Posted: 3/23/2009 11:34:28 AM EDT
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Hey guys! I know its been discussed numerous times and I read the archived posts, but I just wanted to make sure.
I am carrying a Cold Steel Kobun on my "weak" side concealed under my shirt, IWB, in the supplied concealex sheath. The blade is EXACTLY 5.5 inches. 
I think I am G2G, but someone recently tried to convince me otherwise. The said person is not me or someone I know, just someone who happened to walk over and talk to my friend while we were discussing carrying knives. He said he was recently arrested for carrying an illegal knife, blade OVER 5.5 inches. He then went on to say that what I was carrying was legal for open carry, but that I too would be arrested if I carried it concealed under my shirt. Input please. |
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Anytime someone tries to tell you that such-and-such is/isn't legal, ask him to cite the section(s) of Texas Penal Code he's basing his opinion on. 99 times out of 100 you'll find that they really don't have any idea what the facts are, and are either regurgitating something they heard from someone who was equally clueless, or are just pulling an opinion out of their own backside. Try consulting the actual law on the matter and you'll be better off... http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.010.00.000046.00.htm That statute prohibits knives with a blade that is "over" five and one-half inches in length. Technically you should be OK. But personally, I'd feel better with a blade that is no more than 5.25" long, just to avoid the hassle of dealing with a LEO who, for whatever reason, is bound and determined to bust you and is able to claim that according to HIS measuring device your blade is just a hair over the limit. There's absolutely nothing in the statute preventing you from carrying your otherwise legal knife concealed. If there were, pocket knives carried as they always are (in a pocket) would be prohibited. So for how long have you been carrying this blade without first finding out whether or not it's legal? |
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Quoted:
Anytime someone tries to tell you that such-and-such is/isn't legal, ask him to cite the section(s) of Texas Penal Code he's basing his opinion on. 99 times out of 100 you'll find that they really don't have any idea what the facts are, and are either regurgitating something they heard from someone who was equally clueless, or are just pulling an opinion out of their own backside. Try consulting the actual law on the matter and you'll be better off... http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.010.00.000046.00.htm That statute prohibits knives with a blade that is "over" five and one-half inches in length. Technically you should be OK. But personally, I'd feel better with a blade that is no more than 5.25" long, just to avoid the hassle of dealing with a LEO who, for whatever reason, is bound and determined to bust you and is able to claim that according to HIS measuring device your blade is just a hair over the limit. There's absolutely nothing in the statute preventing you from carrying your otherwise legal knife concealed. If there were, pocket knives carried as they always are (in a pocket) would be prohibited. So for how long have you been carrying this blade without first finding out whether or not it's legal? I was not in the mood to disagree with the guy or ask him to cite statutes, he had his mind made up...no doubt thanks to his attorney. I let him say his peace and walk away. As stated, I figured I was good to go all along. But sometimes you want to hear it from others just to make certain. So I read the archived posts. Additionally, since it was 1995 when I graduated the academy I decided to re-read Section 46.01 and 46.02 of the Penal Code. So the answer is...I have carried the knife since I purchased it about two weeks ago and I was 99.99~% certain I was legal but I was asking for input from others with real world experience to give me a warm fuzzy about my choice of knives. 
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Where are the blade measurements of the blade taken from? Tip to where? The penal code doesn't specify, so it's whatever that particular judge thinks. I'm not sure if there's a precedent in case law. If I was carrying a knife that close to the limit, I would be measuring from the furthest point back that could possibly be considered part of the blade (end of the handle IMO) to the tip just be sure. |
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Where are the blade measurements of the blade taken from? Tip to where? The penal code doesn't specify, so it's whatever that particular judge thinks. I'm not sure if there's a precedent in case law. If I was carrying a knife that close to the limit, I would be measuring from the furthest point back that could possibly be considered part of the blade (end of the handle IMO) to the tip just be sure. In my case I didnt measure the blade length myself, I went based off the manufacturer's specs. The blade is exactly 5.5 inches so its "legal". I have never been arrested. Detained once when I was 17, but thats another story, and even then I was not searched. Although I do not ever foresee being arrested for anything, I know if I was searched that jurisdictions vary as much as LEOs interpretation of the law. So a 5.5 tanto blade in a concealed IWB sheath might not raise any eyebrows in Rockwall, but in Plano they might shit a brick. My "problem" is I love knives. They are a great tool but they are also a great weapon if you are trained and prepared to use it. The issue is when my knife is clipped in my pocket everyone can see it and knows I have it. For years my EDC knife was a Tarani Buck Strider. A year or two ago it became it was a Kershaw Needs Work (it was smaller and easier to carry at work and has a nice Wharncliffe style blade). Now I am carrying the Cold Steel Kobun. Now no one knows I am carrying a knife except me and I like that. |
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how the hell are you carrying a huge knife like that concealed without anyone knowing?
Ive thought about getting one of those benchmade nimbus fixed blade knives that have a 5 1/4" blade length for carry on duty but I wanted to carry it inside my front left pocket and there is almost no way that the thing will fit even with a custom made sheath to accomodate. |
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Quoted:
Hey guys! I know its been discussed numerous times and I read the archived posts, but I just wanted to make sure. I am carrying a Cold Steel Kobun on my "weak" side concealed under my shirt, IWB, in the supplied concealex sheath. The blade is EXACTLY 5.5 inches. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/SPQR71/TS-TCS171T_540.jpg I'm scared of you. I don't know why. You probably have a CHL like hundreds of others I run into on a daily basis (assumingly) but that doesn't really scare me. THIS scares me! 
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Where are the blade measurements of the blade taken from? Tip to where? The penal code doesn't specify, so it's whatever that particular judge thinks. I'm not sure if there's a precedent in case law. If I was carrying a knife that close to the limit, I would be measuring from the furthest point back that could possibly be considered part of the blade (end of the handle IMO) to the tip just be sure. In my case I didnt measure the blade length myself, I went based off the manufacturer's specs. The blade is exactly 5.5 inches so its "legal". Police don't have the manufacturer's specs. They have a ruler.
But yes, the likelihood of it ever being a problem is pretty slim. |
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Quoted:
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Hey guys! I know its been discussed numerous times and I read the archived posts, but I just wanted to make sure. I am carrying a Cold Steel Kobun on my "weak" side concealed under my shirt, IWB, in the supplied concealex sheath. The blade is EXACTLY 5.5 inches. http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/SPQR71/TS-TCS171T_540.jpg I'm scared of you. I don't know why. You probably have a CHL like hundreds of others I run into on a daily basis (assumingly) but that doesn't really scare me. THIS scares me!
 Not sure I get it, but I am gonna guess this is sarcasm.
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how the hell are you carrying a huge knife like that concealed without anyone knowing? Ive thought about getting one of those benchmade nimbus fixed blade knives that have a 5 1/4" blade length for carry on duty but I wanted to carry it inside my front left pocket and there is almost no way that the thing will fit even with a custom made sheath to accomodate. Quite easily actually. Just like some guys carry a full size 1911.
The IWB sheath keeps the knife tight against the body and the knife handle doesn't print when concealed under my shirt. I even checked it out in front of the mirror..I twisted, turned, squatted down, etc..anything I might do while out and about...and the only thing I could see was a slight print of the top of the knife handle but its not readily recognizable as anything. Quoted:
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Where are the blade measurements of the blade taken from? Tip to where? The penal code doesn't specify, so it's whatever that particular judge thinks. I'm not sure if there's a precedent in case law. If I was carrying a knife that close to the limit, I would be measuring from the furthest point back that could possibly be considered part of the blade (end of the handle IMO) to the tip just be sure. In my case I didnt measure the blade length myself, I went based off the manufacturer's specs. The blade is exactly 5.5 inches so its "legal". Police don't have the manufacturer's specs. They have a ruler.
But yes, the likelihood of it ever being a problem is pretty slim. Exactly. I would imagine that if there was a doubt about the blade length that the LEO would measure it, but I do not plan on giving them a reason to check.
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