looking for a stag handle bowie but... i live in texas so i need it only 5.5

R

redrumz

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Jun 5, 2011
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topic pretty much says it all im looking for a bowie style knife with a stag handle that i can carry everywhere, any suggestions?
 
Personally, I don't criticize anyone for wanting to have a Bowie knife (I used to live in Texas, and I have a couple), but you might want to make sure about the laws regarding carry. Texas law is very specific about Bowies; illegal by definition for carry. It's legal to OWN one, so long as it's treated as a 'curio or antique'. In other words, don't take it off your own property. At best, it might be viewed as a 'gray area' in the law (considering it's otherwise legal to carry knives with blades less than 5.5"). At worst, it might cause a problem for you. Just be sure you know what the risks are.

Definitions from Texas state statues (found at site: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.46.htm#46.01 ):

"(6) "Illegal knife" means a:

(A) knife with a blade over five and one-half inches;
(B) hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;
(C) dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;
(D) bowie knife;
(E) sword; or
(F) spear.
Click to expand...
 
I would have to agree with redrums...carry of a fixed blade with 5.5 inch blade or less is fine but the bowie shape can get you in some trouble. A drop point blade should work out for you just make sure it is visible. I carry a bush shiv by John Landi on the weekends, the blade length is 5 inches and it is an all purpose beast that is comfortable to carry.
 
We had some kids named Bowie in school. I guess all their knives are illegal in Texas. Silly law. ;)
 
Texas, of all places, has a law written by Californians regarding what kind of knives you can carry? Say it ain't so! I guess it's not the same place I grew up in anymore. . .
 
I always thought it was just plain insane that the state most associated with a certain type of knife would make it illegal to carry. What is the world coming to? :(
 
hang on a minute. I don't think that you can even have a 5.5" bowie, by definition Bowie knives are large
 
Nebulae said:
hang on a minute. I don't think that you can even have a 5.5" bowie, by definition Bowie knives are large
Click to expand...

I think the op is looking for a 5.5" clip point fixed blade with classic styling that would be considered a bowie if it were larger and has the same look and feel as one while being legal to carry in his state

I'd check out the knifemakers forum, if you don't see something that fits [ray laconico just sold one today that iirc would have fit your parameters flawlessly] see if you can't contact one of the makers to see if they can't make something up for ya
 
Nebulae said:
hang on a minute. I don't think that you can even have a 5.5" bowie, by definition Bowie knives are large
Click to expand...

Generally, I agree. Problem is, there's no specific LEGAL definition of what 'bowie knife' actually means. In particular, Texas' own law defines a bowie as an 'illegal knife', but doesn't define the characteristics (size, style, blade shape) which specifically make a 'bowie knife' illegal. That's where the trouble begins. Like so many other laws, lack of specificity leaves it open to the interpretation of the individual police officer, prosecutor, judge and/or jurors who might decide it's illegal, for their own personal reasons. That's the 'gray area' I referred to earlier.
 
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Wow, Bowie knives are illegal in Texas? The first thing I think about when I think of the Bowie knife is Jim Bowie at the Alamo... That seems to me a bit like banning balisong knives in the Philippines, or banning the laguiole knife in France.
 
you could buy a short kabar strip the blade knock out the pin in the pommel take off the leather washers drill a hole in a piece of stag fit the tang into it and put hte pommel back on
 

Bark River -- Vest Pocket Bowie.


Not a Stag handle (Buffalo Horn), but still a sub 5.5" Bowie. :cool:

Though I imagine there are a few Stag handled versions out there.




Big Mike
 
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I really think the whole "Bowie" thing is meant to describe a very large (10-16") scary looking knife, If you are under 5.5" I would not worry about the "Bowie" designation at all. the only way I can see somebody pulling the "Bowie" crap on you is if you are in some touchy city, or municipality, and if that's the case the blade limit is probably less than 5.5"
 
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