Knife carrying laws for San Antonio, TX?

[InfiniteTricks]

I live here and I've heard many different things, only a certain length, if it locks it's not legal, if you can open with a flick of the wrist/assisted opening. It doesn't seem to be too enforced though, I would just like a clear line if anyone knows?

 

[zzyzzogeton]

For San Antonio - Has no specified length limits, so max length follows state law - no longer than 5.5 inches, single edge.

San Antonio ordinances do not address any restrictions on fixed blades or slip joints. Nothing about whether it flicks, is assisted opening or is a switchblade. Just whether or not it is a folding knife that the blade locks.

So, if it is a folding knife that locks, it is illegal to carry in San Antonio. The way the local ordinance is written does not make a locking folder illegal, per se, but says that it is illegal to carry a folder that locks if it has a length of LESS THAN 5.5 inches. Since STATE law says that a knife longer than 5.5 inches is illegal. So in order to carry a locking folder in San Antonio, you have to break STATE law.

San Antonio also has restrictions/prohibitions on carrying knives in/on city property or the city airport. No knives to be carried on city property or at the airport.

 

[InfiniteTricks]

So it's pretty strict then hm? Do you have any knife recommendations that I could carry legally for edc or defense purposes?

 

[InfiniteTricks]

For San Antonio - Has no specified length limits, so max length follows state law - no longer than 5.5 inches, single edge.

San Antonio ordinances do not address any restrictions on fixed blades or slip joints. Nothing about whether it flicks, is assisted opening or is a switchblade. Just whether or not it is a folding knife that the blade locks.

So, if it is a folding knife that locks, it is illegal to carry in San Antonio. The way the local ordinance is written does not make a locking folder illegal, per se, but says that it is illegal to carry a folder that locks if it has a length of LESS THAN 5.5 inches. Since STATE law says that a knife longer than 5.5 inches is illegal. So in order to carry a locking folder in San Antonio, you have to break STATE law.

San Antonio also has restrictions/prohibitions on carrying knives in/on city property or the city airport. No knives to be carried on city property or at the airport.

Sorry didn't see a way to delete my other post, forgot to quote, any ideas for a knife I could carry legally?

 

[zzyzzogeton]

It's enforced sporadically by the officer you are encountering and what you were doing to get his attention, or what was done where you were present that brought about LEO attention.

EDC what you want, as long as it meets state law - 5.5" or less and single edge, fixed or slip joint.

I don't recommend carrying knives for defense. I carry legal fixed blades everyday. I also carry locking folders. None are carried for defense. Texas is a CHL state. One never knows who is carrying and who is not. Anyone dumb enough to pull a knife as an offensive weapon is taking a chance that the "victim" has a gun. He who brings a knife to a gunfight, looses. If someone pulls a gun on you, a knife does you absolutely no good. You are screwed.

Personally, as far as San Antonio goes, I carry my locking folders on the rare occasion I go there. I would dare them to say I didn't fall into their "traveling" exception as I live 180 miles from there.

 

[InfiniteTricks]

It's enforced sporadically by the officer you are encountering and what you were doing to get his attention, or what was done where you were present that brought about LEO attention.

EDC what you want, as long as it meets state law - 5.5" or less and single edge, fixed or slip joint.

I don't recommend carrying knives for defense. I carry legal fixed blades everyday. I also carry locking folders. None are carried for defense. Texas is a CHL state. One never knows who is carrying and who is not. Anyone dumb enough to pull a knife as an offensive weapon is taking a chance that the "victim" has a gun. He who brings a knife to a gunfight, looses. If someone pulls a gun on you, a knife does you absolutely no good. You are screwed.

Personally, as far as San Antonio goes, I carry my locking folders on the rare occasion I go there. I would dare them to say I didn't fall into their "traveling" exception as I live 180 miles from there.

Good point on the carrying for defense, I carry a spyderco tenacious right now but I'm looking for a smaller folder for edc, preferably a flipper, like the kershaw OD2 or a crkt ripple, thanks for all the help btw, haven't gotten around to getting a concealed holding license yet. Also, so that means any fixed blade under the length rule is legal? I have no experience carrying fixed blades but perhaps I'll look into some.

 

[Brisket]

zzyzzogeton did an excellent job of explaining the knife laws in San Antonio. I have found that a good many knife carrying residents in San Antonio are either confused about the law or unaware that it even exists. It is rarely enforced and I have been told by numerous SAPD officers that I should have nothing to worry about when carrying a locking folder under 5.5". Yeah, I'm not entirely comfortable with that assurance either so I frequently carry a fixed blade, slipjoint or both when I am in town which is a good part of my time. I find that many fixed blades in the 6"-7" range fits nicely in the pocket yet is a useful size and generally sports a handle large enough to at least provide a 3 fingered grip. I also find that carry a small fixed blade in a belt sheath draws little attention in many settings.

 

[InfiniteTricks]

zzyzzogeton did an excellent job of explaining the knife laws in San Antonio. I have found that a good many knife carrying residents in San Antonio are either confused about the law or unaware that it even exists. It is rarely enforced and I have been told by numerous SAPD officers that I should have nothing to worry about when carrying a locking folder under 5.5". Yeah, I'm not entirely comfortable with that assurance either so I frequently carry a fixed blade, slipjoint or both when I am in town which is a good part of my time. I find that many fixed blades in the 6"-7" range fits nicely in the pocket yet is a useful size and generally sports a handle large enough to at least provide a 3 fingered grip. I also find that carry a small fixed blade in a belt sheath draws little attention in many settings.

I have pretty much no knowledge of slip joints, could you recommend a good one for edc, or a fixed, I've spent most of my time watching folder videos and not looking much into the others.

 

[00ChevyScott]

I'll say this, it didn't stop me when I visited there two years ago.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I have pretty much no knowledge of slip joints, could you recommend a good one for edc, or a fixed, I've spent most of my time watching folder videos and not looking much into the others.

My EDC fixed blades are either 2 Kabar 1232s, or a 1232 with a Becker BK11/13/14/16, Kabar "shorties" (Models 1251 through 1261). All are Texas legal carry. The 1232 has a 4 inch blade, the shorties are 5.25 and come with stacked leather or black kraton handles. the BK16 is 5". The other BKs are 3"+.

Many other folks will give you recommendations of greater cost, special steels, fancier handles. I'm a frugal German farm boy and prefer hard-working, practical knives.

I don't carry slip joints, and haven't since I bought my first lock back (Buck 110) in 1973, so I can't give good recommendations on them. I just occasionally collect Western and Kabar slip joints.

I'll say this, it didn't stop me when I visited there two years ago.

Again, visiting and living there are two different animals.

 

[OhShoot]

.... but says that it is illegal to carry a folder that locks if it has a length of LESS THAN 5.5 inches. Since STATE law says that a knife longer than 5.5 inches is illegal. So in order to carry a locking folder in San Antonio, you have to break STATE law. ..

Well, then sounds like a locking folder of exactly 5.5" would be legal both in San Antone and the rest of the state, as it's neither less nor more than 5.5 inches.

So just get one of these and all is well, eh?

- OS

 

[midnight flyer]

I've lived here in San Antonio since about 1966, and have always carried a knife anywhere I go. I must confess, I don't challenge authority or try to get attention from the much lamented Bladeforum monster, the dreaded "sheeple". I don't cut my steaks with a pocket knife in a restaurant (or ever...), I don't whip out a large tactical knife in an office to open a letter, nor do I ever show people out in the general public what kind of knife I am carrying. All knives stay in my pocket until they are needed, and only when appropriately so.

I carry two knives, usually a larger traditional and a larger locking folder every day unless going to a special event. Large traditional to me is a 4" stockman, and a large locking folder is something like my 4" bladed Kershaws. I have done this for years, and never had any problems.

My police friends tell me that lockers are indeed illegal, but sometime last year when the legislature couldn't decide the absolute definitive difference (in legalese) between an automatic opener, and assisted opener, and an old fashioned switch blade could be, that part fell out of the legislation leaving only lockers and blade length as specifically defined.

That being said, with 40 years of carrying knives in the open, and a ton of my fellow contractors and construction folk that do the same, common sense has won out and NONE of us have ever had problems simply based on the knife we carry. They use common sense too, as many of us around here literally grew up with knives in our pockets. Plain old good judgement is good enough around here.

Around here, a medium stockman is pretty much considered a "gentleman's knife" much like a SAK. No one raises an eyebrow at all when you use one of those in public. The only time I go without a knife in my pocket is when I go to an inside event at the ATT center like watching a concert or the Spurs play.

Robert

 

[InfiniteTricks]

I've lived here in San Antonio since about 1966, and have always carried a knife anywhere I go. I must confess, I don't challenge authority or try to get attention from the much lamented Bladeforum monster, the dreaded "sheeple". I don't cut my steaks with a pocket knife in a restaurant (or ever...), I don't whip out a large tactical knife in an office to open a letter, nor do I ever show people out in the general public what kind of knife I am carrying. All knives stay in my pocket until they are needed, and only when appropriately so.

I carry two knives, usually a larger traditional and a larger locking folder every day unless going to a special event. Large traditional to me is a 4" stockman, and a large locking folder is something like my 4" bladed Kershaws. I have done this for years, and never had any problems.

My police friends tell me that lockers are indeed illegal, but sometime last year when the legislature couldn't decide the absolute definitive difference (in legalese) between an automatic opener, and assisted opener, and an old fashioned switch blade could be, that part fell out of the legislation leaving only lockers and blade length as specifically defined.

That being said, with 40 years of carrying knives in the open, and a ton of my fellow contractors and construction folk that do the same, common sense has won out and NONE of us have ever had problems simply based on the knife we carry. They use common sense too, as many of us around here literally grew up with knives in our pockets. Plain old good judgement is good enough around here.

Around here, a medium stockman is pretty much considered a "gentleman's knife" much like a SAK. No one raises an eyebrow at all when you use one of those in public. The only time I go without a knife in my pocket is when I go to an inside event at the ATT center like watching a concert or the Spurs play.

Robert

Thanks for the reply, so does that technically mean the ones that were undecided upon are legal in a sense? I'm fairly new to knives, learning what I know from YouTube people like nutnfancy, great guy. Just looking to start a little collection, I'm not a trouble maker either so I feel I should do just fine.

 

[Brisket]

I have pretty much no knowledge of slip joints, could you recommend a good one for edc, or a fixed, I've spent most of my time watching folder videos and not looking much into the others.

There are many good slip joints for EDC, modern and traditional. You mentioned you had a Tenacious and if you like the Spyder hole opening you might want to look at the UK Pen Knife or the discontinued Urban. As far as traditionals go, some of my favorite EDC's are larger single blade slipjoints like the Case Sodbuster & Great Eastern #71 Bullnose. Check out the traditional sub-forum here for lots of advice and photos on slipjoints.

 

[InfiniteTricks]

Thanks for the reply, I'll check out that pen knife and the urban, what brand would those be? Also will take a look at those fixed blades.

 

[Douva]

Yesterday's episode of Come and Talk It was on Texas knife laws (with a great deal of emphasis on San Antonio and Corpus Christi): http://media.talkradio1370am.com/a/94714451/come-and-talk-it-podcast-07-20-2014.htm

Here is the knife quiz mentioned in the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/centraltexasgunworks/posts/718135738278555

 

[OhShoot]

Thanks for the reply, I'll check out that pen knife and the urban, what brand would those be? Also will take a look at those fixed blades.

Boker Chad Los Banos XS is a helluva nice slipjoint, gotta get experienced with opening it in a hurry one handed though, it's really tight, can snap back and bite ya.

- OS

 

[midnight flyer]

Thanks for the reply, so does that technically mean the ones that were undecided upon are legal in a sense? I'm fairly new to knives, learning what I know from YouTube people like nutnfancy, great guy. Just looking to start a little collection, I'm not a trouble maker either so I feel I should do just fine.

There was an excellent thread here on BF when the bill to decide what kinds of knife to make illegal completely collapsed. It was based in part on these facts:

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=221

Note that daggers, etc., are illegal unless you are on your own property or are using them to hunt or fish. Don't know about that... But remember, the reason the autos and assisted knives go through the storm and aren't illegal is because no one could closely define the knives well enough to make a decision on what kind of knives each were. Someone here got ahold of some of the court transcriptions, and it the legislators were completely lost on the issue. So it expired, and all the laws and enforcement went to the cities (see the paragraphs in red) if they were tighter than the Texas State laws.

See too, it also mentions restrictive laws such as that of San Antonio. A few decades ago there were a lot of folks carrying the venerable Buck 110. I do mean a LOT. It seemed every blue collar guy had one (I carried a cousin of it), all the bar riff raff had one, cowboys/bikers/macho men all had one... I mean they were everywhere.

A few people got stabbed, and a couple stabbed to death with this knife, and the knife got a bad rep for being a gangster tool. The defining moment before city hall was the fact that when locked, it became a virtual fixed blade knife. So those lock blades were made illegal. Later, they extended the blade length a bit. Then things got so mired as to what was acceptable and what wasn't, they just quit enforcing the law. If an illegal knife was used in the commission of crime, then you would be charged with an illegal weapon. If you kept it in your pocket and minded your own business, no harm, no foul. Now, I think the only time the City is adamant is when they ban knives altogether. No knives at Spurs games, (although I regularly carry one to the Mission's games), no knives at any enclosed venues like the downtown entertainment theaters owned by the city or in the Alamodome, etc.

Nothing a politician likes as much as numbers. Take a look at these statistics and you can see why the one handed opener/switchblade discussion is so important. Look at the numbers at the top of this page then go down a bit and see that 80% of all knives sold are assisted or one hand openers!!!

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80

With those kinds of issues, you can see that the dollars and jobs were talking as much as anything else to the politicians.

Back to sunny San Antonio. Leave your knife in your pocket in public unless you are in the proper venue, and you can probably carry just about anything you want anywhere you go. Use good sense and make sure you don't try to carry one into a City event. They will confiscate it, or let you walk it back to your car, but a little planning and no problems. I can live without my knife in my pocket for a three hour Spurs game, especially when it makes my life easier.

Robert

 

[InfiniteTricks]

There was an excellent thread here on BF when the bill to decide what kinds of knife to make illegal completely collapsed. It was based in part on these facts:

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=221

Note that daggers, etc., are illegal unless you are on your own property or are using them to hunt or fish. Don't know about that... But remember, the reason the autos and assisted knives go through the storm and aren't illegal is because no one could closely define the knives well enough to make a decision on what kind of knives each were. Someone here got ahold of some of the court transcriptions, and it the legislators were completely lost on the issue. So it expired, and all the laws and enforcement went to the cities (see the paragraphs in red) if they were tighter than the Texas State laws.

See too, it also mentions restrictive laws such as that of San Antonio. A few decades ago there were a lot of folks carrying the venerable Buck 110. I do mean a LOT. It seemed every blue collar guy had one (I carried a cousin of it), all the bar riff raff had one, cowboys/bikers/macho men all had one... I mean they were everywhere.

A few people got stabbed, and a couple stabbed to death with this knife, and the knife got a bad rep for being a gangster tool. The defining moment before city hall was the fact that when locked, it became a virtual fixed blade knife. So those lock blades were made illegal. Later, they extended the blade length a bit. Then things got so mired as to what was acceptable and what wasn't, they just quit enforcing the law. If an illegal knife was used in the commission of crime, then you would be charged with an illegal weapon. If you kept it in your pocket and minded your own business, no harm, no foul. Now, I think the only time the City is adamant is when they ban knives altogether. No knives at Spurs games, (although I regularly carry one to the Mission's games), no knives at any enclosed venues like the downtown entertainment theaters owned by the city or in the Alamodome, etc.

Nothing a politician likes as much as numbers. Take a look at these statistics and you can see why the one handed opener/switchblade discussion is so important. Look at the numbers at the top of this page then go down a bit and see that 80% of all knives sold are assisted or one hand openers!!!

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80

With those kinds of issues, you can see that the dollars and jobs were talking as much as anything else to the politicians.

Back to sunny San Antonio. Leave your knife in your pocket in public unless you are in the proper venue, and you can probably carry just about anything you want anywhere you go. Use good sense and make sure you don't try to carry one into a City event. They will confiscate it, or let you walk it back to your car, but a little planning and no problems. I can live without my knife in my pocket for a three hour Spurs game, especially when it makes my life easier.

Robert

Thank you, great read. I forgot I had my tenacious going to a spurs game one time, bottom pocket of my cargos, right when he got towards that pocket he said to turn and I did quickly, managed to get in. I didn't wanna cause trouble but also didn't want to go back in line. The game went by smooth. Was an accident, again.

 

[Brisket]

Thanks for the reply, I'll check out that pen knife and the urban, what brand would those be? Also will take a look at those fixed blades.

Both are Spyderco. You would need to look for the UK Pen Knife (aka UKPK) in titanium or G10 handles and/or the Urban with G10 handles in the secondary market as they are discontinued. They pop up every now and then on the exchange here or on ebay. There is also a current variation of the UK Pen Knife available with FRN handles available from many of the bladeforum dealers.