SPECS: Weight: 7.5 oz. Blade Thickness: 4 mm Blade Length: 4 1/2″ Steel: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless Overall: 10 1/2″ Handle: 6″ Long. Grivory w/ Steel Liners Stainless Pocket/Belt Clip Battle Gear™ COLD STEEL DESCRIPTION: The word Spartan conjures up the vivid history of the battle of Thermopylae, a story of enormous courage in the face of devastating odds. The Spartans were a tough breed, trained from childhood in the art of war and inured to most privations, both mental and physical. Engaging them at close quarters was something to be feared and avoided, as their famous Kopis swords struck off arms and legs like a scythe in a wheat field! Designed by Andrew Demko, the Cold Steel Spartan™ is a folding Kopis scaled down to accommodate the demands of a tamer, more sophisticated world. The 4 1/2″ blade evokes the classic Kopis of the ancients with its characteristic recurved edge, big belly and sharp, acute point. It’s hollow ground from Japanese AUS 8A stainless and has some similarities with a Kukri. Like the Kukri, the Spartan™ always presents its edge at an angle to the material being cut to produce a deep sheering effect. However, since its point is narrower and more acute than most Kukri blades, it stabs almost as well as it cuts. The Spartan™ also echoes the ancient Kopis in its handle. It’s designed to help the hand resist the pull of centrifugal force and to retard forward momentum, when stabbing, or backward movement, when hammering or smashing with its pommel …

I am an 18 year old female and often have to take the bus or train home late after work. I carry a small can of pepper spray and a miniature Swiss Army knife in my purse or pocket for easy access (or use the hand strap on the pepper spray to keep it in sight), as I have been harassed several times late at night. So far I have never had to use either, but a friend of mine told me recently that carrying this little knife in my purse is illegal in the state of Oregon. I’ve done some research and all I have found is that I cannot conceal a knife that swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, but does this include my little Swiss Army knife? There is no spring, and I don’t know and don’t think that it counts as centrifugal force if I have to use the little notch to pull the blade into place.
Any information on the subject would be appreciated. If I have to leave the knife at home I will try and find something else more appropriate or just stick with the spray.