Regarding folding knives: Why not conceal?

[BLACK LION]

After some training and some "field observations" I recently had to ask myself this question and also decided to pose this question and anyone that carries a folding knife daily:

If it can be concealed(legally) then why not not conceal it?

I ask this question becuase I often wonder why it seems normal to have a folder clipped to the pocket when, IMHO the knife itself is an ambush device and it is better served out of sight. I have found in training that a folder clipped to the pocket is easy access to a threat that is on his way down to the ground. Numerous opportunities have arose for the threat to regain traction after receiving damaging blows by simply be unwilling to compromise and grabbing the folding knife from the pocket. Maybe they just decided to go for a leg takedown first , notice the blade clipped there and decide to take an easier route.
So, I ask...why not conceal your intentions by placing it in a more inconspicuous place like IWB...???

I for one do not leave folders clipped to my pocket or unclipped in my pocket. The folders I carry (2 at least) are clipped in the belly button/ appendix area and in the small of my back. I have no problems drawing either way but most likely I have a fixed blade attached in plain sight that does all the regular tasks. I keep the concealables out of sight just in case I need a couple of aces to add to my hand.

Just something to think about and marinate in....
I just thought I would pose the question since I see many people carry folders this way and I understand the whole "utility" thing but even still thats no excuse to show your hand before everyone folds.
Not flaming anyone TTPs , just looking for input.

[jaydoc1]

I can answer for myself in Colorado. A knife is not legal to be carried concealed here. You can get a concealed firearms permit, you cannot carry other weapons concealed. Blade length longer than 3.5" counts as a knife/weapon whether folder or fixed. Less than 3.5" is ok.

If the clip is showing then the knife isn't concealed in my mind. I do have a fixed blade and folder version of the Blackhawk Crucibles. I do carry the fixed version concealed because it's only 3" long so is technically not a knife by Colorado statute (watch Michael Janich with one, however, and you'd have to agree it's a devastatingly effective blade). Spyderco Enduras, one of the most common knives on the planet, are 3.75" and so technically are illegal if concealed. So my clip always is showing. Officer friends of mine have told me a stop just because they see a folder clip on your pocket is exceedingly rare. If they have stopped you for another reason and you have a knife with a blade length exceeding 3.5" then you could be in some trouble even if a clip is showing.

So from a tactical standpoint having the clip showing might be less than optimal but should keep me out of trouble. No guarantee of that though.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I see a Benchmade on the right hand pocket and a surefire tail cap out the left side pocket, and I know they are one of us. Check out a pistol or CCW website and see everyone showing off their IWB rigs with knives and lights in their pockets.

I've been playing with Kydex, and I'm thinking of making pocket holsters for my phone, ligth, knife so that they are out of sight, but not at the bottom of my pocket.

I'd love to get some training on how to use a knife defensively.

[BLACK LION]

I can answer for myself in Colorado. A knife is not legal to be carried concealed here. You can get a concealed firearms permit, you cannot carry other weapons concealed. Blade length longer than 3.5" counts as a knife/weapon whether folder or fixed. Less than 3.5" is ok.

If the clip is showing then the knife isn't concealed in my mind. I do have a fixed blade and folder version of the Blackhawk Crucibles. I do carry the fixed version concealed because it's only 3" long so is technically not a knife by Colorado statute (watch Michael Janich with one, however, and you'd have to agree it's a devastatingly effective blade). Spyderco Enduras, one of the most common knives on the planet, are 3.75" and so technically are illegal if concealed. So my clip always is showing. Officer friends of mine have told me a stop just because they see a folder clip on your pocket is exceedingly rare. If they have stopped you for another reason and you have a knife with a blade length exceeding 3" then you could be in some trouble even if a clip is showing.

So from a tactical standpoint having the clip showing might be less than optimal but should keep me out of trouble. No guarantee of that though.

+2 on the BH "crucible" as I have the fixed blade version(sub 3") around my neck and under my shirt as I type this. I have only cut up piggy meat with is so far but its one of the best blades I have...lets not even get into the attention to detail they put into the kit it came with...so many concealability options come with thats sucker.
I lucked out and got one for 50.00 NIB(msrp 250.00+/-) when Galls here in SD went OOB.

You are right on "concealment laws"... a clip showing does not mean the blade is visible and one can still be tagged for having it concealed. Same thing if you are carrying a fixed blade in plain sight and your shirt blows over the handle so only the sheath is visible... they can still jack you up if they can push that it was your intention to conceal it.
Most if not all my folders are under 3" even though I can legally conceal a 12" folder here if I wanted.

[jaydoc1]

I'd love to get some training on how to use a knife defensively.

http://www.martialbladeconcepts.com/

Right in your neck of the woods, Dude. Does a nice multi-day class up in Estes Park a couple times a year.

[ST911]

I can answer for myself in Colorado. A knife is not legal to be carried concealed here. You can get a concealed firearms permit, you cannot carry other weapons concealed.

Silly Colorado. I could CCW a brace of FN Five Seven pistols with 20rds of soft armor defeating ammunition, but I can't put my 3.75" pig sticker deep into my pocket?

[BrianS]

I see a Benchmade on the right hand pocket and a surefire tail cap out the left side pocket, and I know they are one of us.

Right handist pig.

[jaydoc1]

Silly Colorado. I could CCW a brace of FN Five Seven pistols with 20rds of soft armor defeating ammunition, but I can't put my 3.75" pig sticker deep into my pocket?

Correct. Silly but correct.

[BLACK LION]

I see a Benchmade on the right hand pocket and a surefire tail cap out the left side pocket, and I know they are one of us. Check out a pistol or CCW website and see everyone showing off their IWB rigs with knives and lights in their pockets.

I've been playing with Kydex, and I'm thinking of making pocket holsters for my phone, ligth, knife so that they are out of sight, but not at the bottom of my pocket.

I'd love to get some training on how to use a knife defensively.

I need to catch that Kydex bus too. I recently got into stippling plastique so I might as well try folling with kydex.


TRI-con has a CEW(combative edge weapon) course that can be taken singularly or ICW the CP(combative pistol) course. JG is hosting the CP/CEW course in Los angeles this year and I am seriously considering it.
Although I feel I am proficient with an array of perforation/laceration devices I guess it couldnt hurt. I have been carrying one since I was 8 and have trained against human targets on numerous occasions but I like to see how others appraoch the subject to fuel my inspiration to progress.

BTW... SF tail cap or striker bezel is exposed depending on where the clip is or isnt which puts me @ 50/50... the fixed blade in kydex on me hip seals the deal.

I am realizing how much more important it is to have a proficient concealed folder combative than an exposed firearm or ccw since I am more likely to have to deploy a blade first. The fixed blade is easier and past "Kenjutsu" practicce makes it even easier. The folder is far more unforgiving and even a simple draw malfunction like a clip getting hung up or a coin jamming the operation(becuase its rolling in a pocket with change) can cost a life. It took some WCS training to open my eyes to the importance of placement, concealment, deployment and execution behind a folder. Doing some "RBSD" type scenario I found myself face down with a BG in a full mount on my back and I was not strong enough to get up , or turn or anything(he was around 275). I feigned the victim long enough to reach for the folder IWB near my appendix... I gave his lateral femoral cutaneous repeated sticks(not really) until he was confused enough to allow me an out.
Although it was training and not actual, had I not had my folder in that spot I may have been screwed trying to get to my pocket while he is armed and straddling me.

[danpass]

I always treated it as a matter of convenience. I have my EDC clipped inside my back pocket with the clip visible to anyone who looks there and reasonably and logically enough Florida is a CCWeapon vs CCPistol card.

At a handgun training class the instructor took one of those inside-the-gumball-machine knives (aka: a junk keychain knife with its 2 micrometer length blade) and did a demo cutting a piece of meat wrapped in a t-shirt.

One slice of the 1in blade opened that thing up about 5 inches.


Still its too difficult to cut a sandwich with a 1in blade so I carry a BM mini griptilian lol.


As far as some genuine concealment I never really thought about it much.