Hi, I live near Chicago, and know how you feel. Ultimately you have to decide on how to interpret the law. Yes, the law reads 2.5 inches. But if you are carrying and not a criminal, then do you really have to worry about the "law"? Yes and no. Does the law apply to you, Yes. Ask yourself this. Do you drive the speed limit every time you get in your car? Do you ever "roll through" a stop sign? We "violate" laws every day in a lot of ways. The laws are set up so that if you are a suspect and the police are "after you" it makes it easier to get you for something minor that can open the door to something bigger.

I say buy the knife you want, use it for it's intended purposes, and don't worry about the mayor who thinks he is God and go about your daily life.

JMTC.