Open Carry of Knives?

[CoffeeNut]

Currently I carry a pocket knife everywhere I go but sometimes I really just want to get some use out of my KA-Bar that currently sits idle. After having a discussion about open carry of handguns with a friend we both came to the same conclusion - that it would be irrational to keep the law banning knives over 5 1/2 inches from being carried. The thought was that if I can carry a pistol on my hip what makes a big knife that much scarier? Frankly I'd be more likely to have the KA-Bar on my belt than an openly carried handgun because a good knife comes in handy a bit more often. Obviously it isn't for whipping out while at Walmart but it does look darn good in that leather sheath. Like OC it wouldn't be something you'd want to do absolutely everywhere but I spend as much time as I can in the country where a big knife would be more likely to get compliments rather than 911 calls (not that I'm out for compliments either).

It's just a thought. There isn't a lobbying organization for knives that I'm aware of but if OC passes it doesn't really make sense to keep big knives off limits.

[Jumping Frog]

I'd have no problem with a sheathed knife on the belt, but I would not wear a Ka-bar.

Ka-Bar


Bowie knife


Too close in appearance for me to want to defend a UCW charge.

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.

[CoffeeNut]

I'd be perfectly OK with that being removed from the "prohibited" list too especially considering the state we live in.

In reality I would be OK with stripping out all of that with the exception of throwing knives.

*ediing to add* Thanks though for pointing out the similarities between the two. I never really looked at them side by side before and that would probably jam me up even if they removed the size prohibition.

[cb1000rider]

Soon as you make it legal, expect some nuts to OC machetes...

[mr surveyor]

hhmmmmm.... I do OC a machete quite often ... but I'm a surveyor and we can do those things :)

jd

[CoffeeNut]

Soon as you make it legal, expect some nuts to OC machetes...

As we've already seen they'll take any opportunity but I don't want their potential actions to continue to prevent me from carrying something as simple as a large knife. I'll leave the KA-Bar Cutlass at home though

[lfinsr]

Actually there is an organization, similar in some respects to the NRA. I haven't kept up with them of late, but after the legalization of automatic knives last session, the last I heard was one of the objectives this session was to get something akin to the Texas preemption laws affecting guns. As it is right now the laws are different depending on jurisdiction, for example in San Antonio.

http://www.kniferights.org/

Edited to correct.

[maximus2161]

I have a few fixed blades I wear on or in the belt. A folder is so much more compact and I always have at least one knife on me. In my main EDC backpack I do have 4.5 inch fixed blade. Its a TOPS B.O.B and its not a tactical knife. Its more a bushcraft/survival knife. Then I have a smaller Strider fixed blade. Both can easily be attached and removed from my belt if I needed to strap it on.

I wouldnt be worried if I wore a legal fixed blade but depends where I am and what I am doing. A small fixed blade I dont think is a big deal. A 5.5 inch fixed blade is probably going to be viewed differently. Main reason I dont is comfort thus its in my EDC bag. I do carry small to large folders however in the pocket.