Skip,

I'm with you. I have had a my dad's 1944 dated M-1943 Entrenching Tool in all the vehicles I have owned since the late 70's and I gave my boy a 1945 dated one last winter when he bought his first car.

We live in snow and mud country and he is aware of it's other uses if necessary.

What I was trying to say is Bigger is not better if you leave it at home cause it's a effort to carry. A razor sharp 3.5 inch folder will upset a attacker just fine if ya know how to use it.

In Hawaii, got knife, got spear, got machete in our trucks, no kine problem

I'm not sure if this topic is on self-defense or on utility use. As was stated, if for self-defense I'd rather have a concealed carry handgun than a knife. If for utility I think I'd carry an M9 bayonet with the wire cutter and a multi-tool in the little pouch and put both in the trunk. The M9 serves as an emergency saw and is heavy enough for chopping, while the multi-tool gives you a lot of versatility. Also, carry a USGI folding shovel to give you a lot of choices.

In Illinois certain knives are illegal by description,ie,switch blades,gravity knives,dirks,stilleto,etc.Non specified items,bats, tire thumpers,flashlights,pool cues,golf clubs can become weapons if used or intended to be used as such. Just as bolt cutters,screwdrivers.and other tools can be classed as burglary tools.

Personal defense is a complex situation. How often does your son encounter a situation?What area is he travelling in? Does he get profile stopped(teen,bunch of guys in the car,beater first car,etc)

Spend the money,send him to a defensive course that teaches knife fighting technics.(Think Russian secret police or Philipino). A Spyderco Delica folder is all he will need. My Russian instructor could lay waste to multiple offender in moments.

For all you CCW guys. Prisoners practice taking away guns,think about learning some retention technics. Also,when you carry a knife and gun together make sure you carry the knife on the weak side. Why?,when your gun is grabbed by the bad guy,you can fight him with your strong hand and cut his hand off your gun with the other.

It's all deadly serious. Nothing like the movies or video games.

I think I might rather get shot than sliced up with a knife. I hate getting cut! Then again I've never been shot either. I thought this was about self defense . Ya don't really carry a m3 on your belt to dig carrots.

Just something to ponder. If an M3 or bayonet based on that design is used in self defence the prosecutor will likely charge assault with a deadly weapon regardless of who started it. They will see that type of blade, and rightly so as a weapon as that is what they are primarily designed for regardless if they are legal to carry or not. They would likely be more lenient if a general purpose knife, something designed for utility, is used in defence.

I read the first post again. I guess I don't know the purpose of said knife. In my truck I have,a entrenching shovel,full size ax,two folding knives,duct tape,roll of wire," paper towels":),,and garbage bags for my road finds. Remember though that I'm a Red Neck.

I read the first post again. I guess I don't know the purpose of said knife. In my truck I have,a entrenching shovel,full size ax,two folding knives,duct tape,roll of wire," paper towels":),,and garbage bags for my road finds. Remember though that I'm a Red Neck.

I figured possibly for self defence when I read M3. What you're carrying is easier to explain to LEO for hunting, utility, etc. NY really frowns upon knives that could be classed as a dagger/dirk thrusting weapon. IMO if just for general use maybe something in the Becker line. I carry a RAT 5 for general use. It could be used in self defence if absolutely needed but it's not an overt weapon like the M3 design.

As far as being tough,the mk2 s have a big weakness. They bend easily in the handle. You don't want to pry with it. A friend threw a Kabar at a stump and it bent badly. I've straightened a few in my vise.

Thing about NY knife law is that it is vague, the are some concrete no nos like switch blades and knuckle knives brass knucles but they also state dangerous weapons. that means they can make anything illegal if it fits there needs. I found knife law resource in another forum hope it helps.

 

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm#N-R

Thing about NY knife law is that it is vague, the are some concrete no nos like switch blades and knuckle knives brass knucles but they also state dangerous weapons. that means they can make anything illegal if it fits there needs. I found knife law resource in another forum hope it helps.

 

http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/sta-law.htm#N-R

Good link. I read in the New York case law section "A bayonet was within class of weapons designated as 'any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon". Looks like in New York City it's illegal to carry any knife with a blade 4 inches or over. They have some strict knife laws.

When in doubt, contact your local state and local police commanders. Many state's laws on knives are all about intent. Knives for carry here (RI) are limited 3" unless working (or travelling to), hunting, fishing, etc. Switchblades are ok, daggers/dirks worn not. Stowing virtually anything out of reach in a vehicle acceptable (aside from unlicensed loaded pistols. No loaded rifles or shotguns). RI is weird firearms way in that some sectors such as mine are shall issue by my local commander for ccw vs other sectors that have to be approved on the state level. Similarly with open carry.

 

I often wander off from home with larger folders in my pocket but most often have a basic camp type folder in my pockets. That and an AAA card and phone Larger belt knives in the woods (often in the car somewhere).

 

Cheers

 

GC