Izzy -- are those local knife laws or state?
State. The law is quite vague and has not been properly updated since the 1950's. Until they clarify what "A common pocket knife" is by today's standards a lot of lawyers (one I spoke to) suggested people cease carrying any single blade knives.
Basically our law says "Common pocket knives" may be carried, but then in another section says "concealment of a knife is illegal." So it doesn't say if a common knife (legal, but not sure what that means in the day of one handed openers) is legal or not illegal to carry even in your pocket.
I'm playing it safe.
that is an interesting tangent here. We have a pretty lenient carry policy in AZ but know its harsher elsewhere. Like most all of us here, I carry a folder(s) in my EDC, in my pocket, glovebox, map holder on my door, small one in each of my running packs, etc, and have considered how that would play out if asked by an LEO if I had anything sharp on me.
So a while back while eating someplace I came across a couple local LEO's and decided to ask them their opinion. It was a good conversation but basically they stated as long as I was not suspected of a crime, justed being patted down for safety, then having a modest folder in my pocket or backpack would not be seen as illegal or improper. Meaning, a general pat down was one thing, being taken into custody for committing a non-vehicular crime something else.
They also took into account the location of the blade on me and type. The actually liked my RSK Mk1 in my pocket but again situation dictates how most LEO would react to it. However if it (or any other folder or multi like Leatherman or SAK) was found zipped up in my EDC pouch inside my backpack, they wouldn't care as long as it was obviously being considered as one tool in a preparedness kit by the user and a not readily deployable weapon.
YMMV where you live and the LEO you interact with.
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