ripped off by the cops

[Moose]

Dear fellow spydie owners,

My question concerns the SpydeRench. I am wondering how the knife portion detaches from the unit itself? And if it can be carried seprate from the wrench part by means of clipping it in your pocket like any other normal spydie? Is the clip part of the wrench portion or part of the knife? My reason for asking is about a week ago the cops busted me for my SS Delica. There reason, they said "a teenager has no business carrying that large of a knife for any porpuse". I just need something to carry from day to day with out having fear of being harrassed or ripped off by the cops.

Any help would be nice,

Moose

First off, I don't think the cops should decide 'why' you carry a legal knife(it is legal in your jurisdiction I'm guessing), only 'what you do with it'. I'm not advocating one get confrontational with cops, I do know that gets ugly.
I don't think the knife on the spyderench is set up for a pocket clip, you could possibly carry it loose in the pocket, but it's not really ergonomic to carry separate from the main unit.
If you don't have a bias against FRN handles, perhaps you should try the black handle & clipped Delica. Maybe the shiny SS handle and clip caught too much attention? I've noticed that when I carry a model with stainless clips, I get more people noticing it's presence(which I think is a big part of what makes them uncomfortable). I've carried 4-5" blade folders when in extensive contact with an individual, but didn't question what it was until it was pretty much right in front of their face(I was wearing darker, muted color pants, though).

Always make sure people notice and focus on 'you' the person first, so they can get comfortable with the idea that you are a sensible character(sugar coat the pill for them, they're gonna have to take it anyway, might as well make it pleasant, right?)IMHO.

Ken

[dirk_diggler]

It sounds like the officers were legally wrong (as the Delica's blade is under 4 inches) regardless of what age you are. However, not all officers are mature and responsible enough to perform their jobs effectively and fairly. It sounds like you came accross some officers who fit in to this category. RBe careful not to generalize and put all officers in to this category as the next one you meet will probably be reasonable and fair. Good luck and stay legal!

[Fozzy]

Every story has two sides. Also, what's legal in one jurisdiction may be proscribed in another. The context of the story is missing here. The officers may have had legal justification to seize the knife. Or not. In my jurisdiction the length of a knife is essentially imaterial. It is how the knife is configured, carried or use which determines legality.

Stay safe.

Ben

"No good deed goes unpunished."