane, knife having a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle of the knife, blackjack, loaded cane, billy, hand chain, metal knuckles, or any other offensive weapon, whether such weapon be concealed or unconcealed..."

Most municipalities in OK also prohibit the carrying of knives with a blade greater than 4" and/or an overall length greater than 6".