This. Don't be a dick and use your head like an adult.
Yes, you are legally allowed to walk down the street with any blade you want including a full blown sword. The second you "brandish it as a weapon" which means that someone around you thinks you are being threatening in any manner, it becomes a crime.

LEOs can give you as much **** about any blade as they want to. They may take your blade away on a whim because most know they will get away with it. This has happened directly in front of me on two occasions, both encounters had nothing to do with the knives in question and both times the LEO took the blade away as a punishment and let us go (kids will be kids and all that). I've also had several blades revealed during a voluntary car search from my camping stuff - a bowie knife, a hatchet, a throwing axe, and a machete. The LEO didn't even ask any questions - just put them back where he found them and continued searching.

 

That's what I need. An axe and a machete!

 

I have a axe and machete in my truck at all times!

 

Why would you voluntarily consent to a warrantless search in the first place?

 

What's the deal on folding knifes? I've got a few random ones and id like to keep one in each of my cars for emergency situations

 

For the majority of cali blade length under 4" maunual and assisted are fine. auto's (unless sub 2" blade ) or butterflys are illegal. A select few countys and citys like oakland have other laws concerning concealed folders so be aware.

 

If a LEO confiscates your blade, make sure to get a receipt. Most of the time, they want the nice knife for themselves....

 

you can carry if it has a sheath including full swords. its an old blue(?) law.
folding knifes that dont have a sheath have to be under 3.5" or the width of your palm.
I've be stopped with all kinds of knifes and they ever said anything. so im expert haha.. na I kidd

 

You can legally have an auto over 2" if you're in the military or LE. But I never really cared to carry an auto because most assisted blades are just as fast.

Cali's knife laws are pretty asinine. Getting caught carrying a balisong or auto is a felony. CCW'ing a firearm without a permit is a misdemeanor. You're better off just carrying a gun. Lol

 

^ hahahaha

 

I got caught with a balisong in the late 80s (in CA)..luckily I was under age..I spent 6 hours in lock up, had my dinner there and paid a huge fine.

Even if you're LE/Military..if you're carrying a CA-legal switchblade, LEO can confiscate that at their discrection..especially if you branish it in a dangerous manner. LEO in CA can pretty much do anything they want...if there is no problem, they will find a problem.

 

if you WANT trouble (with CA LEO)....trouble will be knocking on your door. . .I grew up in Oakland and lived in downtown SJ for 15+ yrs. What you DO is comply and reveal anything and everything that you have any doubts about.

For instance, when I get pulled over, I know automatically to shut the engine, have both hands out the window with keys in hand. You don't want trouble with CA LEO...IMHO, CA LEO don't F*ck around. If you want to resist or THINK you know the laws or THINK you know what you are entitled to..then you got something else coming to you.

All these pathetic COPS shows when you see an officer pull a car over and they attack and beat the crap out of the cop/Sheriff..that would NEVER happen in CA.

 

There is NO California law that dictates the exact lenth of a knife that must be open carried. The definition in CAL. PEN. CODE § 12020 is:

(a) Any person in this state who does any of the following is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison:
are also banned somewhere in PC12020.]

(4) Carries concealed upon his or her person any dirk or dagger.


There is NO definition that states the "legal" length of a folding pocket knife.



Some cities may have their own laws however, I believe Oakland is one of them.

 

If you're complying with their request to search out of fear, that should be a clue that they're abusing their powers and gaining compliance through intimidation. The sheep who comply simply because they're scared of a cop making their life difficult are just encouraging this type of misconduct. If anything, you should assert your rights and refuse a suspicion-less search. If you have a means to record the encounter, you should definitely do that.

Notice the demeanor instantly change when these LEO's realize they are being recorded...

 

And you think that SOP is acceptable? I think you're either a cop yourself or a sheep that's been scared/beaten into submission.

Maybe you should learn how to protect yourself.