Knives and Blades

Guest post by Josh C  

Any Prepper, Survivalist, Hunter, Camper or Outdoor Enthusiast should have a good knife and know how to use it.  A good survival knife is the single most important piece of equipment you will ever have or use.  With it, you can procure fire and food, and create shelter and other structures. Just as there’s a tool for every job, a wrench for tightening bolts, a hammer for pounding nails, there’s a knife for every task.  

If you’re blazing trails or clearing brush you would want a Machete (check out this awesome CRKT Machete out on Amazon). If you’re splitting kindling or dressing game the obvious choice would be a Fixed Blade. Cutting rope and carving tent stakes then falls to the Folding Knife (this is one of the best folding knives priced at under $20).  

Let’s take a look at the parts of a knife. The blade is made up of the edge, the tip, the point, and the coil. The tang is the part of the blade that runs through the handle.  

When choosing a knife there’s a simple guideline to follow:  

Hold the knife, how does it feel in your hand? Does it fit your hand comfortably? Is it too heavy for you to use effectively? Is it too big?  Look it over, what is it made of? Are you going to be comfortable carrying it around with you on outings?  

Use the knife, is the blade-shaped correctly for the jobs you may need to use it for? Will you be able to comfortably use it for an extended period of time? Go over all the cuts and slices you may need to make.  

Research it; ask people who have it how it handles. Read reviews on it, many times have I bought a knife on impulse to have it break the first time I use it.  

Price It, I have never spent more than twenty-five dollars on a knife. That said you should not skimp on quality, the knife you purchase has to be perfectly suited to you for you to survive.  

Now, let’s take a look at the types of Cutting Edges there are available.  

Machetes:

In a survival situation, a good chopper can make a world of difference. While an ax or hatchet would be equally useful for chopping, they lack the finesse of the machete.  

There are several different styles of machetes ranging from the Gurka Kukri to the South American Bola. The only good way to find the style that suits you is to get out there and use it.  

Fixed blades:

A good fixed blade is essential to your survival. When choosing a fixed blade one thing to keep in mind is whether or not it has a full tang.  

The tang is the portion of the metal that runs through the handle. A full tang provides extra support for chopping and slicing or anything that requires putting any stress on the blade.  

Also, try to stay away from hollow handled “survival” knives. These are accidents waiting to happen.  

If it has a hollow handle than it has no support from the tang and is therefore probably the worst tool you can take into the woods.  

A blade length of between 4 and 7 inches is probably best for survival and bushcraft purposes, any larger and it becomes too cumbersome to use effectively, any smaller and you might as well use a folding knife.  

Folding Knives:

The Folding Knife provides amazing control when carving and doing fine work. There are to types of folders, Pocket Knives, and Multi Tools.  

Pocket Knives can be divided into two further categories, Jack Knives, and Pen Knives. Jack Knives are hinged on only one end but may have more than one blade.  Multi-Tools are divided between Multi-blade Knives and Multi-pliers.

Multi-blade Knives are hinged on both ends like Pen Knives but in addition to multiple blades, they have tools such as scissors, bottle openers, corkscrews, and screwdrivers.  They are traditionally the only type of knife with a blade that locks in place, although it does not have to. Pen Knives are hinged on both ends and have multiple non-locking blades.  

This style of knife was made popular by the Victorinox knife company. Multi-pliers are basically Multi-blade Knives that fold up inside folding needle-nose pliers. The Leatherman Knife Company made this tool popular. Sometimes generic multipliers are referred to as Leatherman tools.  

There are two common types of steel used in making knives. The first being stainless steel, stainless steel has the advantage that it is virtually indestructible and in theory, won’t rust.  

That said, it will tarnish over time, and will not keep a good edge for very long. The other type of steel is ‘carbon steel’. Carbon steel will take and hold an edge better than stainless but will rust if exposed to the elements.  

There are several things that you can do to extend the life of your knives or any tool for that matter.  

First, keep it dry. ‘Dry knives live long lives’. The process of rusting is scientifically known as rapid oxidization. If you leave an apple out in the open air for any period of time you will notice that it will start to turn brown.  

That is called oxidization, which basically means that the fruit is losing moisture. Rusting occurs when metal gains moisture (whether it’s through being left out in the rain or other), and then rapidly losing it.  

Keep it clean. If you ever have to cut a piece of food with your knife, and it’s still all sticky from that piece of pine you cut through the other day, then what are you going to do.  

Sap and other sticky substances and residues can easily be removed by rubbing at the sap with rubbing alcohol and using a dish scrubby or rough sandpaper.  

Finally, keep it sharp. A dull knife is much more dangerous than a sharp one. When carving with a dull knife you have to force the knife more than is necessary, making it harder to control. It is also a lot easier to work with a sharp knife.  

There are many methods of knife sharpening, included are:  

The Sharpening Steel (honing rod). The honing rod is a long round file used for quickly sharpening longer blades. Sharpening (wet) Stone. The sharpening stone is the most reliable knife sharpener out there. It has been used since before our forefathers came to America.  

Precision Sharpening Systems. There are many different types of manual sharpeners and kits on the market. Okay, now I have a question… What’s your favorite survival knife? 

Swiss Army Knives are arguably one of the most underrated and overlooked knives there is. They are great for everyday carry (EDC), camping, and wilderness survival but which is the best pocket knife for 2019.

One of the most important pieces of advice you can follow when putting together your everyday carry, or EDC is to not just get the right equipment but to get high-quality equipment.

One of the handiest items you can have as part of your EDC is the Swiss Army Knife, such as the kind made by Victorinox.

Victorinox has been producing knives since 1897, so it’s safe to say that they know what they are doing. In other words, they know how to deliver quality.

But first of all, why is a Swiss Army Knife even a necessary or wise item to have in your EDC?

Why Carry A Swiss Army Knife?

There are many reasons that you should carry a Swiss Army Knife as part of your EDC, and we’ll outline and discuss the primary reasons here:

It’s Convenient

It may not be one hundred percent necessary to carry a Swiss Army knife as part of your EDC, but there’s no question that it would be a very convenient item for the sole purpose that it combines multiple tools into one.

In fact, Swiss Army Knives are arguably one of the most underrated and overlooked tools there is. This is because a Swiss Army Knife essentially takes several items out of a toolbox, sizes them down, and then stuffs them into the body of the tool:

– Knife Blade
– Magnifying Glass
– Key Ring
– Fish Scaler
– Can Opener
– Bottle Opener
– Screwdriver
– Measuring Tape
– Scissors
– LED Flashlight
– Toothpick
– Tweezers
– Saw

That’s just a small list of the above items that are often packed into a little Swiss Army Knife. With those kinds of tools, you can perform tasks such as:

– Opening Boxes
– Slicing or Cutting food
– Tightening Screws
– Cutting Wires
– Seeing In Darkness
– Sawing Through Small Wood Pieces
– Opening Cans and Bottles
– Peeling Fruit
– Measuring A Certain Height
– Opening A Wine Bottle

You get the idea. A Swiss Army Knife can be a highly convenient item to have with you in your everyday life.

In fact, the most complex Swiss Army Knives have over thirty different tools in them (yes, thirty). The fact that you’re carrying multiple tools together is what makes Swiss Army knives so unique and such a wise item to have with you. It’s multi-functional, and it will be there when you need it.

You Can Carry It With You Everywhere

Or at least you can bring it with you almost anywhere. Because of how small it is. The largest Swiss Army Knives measure approximately five inches in length and the smallest Swiss Army Knives around two inches in length.

It’s really easy to bring your Swiss Army Knife with you around in your pocket wherever you go, and you won’t even remember that it’s with you (at least not until you need it).

In short, Swiss Army Knives are among the most portable tools in existence, and this alone proves their worth in gold.

It will Last For Years

So long as you buy a Swiss Army Knife from a highly reliable manufacturer, such as Victorinox, it is going to last you for many years, and this is not an exaggeration.

The primary reason for this durability and quality is because Swiss Army Knives are built out of stainless steel, and have been for years. Furthermore, they are also often further coated in rust and corrosion-resistant materials as well, such as the Victorinox Spartan PS Swiss Army Knife that we will discuss later in this article.

It’s Cost-Effective

Last but certainly not least, did anyone mention that Swiss Army Knives are hardly expensive? They are highly affordable despite their multi-purpose design and stainless steel build construction. It’s a relatively cheap investment that you’ll have to make for a tool that is going to give you many years of dependable service.

In short, you should never underestimate the Swiss Army Knife for how it can serve you in your everyday life.

That being said, don’t overestimate it either. You should never treat the Swiss Army Knife like a defensive, fighting, or combat tool, so you’ll need another tactical knife in your EDC that can fulfill those purposes for you instead.

Next, let’s talk about five of the best models of Swiss Army Knives for EDC use.

The 5 Best Swiss Army Knives For EDC

Here are the five best Swiss Army Knives for EDC and the unique features of each model, listed in alphabetical order:

BEST BEGINNER SWISS ARMY KNIFE – VICTORINOX BANTAM

The Victorinox Bantam is easily the best entry-level Swiss Army Knife, as it consists of only the following components:

– Knife Blade
– Wire Stripper
– Can Opener
– Screwdriver (5mm)
– Key Ring
– Toothpick
– Tweezers

Still, there’s a lot that you can do with just those items. But what really makes this a good entry-level Swiss Army Knife is the price, as it’s offered at a much lower price point in contrast to the other Swiss Army Knives on this list.

BEST LOW PROFILE SWISS ARMY KNIFE – VICTORINOX CADET ALOX

If you’re looking for a Swiss Army Knife that can handle basic and yet consistent everyday tasks, while also being very small and low profile, then the Victorinox Cadet Alox may be exactly what you’re looking for. The scales on the body of this Swiss Army Knife are built out of aluminum oxide. You may be disappointed to find out that this Swiss Army Knife does not have a tweezer or toothpick, simply because it does not have the storage room for either of them, but the tradeoff is you are getting a knife with a much lower profile and size, in combination with the superior grip texting.

In other words, this Swiss Army Knife is about as flat and small of a pocket knife as you could ask for. The entire body of the knife is just 3.3 inches long, while the blade measures just under two and a half inches.

Additional tools that the Cadet Alox comes with, in addition to the knife blade, are:

– Can Opener
– Bottle Opener
– Screwdriver

BEST SPECIALIZED SWISS ARMY KNIFE – VICTORINOX CLIMBER

If you’re in the market for a Swiss Army Knife that’s a little more specialized, then you’ll want to pay close attention to the Victorinox Climber Swiss Army Knife. This is a knife that comes with a few tools you may not have anticipated, including a corkscrew for opening bottles of wine (and is also surprisingly useful for untying knots in your shoelaces as well).

This knife earns its name because it was designed for rock climbers in mind. Still, it’s a very small sized Swiss Army Knife that is a great choice for anyone looking for a practical and conveniently sized tool that they can carry with them every day.

BEST SWISS ARMY KNIFE FOR HUNTING – VICTORINOX HUNTSMAN

There’s also a reason why this Swiss Army Knife is called the Huntsman: it really was designed for use with hunters. To this end, it contains tools such as a saw to slice through branches, a hook for hanging fish, a can opener to open your camping provisions, and even an awl that you can use to drill holes into the side of a tree in order to set up snares.

Besides hunting use, this is really just a heavy-duty Swiss Army Knife that can also be used for EDC use in your daily life, then this will also be good for that.

SWISS ARMY KNIFE WITH THE BEST BLADE – VICTORINOX SPARTAN PS

The final Swiss Army Knife that we will talk about for EDC use is the Victorinox Spartan PS, and this knife is worthy of note because it easily comes with one of the best knife blades of any of the Swiss Army Knives.

First and foremost, you’ll notice that this knife is colored all black, including each of the components such as the blade, which is coated in a material called Polispectral for added durability and rust resistance. This coating is also what gives the blade, body, and the rest of the components the unique black coating that can appear to be different shades when viewed under sunlight.

The total length of this blade when closed is three and a half inches, so like any other Swiss Army Knife, it can easily be carried with you even noticing it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Swiss Army Knives are a very good tool to have for your everyday carry purposes for the reasons that we covered earlier in this article: they are multi-purpose, practical, easy to carry around, and dirt cheap too. With all of these reasons in mind, it naturally begs the question: why would you not carry around a Swiss Army Knife in your EDC?

If you agree that it would be a good idea to have a Swiss Army Knife to serve in your EDC, any one of the five models that we have covered here today will be a good option for you.

by Mike

I’m always on the lookout for new and better gear.  We should all be doing that, and for most of the readers of MDCreekmore.com, I think that statement holds true. Today I’d like to talk about the SOG Tactical + Throwing Tomahawk. I saw it for sale on Amazon and decided to snap it up for the following reasons:

• The cheap hardware store hatchet I bring backpacking with me is heavy, dull and clumsy. The SOG Tactical Tomahawk is listed as much lighter and I wanted to see if it could cut branches and wood as well or better than the average cheapo hatchet.
• I wanted something that could also be used for self-defense if need be. I reasoned that if the tomahawk was used successfully by both the Native Americans AND later the American military, there had to be something to that.   This holds especially true because as a Canadian, I cannot bring firearms into provincial parks and conservation areas where I typically backpack, and as of late the bears, coyotes, and wolves have been getting more aggressive as they get hungrier.
• I’ve read good reviews of it elsewhere and:
• It was very reasonably priced.

Before I go on any further, let’s get a look at this thing.  It looks pretty mean, and it also looks pretty functional in my opinion:

Let’s look at some cold facts about this device.  The overall length is 15.75”, and it weighs in at less than 2 lbs (24 ounces).  The blade length is 2.75” and 0.26” in width and it’s made of 420 stainless steel with a black finish (except for the end of the blade). It has a fiberglass reinforced nylon handle and comes with a nylon sheath with a belt loop in it.

The uses of this device listed on the website include “… breaching operations, excavation, obstacle removal, extraction, and other utility applications.”.

So, my first impressions were good. Anybody with any kid left in them will look at this thing and exclaim “COOL!” I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what I did. It does have a mean look too it, something that when you pull out in the company of friends, they want one, and in the company of enemies, they might think twice about messing with you.

Aside from the aesthetics, this is a fairly light axe but it does have heft.  SOG claims its well balanced and I agree. Gripping it at the end of the shaft it has a natural swing to it. I feel that it follows the proper path with my stroke. It seems well designed for the mechanics of the human swing.

There’s quite a bit of meat to the blade. As you can see from the picture above, it’s quite thick and should stand up to quite a bit of abuse.  Just like the shaft.  The fiberglass reinforced nylon is very light, provides excellent grip and it seems to be very strong.

There are videos on the SOG website showing them propping the shaft on a piece of wood and driving over the shaft with a truck. The shaft flexes but does not break. Sorry folks, but we’ll just have to take SOG’s word on that one unless you want to buy one of these and do it for yourself.

Still, I tried bending it in my hands and beating the shaft against some concrete and it held up with no breaking and no marking up.  That should give us some clue on to the longevity.

The blade is attached to the shaft with what seems to be a tang of fair length. It’s hard to tell but I’d say it’s about 3”.  The blade is held onto the shaft by what looks like two screws as well as a tight metal band that is about 1.5” in length.  It is attached with a lot of strength and I feel zero give or wiggle to it.

I really just got this Tomahawk so I haven’t had a chance to use it much. However, I wanted to try it out as best I could before actually taking it into the field (my next backpacking trip isn’t until August 12^th, sorry).  I did beat up a big stump pretty good and I did bury the end of the blade into a tree with minimal effort.

But to show you how it works, I put together a video showing what it does to both a 2×4 and a pineapple.

The 2×4 is pretty self-explanatory.  How well does it split wood?  The pineapple, well, I wanted to show how well it would work in a self-defense application. The example I use in the video is for protection from animals and nothing else just for the sake of the YouTube moderators.

Be that as it may, I selected a pineapple while feeling both my head and different fruits in a grocery store and it seemed to me that the pineapple best felt like my Neanderthal skull.  For your viewing pleasure:

The SOG Tactical + Throwing Tomahawk retails for about $65. I bought it on sale from Amazon.  I’m sure there are better axe devices out there, but how much money are you going to spend? This thing seems solid, VERY solid and well worth the price if you’re in the market for one.

Also, the pineapple was delicious. Just thought I’d let you know… please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you!

Written by – Jesse Mathewson

One of the most underrated and over marketed essential components of a bug out, survival, bushcrafters kit are the knife, or in my case knives. Since the rollover in 2000 and failure to collapse of anything at that time, the prepper, survival world has blossomed as an entirely new industry.

This has led to knife builders getting into designing knives for large production companies versus the plethora of smaller individual builders that used to exist. There are now machine shops producing show-stopping advanced design knives, however, are any of these modern art pieces really worth the money you pay for them?

And do they have a purpose outside of looking pretty when you post an Instagram of your never used daily carry?

As a lifetime prepper/bush crafter who has lived for over two decades in the High Deserts of North America having a useful knife on hand is not only essential, it is a life or death decision. There have been numerous times in my life where a simple Opinel #8 kept me from going hungry, allowed me to start a fire and set up camp.

Knives are tools, essential tools. If you live where you are not allowed to carry a knife, move; honestly it is the height of political arrogance, that people not be allowed to carry even a simple folding or sheath knife.

This being said, time for the basic reviews of three manufacturers I recommend to people wanting to start their kits on the cheap, or even for experienced individuals looking at expanding their tool chest.

Mora of Sweden – manufactures the famous Morakniv line of knives. There are dozens of models available though I have found that for most tasks the simple Companion in either stainless or high carbon works just fine and at an average of $13 apiece on Amazon, they are worth buying in bulk.

1.  These are fixed blade, sheath knives and come with a standard working plastic sheath. Modern polymers have proven time and again to be as strong as many steels so don’t let that deter you. The stainless version most commonly seen is made of Sandvik 12C27 a Swedish steel that is almost naturally occurring and well known for its longevity.

The HC or high carbon version is made of laminated high carbon and softer external steel.

2.  The edge bevel or grind is called the Mora grind, and is a very shallow, thin grind that allows easy cutting and shaving of kindling. It is NOT a good knife to use for chopping, though you can do so, as the bevel of the blade itself lends itself to edge rolling and it will need a quick strop before continuing on.

3. Stainless steel models do not hold an edge as well as compared to the high carbon models; however, they are far more rust resistant than the latter. So it is a toss-up as both easily work for the same tasks when called upon. One simply needs more touch up than the other.

4. The grip is a rubberized plastic and they are a ¾ tang, which is quite strong. Initially, upon testing I hammered two into a tree about 5 feet off the ground, I then hung from the handles and put my full weight on them for as long as I could hold it several times. I have also pried with them, putting them in a vice and bending the blades almost double without any harm occurring in the handles themselves.

5. Speaking of the blades, they are relatively thin running .078” to .098” of an inch wide, however, this is a good thing as it means they will work very well for cooking, camping, picnicking, cleaning game, filleting fish and much more. And yes I have done this with them.

6. Over time they will get a patina from use, this is a benefit, of course, if you want to prevent rust upfront and add a little personal touch, there are hundreds of videos about using mustard through vinegar. My preferred method is heating apple cider vinegar up to boiling and placing the blade in this for 5-10 minutes, rinsing with cold water, repeating until quite dark. Than using mineral oil or really any gun or knife lubricant/ cleaner you wipe the blades down well and store them away. It works and they look very tactical after you are finished.

7. Lastly the spine, these blades do not have a 90-degree spine, however, with a hand file you can quickly put one on and even the stainless model with throw sparks from a Ferro rod!
Ganzo Folding Knives – A Chinese manufacturer of folding knives that has grown in popularity and is very well made using solid steel and well fit parts for a low price.

1.  Again there are several models; they have automatic folders, flippers, frame locks and the much talked about the Chinese version of Benchmade’s famous Axis Lock. For the purists, I have several Benchmade knives and love them all.

The axis lock that is being used on the Ganzo is nothing like the lock Benchmade originated. The design is similar, however, it is not as smooth or easy to use.

2. The blade material is 440C stainless steel, with the plethora of modern super steels and machinist designed blades in existence this steel has lost ground. However, for those of us who understand the purpose of a folding knife and tend to use it for that, buying one or more of these for $13-$31 apiece versus a Spyderco, Benchmade or high-end Kershaw at $100-$1200 apiece is the intelligent approach.

3. I tested several models including one auto version, my favorites are the G738 and G724 and lastly the G7212 (auto) model. They come quite sharp, hold an edge as well as most of the other high-end comparable size, styles available and easily take an edge or retouching if needed.

4. I have destruction tested these as well, nearly cutting my thumb off with one test (it was the Spyderco that failed) where I was testing lock strength. I carry one of the above three as my daily user in my left pocket; my right pocket has a defensive styled folder (Fox Karambit, Benchmade Emerson CQC7, Spyderco Paramilitary) and carry this way every day.

5. They are worth the money and easily among my favorite carry knives these days.
Lastly the large bush crafting blade – my first choice (non-khukri style or blade) is Ontario Knives of the USA. You can get a well-made machete, large butcher knife or the Ka-Bar made by Ontario and all of the above will fit well in the large blade category.

1. I highly recommend any of their machete styles though I am personally a fan of the Parang style for its cutting ability.

2.  The butcher knife is a 7” blade length, inexpensive handle, and no sheath though the ka-bar styled sheath will fit it easily and can be found for under $10 on Amazon. The knife itself runs $10-$12 on Amazon and is worth every penny. You can chop with it and do all sorts of things with it, it is inexpensive enough that even if it breaks (the handle is not attached well) you lose nothing and can try your skills at re-handling.

3.  The Ka-Bar well, it has proven itself as a fighter and for many, myself included as a large bush crafting blade as well.

4.  The steel most commonly used by Ontario Knives is 1095 high carbon which is treated properly, takes and holds an edge well, though I do have my blades chip regularly. (Easily fixed, but still something to consider)

So there is three of my favorite low budget bush crafting knives for your consumption. What say you? Which do you like and why? And remember, this is low budget, not bad knives simply under $100 bucks for the three types of knives every bush crafter should have (to begin with).

Even for a legal expert trained in understanding weapon laws, Wisconsin knife laws are often difficult to understand. The primary reason for the confusion stems from the ambiguous wording of statutes that lead to protracted legal battles inside civil and criminal courts.

Legislative leaders in Wisconsin have made an effort to clear up the ambiguous language by passing laws defining the meaning of a number of knives, as well as clarify the intent of unclear knife statutes.

[ Note: Out of all of the pocket knives available on Amazon.com this one is my favorite everyday carry knife – click here to see what it is on Amazon.com. I love this knife! It’s built like a tank and holds an edge better than any other knife that I’ve owned…]

A thorough review of Wisconsin knife laws leads to the conclusion the state does not consider knives to be labeled as “dangerous weapons” as defined by state law. Let’s review the important components of Wisconsin knife laws to determine where residents and visitors stand.

Recent Changes in Wisconsin Knife Laws

On April 14, 2015, the Badger State passed a law that provides visitors and residents with more legal freedom to own and carry knives. Senator Terry Moulton and representative Kathleen Bernier sponsored the landmark knife law, with Governor Scott Walker a persuasive supporter of the new law.

Governor Walker played an instrumental role in lobbying legislators that sat on the fence during the extended debate that at times turned confrontational.

The governor made a statement that tied the new law to the fundamental meaning of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. “Wisconsin citizens have the fundamental right to defend themselves and feel safe and secure in their homes and we remain committed to protecting those rights,’ remarked Governor Walker during an emotional speech.

AB 142 removed every restriction placed on switchblade knives, which the state categorizes as a type of automatic knife. The lifting of restrictions includes the concealed carrying of a switchblade.

State lawmakers made an exception to the new switchblade rules by stating “person who is prohibited under state law from possessing a firearm may also not go armed with a concealed knife that is a “dangerous weapon.”

In February of 2016, legislators removed additional restrictions when it comes knives, concealed carry, and how the state views municipalities that pass more onerous knife laws that what is mandated by the State of Wisconsin.

With myriad lakes and plenty of wilderness to provide homes for wildlife, the reform of Wisconsin knife laws came about primarily because of the strong support demonstrated by the anglers and hunters living in or visiting the state.

Here are the types of knives that are legal to own in Wisconsin:

• Dirk
• Bowie
• Ballistic
• Dagger
• Disguised
• Switchblade

Wisconsin Defines the Meaning of Concealed

In a monumental 1993 Wisconsin Court of Appeals case, State v. Keith ruled there are three criteria for defining what is a concealed weapon. First, the weapon must be completely hidden, Second, the defendant in a criminal case must be aware of the presence of the hidden weapon.

Finally, the weapon is within the defendant’s reach, attached to a part of the body, or stored in a clothing pocket.

Another case litigated by the Wisconsin court of appeals ruled a person was guilty of carrying a dangerous concealed weapon in situations where all the three of the following criteria are met:

• Defendant was aware of the presence of the weapon
• The weapon was located inside a car and within the defendant’s reach
• The weapon was hidden from ordinary view

Subsequent court rulings defined the ambiguous term “ordinary view” to mean a person could not see the weapon standing outside a vehicle or within a vehicle.

Concealed Carry Knife Law in Wisconsin

Knife laws in the Badger State allow residents and visitors to conceal carry a legal to own knife.

“Unless other facts and circumstances that indicate a criminal or malicious intent on the part of the person apply, a person is not in violation of, and may not be charged with a violation of, this section for loading, a firearm, or for carrying, or going armed with a firearm or a knife, without regard to whether the firearm is loaded or the firearm or the knife is concealed or openly carried.”

AB 142, Act 149, Section 11 prohibits a person from possessing a firearm, if the person is also prohibited from conceal carrying a legal to own knife.

Additional Wisconsin Knife Laws Information

State preemption language for Wisconsin knife laws is highly ambiguous.

“With regard to state preemption of local regulations, political subdivisions are prohibited from enacting or enforcing an ordinance regulating the sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer, ownership, use, keeping, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration, or taxation of any knife, unless the ordinance or resolution is the same as or similar to, and no more stringent than, a state statute.”

AB 142, Act 149, Section 2 also prevents local regulations from prohibiting a person’s right to open or conceal carry a legal to own knife.

Here is where the state preemption statute for Wisconsin gets muddied.

Although there is a state preemption provision written in AB 142, local governments can forbid the possession of knives carried into a building that is owned, occupied, or controlled by the local political entity. Note the Wisconsin legislature uses the word “building” instead of the term “real estate” to create a narrower restriction for knife prohibition. Knives remain outside the definition of a “dangerous weapon.” However, Wisconsin law has not changed the law that forbids dangerous weapons on school property.

Other Important Provisions of Wisconsin Knife Laws

In the Badger State, minors are not allowed to own a weapon or receive a weapon that was transferred to a minor by an adult. Wisconsin does not place a restriction on the length size of a knife blade. The lack of a blade size restriction is relatively rare among American states. Most states place blade restrictions that range from three to five inches.

Where Do Wisconsin Knife Laws Go from Here?

In a show of unity, both prominent Democrats and Republicans in the Wisconsin statehouse have publicly stated the importance of further clarifying state weapons statutes. State preemption language especially needs more work to unify state and municipal knife laws. Expect some type of law to pass in 2019 that merges state and local knife ownership interests.

Please note: None of the material in this article should be interpreted as legal advice.  I am not a lawyer.  Never take any action with legal consequences without first consulting with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.  This article should not be relied upon for making legal decisions.  This information is provided for scholarship and general information only.

You can read my other knife law articles for other states here…

And check out these related articles:

• What’s The Best Multi-Tool to Buy For EDC
• Best Survival Knife of for Under $100
• Best Folding Knives For Self-Defense
• Work Sharp Pocket Knife Sharpener Review
• SOG Tactical Tomahawk Review