Kershaw leek in Texas

T

TB383

Joined
Aug 25, 2005
Messages
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After searching a little bit I am still having a hard time being able to tell if a kershar leek is a legal knife in the D/FW Texas area? I have been carring the knife for a while now and have never been asked or anything about it. Actually I have never been asked about any of my knifes. Only people that have ever said anything about it are my friends wanting to take a look at what new i got now. Oh and one other time when I was using my knife at work and so girl up there saw it and was like freaking out thinking I am some psycho, but I calmed her down when I told her you know its not a weapon its more a tool. But anyways Kershaw Leek legal or not in Texas??
thanks
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337021&highlight=texas

i don't live in texas, but from what i've read i think the answer is similar to that in some other states. assisted openers may technically operate in a way they they are not semantically (in the words of the law) a switchblade, but their function is very similar to one. if you carry one you risk being harrassed and possibly cited/arrested, even if a lawyer may be able to vindicate you later. the power is not in your hands, but in the interpretation of the law from the cop you're dealing with. that's not a comfortable place for me. personally i'd leave the assisted opener at home most/all of the time, and EDC something else. there are some many other great knives out there that are clearly legal. but that's a personal choice.

there's a good chance (well, depending on what you look like, what you're doing, and who the cop is) that you'll never have an issue. But the leek is a slightly aggressive looking knife (the fact it scared that woman at your work is evidence of this), and someone could easily make your life miserable if they wanted to.

so really, i think whether it's actually legal in the end or not is not what's important. the real issue is whether or not carrying around a knife that opens neat is worth making yourself vulnerable to someone elses legal whim. is it worth it?

that being said i have a kershaw scallion. cool knives, good bang for the buck. although i usually EDC something else. but i understand your interest in blades for utility, and desire to carry something convenient, functional, unique, and cool. i feel the same way. the laws don't always seem fair to legitimate knife enthusiasts who carry for utility like you and I, but i understand why they are what they are.
 
I'm kinda in the same boat. Live in TX and the law basically says collectors can own automatic knives and it is ok to have an automatic knife with you while hunting.

But, given the limitations of home use or out hunting, I'm wondering if I'm better off getting a similar knife but manual (e.g. Benchmade 530S vs. Benchmade 3550).

I can carry the 530S but have to leave the 3550 at home or in a gear bag until I get to the hunting grounds. With the axis lock, the 530S is almost as quick to open as the 3550 too.

Then again, the 3550 is very cool!

Scott
 
Yea the law is pretty vauge about this topic and leaves alot of area for personal opinion and interpretation on how it is writen. I have not had any problems like I said, but I just got a new EDC for christmas when it gets here. I got the BM 943. Awesome knife and I know I wont have any problems carring it. Thanks for the reply guys.
 
Stay out of Matagorda County! That DA will prosecute an assisted opener as a switchblade! A friend worked in that DA's office when it happened. The defendant plead guilty, and like most plea agreements, there is no appeal. The way I read the Texas penal code, an assisted opener is not a switchblade, but I merely wear a badge; I do not make the laws nor prosecute the cases. As for carrying an auto while hunting, that is a very broad stretch, unless the auto is to be used as a skinning blade. Read the penal code very carefully. BTW, single-edged fixed blades are legal for carry in Texas, openly or concealed, within the blade length limits, so why take chances with a rapid-opening mechanism of any type?
 
I went to the Travis County Precinct 3 courthouse with my Leek last week.

I asked an officer about it and I was infomed that any knife with a spring (assisted opening) is considered a switchblade. FYI a state jail felony in a courthouse.
 
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