[TheSmokingGuitar]

So I just bought a fixed blade knife, and i live in texas, its a 5 1/4 blade and has one edge.

my question is: Is this knife Legal to carry on my belt?

all that the laws say is no dagger or bowie knives, but does this fall under that catagory

http://www.amazon.com/Schrade-Golden-Spike-Knife/dp/B000UU3X6I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1208216372&sr=8-4

[BAT1]

I'm pretty sure the limit is 5". Lock blades are banned in San Antonio. That looks like a nice knife.

[ArfinGreebly]

If the law does, in fact, say "no Bowies" and if it does not specify a length limit, I'd say you were good to go.

Check the law.

A knife blade under six inches is seldom referred to as a "Bowie" knife. I do have one knife of five-and-a-half or six inches for which the manufacturer has chosen to call it a "mini Bowie," but all my other Bowies have blades well over six inches.

Your's looks like "knife, hunting, generic, each, one" in the words of my supply sergeant friend.

Check the law. If the law, as written, allows that knife, then fine.

Print a copy. Keep it in the glove box.

However.

More important: dress appropriately and don't behave like an ass while carrying it, and you should be fine.

Oh, also, check the law.

[hso]

You should research your questions about the legality of a weapon yourself instead of trusting to the information given by a bunch of folks on an internet board.

That said, Texas law says -

6) PENAL CODE
TITLE 10. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MORALS
CHAPTER 46. WEAPONS
Sec. 46.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(6) "Illegal knife" means a:
(A) knife with a blade over five and one-half inches;
(B) hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;
(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;
(D) bowie knife;
(E) sword; or
(F) spear.


BUT, that doesn't mean that your local law doesn't have greater restrictions, so do your homework before you find yourself in a heap of trouble.

[TheSmokingGuitar]

yeah ive tried to contact my PD but the just give me the laws that i've found already

[hso]

No offense to LEOs, but they are not reliable sources of information on this issue. A district attorney or city attorney or attorney from the State Attorney General's office are more reliable.

[JohnKSa]

I wish that they would fix the TX laws in the following fashion.

1. Eliminate the bowie knife prohibition. The length limit should already cover it.
2. Eliminate the sword prohibition. The length limit already takes care of this issue.
3. Clarify the switchblade definition to specifically legalize knives that are clearly not designed to open by centrifugal force but that can due to their design. Most good quality lockblades can be swung open if they have a blade up around 4" or so. Also with the proper technique it's surprising what can be done. I have a small, good quality lockblade with a smooth action. Although the blade is not at all loose and is only about 2.8" long, I can flick it open. It usually takes me a couple of tries but it is possible. According to the strict definition of the switchblade definition the knife is therefore illegal to posess which is just plain insane.
4. Come up with a reasonable definition for "dagger".