illegal in NY? Kershaw 1900UCBLK pocket knife

[audiodog22]

What's up. I've been doing research on NY laws regarding knives and found that a simple pocket knife that can lock by a lever, button, spring or other way is considered a "gravity knife". Now does that mean that the Kershaw 1900UCBLK is also illegal since it does lock but not by a lever, spring, or button like every other pocket knife? Go to Kershaw's web site, click on the 360 view and check this thing out, it's a very interesting design! I mean, i'm not a tough guy and don't know how to fight good, so what does NY suggest that I can protect my self with when I walk outside of my home?

[mckenna913]

I mean, i'm not a tough guy and don't know how to fight good, so what does NY suggest that I can protect my self with when I walk outside of my home?

NY suggests that you protect yourself by calling the police or avoiding situations where stabbing your way out would be necessary. But to answer your question...

According to the website I read "The spring in the tail piece allows the user to open and close the knife one-handed and to improvise their opening technique" which means to me that it is a switchblade, per the NYS Penal Law Definition of switchblade:

"Switchblade knife" means any knife which has a blade which opens
automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other
device in the handle of the knife.

I also considered the fact that some knives have the spring assist and do not necessarily "automatically open" which one could argue makes them not switchblades...in that case I reference you to the fact that the knife also requires a "knob lock" that will lock the blade in place so it doesn't open accidentally. I don't think it would be a stretch to assume than that if you need to lock this thing shut to prevent it from opening that the "spring assist" might be a fancy way of saying "automatic".

Either way I think you would have trouble explaining to me or any other cop why you are carrying around this knife "for protection". If you're that nervous go take self defense classes or hit the gym, but carrying a weapon is not going to make you a better fighter, it's just going to get you in trouble and possibly killed.


Website referenced:
http://www.888knivesrus.com/product/...RBAN_CAMO.html

[audiodog22]

ok, so in other words, ANY type of knife is prohibited in NY, any at all. The problem with the gym and maybe self-defense classes is that 1) classes will/can not make you Chuck Liddel 2) muscles are good for show 3) five guys against one is hard to run or talk your way out of.

But if your telling me "it is what it is" then I guess I have to accept it or get in trouble...

[lax854]

ok, so in other words, ANY type of knife is prohibited in NY, any at all. The problem with the gym and maybe self-defense classes is that 1) classes will/can not make you Chuck Liddel 2) muscles are good for show 3) five guys against one is hard to run or talk your way out of.

But if your telling me "it is what it is" then I guess I have to accept it or get in trouble...

dude if youre worried about a 5 against one situation then youre probably SOMEWHERE you shouldnt be. Ive lived 23 years and ive never been jumped. Do these things happen??? sure they do. So what are we gonna do just live in a bubble all of our lives??? Not all knifes are illegal, carrying anything with a blade over 4 inches is illegal.

[audiodog22]

lax854, that's a good point about living in a bubble and it is true that i have never been in a situation where ppl have pulled out a knife on me(then again i don't go out much) but i have been jumped and sent to the hospital for injuries(25 yrs/old when that happend). I also hear stories from my brother, who is a bouncer, about fights always happeing at his bar and it's not always a fair one-on-one deal. In fact the ppl today always come out with a "crew" that will all stomp on you if you have even a small problem with one of their own and I don't even mean gangs. oh and that 4" rule only applies to NYC I believe. But still my thoughts are; you never know when you may need but a small pocket knife, like 3" or so.

Anyway, I think it's bs for a person to buy a knife but get in trouble if you possess it. Why don't they just ban the merchants from selling to NY in the first place.

but the law is the law and I def don't need to start up a criminal record, i'm only 26 and have a long way to go with life...

[mckenna913]

The problem with the gym and maybe self-defense classes is that 1) classes will/can not make you Chuck Liddel

How do you think Chuck Liddell became "The Iceman"??? He wasn't born with a mohawk and skill sets in Kempo, Kickboxing, Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu...

2) muscles are good for show

Tell that to the next 300 lb musclehead you meet and you might change your mind. :D

[Citicop]

Do you have any training in how to use a knife for combat purposes?

If you don't, then carrying the knife would only give you a sense of false bravado that will get you hurt or killed.

And as to the odds you seem to be putting yourself in...

If there are five people motivated to kill you, a knife will not save you. You may kill two, and MAYBE injure a third, but you won't be able to get all of them before they kill you.

Plus figure that if you are being assaulted (a crime) one or more assailants may also be armed. You bring out your knife, somebody brings out theirs, and now you are facing an opponent armed with a knife. Do you have any training in defending against an edged weapon attack?

Some things to consider-

Citicop.

[lax854]

you know my BIGGEST WEAPON out on the streets is???? my mouth and how i talk to ppl. I HAVE THE POWER to deescalate a situation. Any cop/ citizen does! The power of words is your best friend! i have more confidence dealing with ppl out there when i can talk to them and develop a rapport. Does this always work? ofcourse not, if someone wants to jump you they will. A knife + someone who doesnt know how to use one is just dangerous. In the academy i remember seeing a video of a guy carrying a knife and this other guy who wasnt. They were in a 5 x 5 room and the guy was successful in disarming the perp. Its not about what you got, but how you use it.

[audiodog22]

Citicop, that's a really good point, I never even thought of that. As for been a good talker, well I'm the worst and sometimes make things worse without intending to do so, well I guess a weapon is not the answer and so I will not be that 300lbs tough dude, or a trained fighter (since I don't have the funds or much extra time to do so) and not have the ability to sqush a situation with my vocal chords, i guess i'll have to just be more careful even though ppl start sh*t with others for no reason.

Thanks for your advice guys!

[Joeyd6]

No kinfe training measn you will have that knife taken from you in a fight and killed.

You think a knife will help you on a 5 on 1 situation?

Try a key chain thing of pepper spray that is NY legal, and learn to run hellping "Help." You will be just fine with that.