# Knife/machete questions

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knife-machete-questions/618909>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 16, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knife-machete-questions/618909 "2012-04-16T01:30:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knife-machete-questions/618909/1 "2012-04-16T01:30:47Z")

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I recently received a [Cold Steel OSS](http://www.coldsteel.com/oss.html) knife as a gift. I live in California, is it legal to carry while hiking? Also, could I legally carry a machete? Finally, what is the difference legally (if any) between a machete and a long knife?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knife-machete-questions/618909/2 "2012-04-16T01:48:19Z")

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It’s a fixed single-edge, so as long as you carry it openly in a sheath it’s OK. Do NOT conceal it, not even the handle should be covered by your shirt.

[California knife laws](http://zknives.com/knives/articles/law/caknifelaws.shtml): skip down to the summary.

A machete is typically much longer (12 to 24 inches) with a much larger blade suitable for swinging while cutting through underbrush or, traditionally, harvesting sugar cane. As far as carrying one goes, you probably could, but as with anything else weapon related understand that the police might not like you carrying it or may not know the laws they are supposed to enforce (a common thing).

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**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knife-machete-questions/618909/3 "2012-04-16T02:46:14Z")

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Thanks **Airman Doors, USAF**. The reason I asked is that the front part of the top edge is sharpened. But it looks as though that’s irrelevant. Thanks for the link.