Fixed Blade Laws

[mala in se]

what's the rule on carrying fixed blade knives? i carry a folder for EDC, but i'm looking at a fixed blade that is less than 3" and about 6" overall. is it considered concealed if i wear it on my belt w/ my shirt over it (not big on tucking unless i'm at work in the office).

what do most of you LEOs do when you see a guy walking down the street and see his fixed blade protruding a bit under his shirt?

[Samuelx]

If you/I can't see it, it's concealed. Look up Penal Code 12020 AND, as other members have mentioned in other posts, you need to also familiarize yourself with your local city/county municipal codes too.

I would recommend you stick with a decent folder. no pun intended

[Jaiofspam]

If you/I can't see it, it's concealed.

even a partially covered handle or sheath is considered concealed... it needs to be fully open carried

[alex00]

The fixed blade knife laws (PC 12020) are nothing to play around with. With the threat of a felony hanging over you for improper carry, I wouldn't recommend carrying a fixed blade on your person unless you absolutely had to. My personal judgement call, in most cases, would be that if your shirt appeared to accidentally cover part of the handle I wouldn't bang you for it. If your shirt was completely untucked, and covering most of the knife, I might. Everything is up to officer discretion. If under the letter of the law you are in violation you subject yourself to arrest. I'm not the kind of officer looking to hang felony and misdemeanor charges on normal hard working folks. I know officers that don't share my opinions about who goes to jail and who doesn't.

I can't think of too many situations that would be better served with a fixed blade over a spring assisted folder. I can think of many more reasons to carry a folder over a fixed blade. You lose the element of surprise in defense if they see your openly carried knife. You can, with practice, present an open folder as quickly as a fixed blade knife. I carry last ditch defensive knives on duty, and none of them are fixed blades.