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4 Reasons to carry a Pocket Knife

SoNic said:
Because of a knife, I can lose the right to carry a gun. More, the "like kind" phrase is left to the jury to interpret.
No, thank you.
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This is a very sobering consideration, and I commend you for having the foresight to not only know the law, but to have weighed one against the other.

For not only those of us who live in more restrictive areas but who may run into municipal-level issues due to a lack of state preemption, these worries are all too real.
 
SoNic said:
Not really:

Missouri Knife Laws – KnifeUp

knifeup.com knifeup.com

Limits on Carry​

  • You may conceal carry any pocketknife with a folding blade less than four inches
  • You may not conceal carry any other knife in Missouri, on your person or in your vehicle
  • You may open carry any knife that is legal own
In the case of State v. Dowdy, the Court found that a paring knife, concealed on Dowdy’s person, was a knife under Missouri law, and could not be conceal carried.

PS: Those limits in VA are about concealed carry. As in a pocket. Almost same for you in MO, only that you can have a <4" folding blade.
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I don't know anything about the case you cited, but I can tell you in the city of STL ( which is by far the most restrictive with any weapon laws) it is impossible for LEO to charge someone with concealing a machete in their car. I can also tell you from personal experience that people can and do often carry large fixed blade knives in a concealed fashion ( Under a coat) and police are not charging them with anything.

Also autos and switchblades are legal as long as the blade is 4" or under. And in practical application there are no knife laws being enforced in this state other than unlawful use of a weapon if you threaten or attack someone with it.
 
^ Is it likely to happen?

I agree, it isn't.

But is it possible?

Michael Porschein's case was followed very closely by Ohioans for Concealed Carry (despite the fact that at the time of his arrest, he did not possess a valid Ohio-CHL) as well as by various open-carry communities in the area -


He ultimately prevailed (the case was dismissed), but it shows well how even for those of us who would follow the letter of the law, just being a law abiding citizen isn't always a guaranty.

I've been a knife collector for close to thirty years. And even though I voluntarily stepped away from the community, I still treasure my time there (I was made Suspect in 2002), and while I've sold off much of my small collection (I still regret letting go of my Mayo Dr. Death :p ), I still own a few pieces. I really loved smaller fixed-blades and larger folders, so for a number of years, I carried the latter.

Despite some really rather backwards municipal ordinances, I was never bothered or even approached by any law-enforcement for my pocket knives. Even the one time in the late 90s when I was stopped on a traffic violation, the officer didn't even care that I was not only wearing a knife-related shirt, and even as I relayed to him that I had a pocket knife on my person, as he asked me to step out of the vehicle for some paperwork.

That said, once I got my Ohio-CHL, I started to become much more careful, which I really took seriously because the advice came from my knife/integrated-combatives instructor.

The latest round of knife legislation have finally started to make things a bit better for us law-abiding citizens, but still, we Ohioans are without the protection of state preemption.

And I know that y'all are talking about another state, completely, but still, Mr. Porschein's case above goes to illustrate what *can* potentially happen, which is why I believe that it is so important for each of us to truly weigh the risks ourselves.

The pocket-knife is a great all-around tool, be it a fixed-blade, folder, or as an integrated component of a multi-tool.

Similarly, there is undeniable utility to this tool, when used in self-defense. However, for those who would suggest this as one of the reasons they carry a knife, I would recommend that they not only review their state and local laws, but also take the time to seek out some training, the latter to dispel any myths involved in its use.
 
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TSiWRX said:
He ultimately prevailed (the case was dismissed), but it shows well how even for those of us who would follow the letter of the law, just being a law abiding citizen isn't always a guaranty.
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That is my point. It only takes an officer that doesn't like my haircut, my accent or it was pissed by his cheating wife that morning, to make a big legal deal out of a pocket knife.
In the above case - he prevailed in court, but, with what costs?
I don't need to waste money and time, and suffer the mental anguish on such a trial. It's far too big of a risk to me compared to the benefits.
I keep a 2-1/2 inches folding knife in my trunk, in a box with the rest of the tools.
I keep a firearm on me, CCW.
I don't mix those two, because IMO there is no self-protection situation where a knife would be better suited than the firearm.
Everyone can judge their own situation, but consider that one day you might travel out of your city and forget about that concealed knife. It might ruin your life.
 
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SoNic said:
That is my point. It only takes an officer that doesn't like my haircut, my accent or it was pissed by his cheating wife that morning, to make a big legal deal out of a pocket knife.
In the above case - he prevailed in court, but, with what costs?
I don't need to waste money and time, and suffer the mental anguish on such a trial. It's far too big of a risk to me compared to the benefits.
I keep a 2-1/2 inches folding knife in my trunk, in a box with the rest of the tools.
I keep a firearm on me, CCW.
I don't mix those two, because IMO there is no self-protection situation where a knife would be better suited than the firearm.
Everyone can judge their own situation, but consider that one day you might travel out of your city and forget about that concealed knife. It might ruin your life.
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You can’t cut your seatbelt with a gun when you’re upside down in a lake or your car is on fire.
 
Bassbob said:
You can’t cut your seatbelt with a gun when you’re upside down in a lake or your car is on fire.
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I would calmly unbuckle it.
Also, there are belt cutters that are not knives.
Bassbob said:
I carry a knife so I can do things you need a knife for.
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That's OK for you. A cop might think otherwise and then you have to convince 12 jurors about that.
I don't say I am right, just that I don't have that desire.
 
SoNic said:
That is my point. It only takes an officer that doesn't like my haircut, my accent or it was pissed by his cheating wife that morning, to make a big legal deal out of a pocket knife.
In the above case - he prevailed in court, but, with what costs?
I don't need to waste money and time, and suffer the mental anguish on such a trial. It's far too big of a risk to me compared to the benefits.
I keep a 2-1/2 inches folding knife in my trunk, in a box with the rest of the tools.
I keep a firearm on me, CCW.
I don't mix those two, because IMO there is no self-protection situation where a knife would be better suited than the firearm.
Everyone can judge their own situation, but consider that one day you might travel out of your city and forget about that concealed knife. It might ruin your life.
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Ambiguous laws coupled with overzealous law enforcement sets the stage for unnecessary arrests. Fortunately the prosecutor in this case saw it for what it was and dropped charges. If that guy was a thug with a record carrying a concealed weapon it's one thing, but he had no record and had a CCW license. I put the blame on poor training and supervision. Dang, officers, you need a lesson in discretion.
 
Arkansas has wonderful laws when it comes to carrying knives, and by that, I mean if it has a blade, you can carry it concealed or out in the open pretty much no matter what kind of knife it is...lol. I have a beat to hell Benchmade Infidel OTF knife that I've carried for years. I used it all the damn time, can't imagine not carrying a knife on me.
 
New Hampshire's only restriction on carrying knives in any fashion is against convicted felons barring them from carrying certain types of knives.

There is literally zero banned knives or laws against carrying here.

Knife Laws in New Hampshire - Knife Den

The Granite State’s motto of “Live Free or Die” found partial expression in a sweeping expansion of knife rights in 2010. Following massive bipartisan support… Continue Reading →
www.knifeden.com
 
michael.ed said:
I agree, there are hundreds of reasons. I believe the author was just trying to state the ones common folks who don’t understand the utility of a pocket knife would kinda understand. I have carried a pocket knife for over 50 years, after watching and learning from my Father. First thing I put in my pocket.
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Agreed. Don’t understand why anyone would NOT carry a knife.
 
SoNic said:
I would calmly unbuckle it.
Also, there are belt cutters that are not knives.

That's OK for you. A cop might think otherwise and then you have to convince 12 jurors about that.
I don't say I am right, just that I don't have that desire.
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Calmly unbuckle it ? Do you have any idea how many people have died because they couldn't unbuckle their seat belts ? Enough that many knives and multi-tools have purpose made seat belt cutters. And cops can think what they like. Unless I'm breaking the law with my knife, I'm not worried about it.

I understand you live in a place with ridiculous knife laws and I am not trying to argue with you brother, I'm just pointing out that there are a large number of tasks that a sharp, sturdy knife is perfectly suited to. Hell, half the time I eat my lunch with a knife because I don't carry a fork around. :)
 
I use my pocket knife for many different tasks like most people that carry one.
The reason I started carrying a pocket knife every day is because when I was young a toddler got the drawstring to his hoodie caught in an escalator. Nobody had a way to cut him lose before it was too late. That moved me emotionally so much I bought a knife that is still on my keychain forty years later.
Later I realized how useful that knife was that I don't want to be without one.
 
Bassbob said:
Do you have any idea how many people have died because they couldn't unbuckle their seat belts ? Enough that many knives and multi-tools have purpose made seat belt cutters.
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Firstly, I also suggested the seatbelt cutters, I just said is a different tool from a knife. And they can still fly off in a car during an accident.
Secondly, the idea that someone doesn't remember how to unbuckle a seatbelt, but somehow will be capable to cut one with a knife, without cutting themselves is amazing to me. I might be wrong. Personally I have tried to cut a seatbelt with a normal knife, in a junkyard, and it's not that easy like it sounds. I could see somebody injuring himself with that.

Being panicked out of their mind is what kills people in those situations.
Yes belt roller will lock in a crash, it's supposed to do that. But it will never lock the belt latch itself. Suck your belly and you will be able to un-latch it easily.
More, modern belts, with pyro tensioners, will actually release the belt slack in less than a minute, when those gases release. I guess people panic during that time.
 
SoNic said:
Firstly, I also suggested the seatbelt cutters, I just said is a different tool from a knife. And they can still fly off in a car during an accident.
Secondly, the idea that someone doesn't remember how to unbuckle a seatbelt, but somehow will be capable to cut one with a knife, without cutting themselves is amazing to me. I might be wrong. Personally I have tried to cut a seatbelt with a normal knife, in a junkyard, and it's not that easy like it sounds. I could see somebody injuring himself with that.

Being panicked out of their mind is what kills people in those situations.
Yes belt roller will lock in a crash, it's supposed to do that. But it will never lock the belt latch itself. Suck your belly and you will be able to un-latch it easily.
More, modern belts, with pyro tensioners, will actually release the belt slack in less than a minute, when those gases release. I guess people panic during that time.
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Dude, it isn’t that people can’t remember how to unbuckle a seat belt. If you’re upside down in wreckage often the tension on the belt makes it impossible to unbuckle the seat belt.
Clearly you just want to argue. I suggest maybe doing a little research before going further with the seat belt thing so you can avoid looking ridiculous.
 
I used a knife at crash scenes a few times to cut seat belts but more often to cut away air bags. Typically the occupants were in shock or unconscious and could not help themselves. Seatbelt cutters were a welcome advent to lower the risk of cutting the occupant. I saw it enough times to have a couple seatbelt cutters and window breakers in my truck in addition to several knives and first aid kits.
 
SoNic said:
Yes belt roller will lock in a crash, it's supposed to do that. But it will never lock the belt latch itself. Suck your belly and you will be able to un-latch it easily.
More, modern belts, with pyro tensioners, will actually release the belt slack in less than a minute, when those gases release. I guess people panic during that time.
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-and-
Bassbob said:
Dude, it isn’t that people can’t remember how to unbuckle a seat belt. If you’re upside down in wreckage often the tension on the belt makes it impossible to unbuckle the seat belt.
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I agree with the both of you - depending on the belt mechanism/design, sometimes may be more than just "sucking in your gut." The belted occupant may have to take tension off the entire belt assembly by bracing themselves, upside down -which, depending on the severity of the crash and their physical and mental as @HayesGreener noted, may be significantly affected- may be difficult.

Similarly, there are also "incompressible" or less-compressible concerns, with passengers who may actually belt themselves properly - low across the waist, across bony areas - as well as with various child/infant safety-seats.

HayesGreener said:
I used a knife at crash scenes a few times to cut seat belts but more often to cut away air bags. Typically the occupants were in shock or unconscious and could not help themselves. Seatbelt cutters were a welcome advent to lower the risk of cutting the occupant. I saw it enough times to have a couple seatbelt cutters and window breakers in my truck in addition to several knives and first aid kits.
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As with @SoNic , I've only practiced with junked vehicles, and in those instances -in spite of being a knife collector and having various such tools at my disposal- I have found a dedicated seat-belt cutter to be more advantageous in terms of the technicalities of the cutting, alone.

The increased safety of having a protected cutter (the "first no harm" rule is one which I strongly believe in and have sworn to) notwithstanding, the ease with which dedicated cutters sliced through the belt is the reason why I station one for each occupant in the vehicle, in a way in which it will not get jostled loose and lost in even a significant impact (same for window-breakers, but here, I would like to caution readers regarding the increasing use of laminated side-glass for the passenger cabin: if you have a newer vehicle, this is worth double-checking).

That said, the (pocket)knife may well be the more expedient of the two tools, when time counts.

I personally don't see why the knife/belt-cutter need to be exclusive.

[ Note that protected cutters can also be exceptional tools for rendering person first-aid as well, and the smaller ones are very light-weight and easy to store in/on first-aid kits. The Benchmade 7 and 8-Hook are among my favorites for this. ]
 
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