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what's the largest knife i can carry legally when hunting? of course, it will be transported in my locked gun case.

There does seem to be an implied exception for carrying knives while hunting or fishing.

Knives over 5 1/2" or Bowies of any length are still illegal knives, as are double edged.

I can't imagine that you would ever be questioned as long as you are hunting, but don't wear one to town.

well if its illegal to wear it why would they sell it as a hunting knife. i dont get it. if i wear this at my ranch while not hunting but clearing brush the game warden can potentially arrest me??

BTW
this is what knife i use
http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?eve ... uctID=3051" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you're on your own property, you're fine. Even if you don't own the property, there are many rural activities where you would likely not be confronted.

We have some LE members here that will provide some solid answers.

cannot find anything about double-edged knife being illegal. is a tanto considered double-edged?

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.

Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife, or club if the person is not:

(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control; or

(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person's control.

Stupid wrote:cannot find anything about double-edged knife being illegal. is a tanto considered double-edged?

(6)(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;

I stand to be corrected on this, but even WAY back in my LE days, we interpreted this to mean edges on opposite sides of the blade.

I never thought this would apply to tantos. My truck knife is a Cold Steel 5 7/16" tanto.

Now wouldn't Sec. 46.01 be talking about possession in municipalities? I couldn't imagine them being able to arrest you because you were walking around on private property with a machete. That sounds like they can arrest you for walking around, with a thigh holster, on private property that's yours or leasing. I just can't imagine that the sheriff can come on my property and arrest me just for carrying my pistol on a though holster, let alone a bowie.

I bought one of these at a gas station for $5 or $10 on a trip to Dallas once. I then drew a picture of it and asked a LEO at a Steak and Shake if it would be legal to carry. He suggested that I keep it at home or locked in my trunk because it's a "double edged knife", even though it had two separate folding blades.

I've been looking up the Texas Penal Code Chapter 46:
http://penalcode.austintexascriminaldef ... ter46.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and I can't find any mention of double sided blades. It just mentions the previous ones with switchblades and spring loaded knifes. I'm starting to wonder if its a city code.

AndyC,
I carry the same knife when I'm hunting, never had a problem with game wardens around my ranch. They even have a key to my ranch to watch out for poachers. Darned if their going to tell me that my survival knife is to long.
In my ranch, we run across some happy go lucky piggy's that will charge you, russian bore and Javelina's. I'm not about to give up my pig sticker on my personal property because their is no mention of it on the laws that its illegal.
The state usually stays out of it when it deals with property, except for the leaving your CHL pistol in your car while at work that is. This is still being debated here.

Mike1951 wrote:(6)(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;

A dagger (probably from Vulgar Latin: 'daca' - a Dacian knife) is a typically double-edged blade used for stabbing or thrusting. They often fulfill the role of a secondary defense weapon in close combat. In most cases, a tang extends into the handle along the centreline of the blade.

Daggers may be differentiated from knives on the basis that daggers are intended primarily for stabbing whereas knives are usually single-edged and intended mostly for cutting. However, many knives and daggers are usually capable of either stabbing or cutting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiletto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poignard" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I know of no legal definitions in Texas code, but general acceptance has inferred this to mean double edged.

I saw daggers and understand them being outlawed, bayonets would fall into this category too.
But Mike, would you say that even if you were on your own personal property hunting that this penal code still makes it illegal? My interpretation would be if you were walking around town with those knives, then your breaking the law. Otherwise they would be able to arrest you for carrying a pistol openly too, on your ranch or farm.

I repeat:

Mike1951 wrote:There does seem to be an implied exception for carrying knives while hunting or fishing.

Mike1951 wrote:If you're on your own property, you're fine. Even if you don't own the property, there are many rural activities where you would likely not be confronted.

Mike1951 wrote:Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife, or club if the person is not:

(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control;

I have never seen, heard of, or read about anyone being hassled about an illegal knife while hunting, fishing, doing farm work, or basically anything in a rural area.

But wearing the same knife to town or around people who might be alarmed by it will draw attention.