TexasCHLforum.com

UCW/PPW are misdemeanors so check with your county attorney. Discrict Courts have original jurisdiction on felonies not misdemeanors (usually).

I certainly don't see anything that would make a single edge fixed blade less than 5.5 inches illegal to carry under state law, regardless of the handle configuration. My two cents worth.

I would be interested to hear if anyone can actually get their local DA or judge to commit in advance as to what might or might not be legal unless a) it is blindingly obvious (like murder), or b) you've been buddies since 3rd grade and you catch him in a weak moment. I think the more likely answer is they will tell you to consult an attorney of your choice. BTDT. But if anyone succeeds, would love to hear about it.

I certainly do not see a push knife as an "inferior design." Inferior for peeling and dicing in the kitchen perhaps, but for bad-breath distance last-ditch wrastlin' around fighting, it has some advantages, I think. As an overall carryin' around and fightin' knife, I would prefer a traditional fixed blade of as many inches as I can reasonably carry (and I do), but I think the push knife's advantages are a) it is small and easily concealed in places that make it handy to reach, and b) once in your hand it is harder for your opponent to disarm you (than a regular fixed or folder), and harder for you to drop on your own either by accident or from being struck. You can open your hand and still keep the knife clenched between fingers, for example. And any blade is a big jump up from fingernails.

It is kind of like the snubby of knives; not really the best "only" choice unless there is nothing else you can carry, but in its niche, it is excellent.

The TDI seems to be somewhat of an attempt to cross the fixed blade with a push knife; I have never practiced with one, but so far I think I would prefer to stick with a traditional knife or a push knife -- or best of all, both. But they are very popular and I will have to try one out some time.

If you like push knives, you may like this as well: http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I cannot say what your local prosecutors will say. One of many gray areas in the law is the definition of an illegal knife. Parts of it are very clear (blade length is pretty exact) and then parts are not quite as clear. What is a sword, for example? The relevant question for punch knives like this is where the law forbids daggers, including dirks, stilettos , and poniards. I have always been taught that this was intended to forbid knives that were primarily designed to injure by stabbing, as opposed to cutting. But I was also taught that one of the key parts of this definition was a two edged blade.

When you research the definition of a dagger, dirk, or poniard, it almost always has two edged as part of the definition and usually will say something about being a short sword. But the gray area comes about by including stiletto in the definition. The original stilettos had no sharpened edges, but were pointed with triangle shaped blades.

So I interpret the law as allowing a single edged punch knife like this. I don't think anyone can claim it is a stiletto, and by only having one sharpened edge, I don't see it as meeting the definition of dirk, dagger, or poniard. But I will warn people that a prosecutor might try to claim the section of the law intends to ban weapons designed just for stabbing, and this knife does meet that definition.

ELB wrote: The TDI seems to be somewhat of an attempt to cross the fixed blade with a push knife; I have never practiced with one, but so far I think I would prefer to stick with a traditional knife or a push knife -- or best of all, both. But they are very popular and I will have to try one out some time.

If you like push knives, you may like this as well: http://www.hideawayknife.com/main.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for that link.

Just sent the guy an email.

doc540 wrote: ...Thanks for that link.

Just sent the guy an email.

You're welcome! And btw, I think "the guy" is actually "the gal."