Fixed blades in vehicles?

[dstark]

This has probably been brought up before but I cant seem to make the search function work.

Is it legal to carry a fixed blade knife in your vehicle in CA? I've carried my kabar in my truck for years. I have never been pulled over so it's never been an issue. I am under the impression that as long as it's not concealed it's legal. I have searched the DOJ website with no luck, and yahooed the question and all I get is a bunch of "yes it is legal" and "no it's not legal".

 

[Lone Star]

A USMC Ka-Bar probably qualifies as a two-edged knife or Bowie knife under most statutes. Custom maker Bob Loveless has warned that his similar knife is illegal in many locales. I think it's a felony to have one on you in California.

The issue of concealed or not is a moot point, except that if a cop SEES it, you WILL probably be charged.

From what I've read in knife mags, California knife law is hard to define, and is designed to let a cop charge you if he wants to. That's bad, but I'm almost sure that a large sheath knfe will get you in trouble, unless you're hunting or camping, and even then, you're probably taking a chance.


Lone Star

 

[stahlgrau]

This is a good read

California Knife Laws: A Comprehensive Guide
By Jim March 5/16/02
http://www.equalccw.com/knifelaw.html “Nowhere in any of this is there a length limit, or a ban on double-edge." I like kabars as well

 

[ArfinGreebly]

For What It's Worth

I carry a number of cutting tools in my Jeep, including a modest camping knife and such.

Among them are a Spec Plus "Survival" machete (square-nosed, short, more of a bolo really) and a hatchet.

They are in the same pile as the camp/emergency shovel, a hammer, and various other tools.

Where I live, you never know when you're going to have to hack through a hunk of something blocking the road, or deal with some other off-the-wall outdoor situation.

Bowie knife? Nah. You ever try to fix a sandwich with one of those?

I wouldn't go so far as to say that my Jeep tools are carefully selected, but I've got appropriate tools for all the things that might come up. Including a sandwich.

 

[eliphalet]

Carried a second hand store butcher knife in my old topless Land Cruiser everywhere I went when living in Ca. and a hand ax behind the seat. It was a kitchen tool not a weapon could always be said. My thinking was, it is about good as any in an emergency, and not much lost if stolen or confiscated.