Where a statute, regulation or ordinance refers to knife blade length, the measurement shall be the straight line extending from the tip of the blade to the forward-most aspect of the hilt or handle.
In California, it is legal to carry knives of any blade size openly, and most knives, except for illegal types like switchblades over 2 inches, allow for concealment. Ballistic knives, disguised knives, and undetectable knives are among the illegal types, with specific laws against concealed carry of dirks and daggers.
Blade length is from the tip to the heel, not including the length of the handle, so an 8-inch knife means the blade is 8-inch long. The first thing to consider in buying a chef knife for general purposes is always coming to the length of the blade.
12 Inch Knives
Varieties include larger chef's knives and carving knives (serrated and straight blade). Larger chef's knives are used for cutting meat, dicing vegetables, disjointing some cuts, slicing herbs, and chopping nuts. Carving knives are used for slicing and carving dense meats.
House Bill 1935. The most substantial shift in Texas knife laws occurred in 2017 with the passing of House Bill 1935. This bill removed the category of “illegal knives” altogether, making it legal to own and carry virtually any type of knife, regardless of size.
In the State of Texas, it is completely legal to sell, repair, transport, and possess switchblades. In 2017, Texas removed the category of “illegal knives” from House Bill 1935, thereby making it legal to possess and carry switchblades and other types of knives.
The measurement should be the shortest straight line extending from the tip of the blade to the forward-most aspect of the hilt or handle and should be rounded down to the nearest whole l/8" increment. AKTI recommends that law enforcement allow a tolerance of l/8".
6-inch Chef's knife
Sometimes you want a chef's knife that's particularly lightweight and highly maneuverable. A 6-inch chef's knife is a perfect choice. Like all chef's knives, it is an all-purpose blade ideal for a wide variety of cutting tasks.
The best way to tell is by asking the manufacturer of the knife. As a general guide, European/American knives manufactured before 2010 have 20 degree edges while Asian style knives have 15 degree edges. However, there are exceptions to this rule of thumb.
Butterfly knives, also known as balisong or fan knives, are considered switchblades under California Penal Code sections 21510 and 17235 PC. These knives have blades concealed inside handles that are secured by a latch and can be flicked open with one hand.
In the above examples, a restricted knife would likely be concealed if carried within a pocket (which is how most of us carried pocket knives before the early 1980s when Sal Glesser, Spyderco, devised the pocket clip).
It is not illegal to carry a razor blade, many people use them as box cutters. A box cutter generally is a single-sided razor blade, that retracts into the handle.
The Ka-bar 1218 USMC Knife.
If you wish to carry a knife for self-defense, make sure it is legal under both state and local law. Also, you should not use it unless you are facing a serious threat; in some cases, merely brandishing a knife – and not using it to stab – would be sufficient to ward off any danger.
Size and Concealability
A good starting point is the overall length of the entire knife itself, we like anywhere from 6”-8” (or so) as this makes it a bit easier to conceal as well as carry everyday.
Blade Length Restrictions
California, for example, prohibits blades over 4 inches long in most public buildings, and blades over 2.5 inches long on school campuses. Los Angeles has its own, more restrictive laws, setting the maximum open carry blade length for the entire city at 3 inches.
This 7" Santoku knife is perfect for precision cutting, making it ideal for deboning fish and slicing and dicing meat and vegetables. This versatile Japanese style knife is shorter than a Chef's Knife, and offers easy maneuverability and handling.
The Texas Jack pocket knife is built on the medium Stockman frame, but minus the third blade on the Stockman; the Sheep foot, so called for its resemblance to a sheep's hoof.
There is no actual length limit on pocket knives in California as long as they are not carried in the open. It is also legal to carry larger knives in the open if you are either using them for work, legal recreational activities, or you are traveling to or from such activities.
Most militaries agree that the combat knife should have a blade that is 6 to 7 inches long (15-18 cm). This length is needed to penetrate to a vital organ reliably. A longer knife is more useful in fighting, but the bigger it is, the less likely that soldiers will be willing to carry it.
Utility Knife
They can feature a serrated or straight edge to handle a wide variety of tasks. A utility knife's blade length ranges in size from 5" to 9”, with 6" being the most popular size.