question on old CS knife, measuring blade length

[Betty]

Bought a nice little Cold Steel tanto at the gun show today - it was originally one of a set of three, and this is the smallest tanto with brass hilt/pommel and leather sheath. I believe CS does not make this knife set anymore.

I'd like to use this as a carry knife, but TN has a blade length limit of 4", and I'd like to be a "good little Runt".

Are blades measured by:
A. only the sharpened edge
B. end of hilt (where blade steel starts) to tip of knife
C. Whatever the cop (who catches me with it) feels like

If I measure the blade according to A, the blade is approx. 3 3/4", but with B it's 4 1/4". So which is it, or should I do my best teary eyed, "Please, please my daddy bought this for me when I was a little runt, it's so sentimental" look if the cop tries to take it away?

 

[ahenry]

Definitely not A. Technically B. Practically C.

 

[Jim March]

The *safest* way to measure is based on "stabbing penetration depth" versus cutting edge length. Some areas are different in that regard.

Two points though:

* If you have a CCW permit, a lot of cops will let you slide, esp. if it's a "room for dispute" situation like this.

* A lot of cops will let a lady slide.

Basically, I'd say you're almost certain to get away with it, even if it's a "bit over" (which I'm not sure of, mind you). If you were a black guy, I'd say be a lot more cautious. And yes, that's a terrible statement about the state of law enforcement in America but it's the truth, and it's what weapons laws of all types were designed to do.

 

[triggertime]

runt: Blade length is generally measured from from the end of hilt to tip of knife, so the answer would be B.

The 'law' goes by the ability to stab, not cut, so Jim March is correct.

 

[Betty]

Hmmm..... y'know, if I tried really, really hard, I could push the end of the pommel and make the knife go in all the way, so it would penetrate about... ten inches .....

I guess it all depends on what cop I get. A few years ago, I tried to give the "big brown sweet eyes look" to the state trooper who bagged me for slightly speeding. It didn't work.....

 

[hso]

39-17-1307. Unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon.
(a) (1)_ A person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed a firearm, a knife with a blade length exceeding four inches (4"), or a club._
(2) An offense under subdivision (a)(1) is a Class C misdemeanor, except it is a Class A misdemeanor if the person's carrying of a handgun occurred at a place open to the public where one (1) or more persons were present._

For common purposes blade length is measured from the tip to the guard or handle, ignoring choils or racasso (sp?)

Since we're not talking about coming and going from a hunting/camping trip I'd check the overall blade length and make sure that it's under 4 inches.

 

[Flotsam]

May be a silly suggestion, but if you really like the knife, you could buy an inexpensive guard from a knifemaking supply place & attach it on top of the existing guard to take up that extra 1/4". You could grind it to match the existing guard, and then either solder or braze it to the existing one. May be a bit excessive, but an option. Another would be to reprofile the tip of the knife to take off a 1/4" - may sound like sacrilege to some, but, again, an option.

 

[ruger357]

Yes B would be the correct answer.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Either way runt, it's a really GOOD knife. You'll enjoy it.

Penetration? Cold Steel used to show those off by sticking them through car doors.

 

[swampgator]

Penetration? Cold Steel used to show those off by sticking them through car doors.

Yes, but keep in mind, their catalogue says duplication voids warranty.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Those Cold Steel knives are cool.I like there video ,Lynn Thompson cutting the Manila rope with Cold Steel knives.