NYS blade parameters?

[masterswimmer]

Anybody have some details of what the legal limits are for fixed blades in NYS? Not concerned with NYC limitations.

[usmcveteran]

I don't think there is any besides both edges can't be sharpened because then it would be a dagger.

[Cgrutt]

What USMC said.

[masterswimmer]

I thought there were blade length and overall length restrictions.

[Cgrutt]

There is a catch all in PL 265 for possession of any dagger, dangerous knife, dirk, razor, stiletto, imitation pistol, or any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon WITH INTENT TO USE THE SAME UNLAWFULLY AGAINST ANOTHER. So I suppose any fixed blade or folding knife could be illegal under NY Law, but PL 265 does not define what a so called dangerous knife is (certainly not by blade length as far as I'm aware). Daggers, Pilum ballistic knifes, switch blades and metal knuckle knifes, on the other hand, are specifically defined. Don't use your fixed blade knife unlawfully against another and I think you'll be good to go. Of course I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advise...

[Meketrefe]

What about grandpa's cane? is that an assault weapon?

[thughes]

Basic guideline: Nothing sharper than a Twinkie.

[thughes]

..

[masterswimmer]

There is a catch all in PL 265 for possession of any dagger, dangerous knife, dirk, razor, stiletto, imitation pistol, or any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon WITH INTENT TO USE THE SAME UNLAWFULLY AGAINST ANOTHER. So I suppose any fixed blade or folding knife could be illegal under NY Law, but PL 265 does not define what a so called dangerous knife is (certainly not by blade length as far as I'm aware). Daggers, Pilum ballistic knifes, switch blades and metal knuckle knifes, on the other hand, are specifically defined. Don't use your fixed blade knife unlawfully against another and I think you'll be good to go. Of course I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advise...

Thanks buddy. Good info.

[BuellSix8]

The old wives tail was blade couldn't be longer than the width of your hand....however, that is BS. A "hand" is actually a unit of measure which is four inches commonly used for measuring how high a horse is for example. So, people used to think that a blade could not be longer than 4 inches. However, that is false. Length of the knife is not stated anywhere in the penal code.

[Brendan2904]

Just don't duck tape it to the end of one of those scary guns ok?

[usmcveteran]

Just don't duck tape it to the end of one of those scary guns ok?

Use gorilla glue !

[masterswimmer]

Just don't duck tape it to the end of one of those scary guns ok?

Any advice about strapping it to my belt while hiking the Catskills?

[LibertyOrDeath]

Any advice about strapping it to my belt while hiking the Catskills?

I've always had my Kabar attached to my belt in the Catskills, ADK's etc. I have talked with many Park Rangers and DEC guys none of them said Boo about the knife except 1 DEC guy and he said "nice knife, made in the USA right?"

[LibertyOrDeath]

The old wives tail was blade couldn't be longer than the width of your hand....however, that is BS. A "hand" is actually a unit of measure which is four inches commonly used for measuring how high a horse is for example. So, people used to think that a blade could not be longer than 4 inches. However, that is false. Length of the knife is not stated anywhere in the penal code.

I think that old one was for folding knives and doesn't apply to fixed blade.I'm not a lawyer and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express so that's just my opinion.