Knives in one form or another are one of the earliest forms of manmade weapons.  As tools for self-defense, knives are considered handy, practical and with enough skill, quite effective to use.  Knives come in a variety of designs and styles and one of the most popular among self-defense enthusiasts is the folding knife.  It’s compact, lightweight and protects the user from accidental cuts when concealed in the clothing.  Unfortunately, having a folding knife does not automatically make one a self-defense expert.  Accidents can happen, particularly if the user is unskilled, inexperienced and doesn’t have a good understanding of how to utilize this tool.  Do not make the same mistakes that beginners do and learn how NOT to use a folding knife:

Do NOT keep the knife open when carrying or concealing it
The design of the folding knife is such that it conceals the blade and prevents the user from cutting himself.  When carrying the folding knife or concealing it in your purse or person, make sure that the blade is folded back to the sheath and that the lock is in place.  This will keep you secure and prevent any physical harm to you.

Do NOT show off the folding knife
The less your potential attacker knows, the better.  If you’re carrying around a folding knife, do not whip it out for no reason just to show off or perform a demo in front of your friends or co-workers.  This is probably fine for private parties but it’s best that not a lot of people know you have one.  That way, you have the element of surprise to your advantage.

Do NOT use the folding knife without practicing first
Even a Jedi had to learn to wield the light saber, so why not you with your folding knife?  With practice, you become familiar with your weapon.  The more you know how to wield it, the more confident you will be using it.

Do NOT use the folding knife without clipping the lock in place
The lock is meant to keep the blade from folding back into the sheath.  If you have to use the folding knife, make sure that it’s locked and stable.

Do NOT expose the folding knife to moisture
Some types of steel blades are vulnerable to corrosion when exposed repeatedly to moisture and/or air.  Clean it regularly and wipe any moisture off with a clean cloth.

Do NOT use the folding knife without knowing if it still works
Always keep your folding knife clean and try to inspect it periodically when not in use.  This will help prevent any corrosion that could occur, which could lead to tighter blades that won’t ‘swing’.  Check the parts regularly to determine if they’re still working properly.  If you’ve been keeping a folding knife in a drawer somewhere for at least a year or two, inspect it for any damage before carrying it with you.  That way, you’ll know for sure that it will work in your defense.

Carrying a knife would be considered common if you lived in medieval Japan but in this day and age, there are certain legal restrictions that you must keep in mind.  This is so that you not only avoid violating any laws, you also help ensure safety and security in your community.  There are indeed laws that cover carrying of knives that you should be aware of.  So does the right to bear arms still stands?

Are you dangerous or is it just your knife?
When it comes to carrying knives, the United States has been generally tolerant with its citizens, although there are a few restrictions depending on your place of residence.  In majority of states, people are allowed to carry a knife in their person.  That means that if you wish to carry a knife with you, you’re probably not breaking any rules.

There are certain restrictions, however.  First, there is the knife itself.  A knife is a potential lethal weapon, regardless of its size and shape.  In the right hands, it could be a tool to create, build, cook or even protect a life but in the wrong hands, it can be a deadly weapon.  A butcher’s knife, for example, that can be used to cut meat to make stew can also cut or maim an individual.

To help prevent, minimize or at least discourage any crimes or accidents involving knives, people are only allowed to carry one if it is single-edged.  The person carrying the knife should also not make it appear that the knife can be a threat.  If a knife has been proven to be carried with intent to harm another person, for example, it will be considered illegal.  This explains why people may be allowed to carry small knives such as pen knives if they can prove that their intention is for self-defense.

The location where the knives are carried into also matter.  If you carry knives around in your own home or backyard, you will not be doing anything illegal.  But if you enter the premises of another person’s property or business establishment, you may be breaking certain laws.  There are also laws that discourage people from carrying knives if they will be entering a government building.  If you have a knife with you, it might be construed as a security threat or even a terrorist one.

There are also states that have laws about carrying knives that prohibit people from carrying one in plain sight in a public setting.  If the knife is concealed, though, there should be no problem.