I wouldn't carry a Ka-Bar, as it surely fits the definition of a Bowie, at least as knife scholars know it. The sharpened clip or false edge makes it so.
But I hesitate to carry even the Fallkniven S-1, on whch the "false edge" is NOT sharp. I'd take mine hunting, but not wear it in town.
I've actually given some thought to what is least likely to upset a cop and still be a useful defense knife. I decided on a Buck Model 105 Pathfnder. A Puma Outdoor model and their smaller Hunter's Pal should also work. The blade shapes, esp. of the Buck, simply do not fit the profile for a Bowie, dirk, dagger, poniard, or stiletto.
But any sheath knife not being worn by maybe a construction worker raises eyebrows if seen on a belt. I might stick a Pathfinder in my briefcase or glovebox, but not wear it, unless under a long winter coat. Is it then a concealed weapon? I hope not, as it isn't a prohibited weapon in the first place.
Hunters and campers or anglers have more leeway, as it seems reasonable to the public that they'd wear a sheath knife.
I'd not wear my longer knives or Bowie types unless on private land. BTW, I know a young guy who was arrested for having a fillet knife in his tackle box. But he got smart with some cops at a lake and was driving around wildly in his car, racing. They were just looking for anything they could bust him for. I think a judge fined him for the knife, a Rapala with about a seven-inch blade. Don't recall if the knife was also confiscated.
Keep in mind that my definitions of a Bowie, etc. are the classical ones used by authorities on edged weapons. I was a widely published knife writer for 30 years, and have books on arms and armor and know the terms.
But a LEGAL definition of a "dagger" may differ from the classic one, in some states . It wouldn't surprise me if some court has held that almost ANY sheath knife is legally a "dagger." A good lawyer may influence the outcome of a case. But it's best to avoid being charged at all, avoiding legal fees and risk of how the case may turn out.
Unfortunately, most cops don't know the law on knives exceedingly well, so you just have to hope that you don't run afoul of one who'd file a knife charge on a respectable looking man who wasn't otherwise in trouble. Personally, I've never seen a cop give a folding knife a second glance, although men wear them in obvious floral carved belt pouches or stuck in pockets on a spring clip. I pefer a discreet black cordura pouch that many mistake for a cell phone. It avoids having anyone ask about my Benchmade or Puma folders. I no longer carry my Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn folders off my property, as the potential for a "dagger" discussion is there, although the false edges are not sharp.
