Inks Lake, Tx

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bitter1

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In September when the kiddies are back in school and the weather cools off here in Tejas on my day's off(tues,wed) im going to go camping about once a month and my first site is going to be Inks lake here in Texas and was wondering about the legal knife length is there ive looked on the sight for it and nothing im going to be using my Gerber Prodigy, I also have a Spyderco Moran featherweight that i could use and a Case ridgeback hunter also but the Gerber is bigger and thicker so thats whats going with me the first time out, and also some good camping sights there, i might have a GPS when i go, thinking abiout a Garmin 60CSX, i can get one from work for a really good price.

Eric
 
also i havent been camping in years and that was with my parents and that was a drive up and camp type thing, im going to be trying my hand at hiking in, so im a camping NOOB!!
 
Inks Lake is a great first place for a first backpack trip. Short, with interesting terrain, but not much elevation change. The only disadvantage to the primitive (hike in) camping area there, is that it has absolutely no access to the lake.

As far as knives go, you really don't have to worry about a blade size as long as you aren't threatening other campers or something with it.
 
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bitter1 said:
In September when the kiddies are back in school and the weather cools off here in Tejas on my day's off(tues,wed) im going to go camping about once a month and my first site is going to be Inks lake here in Texas and was wondering about the legal knife length is there ive looked on the sight for it and nothing im going to be using my Gerber Prodigy, I also have a Spyderco Moran featherweight that i could use and a Case ridgeback hunter also but the Gerber is bigger and thicker so thats whats going with me the first time out, and also some good camping sights there, i might have a GPS when i go, thinking abiout a Garmin 60CSX, i can get one from work for a really good price.

Eric
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Texas' legal knife length for fixed or folder is a 5.5" blade...However, I have carried the Frost 14" around Inks and nobody says 'boo'* It seems to be permitted out there. Wardens and the like seem to have some semblance of common sense.

*Disclaimer: This statement is not intended to be legal advice in any way, shape or form.
 
dougo83 said:
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Texas' legal knife length for fixed or folder is a 5.5" blade...
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I always believed the stereotype that they liked things BIGGER in Texas :confused:

Anyhow, Bitter1 my best advice is to prepare your gear well in advance and think about the uses each item has to offer. Try to get your pack to a reasonable size and don't forget various emergency items like first aid kit, firemaking (redundant to what you expect to normally use), signalling and shelter. You have to fight the urge to just pack everything the night before where you often end up with too heavy a load and too much useless gear while somehow at the same time missing the essential items.

I think that it is great that you want to start off solo camping. You can learn a lot about yourself just by being alone and experiencing the solitutde of the wilderness. Strangely many people never get any alone time. Also use these forums to help you prepare. People love to comment on gear packing!

Regarding knives - I'd bring along the Moran as it is a quality sharp little cutter and perfect for food prep, whittling, cutting cord ects. The Gerber prodigy at 4.8" could serve for batoning wood to split it, or you can think of a small hatchet like a Fiskars for that chore.
 
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kgd said:
I always believed the stereotype that they liked things BIGGER in Texas :confused:
QUOTE]

Under 6" is legal but I have never had a issue with a knife as of yet(Knock on Wood) the stereo type is not about our knives:thumbup::D;)LOL
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texastonydobbs said:
Under 6" is legal but I have never had a issue with a knife as of yet(Knock on Wood) the stereo type is not about our knives[/I]:thumbup::D
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So is this how it is everywhere, all the time? Are fixed blades legal for carry in public?

Would I get hassled for carrying a sub 4in. fixed blade in or around Houston if it were carried discreetly?

I mean, I don't dress like a freak or anything, polo's and cargo shorts most of the time, I'm not the type to draw the attention of law enforcement.

I'm moving to the Houston burbs next week from Jersey where carrying pretty much anything sharp is a felony;).
 
I carry an RC3 EDC to work and what not and never had a problem, Houston is a big and busy town..Enjoy it ! I am a few hours North of Houston....if it is legal your go to go,but never hurts to talk to those around you,I just asked my Co-workers if it bothered them ,even though it is a legal carry blade , just did not want to piss off those I had to work with....they replied no difference than a large folder which most I work with carry.
 
texastonydobbs said:
I carry an RC3 EDC to work and what not and never had a problem, Houston is a big and busy town..Enjoy it ! I am a few hours North of Houston....if it is legal your go to go,but never hurts to talk to those around you,I just asked my Co-workers if it bothered them ,even though it is a legal carry blade , just did not want to piss off those I had to work with....they replied no difference than a large folder which most I work with carry.
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Great to know, thanks Tony.
 
Yeap, the legal length any blade (fixed or folding) is 5.5". I've confirmed this with several police officers (to include the ones on our military installation) since I carry a Mad Dog Pygmy ATAK (with choil it's a tad over 5"). I have carried larger knives when out hiking, but usually in the pack. Around urban areas, stay under the 5.5" blade length...and don't carry a larger bladed knife if you plan on doing any illegal activities...that's where they will hammer you on the blade length.

ROCK6
 
i know about the legal length's and everything like that, i've carried my Moran several times i rather like carrying a fixed blade also im planning on carrying my Ka Bar Mule or my Spyderco Manix 83mm.
 
just didnt know about the length's in the parks i would expect they wouldnt have much of a rule against knives
 
Yep. 5.5" is the magic length. Anything less should be no problem anywhere (except the police station and court buildings). If you are out in the woods camping, even parks, I doubt whether anyone would care about your battle rat, etc as long as you're not threatening someone. Of course I've been curious how they measure the blade length. Length of sharpened edge? From handle to tip? If handle to tip then a skeleton type knife is all blade. I haven't been to Inks Lake in decades but it use to be my favorite park. I don't remember there being any primitive camping.
 
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