measuring a knife blade for legal carry??

Morablades

Morablades

Joined
Dec 29, 2007
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for instance, I have a Case small slabside hunter that measures 3 1/2" from the guard to the point, but the actual edge measures 3 1/16". Blade legal length here in GA is 3" max. My first question is how do officers measure the blades, from tang to point or just the cutting edge? Next, would there be an issue made out of a half inch if this knie was carried on my belt in plain view for work? I work maintenance and their are no rules in the workplace that say I cannot carry a fixed blade on the belt.

Thank you or yur help,

Mora
 
Most state laws are very good about naming the specific limits on a blade length. Yet, I'm not aware of any state that defines how to measure that blade length.

Worse, anecdotes here and elsewhere relate how a police officer will use his own method to measure the blade. There's little rhyme or reason, even though each LEO is convinced his method is the right one. Edge? Spine? Total length?

I can't speak for Georgia law enforcement, but am betting someone here can.
 
Morablades said:
Blade legal length here in GA is 3" max. My first question is how do officers measure the blades, from tang to point or just the cutting edge?
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unless there is specific language in the codes determining how a blade should be measured, it is a gamble.

most will probably measure tip to scale. ive had this argument with coworkers and have always been able to convince them that it is better to measure only cutting edge, otherwise it is possible to lose solely on the blade length should it come in to question by the defense.

but it should be noted, were one to stab someone, the unsharpened portion or choil could certainly penetrate following the leading edge. the scales could also, for that matter.

again, unless specifically stated, it is easily arguable that both methods are correct.

Next, would there be an issue made out of a half inch if this knie was carried on my belt in plain view for work?
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maybe. it is impossible to speculate on what a hypothetical officer or co worker might say or do.

but, hypothetically ;), if you are arrested with your knife for a different charge, it is conceivable that the knife in question could result in a separate charge.

if you are otherwise detained, the knife in question could certainly result in your arrest for only the knife.
 
As stated above there is no official "standard" that I am aware of. I measure the cutting edge, but I have seen others include the tang. I suppose the AKTI standard would be a safe one to follow, but its not an official way.

As far as the extra 1/16th being an issue... it could be. There again it depends on the officer you get.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Tang to tip does seem to be the safest way to measure. think I'll keep the knife in quetion tucked away for outdoor use. I hate to say it, but the officers in this town are too much of a gamble to chance.
 
myright said:
I've found the tip to scales method to be different than manufacturer specs in some cases.
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no officer is going to care how the manufacturer measures the knives. they will most likely care only about what they can see and quantify, and that is your knife and a ruler.

it is also entirely possible that the judge wont care either.

the "safest" way is to measure tip to scale.
 
I thought it might be a good idea to update this old thread. Apparently, GA state law was changed, effective 7/1/2012, it is now legal to carry up to five inches.


Also, I wanted to tell of you my experience.

In 1991 I was carrying an older Buck light, in a sheath on my belt, when I went to the ER one night with a migraine. It was the smaller version, with a <3" blade, and just a little over 7" overall when open. The guard asked for it, and I surrendered it to him, letting him remove it from the sheath. (I carried it with the Velcro flap stuck back in the open position, so the top half inch or so was visible and easy to grasp.) The ER was crowded, and I soon decided to leave without treatment. He gave it back to me wrapped in a postal envelope, with a bunch of scotch tape wrapped around that. Rather than deal with the tape in my condition, I just shoved it in my pocket and left. Hours later, my conditioned having worsened, I returned. I was sitting at Registration, with my head down on my crossed arms on the counter. The officer walked up beside me and asked for the knife. I started to "present" the sheath to him as before, to let him remove it, and then realized the knife was still in my pocket. I took the still wrapped up knife out of my pocket, handed it to him, and put my head back down. A short while later he was back....... with a patrol officer.

I was accused of "drug seeking behavior" and taken the the state hospital. I filed for an AMA release, and they responded by starting commitment proceedings. While I wasn't actually charged with a crime, there are probate court documents on record that state that I threatened the ER staff with an open 10" knife. I spent 23 days locked up with real crazy people, some dangerously so, before a second doctor realized I didn't belong there and released me. So I now have a record that eventually cost me my firearms license, and the ability to purchase a weapon from a licensed dealer.

I realize that I might have had a chance to refute those accusations in a criminal court (probate court does not recognize the right to confront witnesses, or their written statements), but my point is that they can measure however they want, and claim whatever they want.

And even if criminal charges don't stick, you could still be arrested...... or worse.
 
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