Recovering Gun Store Commando. My Blog: The Clue Meter
“It doesn’t matter what the problem is, the solution is always for us to give the government more money and power, while we eat less meat.”
Glenn Reynolds
Any legal information I may post is general information, and is not legal advice. Such information may or may not apply to your specific situation. I am not your attorney unless an attorney-client relationship is separately and privately established.
My current favorite NPE knife-type is an Opinel with the Virobloc ring-lock. The No. 6 is the smallest you can get with the ring-lock, blade length ~2.75". A few things I like about them - low profile non-threatening image, by looking like your grandfather's pocket knife. Sandvik 12C27 stainless blades available, they take a great edge easily (so-so in holding it). The Virobloc ring produces a very nice and tight lockup with high degree of safety, in the open position AND locks the knife in the closed position (bonus for those jurisdictions that try to "gravity knife" every blade). The standard size grip is good for medium-to-large hands. They are thumb-nail two-hand openers, so the risk of looking "offensive" is very minimal. Of course, like all good locking knives, they can simply be sheathed "open" for a fixed blade-type package.
There are a couple of new models that look interesting too. The No. 9 DIY - has a short (2.5") sheepsfoot blade, but with the full length No. 9 handle made or FRN. The No. 9 Oyster, has a nice blade shape, that is also shorter (~2.5") that is thicker than the standard blades. I think regrinding it slightly to get a proper edge and maybe a Besh-like point would make a fine, small, multi-jurisdiction legal, knife.
I really need to bend up some kydex to serve as a pocket or IWB sheath for the blade locked open (an impromptu cardboard/paper sheath works). You can also get them with oversized carveable handles for shaping to your own desire (another on my project list is to get one and carve the handle into something that fills the hand well in reverse grip.
https://www.opinel-usa.com/pocket-kn...tainless-steel
https://www.opinel-usa.com/pocket-kn...-carve-handles
Last edited by RevolverRob; 08-30-2018 at 12:54 PM.
Depends on the NPE and the local laws. I’ve worked sites that didn’t allow anything at all, and others where they didn’t care as long as you didn’t have a gun, and others where a knife was fine, but they really didn’t want it sticking out of your pocket or on your belt - nothing visible so they could “out of sight, out of mind”.
This is what I’m carrying right now. I’m in and out of schools a lot, so low profile is the name of the game.
Last edited by Duelist; 08-30-2018 at 12:51 PM.
Well, because of this thread, I just ordered a couple of carbon-steel blade No. 8 Opinels with oversized handles to carve and shape. One for prototyping, one for actual carry. Current plan is to chop the blade to a 2.5" wharncliffe configuration and shape the handle for reverse grip work - will make a nifty 'soft' NPE tool that is Chicago legal.
I carry a knife when not traveling. I don't check bags normally so I am typically completely unarmed 25-40% of my life. It's not wonderful. I'll feel dumb when I get killed.
I'm carrying an old friend today. It doesn't show up well, but just west of the tip is a 1" scar she gave me 15 years ago because i was inattentive. I think that was the last time I cut myself with a knife.
Minispike. My old school roster includes a Military, a Tim Wegner, a Bob Lum Leaf; those guys are all ~20 years old.
More recently I only buy waved enduras and delicas, with two failings: A starmate that I love very much, and a ZT emerson that I despise and need to unload.
Any legal information I may post is general information, and is not legal advice. Such information may or may not apply to your specific situation. I am not your attorney unless an attorney-client relationship is separately and privately established.