i 2nd that one man. hard to believe a pocket knife would warrant a detention and cursory search. what ever happened to PC? as much as we get "right" here in the US, it seems that we are falling apart at the seams. grrrrr.

Here is NYC knife law as per Bernard Levine http://home.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm.

Basically it states no blades over 4 inches and knife has to be concealed from public view, though the law is pretty ubiquitous, so carrying any knife without a purpose could be a problem.):

Chap. 1 Public Safety 10-133
Historical Note: Formerly 436-5.1

10-133 Possession of knives or instruments.

A. Legislative findings. It is hereby declared and found that possession in public places, streets and parks of the city, of large knives is a menace to the public health, peace, safety and welfare of the people of the city; that the possession in public places, streets and parks of such knives has resulted in the commission of many homicides, robberies, maimings and assaults of and upon the people of the city; that this condition encourages and fosters the commission of crimes and contributes to juvenile delinquency, youth crime and gangsterism; that unless the possession or carrying in public places, streets and parks of the city of such knives without a lawful purpose is prohibited, there is danger of an increase in crimes of violence and other conditions detrimental to public peace, safety and welfare. It is further declared and found that the wearing or carrying of knives in open view in public places while such knives are not being used for a lawful purpose is unnecessary and threatening to the public and should be prohibited.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on his or her person or have in such person's possession, in any public place, street or park any knife which has a blade length of four inches or more.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person in a public place, street or park to wear outside of his or her clothing or carry in open view any knife with an exposed or unexposed blade unless such person is actually using such knife for a lawful purpose as set forth in subdivision d of this section.

D. The provisions of subdivisions b and c of this sections shall not apply to (1) persons in the military service on the state of New York when duly authorized to carry or display knives pursuant to regulations issued by the chief of stall to the governor; (2) police officers and peace officers as defined in the criminal procedure law; (3) participants in special events when authorized by the police commissioner (4) persons on the military or other service of the United States, in pursuit of official duty authorized by federal law; or (5) any person displaying or in possession of a knife otherwise in violation of this section when such a knife (a) is being used for or transported immediately to or from a place where it is used for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking or any employment, trade or occupation customarily requiring the use of such knife; or (b) is displayed or carried by a member of a theatrical group, drill team, military or para military unit or veterans organization, to from or during a meeting, parade or other performance or practice for such event, which customarily requires the carrying of suck knife or (c) is being transported directly to or from a place of purchase in such a manner as not to allow easy access to such knife while it is transported; or (d) is displayed or carried by a duly enrolled member of the Boy or Girl scouts of America or similar organization or society and such display or possession is necessary to participate in the activities of such organization or society.

E. Violation of this section shall be an offense punishable by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding fifteen days or by both such fine and imprisonment.


Case notes:
This section promotes a legitimate governmental objective and is not unconstitutionally vague or an improper exercise of the city's police power.------ People v Ortiz 125 Misc. 2d 318 [1984]




10-134 Prohibition on sale of certain knives

A. Legislative findings. It is hereby declared and found that the possession on public places, streets and parks of the city of folding knives which lock upon opening, is a menace to the public health, peace, safety and welfare of the people of the city; that the possession in public places, streets and parks of such knives has resulted in the commission of many homicides, robberies, maimings and assaults of and upon the people of the city, that this condition encourages and fosters the commission of crimes, and contributes to juvenile delinquency, youth crime and gangsterism; that is this situation is not addressed, then there is a danger of an increase in crimes of violence and other conditions detrimental to public peace, safety and welfare. It has been found that folding knives with a blade of four (4) inches or more that locks in an open position are designed and used almost exclusively for the purpose of stabbing or threat thereof. Therefore for the safety of the city, such weapons should be prohibited from sale within the jurisdiction of the city of New York.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale within the jurisdiction of the city of New York any folding knife with a blade length of four or more inches which is so constructed that when it is opened it is locked in an open position and cannot be closed without depressing or moving a release mechanism.

C. Exempt from this section are imported and exporters or merchants who ship or receive locking folding knives, with a blade length of four or more inches, in bulk, which knives are scheduled to travel or have traveled in the course of international, interstate, or intrastate commerce to a point outside the city. Such bulk shipments shall remain in their original shipping package, unopened, except for inspection and possible subdivision for further movement in interstate or intrastate commerce to a point outside the city.

D. Violation of this section shall be an offense punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) or by imprisonment not exceeding sixteen days (16) or both such fine and imprisonment. Any person violating this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollar for each violation.

Ok, so I'm covered by the "Boy Scout" clause! It's necessary as a registered Scouter to Be Prepared! (Ok, maybe that's a stretch?) So you see judge, it's like this...

In CA, it's illegal to carry anything over 2.5" on the grounds of a school.

"... persons in the military service on the state of New York..."

I don't even know what that means...???...

The entire point of the Spyderco Salt series is to make the knives out of corrosion resistant steel.

"A myth in the knife world is that out there somewhere there is a super-steel with high performance cutting ability that doesn't rust. A steel foundry in Japan made the myth a reality by intoducing H-1 steel. H1 steel is a PH steel meaning it is a precipitation-hardened steel. It's naturally hard without heat-treating and with 1% nitrogen instead of carbon it cannot rust. H1 holds a sharpened cutting edge equivalent to many premium carbon steels but without developing rust or pitting.

The Spyderco Salt I, Tasman Salt, Atlantic Salt and Pacific Salt knives have H1 steel blades with an enlarged Spyderco blade hole to facilitate opening with gloved or wet hands. They have lightweight fiber reinforced nylon handles with checkerboard texturing, Boye dent lock backs, and side to side reversible pocket clips mounted at the butt end. There is a lanyard hole for backup thong attachment when working in and around water."