Legality of the Kerambit

Houston, Texas. Are knife laws in Houston (or in other city's) different from the state's? Thanks.


-DC2
 
I checked a few websites on texas law and it looks like they specify daggers as "Double-Edged" weapon or "Sharped On Both Sides" weapon. The BOSS kerambit is not double-edged. I am not sure about the other Kerambits (i.e. Emerson's Kerambit) you'd have to ask them. But they do not "look" double-edged.


Note* I am not ALL that "positive" that Texas law allows a "Swedge". Just check the state law and see if it says anything to do with forbidding a "Swedge". If it doesn't and u get arrested or what-not for it, take a copy of the state law and show the court that there isn't a specific law against a "Swedge".


Edited* Because I did
 
Houston has no city ordinances relating to weapons that are more strict than the state law. I have heard that San Antonio has an ordinance relating to blade length, but do not remember the length. Case law often defines issues that are not specifically addressed by the Penal Code. I am not aware of any case law mentioning blades with swedges, but the presence of two edges seems to be the criteria for an arrest being made for "carrying a prohibited weapon-dirk or dagger".... it is really up to the District Attorney, who must accept the charge, agreeing with the arresting officer that a given blade is illegal. I am not a lawyer, of course. I am a police officer, and can't give advice on weapons without violating department policy, so I will only say my employer starts with "H".... I suggest carrying knives which are clearly legal. If you carry a knife which pushes the limits, I would suggest obtaining legal advice first, maintaining a fund for legal expenses, being prepared to have the knive confiscated if it is discovered by LE. A kerambit may also be at risk of being defined as "knuckles" which are also prohibited weapons. One investigator told me he thought my Emerson LaGriffe would be illegal for that reason.
 
I hope I didn't sound too much like a bad cop. I do not consider a kerambit or a knife with a swedge to be illegal, and I certainly have better things to do than arrest someone whose knife is a bit too long. I believe in arresting "bad guys" and protecting the public. But, then, I have co-workers who will enforce the letter of the law, who may believe a kerambit is a knuckle knife and may believe a knife with a swedge is a dagger, dirk, or Bowie, or a communist espionage instrument. That's where the good lawyer comes into the picture. And, the blade will be seized as evidence, which means you may get it back with initials and/or numbers scribed in the metal, where it was marked as evidence.
 
You didn't. I just don't want to be carrying an illegal knife and not know it. I mainly want to carry that knife for self defense and utility purposes. I've never talked to an officer about this and I am more than glad to recieve a reply from one. I used to carry around my balisong but now that I know it's illegal I don't carry it in public. Maybe to a friend's or relative's house but never in public. Right now I'm carrying a mini paratrooper's knife(not the gravity knife) I don't really like carrying it around mainly because it's not a one handed opener. I plan on getting the Kershaw Chive to accompany my Kerambit(BOSS). Thanks again for the info.


-DC2
 
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