Pocket Knives - Are Tanto Blades legal?

[LoneStarWings]

Hi,

I'm interested in getting a pocket knife to carry in addition to my pistol. I understand that blades in Texas can't be longer than 5.5", must not be double sided, and must not be "switch blades".

The knife I'm interested in purchasing has a 3.5" folding "Tanto" blade. This means the first inch of the blade closest to the tip is double sided, but not the whole thing. It also has an "assisted opening mechanism", in other words a button you can push to unfold the blade.

Would this be legal? I'm in Austin if city ordinances come into play. Thanks!

[boomerang]

If it's single edge like these (but shorter) that looks legal.

If it's double edged or has a sharpened false edge, I think you're playing in the gray areas.

IANAL

[LoneStarWings]

Actually it looks like this


But I've realized since i posted my question that I'd rather have a drop point, which I'm more sure is legal. Thanks for the responses, as i would still be curious to know if the tanto is ok.

[marksiwel]

Really from what I've been told by Lawyers and cops, is they arent going to bust you for knives unless You are acting like a jerk and they want to bust you for something. That or you stab someone and they just want to pile on the charges.
Just dont carry a switch blade, a dagger or a Full Length Fighting Knife, or a Butterfly knife.
If it looks like a simple pocket folding knife, thats what most cops will assume it is, and not give it another look.

But going the legal route is the smart/right idea.

[A-R]

Actually it looks like this


But I've realized since i posted my question that I'd rather have a drop point, which I'm more sure is legal. Thanks for the responses, as i would still be curious to know if the tanto is ok.

That's a fairly unique looking tanto blade from what I've seen. I carry a Kershaw Blur I got from Wal Mart (looks exactly like this one http://tiny.cc/wMfur" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and it is only sharp on one side of the blade.

[flintknapper]

Actually it looks like this


But I've realized since i posted my question that I'd rather have a drop point, which I'm more sure is legal. Thanks for the responses, as i would still be curious to know if the tanto is ok.

As long as the second side is not sharpened (False Edge) the knife should be legal.

I am glad you chose another style knife however. The one pictured may appeal to those wanting the latest "tacticool" looking knife, but IMO, it offers little (if anything) in the way of usefulness/utility.

A good quality knife with a drop point and a bit of "belly" in the blade... will serve you well.


Flint.

[TLE2]

I hope tanto blades aren't illegal, because all my carry knives are tanto-bladed.

[flintknapper]

TLE2 wrote:

I hope tanto blades aren't illegal, because all my carry knives are tanto-bladed.

They aren't IF they do NOT have any portion of blade (opposite the main cutting edge) sharpened.

That does not include a "false edge".

The knife pictured above is not what one thinks of...when considering a "Tanto" anyway. It is some strange conglomeration of an "American Tanto" and a "Reverse Tanto".

Unless the secondary edge is indeed sharpened (allowing for back-cuts) then all that has been accomplished is to lower the point more along the center line.

I don't know if the treatment along the top of the blade (scalloped) is supposed to be an attempt at a blood groove...or is just there for more "aesthetics", but it significantly weakens the "spine" of the knife and doesn't make a good rest for the thumb when backing up the blade with a "Filipino Grip". Not that it matters, because they left the "flipper" right in the way too.

You can probably imagine how much fun it would be to sharpen (the amount of serration leaves only a small portion of normal edge before it makes the transition angle).

I know it looks "mean"....but IMO it would make a poor tactical knife except for thrusts/stabs...and even then...I see nothing about it that would make it excel.

I believe alot more effort went into it....to make it look cool...than practical thought. Just my .02

Flint.

[fm2]

It has a lot of tactical “styling” cues. I've always found it beneficial to handle a knife before buying, because some look really good and fell like yuk.

[DavidBatista]

Actually it looks like this


But I've realized since i posted my question that I'd rather have a drop point, which I'm more sure is legal. Thanks for the responses, as i would still be curious to know if the tanto is ok.

that is very unique and customize knife.

[Beiruty]

Straight edge, surgically sharp, less than 5" knife should potentily enough. How to be used is up to the actor. Special Ops action scenes are a good demostration.

[gigag04]

Assisted open /= push button.

I carry a benchmade auto open tanto knife. It would be truly classified as a switchblade because I push a button and the blade flicks open due to only the force of the spring. This is a restricted item.

An assisted open knife is almost the same but requires the user to exert force to overcome a bias to closure (this is from memory but it's close). These are legal.

[Excaliber]

TLE2 wrote:

I hope tanto blades aren't illegal, because all my carry knives are tanto-bladed.

They aren't IF they do NOT have any portion of blade (opposite the main cutting edge) sharpened.

That does not include a "false edge".

The knife pictured above is not what one thinks of...when considering a "Tanto" anyway. It is some strange conglomeration of an "American Tanto" and a "Reverse Tanto".

Unless the secondary edge is indeed sharpened (allowing for back-cuts) then all that has been accomplished is to lower the point more along the center line.

I don't know if the treatment along the top of the blade (scalloped) is supposed to be an attempt at a blood groove...or is just there for more "aesthetics", but it significantly weakens the "spine" of the knife and doesn't make a good rest for the thumb when backing up the blade with a "Filipino Grip". Not that it matters, because they left the "flipper" right in the way too.

You can probably imagine how much fun it would be to sharpen (the amount of serration leaves only a small portion of normal edge before it makes the transition angle).

I know it looks "mean"....but IMO it would make a poor tactical knife except for thrusts/stabs...and even then...I see nothing about it that would make it excel.

I believe alot more effort went into it....to make it look cool...than practical thought. Just my .02

Flint.

I agree.

That is one ugly mix of "features", all of which have their legitimate place - just not on the same blade.