OT, Knife Laws? Anyone Know?

Bryce Frazier

Well-known Member
Been trying to do some research on the Idaho State, Knife Carry Laws.

As we all know, I can't legally carry a hand gun until I am 21 (not right in my opinion, but oh well!)

I have a large knife that I have on me frequently around the property, and want to start carrying it with me in town and stuff.

It WILL be visible (not concealed)
It is a Straight Blade
It will be in a full sheath, with two "Fast Clips" to get it out.
It will be hanging on my belt.

Is it legal for me, 16 year old, to carry that?

From what I have found online, it is NOT legal for me to "own" a knife of that size, however I am legal to carry one AS LONG as I have WITH ME, written consent for the EXACT knife from at least one of my parents.

Do you agree?

Just looking for the fact of it! Would post a picture if that is ok, but I wasn't sure if it was or not? I have seen a bunch of gun pictures on here, so a knife should be alright huh?

Thanks! Bryce
 
I'd think you should be fine I carry knives all the time I even carried big ones like your talking about in Walmart and places like that and was just fine I do live in Ohio but hope this helps
 
Alright, here is the picture of it... . It is a 9" blade... Bryce
a185283.jpg
 
Might want to contact the local sheriff's office; they should be able to tell you what is legal and what is not legal.

It used to be that you could not carry any knife with a blade more than 3" long on an passenger airplane, but since 9/11 I think that they will confiscate anything that has any blade that will cut someone. I leave my pocket knife at home when I fly; it's been in my pocket for 60 years so don't want to lose it at security.
 
Bryce,

I am unsure of your state laws, but I've handled that knife and more at more tender years.

That said, I agree, check with the local authorities, being right, and being wrong has significant long lasting issues.

I used to carry a knife whenever I liked, but lately there's seems to be more problems carrying that blade.

Hope you get a better answer than mine.

D.
 
Why on earth would you want to carry around a big knife? Is it that dangerous where you live... In where? Idaho?? Seems silly and very immature to me. True Son
 
Bryce, lean toward the side of caution. You are too young to get in trouble for carrying a weapon that someone else thinks is offensive.
I understand your point of view, but things aren't like they used to be.
 
Bryce, you carry that knife almost anywhere you will get into trouble! Get yourself a folding knife, such as a Buck 110 and you will have no problem. I have carried one all my life, never go any
Where without it. Never had any trouble. Good luck, Steve
 
You will have to check with each state . Laws very from state to state with blade lenght and if you can open carry or not.
Go to this site I think it will give you what you want but I would still check with your local law enforcement. { The firing line. com/library/knife laws}
 
Ya, I think that will be the next step talking to the game wardens, or Sheriff...

Sounds to me like some of you guys are thinking that I am looking to get into gang fights or something! Thats not it at all!

If a person attacked me with a small knife or gun or something, I would be to bold to surrender, I would probably just lay one on him.

This here is a Black Bear / Moose / Cougar / whatever knife!

I am not saying that I will ever need it, but I am going out and doing a lot more "remote" stuff on my own, and I think that it is time to kick it up a notch from my folding knife...

The other thing I don't like about folding knives, is that in most cases, they are not quick and easy to get out! Most of mine take two hands to open, and a brief second of concentration, a straight blade (be it any size) is MUCH easier to get out, and once it is out, it is already open!?

Makes sense to me...

Thanks for the input! Bryce
 
Bruce, carrying that knife into town where you are around a lot of other people will just get you into trouble. If you are ever into a situation where you are about to get into a confrontation with someone, the knife will just take the situation up to another level. The perpetrator will just get a BIGGER knife or maybe a gun. Learn to handle situations with your brain, your body, or if you think you are going to be in places where you need it, a gun. But spend some time thinking about the consequences of showing a weapon and then using it. This stuff is life changing.
If you want to carry the knife around the farm or house, for use as the tool it was made for that's one thing, but it will cause you nothing but grief in town...slim
 
Bryce.......I too feel necked without a knife in my pocket ...but... yer just askin' fer trouble carrying that MONSTER in town. Its just good fer brambles and sapling clearing. It might impress the Boy Scouts but NOT the Scoutmaster. I have a friend that goes down to Olympia and picks over the knives that have been confiscated at SeaTac airport.

I've been carrying since I was 9-yo and had to sharpen a knife for a Cub Scouts merit badge, I'm 77-yo now. The ONLY time I haven't had a knife was when I had mine confiscated by the SARGENT the first nite in military training. It really made me sad 'cuz it was my grandpa's knife and was eazy to sharpen. You do know that a SHARP knife is the safest knife.

Iff'n you're goin' places where you feel the need to carry a knife is important, you might want to re-think where yer goin' and why. .......respectfully, Dell
 
When you go off to school, I doubt you will be able to carry something like that in the open around campus, Idaho schools might be different.

Around home, check with your local cops if that is allowed in your town, and if they would enforce it.

In many places, carrying a knife or a gun in the open can get you laughed at. In the places that are rough enough that you might actually need a nice knife like that, you will have to worry about having it stolen.
 
Might want to read this. http://www.knifeup.com/idaho-knife-law/

Personally I think you would be better off with pepper spray.
 
Hey man... I'm 18 and trust me I made that mistake. Carry a switch blade or somthing that doesn't stand out so much... When will you ever need a knife that big. I carry a buck switch blade. Really nice knife. Consider somthing like that.
 
(quoted from post at 14:37:36 03/04/15) Been trying to do some research on the Idaho State, Knife Carry Laws.

As we all know, I can't legally carry a hand gun until I am 21 (not right in my opinion, but oh well!)

I have a large knife that I have on me frequently around the property, and want to start carrying it with me in town and stuff.

It WILL be visible (not concealed)
It is a Straight Blade
It will be in a full sheath, with two "Fast Clips" to get it out.
It will be hanging on my belt.

Is it legal for me, 16 year old, to carry that?

From what I have found online, it is NOT legal for me to "own" a knife of that size, however I am legal to carry one AS LONG as I have WITH ME, written consent for the EXACT knife from at least one of my parents.

Do you agree?

Just looking for the fact of it! Would post a picture if that is ok, but I wasn't sure if it was or not? I have seen a bunch of gun pictures on here, so a knife should be alright huh?

Thanks! Bryce

If you want to have a knife with you, and who doesn't, get a folding pocket knife. Something like a Barlow, or a Schrader, etc. etc.
 
I don't know why you'd even WANT to carry a knife like that in public---no purpose for it in public. If it's intended to be for "protection", the next guy probably has a gun. And you'd be no match for that. Better stick with your tractors, trucks, and machinery.
 
In my opinion leave it at home. Unless you will be constantly using it(as a tool), such as going to the local pumpkin patch for a truck load or a camping trip. All it takes is some one with a bad idea and fast hands, then your "prize" knife will be their weapon of crime.

Forget to take it off at wrong place: gone(not as hard of feeling losing a small folding pocket knife). If you want to carry a knife go small. I always carried a small pocket knife, even took to school for a while. One day some fool had his knife and was tossing it at the ceiling, that day was the last I took mine thinking it would be taken if I used it. Now that I'm out its in the pocket full time again.

The chances of something happening that it would be needed for self defense is very low in small town. So again just leave the big knife home.
 
I think that it would be more trouble than it is worth. Guys who like to work out don't always go out looking for trouble but that don't stop guys from approaching the muscle bound guy looking for trouble. The same thing goes with knives, (sp) numchucks, etc... I would think twice especially now that you have a girlfriend. There were places I wanted to go as a young man looking for attractive women but for quite a number the chances were good somebody was going to put you in the ER for stitches at a minimum. As others said stick to tractors, farming, and such.
 
"Don't take your knife to town, son; leave your knife at home, Bryce, don't take your knife to town."

Whether you know it or not, big knife on the hip makes a statement. In most cases, the wrong statement.
 
All you need is a pocket knife.
carrying a big blade like that in town is asking for trouble.

You mustv'e heard that old country song.

Leave your guns at home son,,don't take your guns to town son,..leave your guns at home.

Goes for big blades like yours as well
 
Unless you have the training on how to handle a knife you a target and can be taken away from you pretty easy then used on you. I carry 3 knifes in my pocket at all times. My son at times carries a big blade knife with him but he ha had Marine combat training on how to handle a knife in a close quarts fight and believe me it is not as easy to win a fight as many think
 
I wouldn't carry it, I have a 8" blade spring assisted stiletto and don't even try to carry that because I think 5" is the biggest you can carry in iowa, also have out the front switch blades which are illegal to carry, but not to own, just sit in my gun shelves at home.
 
And why do you feel you should carry a handgun when your 21?? Lots of bad guys on the loose in Idaho? I seriously doubt it. True Son
 
Quote: And why do you feel you should carry a handgun when your 21?? Lots of bad guys on the loose in Idaho? I seriously doubt it. True Son

!. Because he has a constitutional right to carry one when he is 21.

2. It doesn't take "lots of bad guys" - just one.

3. If you could kindly provide a map of where the "very few bad guys" are at any particular time, that would be most helpful!
 
Anytime I see someone with that type of knife on in town after or before deer season I think "mall ranger". Big time wannabe!

Why on earth would you want to carry that thing? In town some real bad ask is going to take it away from you. In the woods with a grizz? All you are going to do is make the grizz even madder, before it kills you! Bad man in town is going to have a gun and you should never, ever take a knife to a gun fight!

Rick
 
I agree. If I were to see a person carrying
such a blade around town I would question their
integrity and common sense. And as you state,
carrying a big, openly-visible knife for self-
defense purposes would go a long way in
escalating a bad situation into something truly
ugly. It usually wouldn't work in real life
like it did for Crocodile Dundee. For everyday
carry a small, folding lockback (or even better
in my opinion, a multi-tool) would be far more
useful for virtually any of the tasks in which
you find yourself in need of a blade.
 
Jim Bowie would be proud. Unless you are fightin' 'Mexicans or Injuns, leave it at home. I carried a Buck 31/2" pouch knife for many, many moons, until I got thrown out of a Casino in Reno (Nev) for having it on me. Lost the sucker a couple of years later. When I go sailing , I ALWAYS have a knife on a lanyard in my pocket(there is a reason). HTH b
 
You can carry a pocket knife into a goverment building or a hospital in the area you live. You can't do it here.
 
(quoted from post at 14:44:02 03/04/15) Alright, here is the picture of it... . It is a 9" blade... Bryce
a185283.jpg

Hmmmmm, looks like the one you used on me when you stole that H :shock: BTW, the tires are off those rims if you get down this way.....
 
WOW that blew up fast!!

First of all, thanks for all of the advice! I think that I am still going to look for a straight blade, but maybe something not nearly as big.. Maybe a 3 or 4 inch blade huh?

For you guys that don't know why I would want to carry a gun, then you must not be living in the real world...

Where I live, I would honestly guess that 80% of people are carry one on them at ALL times, and about 60% of those people are carrying them concealed, legally.

A gun or knife is a TOOL to me, I would want to carry a revolver for many reasons, protection being the most important. In a perfect world I would never need it, but that isn't where we live, crime is ALL around us, and I personally feel that having a gun may be the difference between a bad situation, and a REALLY bad situation....

Bryce
 
Couldn't agree more! A map would be AWESOME! :)

Takes just one guy, and one bad mouth to start a fight... I know I could run aweful fast, but that might not be good enough!

Just protection... Maybe you are a 6 foot body builder, and don't need a gun, well, I am 6'5 scrawny, NOT muscular at all, and get picked on ALL the time!

You just never know..... Bryce
 
His was like a small sword wasn't it??

I remember when he got into a fight with those guys in the alley, and he had forgot his knife or something, and the cab drive hit them with something..... Don't remember what though?? Seemed REALLY fake!!?! Bryce
 
Well Son, I've lived in the "real world" for a little over 66 years. There have been a very few times in my life that I wish I had a gun with me when I was around people, but looking back from this vantage point, I'm glad I wasn't carrying one. There are no material items I own that I would want to shoot somebody for, and if I had carried a gun around with me most of my adult life I would have used it a couple of times. I've been so angry at times that I would have shot people, but I've gotten over it--usually in a few seconds. Acting out our emotions by pulling and using a gun carries a burden with it that almost never ends well. You've had a lot of advise with with your knife post, I hope you are smart enough of a young man to take the time to consider it...slim
 
That sounds like good advice to me! :)

I am proudly and Eagle Scout, got it when I was 13.

Seemed like in Scouting that your knife was NEVER big enough! I was never in the "knife race" I ALWAYS carried just a plain little Swiss Army Knife. LOVED those things! When I broke my last one, I traded up to a Winchester pliers/knife/driver set. I have had that in my pocket for 10 years, and am actually starting to wear the rivets out of it! But it doesn't have a locking blade, and I have had a few close calls because of that...

Still think that I would like a straight blade, or a swish blade, or something along those lines that I could get out with one hand... Seems smart!

Thanks again, Bryce
 
Thats very true... IN the heat of the moment it is proven that our judgment is lacking for sure!

I have proved to myself that I can just "walk away" from a fight. Have done it several times before, and then there have been times when I SHOULD have walked away as well!!

Life is too short for fighting and stuff, for me at least. Don't want anything to do with booze or drugs, but unfortunately there are a LOT of people out there that abuse them!

Thanks for the advice... bryce
 
Get a decent folding knife.
If you want something legal to carry, get a cane. With a little training they can be quite an effective self-defense tool.
Only problem is that if you have to use it, they may try to get you for hunting over bait.
 
(quoted from post at 20:29:10 03/04/15) HEY!



You said you weren't going to tell anyone about that?!?!?! :p

Hows the vacation treating you??

Bryce

I've been home for two days now...been busting tires all day today, will be sore tomorrow.
 
Oh? I thought that you were going to be gone for a couple of weeks? How long has it been since I was down there?!?!

Come to think of it maybe it has already been a couple of weeks!!! :O
 
Knew some guys in my younger days that packed around big bowie type knives. They came across as idiots or social outcasts.

I can completely field dress a deer with a real good pocket knife. US made Gerber or Leatherman lock blade.

Never take a knife to a gunfight.

Gene
 
(quoted from post at 20:36:41 03/04/15) Oh? I thought that you were going to be gone for a couple of weeks? How long has it been since I was down there?!?!

Come to think of it maybe it has already been a couple of weeks!!! :O

No it was only a week and 2800 miles...two would have been nice, tho.
 
Bryce Frazier,

It may be lawful and well within your rights to carry a 9" knife.

It may be ok until you have to use it, the guy is DEAD the witnesses clam up or disappear.

You may get off with just loosing all of your possessions and hard work (parents also) to your defense lawyers.

You may loose the above and also spend 20 years.

Like it's ok to own something just DON"T USE IT.
 
Bryce, I live in the real world. I am old enough to be your dad. My youngest is 25 former navy man like me. I have lived in more towns/cities then you are old. Plus been over seas in a good number of countries. Other then the childhood fights I can count on one hand any fight I have been in as an adult. The key is being smart enough not to get your self into the place where you have to fight and being smart enough to know there are ways around getting into a fight. Sure there are times I carry a weapon that is hidden in plain sight but then again I am suppose to walk with a cane so my cane is a African war club so hidden in plain sight but have only used it on a Opossum and it did in fact die
 
I would leave it at home, carry it around your home/land were you can't get into trouble, this isent the Daniel Boone days anymore.., I carry a ace aluminum folding knife with replaceable blades to cut open hay bales, feed bags ect,, I don't see any need for something that big, unless your butchering animals.
 
That's a darned machete LOL ! Someone may think you have a chip on your shoulder with that brush cutter hanging off the belt LOL !. That is a tool for other than public places, I'd not want it in reach of someone who may want to take it and use it on you if easily unsheathed.

Years ago it was common, perfectly acceptable, maybe it still is, just to have a nice size locking foldback, like buck or schrade, the rosewood and brass model, 5"-6" or so, on their belt in a sheath. Utilitarian and daily carry, I just like a pocket knife, size of a buck 503 or so. Now when I hit the pizza joint every so often, in the nearby city, there's a lot of street mongers outside usually, I carry this spring loaded but locking and retractable letter opener is what I'll call it, just in case, but of course these thugs carry guns, been some shots fired in the area in recent times, so best to just avoid them anyway, but I do have something at least. I'm better at avoiding them, been going there for 30 years, actually lived 2 blocks down when in college, was safer then too.
 
I'm 70 now I grew up in Idaho never needed a big knife, have carried a pocket knife since first grade.

Personally I think if you mind your own business you don't need anything. If you look for crap you'll find it.
 
The movie was probably before your time so here is the clip:

I'm going to vote for you taking martial arts training of some kind and carry a folding knife of some kind......

That huge thing looks like a burden to carry around all of the time.
You call that a knife?
 
What exactly qualifies you to comment on what the "real world" is to men that are old enough to be your grandfather? Your own "real world" experience???

One thing that you must carefully consider is that if you have a weapon in your possession, and you have to use it, there WILL be aftermath. If you kill or injure another person for whatever reason, you WILL be standing tall in front of a judge or judge and jury. You will have to be prepared to defend your use of that weapon. Not always an easy thing to do. You will also have to carry the consequences of that action with you for the rest of your life.

Better to stay away from places that might provoke the usage of a weapon or to avoid the situation entirely. If your town is that rough, maybe you should consider a different town.
 
That knife is less a tool and more a statement. Be sure it's the kind of statement you WANT to make. Keep in mind that not all people will take that statement the same way you intend it.....
 
Well there are different kinds of defense than from people. Up in his part of the country there are any number of varmints that could cause plenty of problems without going looking for them.
I read some of the replies and skimmed most. I didn't notice where anybody made much if any reference to the need for protection from things other than people.
Cats and not Sylvester, bears not Yogi and such. I guess If I was going out in the back woods much I would either have a pistol or a rifle with me. I have been out in some of the back country of SE Idaho with friends. Not a place I would want to be without something, and not some little folding pocket knife.
SO yes I am on his side for different reasons than most are against his.
 
We all have real world experience, obviously you have more than me, but it isn't like I just had my 1st Bday yesterday!

I watch the news, see the wars, listen to all the crazy that is going on around us, and it kind of scares me!

I never did say that my town is rough at all, in fact I feel VERY comfortable in this little town, but you just never know! If you could tell me RIGHT NOW, that Sandpoint ID is criminal/bad guy free, I would never carry something again, but you CAN'T....

I understand the consequences, which is one of the bigger reasons why I want to learn the law. I want to know what is legal and what is not, and when it has been taken too far.

Bryce
 
I agree! I would RUN from a fight without hesitation, but in some instances that may not be an option!

I don't want to fight, what will it prove?? More than likely some random guy is going to pound me into the ground, and that will be that. Weeeee sounds fun right?!?!

Thanks for the advice! Bryce
 
(quoted from post at 07:38:00 03/05/15) We all have real world experience, obviously you have more than me, but it isn't like I just had my 1st Bday yesterday!

I watch the news, see the wars, listen to all the crazy that is going on around us, and it kind of scares me!

I never did say that my town is rough at all, in fact I feel VERY comfortable in this little town, but you just never know! If you could tell me RIGHT NOW, that Sandpoint ID is criminal/bad guy free, I would never carry something again, but you CAN'T....

I understand the consequences, which is one of the bigger reasons why I want to learn the law. I want to know what is legal and what is not, and when it has been taken too far.

Bryce

The thing of it is that gun or knife you have to be very careful of how or where you should have it and use it if need be. Defensively a knife isn't anything. While you are pulling out the 8-9-10 blade a bad guy is pulling out a gun. That means you have to get close enough to use that knife. First rule of knife fighting is NEVER, EVER THROW IT! That knife leaves your hand you are now DEFENSELESS! So wanting a knife for self defense is great, if you live on a planet that has no firearms.

As far as gun fights go don't listen to these people who talk about one shot one kill. It isn't a sniper operation where you would be shooting from a hide. It's face to face in a high stress situation. Police officers who are trained for that type of fight generally shoot far more rounds than actually hit the bad guy. Heck I most likely, even though I'm in a rural area live in a more populated area than you do. I have both firearms and knives. I carry a folder and have my carry permit. I hardly ever carry because the threat level just isn't here yet.

Rick
 
I agree, in a panic situation, you won't shoot like "The Rifle Man"!

A neighbor has a good theory on that though, he carries a 22 Mag, revolver, in his pocket most of the time, but sometime out in the open. I LOVE it because it is SMALL, FAST, and MUCH lighter than a 38, 357, 44, etc.

The other interesting thing about it, is that he has miniature shot gun shells in the first 2 holes, and then just normal bullets.

He claims that when the "situation" first arises, you chance of hitting your target it 1 in 5, second shot, it is STILL 1 in 5, however he says that IF you are able to shoot the attacker in the 1st or 2nd shot, your odds for a good shot on No.3 are 4 in 5!

So, he carries those shot gun shells in the first two holes, and then 6 normal bullets. And he told me that 1 of two things will happen:

1. The attacker will be scared enough by the fact that he was just shot with a bunch of BBs and give up.

or

2. The attacker will be shot twice with BBs, be ------ off, and will still be coming after you!

Either way, he claims that you have a 4 out of 5 chance of hitting him with that 3rd shot.

He is a concealed carry NRA instructor and a Marine, I suspect he may have some experience!

Thanks! :)

Bryce
 
He said he wanted to carry it into town and that is the difference for me. Also, if his vehicle were to break down somewhere between town and home a cell phone is a far more useful tool unless I am missing something here. If it were really dangerous in terms of two legged varmints I don't think he would fare well against somebody with a gun. Maybe carry dad's gun in dad's truck with the understanding that it STAYS in dad's truck unless he is ambushed by a bear or something similar.
 
(quoted from post at 09:12:25 03/05/15) I agree, in a panic situation, you won't shoot like "The Rifle Man"!

A neighbor has a good theory on that though, he carries a 22 Mag, revolver, in his pocket most of the time, but sometime out in the open. I LOVE it because it is SMALL, FAST, and MUCH lighter than a 38, 357, 44, etc.

The other interesting thing about it, is that he has miniature shot gun shells in the first 2 holes, and then just normal bullets.

He claims that when the "situation" first arises, you chance of hitting your target it 1 in 5, second shot, it is STILL 1 in 5, however he says that IF you are able to shoot the attacker in the 1st or 2nd shot, your odds for a good shot on No.3 are 4 in 5!

So, he carries those shot gun shells in the first two holes, and then 6 normal bullets. And he told me that 1 of two things will happen:

1. The attacker will be scared enough by the fact that he was just shot with a bunch of BBs and give up.

or

2. The attacker will be shot twice with BBs, be ------ off, and will still be coming after you!

Either way, he claims that you have a 4 out of 5 chance of hitting him with that 3rd shot.

He is a concealed carry NRA instructor and a Marine, I suspect he may have some experience!

Thanks! :)

Bryce

LOL, I'm retired Army. When I carry it's either a 9MM (seldom) or a .45. I figure that if (and I hope it never happens) I have to use it I want the bad guy to go down and stay down weather I get them with the first shot or the last one in the mag!

Rick
 
Ever hear a little information is a powerful thing? In this case it is. If you would of mentioned in the first place that the whole town carries already, and that the global crime rates scares you: this whole thread might have gone in a different direction.

That 3-4 inch would be good to start with. Once people get use to you carrying (if they even notice with everyone else already), you can take that bigger one and test the waters. If it gets to much attention, or you feel less comfortable with it: leave it home. If everyone still don't care do as you please.

First few times I pulled my pocket knife out in public people thought I was nuts. Now they come and ask to borrow it if they need a knife quick(since they know I have it and don't care who knows it). Most of the times I have it out, I do what I need and have it back in before anyone near by sees anything.
 
Thats exactly what I do!

I have a small folding knife that is a "pretty town knife" that I wear (custom made Buck with my name engraved in gold in it.) and ALL the people I know, know that I have it on me.

One interesting thing that happened the other day, I whipped it out to hand it to somebody, and a lady ( no clue who she was ) that was standing right next to me said "Oh! I think that holster was a CELL PHONE!)

On second though, it is almost the same size, and all black. You see all of these people with their phones on their belt, and it made me wonder how many people see me, and quickly see something black on my right side and just assume it is a phone or something of that nature?!

Bryce
 
I didn't realize there was a knife law in Idaho use to carry one don't anymore .I nearly killed a guy with a ball pien hammer once so I don't carry any weapons and if you need one you can get creative .
 

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