Self Defense Knife???

[JALLEN]

Just picked up an Emerson Sheepdog with the new bearing system (in serrated spearpoint blade). It was expensive, but it has the smoothest opening action and grippiest handle of any self defense knife in my collection:

What keeps this from being one of those dreaded, and in Texas illegal, Bowie knives, undefined in the statute, AFAIK?

[WildBill]

I've unfortunately had to slash someone with a knife once (attempted mugging by 3 guys on a train) and concur with the benefit of something to keep one's hand from sliding forward. Although I didn't get cut myself, the possibility was (partly) on my mind at the time - but what I carry in my pocket is mostly for utility anyway. I happen to like some serrations - they can do the heavier work without dulling the straight edge.

I was wondering the same about the serrations.

[Bitter Clinger]

Just picked up an Emerson Sheepdog with the new bearing system (in serrated spearpoint blade). It was expensive, but it has the smoothest opening action and grippiest handle of any self defense knife in my collection:

What keeps this from being one of those dreaded, and in Texas illegal, Bowie knives, undefined in the statute, AFAIK?

Size matters.

[JALLEN]

Just picked up an Emerson Sheepdog with the new bearing system (in serrated spearpoint blade). It was expensive, but it has the smoothest opening action and grippiest handle of any self defense knife in my collection:

What keeps this from being one of those dreaded, and in Texas illegal, Bowie knives, undefined in the statute, AFAIK?

Size matters.

How so?

TPC 46.01, the latest version I know of, says:

Code: Select all

(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.
- See more at: http://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-46-01.html#sthash.gZkw4Tcu.dpuf

AFAIK, no other definition of "Bowie knife" appears in the law, which is why I raised this point. Maybe someone knows what a "Bowie knife" is.

Thise instruments defined in (B) through (F) above can have blades less than "five and one-half inches and be illegal. A knife with a blade of more than that is illegal regardless of what type it might be.

Many people recognize a Bowie knife by the characteristic that the upper edge is sharpened back from the point to the widest part of the blade.

[Pariah3j]

While an overzealous cop or DA could probably try to make the case that something like the knife in question is a 'Bowie Knife' - I think it falls short of all the characteristics that make it fit that undefined generic name.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowie_knife

A Bowie knife (pronounced /ˈbuːiː/ boo-ee[2][3][4] or /ˈboʊ.iː/ bow-ee[4]) is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knife created by James Black in the early 19th century for Jim Bowie, who had become famous for his use of a large knife at a duel known as the Sandbar Fight.

Since the first incarnation, the Bowie knife has come to incorporate several recognizable and characteristic design features, although in common usage the term refers to any large sheath knife with a crossguard and a clip point.

Its missing 2 of the main defining characteristics, the cross-guard and not being a fixed blade. Clip point alone does not make a Bowie...

[The Annoyed Man]

There's a number of knives pictured above me I would never buy for self defense. They don't have anything hinting of a hilt.

a CRKT M21-14DSFG:
http://www.crkt.com/M21-Special-Forces- ... Veff-Combo

This knife has a very pronounced hilt when it is open, which also act as flippers to open it. They also have parachord sized holes, so you can lash it to a pole and use it as a spear. Additionally, the Zeff serrations are brutally efficient, and it has a dual locking mechanism when open, instead of a simple liner lock. The pocket clip can be positioned at either end of either side. Here's an animated GIF showing the size relative to the hand, and it really does flick open as easily as shown. Comes in black too, and with the above shown spear point, or a tanto point.

[Bitter Clinger]

Just picked up an Emerson Sheepdog with the new bearing system (in serrated spearpoint blade). It was expensive, but it has the smoothest opening action and grippiest handle of any self defense knife in my collection:

What keeps this from being one of those dreaded, and in Texas illegal, Bowie knives, undefined in the statute, AFAIK?

Size matters.

How so?

TPC 46.01, the latest version I know of, says:

Code: Select all

(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.
- See more at: http://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-46-01.html#sthash.gZkw4Tcu.dpuf

AFAIK, no other definition of "Bowie knife" appears in the law, which is why I raised this point. Maybe someone knows what a "Bowie knife" is.

Thise instruments defined in (B) through (F) above can have blades less than "five and one-half inches and be illegal. A knife with a blade of more than that is illegal regardless of what type it might be.

Many people recognize a Bowie knife by the characteristic that the upper edge is sharpened back from the point to the widest part of the blade.

It is only a 3.5" blade, and it is a folder.

[Bitter Clinger]

For a fixed blade, I most often carry the LEO Triple O:

[karder]

I carry a well worn Gerber 06 Tanto blade. It's the best knife I have ever owned and it goes with me everywhere.

[Jketchum]

Here's my edc.
been carrying this knive for probably close to 10 years. I've lost and replaced 5 or 6 of them over the years.

[loktite]

This knife has a very pronounced hilt when it is open, which also act as flippers to open it. They also have parachord sized holes, so you can lash it to a pole and use it as a spear. Additionally, the Zeff serrations are brutally efficient, and it has a dual locking mechanism when open, instead of a simple liner lock. The pocket clip can be positioned at either end of either side. Here's an animated GIF showing the size relative to the hand, and it really does flick open as easily as shown. Comes in black too, and with the above shown spear point, or a tanto point.

Nice, think I know what my next knife will be. Still kind of kicking myself for not jumping on a ZT-350tiger stripe when it was on sale for < $80 for all of like 6 hours on Amazon -- waited too long to pull the trigger.

Off property, I currently carry the Ka-Bar TDI 1480 (Drop point straight edge), and usually a TDI LDK on lanyard. Cheapie Gerber paraframe is my edc folder on and off property atm. This M16-14SFG looks to be my next off property edc folder (though I think i'll go with the black). Thanks TAM

[WildBill]

I don't believe that a folding knife can be a "Bowie Knife".

[bmwrdr]

My preference is my Boiker Turbine. It has a flipper and thumb studs, is adjustable, do it all knife and rock solid.
A serrated blade would not be my joyce instead I keep mine sharp.

https://www.boker.de/us/pocket-knife/bo ... 10130.html

[WildBill]

My preference is my Boiker Turbine. It has a flipper and thumb studs, is adjustable, do it all knife and rock solid.
A serrated blade would not be my joyce instead I keep mine sharp.

https://www.boker.de/us/pocket-knife/bo ... 10130.html

Boker makes very good knives.