Connecticut Knife Laws?

JDX · Jul 12, 2015

I understand the basic knife laws and when I can carry what. Except one thing. I do a lot of camping, hiking and backpacking (fairfield county) I do not hunt at all and I wouldn't need a fixed blade when fishing (personally) so is it legal to carry a fixed blade OVER 4 inches if I'm camping/backpacking or hiking?

I'd prefer you only answer if you're in some branch of law enforcement or at least from Connecticut. I've read the law and it says you can carry a fixed blade of 4 inches or under with you where ever (exceptions: school grounds) but you can only carry a knife larger than 4 inches if you're hunting or fishing.

Because I have an esee 3 but it's just not enough blade for me. And carrying an axe and fixed blade just feels over the top. Id rather have a large fixed blade and a small folder.

I'd just bring an axe but I can't do a lot of fine detail or any small tasks. I understand how much you all hate people who baton with their knives, but if rather have a multipurpose tool that's a Jack of all trades than an axe which is the king of chopping but that's it.

I would love to be able to carry a swamp rat Ratmandu. But as far as my knowledge goes, it's illegal.

glistam · Jul 13, 2015

The law contains no clear cut exceptions for simply camping or hiking. For other readers of this thread, the exception to the 4 inch limit states exactly:

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to... (3) the carrying of a knife, the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or more in length, by...
(F) any person holding a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license issued pursuant to chapter 490 or any saltwater fisherman carrying such knife for lawful hunting, fishing or trapping activities,

Because of the law as written is the law, any commentary by law enforcement or attorneys that states it is legal when camping or hiking is purely opinion and cannot be relied upon if you were detained while doing so. And any person posting on this forum has no way of proving there credentials are real. On the other hand, there are a few purely practical things to consider:
1. When camping or hiking, likelihood of contact with law enforcement is extremely remote unless you are engaging in some other form of unlawful behavior such as trespassing, illicit drug use, or destructive actions that would attract them in the first place. Police don't go out into the wilderness intent on shaking down every camper they find for knives that happen to be too big.
2. If you have a valid fishing license and a collapsible pole (or even a spool of line with hooks and lures), it is perfectly plausible you are engaged in "lawful fishing activities," and thus completely in compliance with the law.

amikee · Jul 13, 2015

Camping, fishing, hunting, trapping, reenactment, transporting...as long as you're within those you're good. So no Ka Bar on the streets, but cool in the woods. I'm in New Haven county, never had a problem during any of those activities. And like you mentioned, sharpened part of the blade not exceeding 4". Thank you

GP Henry · Jul 13, 2015

For the exact concerns you state I am looking at buying an ESEE 3, and when camping using my hatchet for heavy work. Be aware that a 4" blade is not legal in CT (only less than 4" is), and that the "outdoor activity" exception to the law is for Transportation, Reenactment as well as Hunting, Fishing or Trapping when doing so with an appropriate license. There is no exception for Camping and Hiking. The comments regarding the likelihood of encountering a LEO being small is true, but we live in such a blue state, and the desire to occasionally EDC a fixed blade, my decision is to just make due with what is surely legal. Just a comment also regarding the hatchet, best I can tell, the largest I feel safe from our laws for my purposes has a cutting edge less than 4". Not great laws, but this is Connecticut.

Todd21969 · Jul 13, 2015

I am in Windham County.

Due to the fact that it is a felony if caught and that even a pistol permit does not give me an exemption. I stick with a under 4" edge while camping or hiking on public land. A Fallkniven F1.

The largest knife I carry out and about is a Spyderco Police with a 3.812" edge (4.125" scale to tip).

amikee · Jul 13, 2015

http://www.knifeup.com/connecticut-knife-law/

JDX · Jul 16, 2015

glistam said:
The law contains no clear cut exceptions for simply camping or hiking. For other readers of this thread, the exception to the 4 inch limit states exactly:

Because of the law as written is the law, any commentary by law enforcement or attorneys that states it is legal when camping or hiking is purely opinion and cannot be relied upon if you were detained while doing so. And any person posting on this forum has no way of proving there credentials are real. On the other hand, there are a few purely practical things to consider:
1. When camping or hiking, likelihood of contact with law enforcement is extremely remote unless you are engaging in some other form of unlawful behavior such as trespassing, illicit drug use, or destructive actions that would attract them in the first place. Police don't go out into the wilderness intent on shaking down every camper they find for knives that happen to be too big.
2. If you have a valid fishing license and a collapsible pole (or even a spool of line with hooks and lures), it is perfectly plausible you are engaged in "lawful fishing activities," and thus completely in compliance with the law.

Thanks for taking the time to give me an in depth answer. And good point by the way, concerning cops "shaking down every camper "i'll keep that in mind.

JDX · Jul 16, 2015

GP Henry said:
For the exact concerns you state I am looking at buying an ESEE 3, and when camping using my hatchet for heavy work. Be aware that a 4" blade is not legal in CT (only less than 4" is), and that the "outdoor activity" exception to the law is for Transportation, Reenactment as well as Hunting, Fishing or Trapping when doing so with an appropriate license. There is no exception for Camping and Hiking. The comments regarding the likelihood of encountering a LEO being small is true, but we live in such a blue state, and the desire to occasionally EDC a fixed blade, my decision is to just make due with what is surely legal. Just a comment also regarding the hatchet, best I can tell, the largest I feel safe from our laws for my purposes has a cutting edge less than 4". Not great laws, but this is Connecticut.

Are you 100% on that? I thought the law was the cutting edge could be 4 inches or less...no?

JDX · Jul 16, 2015

Todd21969 said:
I am in Windham County.

Due to the fact that it is a felony if caught and that even a pistol permit does not give me an exemption. I stick with a under 4" edge while camping or hiking on public land. A Fallkniven F1.

The largest knife I carry out and about is a Spyderco Police with a 3.812" edge (4.125" scale to tip).

Funny how we can own a firearm, but not a knife larger than 4 inches, but thanks for the response. I will definitely take a look at the F1. Had my eyes on the esee 3. But I've heard great things about fallkniven. Thanks again

GP Henry · Jul 16, 2015

JDX said:
Are you 100% on that? I thought the law was the cutting edge could be 4 inches or less...no?

CT Statute

Under the law, dangerous weapons are (1) dirk knives, (2) switch knives, (3) stilettos, (4) any knife that has an automatic spring release device that releases a blade from the handle longer than one and one-half inches, and (5) any knife that has a blade with an edged portion four inches or longer.

4 inches and longer is considered a dangerous weapon and not acceptable under the law. Less than 4 inches is ok. It does say "edge portion"

EricV · Aug 3, 2015

JDX said:
Funny how we can own a firearm, but not a knife larger than 4 inches, but thanks for the response. I will definitely take a look at the F1. Had my eyes on the esee 3. But I've heard great things about fallkniven. Thanks again

That used to be different. Not that long ago permit holders were allowed to carry anything including autos. How that revision went through is a study in the illogical legal system, I'm sure it was touted by someone in their "cutting down on crime" campaign line". The screw up was that they didn't remove the hunting/fishing permit law exemptions which existed before as well, but chose just to cut out the CCW permit holder line.

Having hiked and camped around the state for my entire life with scouts and on my own I've had a half dozen or so interactions with LEOs while hiking/camping and only twice has the person mentioned my knife (an ESEE 3 or Mora at one point), both times to ask where I got them/it. You couldn't pay me to openly carry anything larger than a Candiru in Fairfield or that general area, too many soccer mom's with anger issues. North West corner has better hiking anyway.

EricV · Aug 5, 2015

JDX said:
I understand the basic knife laws and when I can carry what. Except one thing. I do a lot of camping, hiking and backpacking (fairfield county) I do not hunt at all and I wouldn't need a fixed blade when fishing (personally) so is it legal to carry a fixed blade OVER 4 inches if I'm camping/backpacking or hiking?

I'd prefer you only answer if you're in some branch of law enforcement or at least from Connecticut. I've read the law and it says you can carry a fixed blade of 4 inches or under with you where ever (exceptions: school grounds) but you can only carry a knife larger than 4 inches if you're hunting or fishing.

Because I have an esee 3 but it's just not enough blade for me. And carrying an axe and fixed blade just feels over the top. Id rather have a large fixed blade and a small folder.

I'd just bring an axe but I can't do a lot of fine detail or any small tasks. I understand how much you all hate people who baton with their knives, but if rather have a multipurpose tool that's a Jack of all trades than an axe which is the king of chopping but that's it.

I would love to be able to carry a swamp rat Ratmandu. But as far as my knowledge goes, it's illegal.

where did you see the part about school grounds? I'm looking at the law right now and I'm not seeing that.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_943.htm

19-3ben · Aug 12, 2015

Damn. I came here to the legal section to ask exactly this. I really want to carry a larger knife with me on my hikes in some of our local trails. Don't need anything big, but my BK16 is just big enough to get me in trouble.
Perhaps that's just the excuse I need to get a BK14. Funny thing is, I've carried my KaBar USMC in the woods many times back before i was "into" knives. Never ever had a problem or even a sideways glance.

EricV · Aug 13, 2015

My experience is that the huge majority of people don't care. The laws too poorly worded, it would technically be illegal for someone to clear a trail with a machete if it were on public land.