Does a Sawback constitute a second edge?

[BePrepared]

I live in Texas and double edged knives are illegal. Does anyone know if a knife with a saw on the spine would constitute a double edged blade?

 

[archieblue]

I believe if it can cut -at all- it would/could be considered a sharpened edge. It depends on what you are doing at the time of the law enforcement confrontation, what kind of mood the cop is in, his/her general attitude and what they know or think they know.

 

[OHALLUM]

It depends on what you are doing at the time of the law enforcement confrontation, what kind of mood the cop is in, his/her general attitude and what they know or think they know.

Bingo! The winning answer for nearly all law enforcement questions in re: is this blade/knife legal in my area? It always comes down to what you are doing and how you are acting if a confrontation takes place with a LEO. Trying to board a commercial airplane is of course different. It is also why the knife laws are inherently useless in most states, municipalities, etc. The interpretation of legal or not is left up to the individual officer to start charges against you. You could theoretically be charged with an illegal carry with a case peanut in your pocket if the officer thinks you were doing something that in his mind was illegal with it. Be cool, be safe, and likely no problems will arise out of your "sensible" choice of EDC.

Disclaimer: The preceding is not to be taken as legal advice, but only as what my experience has taught me from over 60 years of carrying a knife in my pocket. YMMV

Blessings,

Omar

 

[zzyzzogeton]

I forget when and where, but there is Texas case law out there where it has been ruled that ANY sharpening (including cutting saw teeth) make the knife a double edged blade, and therefore illegal to carry.

Depending on the LEO and your situation/attitude at the time, a partial-false edge or even a spear point shape with no sharpening at all, can (not will) result in a charge/arrest. MIGHT get thrown out or found not guilty after a lot of time, money, irritation and worry, but now you're betting on the judge/jury. When you pull a POPO, all bets are off.

 

[J_Curd]

I was wrong. I don't believe I would risk a saw back in the "no double edge" jurisdictions.

 

[BePrepared]

seems like that's the general consensus. Thanks folks

 

[GIRLYmann]

well, that's what got him hauled in

quite frankly, invoking the Fifth Amendment made it worst for him.