people have been arrested for possessing illegal "gravity knives"

[libertysnake]

Mora makes a good quality knife for the money.

I picked up the green one since it was only $17 and the steel they use is good. Will leave it in my bag and see how long it lasts before I have to hit it with the sharpening stone.

 

[1911guy]

@Willjr75 forgot to post a link to the tops cut 4.0

TOPS Knives C.U.T. 4.0 Combat Utility Tool Knife Micarta (4.25" Black) - Blade HQ

That looks like a thumbhole stock. Verboten!

 

[wizrd]

tens of thousands of people have been arrested in NYC becauses of these shit laws, kind of a gold mine for them. You can read about the lawsuit challenging this crap at kniferights.org

 

[Tinman]

My new knife.

 

[Bigfoot]

View attachment 23950
My new knife.

I like it, I like it so much that I just bought one from amazon. Paid $88.00 for it.

 

[Shadow2]

Coye Ridgeback fixed blade for edc ... specifically chosen for city use... cheap plug but i have one with carbon fiber handles up for sale, Im keeping my OD green one.

 

[Doc8404]

My buddy got jammed up in a Manhattan subway. Cop saw the clip in his pocket, called him over, reached in my friends pocket and took the knife out. It was a spyderco delica. Buddy was going to his car to go fishing. He is a carpenter but that didn’t fly either. Arrested, cuffed, booked, ect. Never been in trouble before. Over 2k in lawyer fees ended up with 6mos probation and if no trouble it gets dropped. This is why I won’t go to nyc.

W
T
F

I don’t GAFF, that cop is a dick and had his lunch money stolen. Probably still does

 

[Truebeliever]

It wasn't even intended as defined with having to flick it with your wrist. It was intended for a real gravity knife that when held facing down without flicking your wrist, the gravity of the blade itself would come down the handle and lock on the open position.

If you have to flick it than gravity isn't the only force used to open the blade. You are using energy from your wrist.

Centripetal force is also in the definition
“
5. "Gravity knife" means any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force which, when released, is locked in place by means of a button, spring, lever or other device.”

 

[Truebeliever]

Also just fair warning, just having the knife, in public view ( gravity knife or fixed blade ) is also illegal in most circumstances in NYC. Clipped or in sheath on the belt in public view is still illegal in NYC in most circumstances.

 

[dubleuhb]

Wait a minute, "released from the handle or sheath"? So if I have a fixed blade and I decide to do a handstand and it falls out it's what?

 

[Truebeliever]

My buddy got jammed up in a Manhattan subway. Cop saw the clip in his pocket, called him over, reached in my friends pocket and took the knife out. It was a spyderco delica. Buddy was going to his car to go fishing. He is a carpenter but that didn’t fly either. Arrested, cuffed, booked, ect. Never been in trouble before. Over 2k in lawyer fees ended up with 6mos probation and if no trouble it gets dropped. This is why I won’t go to nyc.

I hate to say this but I don’t think your friend was telling you the whole truth. Or was lying to the cop. Maybe he was telling the truth But on its face doesn’t seem as probable.

Taking the subway in Manhattan to get to his car for a fishing trip without fishing gear. Carpenter coming from work would be believable but the fishing story?

I checked with a transit cop I know. They are big on that stuff in Manhattan.

Was he charged with CPW or that local law I mentioned above. If it was CPW then the cop was wrong . But if he was arrested for the knife under the local law where it is normally a ticket or desk appearance ticket ( released at the station house) . According to him, if he didn’t get one of those, then something more happened like a warrant. It could have been for a ticket in the past. Transit has funny laws that he could have violated in the past and when they ran his name, they were told to bring him in.

They do the same thing if someone gets a ticket for sleeping on the train and taking more than one seat.

I don’t know but I would ask your friend.

And it wasn’t 6 months probation. It would have been an ACD. That means if he stays out of trouble they drop the whole case . No probation officer and the record is sealed after those 6 months.

Basically, they dropped the charges after those 6 months of he stayed out of trouble. No criminal conviction. Big difference

 

[Magnus]

I was arrested for a folding knife that was found in my dad’s car next to my hatchet. The officer flicked his wrist and said wow, it’s gravity activated. I was young and didn’t know any better.

 

[phatfarmerbob]

yes it was ACD
Yes charges with CPW
Yes it cost 2k in lawyer fees

He was going to his car that was parked in Brooklyn, to drive to LI where his boat was kept.

Regardless you shouldn’t need an excuse to carry a pocket knife that you can buy at homedepot.

I got the whole story, this is one of my best friends.

After they relived him of his knife,They asked him to follow them to the station, the officers went and talked to someone and when they came out cuffed him and booked him and put him in a cell.

Maybe the officer was having a bad day maybe not, if there was more to it he would have told me we’ve known each other for20 years, no reason to embellish the story.

On a positive note it really got him hating on FUAC, he even wrote some letters last time there was legislation about this stupid law.

 

[Jmac00]

I hate NYC, last time I went there I was with the Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Riding club, on a "Concrete Canyon Run" we had over 400 bikes touring Manhatten. We were riding with some Jersey and NYC cops. The ride organizer is a friend and told me to "bring whatever you want if something goes bad, call me first" LOL It pays to KNOW people.
Im not going to say what I had with me or on me, but I felt completely safe the entire time I was there.

If I lived anywhere near NYC, I would befriend a cop or two, just to stay out of trouble or to lessen any problems that should arise. I find that if you are nice to the cops, they tend to relax some rules a little

 

[masterswimmer]

I hate NYC, last time I went there I was with the Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Riding club, on a "Concrete Canyon Run" we had over 400 bikes touring Manhatten. We were riding with some Jersey and NYC cops. The ride organizer is a friend and told me to "bring whatever you want if something goes bad, call me first" LOL It pays to KNOW people.
Im not going to say what I had with me or on me, but I felt completely safe the entire time I was there.

If I lived anywhere near NYC, I would befriend a cop or two, just to stay out of trouble or to lessen any problems that should arise. I find that if you are nice to the cops, they tend to relax some rules a little

Anecdotal evidence about 'knowing someone'. Since you weren't stopped and jammed up there's no way you could know that having a friend would have helped. Conversely, if you were stopped and it was discovered you were carrying the NYC cop could very easily have processed you like anyone else. There are lots of NYC cops who are like us and respect the 2A, but there are also many who detest the fact that anyone other than a LEO can carry. IMO you were just fortunate you didn't get stopped that day. YMMV

 

[Truebeliever]

Wait a minute, "released from the handle or sheath"? So if I have a fixed blade and I decide to do a handstand and it falls out it's what?

It could be a ticket. Or an arrest for a violation if you didn’t qualify for the ticket such as having a warrant or something.

 

[Truebeliever]

Anecdotal evidence about 'knowing someone'. Since you weren't stopped and jammed up there's no way you could know that having a friend would have helped. Conversely, if you were stopped and it was discovered you were carrying the NYC cop could very easily have processed you like anyone else. There are lots of NYC cops who are like us and respect the 2A, but there are also many who detest the fact that anyone other than a LEO can carry. IMO you were just fortunate you didn't get stopped that day. YMMV

I got into an argument with a transit cop over this.

He stopped a guy with a knife. He charged CPW misdemeanor. I asked if it was a gravity knife. He said no, unlawful intent. I asked what was that intent. He said he carried it for self defense. I told him that’s Legal. He could have only charged that open carry law. Besides that ststementbwould be in admissible. He told me that’s what the DA hit the guy with. Absolutely wrong.

 

[Truebeliever]

I hate NYC, last time I went there I was with the Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Riding club, on a "Concrete Canyon Run" we had over 400 bikes touring Manhatten. We were riding with some Jersey and NYC cops. The ride organizer is a friend and told me to "bring whatever you want if something goes bad, call me first" LOL It pays to KNOW people.
Im not going to say what I had with me or on me, but I felt completely safe the entire time I was there.

If I lived anywhere near NYC, I would befriend a cop or two, just to stay out of trouble or to lessen any problems that should arise. I find that if you are nice to the cops, they tend to relax some rules a little

That is very true. And how you act when stopped goes a long way too

 

[Truebeliever]

yes it was ACD
Yes charges with CPW
Yes it cost 2k in lawyer fees

He was going to his car that was parked in Brooklyn, to drive to LI where his boat was kept.

Regardless you shouldn’t need an excuse to carry a pocket knife that you can buy at homedepot.

I got the whole story, this is one of my best friends.

After they relived him of his knife,They asked him to follow them to the station, the officers went and talked to someone and when they came out cuffed him and booked him and put him in a cell.

Maybe the officer was having a bad day maybe not, if there was more to it he would have told me we’ve known each other for20 years, no reason to embellish the story.

On a positive note it really got him hating on FUAC, he even wrote some letters last time there was legislation about this stupid law.

It still doesn’t sound completely right but who knows.

They walked into the station house to run his name in the computer rather than just arrest him so something probably came up in the computer check.

The “excuse” under the law isn’t to have a knife but have it in public view.
And ask how is one to get a butchers knife home from the store too.
I used to get what would be called gravity knives for free with a purchase from some clothing store like 511 or something without me asking. And mere exceptance would have been a crime if I wasn’t except at the time.

 

[enigma]

I got into an argument with a transit cop over this.

He stopped a guy with a knife. He charged CPW misdemeanor. I asked if it was a gravity knife. He said no, unlawful intent. I asked what was that intent. He said he carried it for self defense. I told him that’s Legal. He could have only charged that open carry law. Besides that ststementbwould be in admissible. He told me that’s what the DA hit the guy with. Absolutely wrong.

As usual, it's the lousy way the laws were written that get us into trouble. 265.15(4) provides the presumptive evidence of intent for almost any object if you "adapt' it for use primarily as a weapon. Adapt is a broad word. It doesn't necessarily mean modify. A piece of heavy chain under your truck seat is just that, some utility chain. But if you make an admissible statement that you're carrying it primarily for self defense, then you are carrying it primarily for use as a weapon. You've "adapted" it. That alone is presumptive evidence of intent to use the same unlawfully against another. Hello CPW 4th.

Its a good practice for anyone carrying a knife to carry it for utility purposes. For rope, boxes, food, etc. If questioned, there's no need to bring up self defense at all.

 

[Jmac00]

Anecdotal evidence about 'knowing someone'. Since you weren't stopped and jammed up there's no way you could know that having a friend would have helped. Conversely, if you were stopped and it was discovered you were carrying the NYC cop could very easily have processed you like anyone else. There are lots of NYC cops who are like us and respect the 2A, but there are also many who detest the fact that anyone other than a LEO can carry. IMO you were just fortunate you didn't get stopped that day. YMMV

It all depends on who you know. Im just going to say I agree with you and leave it at that

 

[71velle]

Every time I look into buying a knife to carry my head starts to spin.

Im not willing to carry a knife that just being in possession of it can get me arrested.

What kind of knife can I carry that is not illegal no matter what?
If anyone can seriously tell me I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Jmac00]

Every time I look into buying a knife to carry my head starts to spin.

Im not willing to carry a knife that just being in possession of it can get me arrested.

What kind of knife can I carry that is not illegal no matter what?
If anyone can seriously tell me I would greatly appreciate it.

pretty simple actually. Get any knife you want, just make sure the entire knife is IN YOUR POCKET, don't use the pocket clip. As long as it is completely concealed you should be GTG

 

[Doc8404]

Clip should never show. Not even your flashlight.
Be grey.

 

[71velle]

pretty simple actually. Get any knife you want, just make sure the entire knife is IN YOUR POCKET, don't use the pocket clip. As long as it is completely concealed you should be GTG

Dont take it too personal but its this sort of crap that pisses me off.
I clearly stated I wanted completely legal and it get a wise-ass response "IN YOUR POCKET" is ridiculous!!
Like if you dont get caught your not breaking the law?

 

[masterswimmer]

Dont take it too personal but its this sort of crap that pisses me off.
I clearly stated I wanted completely legal and it get a wise-ass response "IN YOUR POCKET" is ridiculous!!
Like if you dont get caught your not breaking the law?

IANAL, disclaimer posted. My understanding is that you can not legally carry a knife in NYC. Period. ANY knife you're caught with can be said to be carried with intent. It is all up to the officer that stops you whether or not he's going to jamb you up.

That being said, you'd be breaking NYC law by carrying anything, hence the comment to carry whatever you want as long as you completely conceal it in your pocket with no clip displayed.

 

[enigma]

pretty simple actually. Get any knife you want, just make sure the entire knife is IN YOUR POCKET, don't use the pocket clip. As long as it is completely concealed you should be GTG

Clip should never show. Not even your flashlight.
Be grey.

That's the first line of defense for sure. Be inconspicuous. Going to the big event near you with a big ol' Buck knife on your hip is only going to bring you attention. First, it's tactically stupid. Second, the Police are going to get "if you see something, say something" calls. They will be visiting with you.

Each state and some larger localities have their own laws, just like with guns. You have to find out the local laws before you go there. Here's what I know, and I'm not an expert, so take this with a grain of salt.

NY State:
- No length limit, and open carry is OK (although not wise in mixed company).
- Folding knives that lock in the open position are not allowed to be opened by centrifugal force. If you can snap your wrist, flick your arm, or jump off a ladder and force the blade to come out, without your doing anything else to assist its opening, it's not lawful. If the blade does not lock in position after opening by centrifugal force, that makes it okay. Even if you can lock the blade afterwards with a manual lock, it's still OK. The combination that is restricted is centrifugal force directly into a locked blade.
- No switchblades, except certain conditions such as hunting/fishing (you need to have an active hunting/fishing license). A switchblade is activated by a button in the handle. There are spring assisted knives which have a lever or a button (or both) on the blade. As soon as you move the blade 10 degrees or so, the blade pops open under spring pressure. These are legal because they do not fit the NYS definition of a switchblade. Make sure the blade cannot be opened with centrifugal force, or it fits the definition above if it locks.

NY City:
- Same as above except the blade length and open carry.
- Blade length limit to 4". That's usually considered from the hilt to the tip of the blade.
- No "open carry". The blade and it's sheath (if there is one) must be concealed.

Las Vegas:
- Knives cannot be concealed in the one major county that covers a good part of Vegas. You can walk around with a KABAR strapped to your leg, but do not have a 1" folder in your pocket!
- probably more, be sure to check into it.

San Francisco (Obviously for use of the airport only, USMC hotel, and wine country!):
- 3" maximum blade length
- probably more, be sure to check into it.

X Factor:
- There is no legal standard for measuring blade length.
- The reason you carry the knife may have bearing. Always have it on you for utility purposes ONLY.
- Regardless of the law and it's various interpretations, you are always subject to the opinions of the officer that stops you, their supervisor, and the DA or their people. The explanations above are technical, and perhaps even arguable as to interpretation of the law.
- Good luck explaining to some cops that your spring assisted knife is not a switchblade. The Alleged Switchblade that Wasn’t | Criminal Lawyer
- Good luck with those cops who would complete a deposition saying they opened your folding knife with centrifugal force, even though it's a "boyscout knife" you can barely open. Always Examine the Gravity Knife | Criminal Lawyer
- There is NO WAY to be 100% COMPLETELY LEGAL. It's an impossibility. Because of the way the laws are written, there are no set of concrete rules that apply to all scenarios. The lawmakers didn't bother to define many of their terms, or express the actual intent for most of their details. "Dangerous knife". WTF is that!? They left a huge amount of stuff up to interpretation in the courts and on the streets.

If someone were looking for a really, really safe knife, I would suggest something like a Leatherman. A stiffly packed multi-tool where it takes a good effort to open the blade even with two hands. If in the city, make sure the blade is no more than 3.5 inches, and always keep it in your pocket, never in it's hip sheath.

If you were looking for something that could be useful as a self-defense weapon (as a completely unplanned event, when it's not busy being your utility knife), then I would look at the details of what I wrote above. I personally would be comfortable carrying a manual locking folder, a fixed blade, or a spring assisted knife. But, I would also keep it hidden in a pocket or IWB. I would also go the extra step and avoid "tactical" knives that look like they are designed for fighting. A sharp, quality plain jane knife will do the same job without all the tacticool that may bring you unwanted attention.

 

[Jmac00]

Dont take it too personal but its this sort of crap that pisses me off.
I clearly stated I wanted completely legal and it get a wise-ass response "IN YOUR POCKET" is ridiculous!!
Like if you dont get caught your not breaking the law?

then don't go to NYC? you have a couple choices. Carry a knife concealed or don't carry? what else is there? or carry a box knife?

 

[71velle]

That's the first line of defense for sure. Be inconspicuous. Going to the big event near you with a big ol' Buck knife on your hip is only going to bring you attention. First, it's tactically stupid. Second, the Police are going to get "if you see something, say something" calls. They will be visiting with you.

Each state and some larger localities have their own laws, just like with guns. You have to find out the local laws before you go there. Here's what I know, and I'm not an expert, so take this with a grain of salt.

NY State:
- No length limit, and open carry is OK (although not wise in mixed company).
- Folding knives that lock in the open position are not allowed to be opened by centrifugal force. If you can snap your wrist, flick your arm, or jump off a ladder and force the blade to come out, without your doing anything else to assist its opening, it's not lawful. If the blade does not lock in position after opening by centrifugal force, that makes it okay. Even if you can lock the blade afterwards with a manual lock, it's still OK. The combination that is restricted is centrifugal force directly into a locked blade.
- No switchblades, except certain conditions such as hunting/fishing (you need to have an active hunting/fishing license). A switchblade is activated by a button in the handle. There are spring assisted knives which have a lever or a button (or both) on the blade. As soon as you move the blade 10 degrees or so, the blade pops open under spring pressure. These are legal because they do not fit the NYS definition of a switchblade. Make sure the blade cannot be opened with centrifugal force, or it fits the definition above if it locks.

NY City:
- Same as above except the blade length and open carry.
- Blade length limit to 4". That's usually considered from the hilt to the tip of the blade.
- No "open carry". The blade and it's sheath (if there is one) must be concealed.

Las Vegas:
- Knives cannot be concealed in the one major county that covers a good part of Vegas. You can walk around with a KABAR strapped to your leg, but do not have a 1" folder in your pocket!
- probably more, be sure to check into it.

San Francisco (Obviously for use of the airport only, USMC hotel, and wine country!):
- 3" maximum blade length
- probably more, be sure to check into it.

X Factor:
- There is no legal standard for measuring blade length.
- The reason you carry the knife may have bearing. Always have it on you for utility purposes ONLY.
- Regardless of the law and it's various interpretations, you are always subject to the opinions of the officer that stops you, their supervisor, and the DA or their people. The explanations above are technical, and perhaps even arguable as to interpretation of the law.
- Good luck explaining to some cops that your spring assisted knife is not a switchblade. The Alleged Switchblade that Wasn’t | Criminal Lawyer
- Good luck with those cops who would complete a deposition saying they opened your folding knife with centrifugal force, even though it's a "boyscout knife" you can barely open. Always Examine the Gravity Knife | Criminal Lawyer
- There is NO WAY to be 100% COMPLETELY LEGAL. It's an impossibility. Because of the way the laws are written, there are no set of concrete rules that apply to all scenarios. The lawmakers didn't bother to define many of their terms, or express the actual intent for most of their details. "Dangerous knife". WTF is that!? They left a huge amount of stuff up to interpretation in the courts and on the streets.

If someone were looking for a really, really safe knife, I would suggest something like a Leatherman. A stiffly packed multi-tool where it takes a good effort to open the blade even with two hands. If in the city, make sure the blade is no more than 3.5 inches, and always keep it in your pocket, never in it's hip sheath.

If you were looking for something that could be useful as a self-defense weapon (as a completely unplanned event, when it's not busy being your utility knife), then I would look at the details of what I wrote above. I personally would be comfortable carrying a manual locking folder, a fixed blade, or a spring assisted knife. But, I would also keep it hidden in a pocket or IWB. I would also go the extra step and avoid "tactical" knives that look like they are designed for fighting. A sharp, quality plain jane knife will do the same job without all the tacticool that may bring you unwanted attention.

Wow!! thanks...

I guess I cant carry a knife in NY because the intent would be for defensive purposes.
To follow the law I will just carry a pistol.
once again FUAC

 

[Magnus]

What kind of knife can I carry that is not illegal no matter what?

Carry a butter knife with a sharp handle, they won’t know what to make of it.