Is the Spyderfly a Butterfly Knife and is it Illegal to Carry in Texas?

A

Anthony

Joined
Jun 11, 1999
Messages
47
Hello Everyone,

Is the Spyderfly technically a butterfly knife?

Is it illegal to carry in Texas?

I have had multiple people tell me that unlike automatic knives and gravity knives, butterfly knives are not illegal to carry in Texas, and these are people who should know. While I do not see any specific mention of butterfly knives in the Texas Penal Code, I do see enough ambiguity to worry me.

I would love to hear any thoughts Sal might have on his experiences and research while designing this exquisite knife.

I have studied the Modern Arnis and Kali for many years and would love to carry one of these knives on a regular basis.

Thanks for the help.

- Anthony
 
Yes it is and I am not sure of the laws in Texas.





Zoo
 
Yes, I have looked at this already.

Does anyone know of any case law that has set the presedent for enforcing the "switchblade" protion of the law?
 
Balisongs are "legal" in most states. "Legal" meaning that the law defines an illegal knife (a "gravity knife" in this case), and balisongs don't meet that definition.

Balisongs are "illegal" in most states. "Illegal" meaning that when the cops, attorneys, and judges all agree that they're going to prosecute balisong owners, it doesn't really matter whether the law's on your side. :(
 
Michael Cook said:
dagger swedged blades are illegal in texas, balisong or not :( goes for natives too.
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I don't believe that is true. Case law is fairly specific about what is meant by the term dagger. Unsharpened false edges have not been a problem. You get into trouble when the second edge is a real sharpened edge and not just a swedge.

--Bob Q
 
bquinlan said:
I don't believe that is true. Case law is fairly specific about what is meant by the term dagger. Unsharpened false edges have not been a problem. You get into trouble when the second edge is a real sharpened edge and not just a swedge.

--Bob Q
Click to expand...

TX law mentions dirks, daggers, and stilletos, but doesn't actually define them. Double edged I don't think is mentioned, but one of those undefined terms would probably be enough for a judge or jury.
 
46.01 Tx PC says iilegal knife is

*blade over 5.5" long

*dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stilleto and poniard

*instrument designed to cut/stabanother by being thrown

*bowie knife, swords, spears

*switchblade knife - defined as any knife w/a bladethat folds/closes/or retracts into the handle or sheath, and that
a) opens automatically by pressure applied to a button/other device located on handle, or

b) opens/releases a blade from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by centrifugal force

imho double edge knives fall under the dagger definition and balis fall under the switchblade part of the code, though taken literally most any modern folder will open by centrifugal force.............can guarantee ya double edge knives (not false edges) and balis are not legal to pack in the lone star state, one gray area i have heard is double edge knives w/a regular edge on 1 side and saw teeth on the other 'ala REKAT pocket hobbit, was looking at 1 w/2 county deputies and they were divided over the legality of it, wouldnt pack one of those eother myself FWIW.
 
It's the centrifigul force clause the specifically outlaws butterfly knives. That makes it unequivicol.
 
Michael Cook said:
:grumpy: bowie knives are illegal in Texas?!? the terrorists/democrats have won. :grumpy:
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Not only does it sound stupid, it's useless because the law already bans anything over 5.5". It's hard to call anything less than that a "Bowie," so what exactly is that law supposed to do?

It's not a ban on knives, it's a ban on what some housecat politician thinks are mean words.
 
IIRC bowie knives were prohibited in the 1870's or so due to public outcry like ya hear now about assault rifles.

of course there is a clause in it if ya are a collector or if ya are on private property ie ya are out hunting on your property/lease and have a skinning knife which would approximate a bowies specs, or if ya have one in your home, ya just cant carry in public.

oh its a class "A" misd FWIW.
 
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