Knife Rules

July 26, 2012

Question: I will be going camping next week at a place called Hell Hole Reservoir near Lake Tahoe and I need to know if I may bring a jeep survival knife with me. The knife has a 15-inch blade with a sheath. I know you are not allowed to carry a knife more than three inches long in California, but I need to know if there is an exception for camping. (Mitch L.)

Answer: There is no Fish and Game law regarding your knife and I am not aware of any law regarding knives with blades that are longer than three inches.

According to DFG Capt. Phil Nelms, “Generally, prohibited weapons are listed in California Penal Code, section 16590, and special provisions regarding knives and similar weapons begin at section 20200. You may want to pay special attention to sections 21310 and 16470 regarding concealed dirks and daggers, but knives with fixed blades are generally not prohibited as long as they are carried openly (not concealed).”

To check all the laws regarding knives online, please go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html. In addition, you may want to contact your local police or sheriff’s department for more information regarding dangerous weapons.

It doesn't matter how big the blade is. If it folds its legal to conceal. Many knife manufactures appeal to costumers this way. You could open csrry a sword if you didnt care how stulid you looked.

If its fixed, even a 1" blade, it must have all or part visible. Meaning even if it is open carries on the belt and a jacket covers it, it's illegal.

This doesn't cover gravity assisted knives or county regs, just general ca law.