Warren, NYS has no specific restrictions on fixed blade knife lengths, or open carry, outside of NYC (which prohibits open carry altogether, and prohibits possession of any knife with a blade length of 4" or longer).
Of course, you could certainly run into an enforcement officer who does not know the law, or who feels like hassling you. Unfortunately, the somewhat archaic NYS Penal Law is fairly 'gray' and non-specific when it comes to knives.
NYS PL 265.01 prohibits the possession of a "dangerous" knife, if it is intended to be used unlawfully against another person. What's a "dangerous" knife? Unfortunately, it is not defined in the law (though it is lumped in with switchblades, ballistic knives, metal knuckle knives, dirks, stilettos, etc. Possession of a "dangerous" knife, though, is deemed to be "presumptive proof of evidence of intent to use the same unlawfully against another." (NY PL 265.15) Sounds like a bit of a catch-22 to me, but that's NY for you.
While I've occasionally worn my RMK 19-5 while biking or hiking, without incident, I'd venture that unless you were hunting or camping, a bowie would probably be deemed to be a "dangerous" knife in NYS. And who needs to spend the time and money rebutting the dangerous classification and unlawful use presumption?
_________________________
Bob Carlin
rfcarlin@hotmail.com
RKCC #622
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