Kerambit illegal in California carry law?

A

alexs

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
Messages
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Question for the H.I. fans in California:

Do you know if the Kerambit counts as a "dirk/dagger" according to California knife carry laws thus making it illegal to carry? Anything that lends itself to easy stabbing seems to be outlawed so I was wondering if someone researched this matter.

Thanks,
Alex


P.S. Aren't California knife and gun laws just great!

Edit: What the heck is a "Kerambig"? Pardon my terrible spelling in the subject line, apparently one cannot edit that to correct typos. But you have to admit Kerambig sounds great, maybe it will catch on!
 
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Have been told by LEO's we train with that they are no different than any other fixed blade knife. Mind you this San Luis Obispo county, not Hell A or SillyCon valley...
 
I don't know of any laws concerning karambits per se, but the republik of califas can be a funny place. The karambits design is primarily as a defensive weapon, so an LEO may find some ground to mess with someone caught EDCing one. Just using it for camping and the like should be just fine though.
 
alexs said:
Edit: What the heck is a "Kerambig"? Pardon my terrible spelling in the subject line, apparently one cannot edit that to correct typos. But you have to admit Kerambig sounds great, maybe it will catch on!
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"KeramBIG" is the jumbo-sized version.:D
 
I do believe that what they mean by "dirks/daggers" are fixed blade knives that are sharpened on both edges... the kerambit only has one side sharpened and shouldn't be illegal to EDC so long as your state laws don't have laws against fixed blade carry and the knife is within legal length limits (if there is one)
 
killa_concept said:
I do believe that what they mean by "dirks/daggers" are fixed blade knives that are sharpened on both edges... the kerambit only has one side sharpened and shouldn't be illegal to EDC so long as your state laws don't have laws against fixed blade carry and the knife is within legal length limits (if there is one)
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The Kerambit (at least mine) does have a sharpened swedge and thus a double edge. It is not "sharp" sharp, but sharp like the karda on HI kukri. I guess sharp enough to get me in trouble.
Alex
 
CA law does not discrminate against double edged knives. A Dirk/dagger according to CA law is basically ANY fixed blade knife. There are no length limits as long as the blade is openly carried on the waist. If it is concealed it's a felony. Local laws can and do vary. LA has many limitations on knives for example. As a state CA has pretty good knife laws.
 
If anything the ring may be the deal breaker. It may be interpreted as brass knuckles.
 
tedwca said:
CA law does not discrminate against double edged knives. A Dirk/dagger according to CA law is basically ANY fixed blade knife. There are no length limits as long as the blade is openly carried on the waist. If it is concealed it's a felony. Local laws can and do vary. LA has many limitations on knives for example. As a state CA has pretty good knife laws.
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"Concealed" has a mirky definition though. Let's say you keep it in the sheath on your belt, and have your shirt/T-shirt tucked into your pants. Then you are freaking everyone out but at least you are okay by the law. But the moment you untuck your shirt to cover your waist or you put a jacket on, is it then cosidered concealed, or do you have to go out of your way to hide it to be considered concealed like in a pocket, sling, or ankle holster?

And I hear you on the brass knuckle part.

Alex
 
alexs said:
"Concealed" has a mirky definition though. Let's say you keep it in the sheath on your belt, and have your shirt/T-shirt tucked into your pants. Then you are freaking everyone out but at least you are okay by the law. But the moment you untuck your shirt to cover your waist or you put a jacket on, is it then cosidered concealed, or do you have to go out of your way to hide it to be considered concealed like in a pocket, sling, or ankle holster?

And I hear you on the brass knuckle part.

Alex
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If it is not visible then it is concealed. If covered by t shirt or jacket it is concealed. There is an older man here that goes on nightly walk with a katana and people call the cops all the time, but they can't do anything because he wears it on his belt and does not brandish it.
 
tedwca said:
All you ever want to know about CA knife laws. http://www.ninehundred.net/~equalccw/knifelaw.html
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Yes, I know this website; I like this guy's legal and yet friendly style of exposition. I especially like the collection of folders at the bottom; it convinced me that my giant folder by Cold Steel, the Rajah with 6" blade is okay even in schools and gov't buildings.

Walking a dog with a katana... I think the UK and Japan have laws about not letting the proverbial "cat" out of the "sword bag" in public, but I guess it is fine here. Lucky for me, since my katanas are on the longish side, 46" OAL length is not easy to conceal even if I tried, so the law works in my favor if I ever want to walk a dog dressed like a shinobi ;)

Alex
 
Although California State Law may not restrict carry much at all, local ordinances usually do. Check your local ordinance to make sure it's legal where you are. Stupid but true.
 
alexs said:
Yes, I know this website; I like this guy's legal and yet friendly style of exposition. I especially like the collection of folders at the bottom; it convinced me that my giant folder by Cold Steel, the Rajah with 6" blade is okay even in schools and gov't

Alex
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I hope by schools you mean colleges or universities.
 
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