Ohio Law - I can only carry 2.5 inches...

[Fisher of Men]

Regarding Ohio Knife Laws:

I see that it says "Akron and Cuyahoga Falls" have blade length limits of 2.5". :eek: Well I live in Cuyahoga Falls. I called the police station and confirmed it with one of the officers on duty.

This kind of stinks considering the Spyderco Scorpius I just bought has a 3" blade on it, and the Benchmade 880BT I own has a 3.7" blade on it.

So I guess I can't carry any of my EDC's anymore. I will now begin looking for a good knife with a 2.5" blade. I have a Swiss Army Knife that seems to have a 2.75" blade. It seems almost useless now.

Maybe I'm getting carried away, but this seems crazy. If I can walk into Lowes and buy the SAK I should be able to carry it. And what kind of stinks is that how can I not conceal a Swiss Army Knife...wear it as a necklace?:D

I'm sorry if this sounds more like a "rant" I just feel a little let down. I guess that's what I get for not researching before I buy. I just figured that you see tons of people with 3" + blades and they carry them and use them for camping or whatever.

Am I right on about all this? Do I need to get a tiny little knife just to have a good EDC?

Do you think it would do me any good to stop at my local police station and talk to an officer in person and let him/her know that I have a few knives in my trunk and I just had a few questions about them and how can I carry them? I mean I'm not going to ever use the stuff for self-defense. I have no confidence that I would actually be able to do anything with the knives in self-defence. I just carry my knives as a tool.

Thanks in advance for your reply and the time it took you to read this

Cheers,
Fisher of Men

[ghostrider]

Hello Fisher of Men,

I wouldn't recomend stopping by the police station to have them look at your collection. Good way to loose it.

[Slvgx]

I am in a similar position. Well, I live outside of Chicago, and that means that in Illinois I can carry any blade length, no restrictions on length. I will most likely be moving within city limits in a couple months, which means 2.5" blade length laws apply to me.

The only two current knives I own that fit that would be the SS Cricket, but the blade shape is nice, but I want a more conventional blade shape to be my main EDC. I also own a Jester, but it has no clip, and I feel I need a clip for my main EDC as well.

I searched high and low and found myself a Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Dragonfly which is in the mail as we speak. Yes, I plan on using it as well, which may sounds stupid, but it seems to almost be my perfect option for EDC. I also have a Kopa in the mail that I got in a trade. I will let you know how they go over once I get them.

[Fisher of Men]

That's great Slvgx.

I'd much appreciate that. If you feel like posting, please do, or feel free to email me or hit me up on MSN messenger.

Thanks much!
Fisher of Men

[Slvgx]

Will do Fisher! I plan on posting in the General Discussion forum with pictures and a mini review of first impressions and stuff once I get it. I am expecting them by the end of this week.

[Slvgx]

I don't know if this will make much difference to you or not, but I have a little story.

As I said, the blade length law in Chicago is 2.5" as well. I am into the music scene in Chicago and go to shows. Now at most of the smaller venues you do not get checked for weapons and such. At one show I went to I noticed they were patting people down. Some bands are against sound recording or video cameras or any photography. So security was patting everyone down for electronics and stuff. I got to my point in the line, not even thinking about how I had my Paramilitary clipped, which is over the 2.5" limit.

I got searched and the guy found the knife. He immediately was accusing me, asking me why I was carrying a "switchblade". I explained it was not a "switchblade" but of course it did not matter. He was pretty proud of himself for thwarting my evil plans and he called over a police officer.

The police officer asked me why I had it. I told him it was a tool, and I used it for work. He said that it was fine, but I just could not bring it into the show, and I would have to either hand it over to him, or I could leave it somewhere and get it after the show. I gladly went back to my car and put it away rather than having a $100 knife confiscated.

In the end I think it matters more on how you handle the situation. I suppose some overzealous cop could have just taken it saying it was illegal and just pocketed the knife, but I also think that they have better things to do. I don't know if it would be the same near you, but in Chicago I think a regular person not doing anything crazy with a pocket knife is the least of the cops worries.

[Fisher of Men]

That's a great story. I'll have to think about whether or not I want to "chance" it :)

I think I'll just get a great 2.5" knife like the Dragonfly :)

Cheers, and thanks for the info/story !

[Simon G]

Fisher,

The Dragonfly is a fantastic little knife. Before the UK Penknife, it was my EDC. Originally it was an FRN version but quickly also got a SS variant for a little more heft. Both PE.

The Dragonfly is also very sheeple friendly and non-threatening, which, lets face it is becoming more of a concern whatever your locality. And please don't think that you would be at a disadvantage with a Dragonfly, in the cutting chores they can "punch considerably above their weight!".

God bless,

Simon.

[i.v]

you can still use your knives around the house or on trips & that law is indeed a great chance to get your hands on a dragonfly or cricket :p

[boxer93]

FoM,
You should check out the salsa, especially the Ti version. Very nice feel for a small knife. And wide, you won't feel like you're carrying a small knife. Slvgx, I'd be curious of your kopa impression too. I've been thinking of trying one for the office.
Chris

[4 s ter]

Chris/Boxer93 beat me to it. The Salsa (with the aluminum version on sale from the SFO @ $42.95) is a great option for "under 2.5 inch" carry. Big knife feel with a short, but very substantial, blade.

David

[Senate]

carry the 3" knife you want and keep a low profile, that should do it :)

[Fisher of Men]

Well I have some good news....sort of :)

I called about 4 police stations tonight. All the local areas around me. I asked and everyone one of the officers I talked to said that the limit was 3" - 3.5". Only Cuyahoga Falls had a 2.5" limit.

All of the officers were real nice and I even told them that I had a Spyderco with a 3" blade. I asked them how it should be carried, and/or if it would be considered a "conceiled weapon" if it was not showing and was simply in my pocket. All of them answered no, you can have it in your pocket. One of the officers went so far as to say that the Ohio law is so vagure that it's really up to the officer. He said that if you're just behaving yourself and you get pulled over or something or you're walking downtown or something it will be no big deal. He said however that you're in real trouble if you whip it out and are at a bar fight or something. I laughed and said that would not be me :).

So, I guess unless I'm really looking for trouble most cops will probably leave me alone because I'm not doing anything wrong. If I would get pulled over for speeding or something the officer said it would be a good idea however to say that you have a pocket knife if you're asked if you have any weapons.

So, I guess if you are not being a total moron and you have some good sense, that you'll be OK.

Sounds good to me. So I'll probably just EDC my :spyder: Scorpius and not worry about it. Everywhere I go during a given day has a 3"-3.5" limit except for the town I live in. I think I'll be fine. Not gonna be causing trouble anyway :)

Thanks for all your posts and suggestions.

Cheers,
Fisher of Men

[Piet.S]

You're off the hook then, Fisher.

[Slvgx]

My mini review as promised: http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13971

[Rusty Blade]

In Ma. any blade 4" or under is ok as long as it is not double edge. I'm heading to San Francisco on bus. next month, does anyone know the carry laws there? :spyder: