The law in the great state of Illinois appears to be pretty much the same way. They outlaw certain types of knifes - daggers, switchblades, gravity knifes - but don't limit the length. The focus is on the intent to commit a crime.

Keep in mind though that cities can - and do - add their own knife laws, so you need to know the laws in every city that you enter whilst carrying a knife. That can be a tough, if not impossible, thing to do.

I myself really like the full size Rittergrip, and if you're carrying on your belt, then certainly I'd recommend the full-size Rittergrip over the junior model. I myself do not like the feel of a large knife in my pocket and it wouldn't be proper to carry a sheath on my belt. I do not carry my Rittergrip on my person as an EDC.

In my own suburban jungle I only carry a Gerber Micro LST in my pocket and then the Rittergrip in a bag that I carry just about everywhere with me. It is almost always close, unless I go to the bathroom or downstairs to the cafeteria - then it stays in my office (I know, I know). My "manbag" carries my cell phone, Palm PDA, pens & a notepad, and my suburban jungle gear - Rittergrip, 55 gal. drum liner, orange bandana, lighter, flashlight, whistle, compass, map of county, a very simple first aid kit, a few, ziplock bags, micropur tabs, etc... all in a few ziplock bags so they are easy to transfer.

When I'm outdoors camping or hiking the same bag goes with, but I carry a Leatherman Micra in my pocket, the Rittergrip on my belt, and often a Leatherman Charge Ti in my bag. If I think I'll be cooking outdoors I'll make sure to have a Mora along, or if going into real back areas maybe a Becker Crewman.

For some reason I only carry fire starters when I'm going camping. I guess I figure I can always turn something into tinder. I probably should reconsider this thinking.

If I need to carry more, sometimes the "manbag" contents are moved to a daypack so I can add water bottles, rain/cold gear, metal cup - the kind that go on the bottom of the Nalgene water bottle, a Sparklite kit, a gps, sunscreen, bug goop, a complete first aid kit, and other gear.

Norad45,

I have the full-size RSK, which sees mostly "suburban" duty. I take it to work everyday, which is in an office setting. It stays in my pocket, clipped to a safety pin, and I take care never to show it to anyone. I haven't tried the mini-RSK, but I'm happy with the size of my RSK, it doesn't feel "too big". HTH

I am glad I got the big one. This is my idea of the perfect size. Small enough to carry comfortably yet large enough to be useful.

Regards, Vince

Glad you found the right knife for your wants and needs! Grats!

Vince,

Obviously the best way to get a reliable legal opinion re knives is to hire your own experienced criminal lawyer in your own state. Assuming you do not want to pay for such an opinion, another fairly good way to get reliable advice would be to ask your local district attorney or public defender. Naturally you do not want to indicate that have in your possession/ownership a potentially illegal knife.

Incidentally I have been very pleased with my own full sized RSK.

Good luck,

John

Thanks. I actually think I'm on pretty safe ground carrying the RSK as long as I don't use it on someone. Then I suppose things could get dicey. But self defense is not really why I'm carrying it. There are better tools than a knife for that. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

Norad45:

Being of Italian birthright, I have always been told a knife to the groin area is a great attitude adjuster and you don't have to actually follow through and hurt anyone. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Bounty... you must be a heck of a guy!!
for me.. a knife to the groin area hurts whether or not you "follow thru". In fact, it hurts to write about it.

I think you have a good point (ouch.) <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

NAro:

Yeah, I know what you mean. Guys seem to worry about the smallest things. I know when I look down from great heights (Anything over 12 foot high.) I feel like someone is pouring really sour lemon juice in my butt with the amount of puckering up it does.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />