Carrying a fixed blade openly in public

[rlewpolar]

I live in California and strangely enough, the knife laws are fairly liberal here. I can carry any sized folder in my pocket and any sized fixed blade as long as it’s visible.

I own a fair amount of fixed blades and have contemplated running daily errands with one hanging from a dangler. In the end, I’ve always decided why bother? I’ll just carry a folder.

Well today, I saw a guy at a gas station carrying a very large knife dangling from his belt. It looked like a Buck 120 but with a custom made sheath. Now, he was odd looking, wearing what looked like wading boots (even though there was no water around), matted hair and beard and kind of gave off a meth vibe but the sight of that knife at his side was jarring. The way he was swaggering, with that knife at his side made me finally see what non-knife people see when they see a large knife in town. Not good.

Now, if he was a clean cut, normal looking guy with a normal affect, I might not have had the same reaction. Or maybe it would have looked even more odd, not sure. But it reaffirmed for me that carrying a fixed blade in town is not a great idea. If a knife nut like me did a double take, I can only image how most people in the street might react.

 

[thebrain]

It really depends on the area and who frequents said area. Bikers are often wear a large fixed and nobody even notices because that goes with the look in California. In the Midwest a guy wearing a fixed blade outside of the first few days of whitetail deer season usually stands out. I carry a folder because the next town over has a ban on fixed blades of any size and it is very easy to cross over on any given day.

 

[Weiss]

I've seen that a handful of times around here, but there are a lot of farms and ranches and rural properties about. In fact, the few times I've seen knives on belts, they were clearly appropriate looking work wear, and nothing bigger than four- or five-inch blades. That said, it's still a rare-ish thing to see...

 

[beeinak]

Where I live and frequent nobody seems to care. If someone does, they are likely a tourist or new to being here.

 

[HyperXHyperX]

Here the knife laws are a bit weird. Like, you can carry a kitchen or even a hunting knife (I struggle with this definition), but gravity knives, automatic knives or knives that are daggers - both sides ground) are a no go. Basically anything that's got a lever or button is forbidden to carry. I'm not even sure if that includes flippers, but it would seem so.

Funny thing is, you're allowed to carry anything when it's in a closed container. So you can technically carry a sword of it's for example in your backpack.

 

[Spillproof]

I also live in California but I'm up in the mountains in Trinity County. Lots of folks 'round here carry a FB.

And most of them are sketchy as hell.

The only time I carry a FB is when I'm working (I'm a wildlife biologist, "work" is in the forest).

 

[Vlade]

I don't think I would carry a fixed blade. And I can't say I have much use for it. And it's against the law here. It's only legal if you are hunting fishing hiking camping outdoor activities. Other than in the woods and jungles and piers and docks, I've yet to see anybody with a fixed blade knife here. I carry my folding knives and most other men carry folding knives. But I suppose if I lived on a ranch or a farm, then I might carry one.

 

[Corton93]

I'm in central Alabama and I usually see at least 1 fixed blade every day. Everything from danglers and belt carry to more "hip" scout and appendix carry. I have no problem carrying a fixed blade if I actually need to, just depends on what I'm doing. Hell, I've stopped by Publix with a machete slung on my back bc I was headed to a job where we had to clear brush and I didn't feel like taking it off.

There's an older guy here in town named Mark, probably 70 something, who runs a little mom's pop store. He has a Busse Battle Mistress on his hip every day lol. He is a legend

 

[snuffle]

I live in a major metro in California. I've seen a few drug dealers carrying fixed blades, but that's about it. I personally would not carry one here.

I go camping in the desert and usually carry one then, at least on setup and teardown days.

 

[El Jay]

I live in the San Gabriel Valley in L.A. . I've seen a guy at the grocery store with a full sized K-Bar on his hip. Totally out of place, but a knife nut is a knife nut.

 

[sharpguytoo]

Central VA here. I sometimes carry a smallish fixed blade while working around the house (retired). If I have to run errands I just leave it on my belt. I have seen others around as well. State law allows open carry of any size,but I usually am around 4" in either leather or kydex. Never noticed any wierd looks.I sometimes think rhat horizantal carry is just not seen at all. A largr knife especially in a dangler sheath would stand out much more. I generally dont think a fixed is any more noticeable than some of the pocket clip carries I've seen. It is pretty easy to just remove the blade and set in conslole at the bank/hospital for instance or places with "No Wepons" signage large enough to see from the parking lot. If the sign is so out of line of sight, I usually just continue inside with my "tool". About equal open knife and pistol carry 'round here.

 

[Horsewright]

We're in Calif too. But no bikinis and palm trees in this part. Small fixed blades are very common around here:

Heck even at weddings:

Just part of being dressed. All these pics are within city limits by the way.

 

[luethge]

I live in California ( Los Angeles ). Been carrying fixed blades a long time. Even though you may be able to openly carry a fixed blade, my experience is that it causes more unwanted attention than a car fire. Unfortunately we can’t carry IWB here.. that would be perfect. If you choose to walk around with a fixed blade on your belt - be prepared for a lot of looks. I had a tendency to carry IWB walking my dog around 1 am, not exactly legal. I had the opportunity to speak to a few LEO’s that were helpful guiding me through the legality of certain knives. I no longer carry a fixed blade on my person unless a task , or work warrants it. Be careful of certain county’s as well , what is legal in central California may be illegal in Los Angeles, or vice versa.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I live in Southern Iowa near the Missouri border and if I've got pants on 95% of the time I've got a fixed blade on my belt. I've lived here and in Montana and Wyoming and other than a few fellas asking what I was carrying out of interest, I've never had anyone look twice let alone say anything about it.

 

[Horsewright]

I live in California ( Los Angeles ). Been carrying fixed blades a long time. Even though you may be able to openly carry a fixed blade, my experience is that it causes more unwanted attention than a car fire. Unfortunately we can’t carry IWB here.. that would be perfect. If you choose to walk around with a fixed blade on your belt - be prepared for a lot of looks. I had a tendency to carry IWB walking my dog around 1 am, not exactly legal. I had the opportunity to speak to a few LEO’s that were helpful guiding me through the legality of certain knives. I no longer carry a fixed blade on my person unless a task , or work warrants it. Be careful of certain county’s as well , what is legal in central California may be illegal in Los Angeles, or vice versa.

Dang ya might have to come help us brand some day!

Ok so I'm carrying a folder here but still have my fixed blade in front:

More fixed blades:

Even dress up round here besides weddings. Last year for the wife's 50th Bday we had her favorite singer, (Dave Stamey) come and do a private concert as a surprise:

Me with my crossdraw horizontal sheath:

The wife with her behind the left hip pancake sheath, Dave stayed for tacos:

Dave had a folder in a belt sheath on his right hip ya just can't see it in any of the pics:

What ya don't see around here is very many fixed blades in vertical sheaths or danglers etc:

 

[luethge]

Dang ya might have to come help us brand some day!

Ok so I'm carrying a folder here but still have my fixed blade in front:

More fixed blades:

Even dress up round here besides weddings. Last year for the wife's 50th Bday we had her favorite singer, (Dave Stamey) come and do a private concert as a surprise:

Me with my crossdraw horizontal sheath:

The wife with her behind the left hip pancake sheath, Dave stayed for tacos:

Dave had a folder in a belt sheath on his right hip ya just can't see it in any of the pics:

What ya don't see around here is very many fixed blades in vertical sheaths or danglers etc:

You make an absolutely beautiful knife Horsewright . These pictures are great as well. California is a beautiful state ( aside from all nonsense in the bigger cities).

 

[MolokaiRider]

Well, if the guy was not bothering anyone it wouldn't bother me.

I suppose it's a good way to be left alone as well.

 

[PNWhovian]

No problems carrying a fixed blade here in Alaska.

 

[Fonedork]

Sorry you saw a gross guy with a knife. You’ll get over it I bet.

 

[Prester John]

Wouldn't raise any eyebrows here in south Texas. Not with the natives, anyway. A visiting Yankee might freak out.