perhaps a REALLY stupid question ....but....

H

Hawgsnawt

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Aug 16, 2015
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I'm from Texas, legal blade length is 5.5 inches here, this puts MANY of the cold steel XL folders in prime location for EDC....

I've begun a quest....I want the largest most bad ass and imposing blade I can LEGALLY carry in Texas.... bordering on just insanity....BUT blade can NOT exceed 5.5 inches.

SO..... to the meat of the question... I want reach, I want leverage, I want insanity....

I want an Espada XL....but I can't legally carry one.....OR CAN I?!?!?

you guru's that understand more about all this than I do.... CAN I buy an Espada XL....AND an Espada Large with a factory 5.5 inch blade, and do a simple blade swap on it?

Can I put the 5.5 inch blade in the Espada XL handle and have it function like it should?....both are Triad lock knives, and both are listed at 4mm thick....it SHOULD be the same blade other than 2 inches of blade length....

Can I frankencombine the 2 into the ultimate Texas legal folder?.....

Thanks!
 
The large Espada provides loads of reach already. If you're looking to do this, just grab a large Espada first and see if you really think you need ~3 extra inches of handle. Honestly, holding my large Espada by the very end is pushing the limits of controlability.

I don't know if the blades can be successfully swapped, however.
 
I have serious doubts to being able to swap-out the blades on these.

The handles are not the same or in proportion at all—let alone the blade sizes.

I have a coworker that EDCs the XL and it is a mega beast of a blade!

The 5.5-inch large version is quite a big blade too.

They are also offering it in the limited-edition Coyote Tan and Olive Green.
 
GCG199 said:
I have serious doubts to being able to swap-out the blades on these.

The handles are not the same or in proportion at all—let alone the blade sizes.

I have a coworker that EDCs the XL and it is a mega beast of a blade!

The 5.5-inch large version is quite a big blade too.

They are also offering it in the limited-edition Coyote Tan and Olive Green.
Click to expand...

There's another possible concern - the tip will almost certainly be exposed if you were to put the Large blade into the XL handle. The handle sweeps up to meet the tip, and the XL handle would leave a 2-3" between the tip and the end of the handle. Not wise. If you were to try to wave it open, the tip would likely catch on the inside of the pocket fabric, go through the back of your pants pocket, get caught half-way when the back of the blade meets your leg - the sudden and unexpected stop and strange motion could easily lead to the tip going into your leg... and with some force.

Conclusion: Get a Large. It's plenty big enough. Unless you're Andre the Giant, the XL version is more novelty than anything else.
 
Agree. I like big folders but one really has to look at how big before useful in all regards gets watered down by the sheer size.
 
I concur that the Large makes a strong statement while the XL is a bit silly, IMO.
 
Above are all good observations. I think the triad lock geometry might also be a problem, that xl lock bar probably wouldn't fit with the mating blade tang of the large. The large is pretty darn big already.
 
I have both Large and XL Espadas (G-10/AUS-8 versions), and I just checked them. Not possible, unfortunately. Not only is the XL blade longer but also quite a bit wider. If you put the large blade in the xl handle, the lock bar would not properly engage the tang cutout while open or the flat underside of the tang while closed. Also, as stated, even if it were the same width the tip would be exposed partway along the handle while closed. :grumpy::(

Comparison pic:

1020150005_zpsqel07c5i.jpg
 
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What you're considering simply won't work. That leaves you with the choice between the recon 1 xl, talwar xl, espada l, and xl voyagers.

I'm in TX too and went with a Recon 1 XL. It just feels better in my hand compared to the talwar and the espada. In addition, it has tons of reach, and a full flat ground blade that's very usable, but still looks downright mean.



Trust me, it's plenty of blade. It's downright laughable.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice... looks like I'm falling back on plan B which is to take a Rajah and do a little cut/grind work on it to remove 1/2 inch off the end of the blade....

I DO have other options... XL voyager Vaquero serrated, XL Voyager Tanto 50/50, Ti-Lite 6 aluminum, Rajah II, Large Espada, Recon 1 tanto.....and a few other CS XLs


I'll post pics after I cut and regrind the Rajah...I've seen one done on youtube, it was cut back almost to a Vaquero shape blade...I don't wanna go that far with it... I think I can keep the Kukri shape and blade heavy feel and still bring it down to 5.5 and legal....
 
If you really want the cut/grind route, the Hold Out is a strong contender. You can turn a Scottish dirk into a sax of the appropriate length with pretty much one cut and some polishing. It worked really well on some Hold Out III's I turned into wharncliffes.
 
AntDog said:
What you're considering simply won't work. That leaves you with the choice between the recon 1 xl, talwar xl, espada l, and xl voyagers.

I'm in TX too and went with a Recon 1 XL. It just feels better in my hand compared to the talwar and the espada. In addition, it has tons of reach, and a full flat ground blade that's very usable, but still looks downright mean.



Trust me, it's plenty of blade. It's downright laughable.
Click to expand...

That is one mean looking knife.
 
I would like to add:

I wish that Cold Steel would do more of their folding knives in the 4.5-inch range like the Spartan.

The discontinued Aus-8A 5.5-inch Recon 1s can be found at great prices too.
 
I understand people in Texas are immune from § 46.02 under § 46.15 if they have a concealed weapons license and are carrying it and a handgun. So if you are carrying your handgun and license, you can also carry any knife that is legal to own, which in Texas is everything but gravity knives. I'm not sure if § 46.15 makes you immune with regard to gravity knives. But it certainly makes one immune to the 5.5" limit, and as of September 2015, this is true for all of Texas. So it is legal to carry your license, handgun, and bowie knife.

To be sure, the handgun license does not permit you to carry a knife over 5.5", but rather the statute exempts you from the carry restrictions on knives if you are also carrying your license and a handgun. So it is not the permit that allows this, but the statutory exemption for people who are carrying a permit and a handgun (the exemption does not apply if you are not carrying both a permit and a handgun).
 
which is exactly the problem.... as open as Texas is with it's gun laws, and as good as our knife laws are... they are just as happy with 30.06 signs prohibiting carry of firearms at specific locations....essentially anyone with a business that prints out and posts a 30.06 sign can counter your right to carry.... and its THOSE locations that I want the big knife for.

5.5 inch blade and 8 inches of handle is no substitute for a 9mm, but it sure beats nothing.... or nothing other than a standard 3.5 to 4 blade.....
 
I have been informed by a friend of mine who is a constable that a chl DOES NOT and will not enable you to carry any knife you want.
 
All I can tell you is what my buddy told me. He said people thinking that are going to get a big ol surprise when they land in jail for packing an illegal blade.

He said the way it is worded confuses people into thinking they can carry whatever knife they want to, even illegal ones (over 5.5" blade) as long as they have the chl and a gun. He said it simply isn't the case, and they will be arrested and charged with carrying an illegal weapon.
 
The best way around a hard 5.5" blade limit I can think of is something like the Cold Steel Bushman series. Although those knives are 7", they allow various length handle extensions in the socket. If you have a socketed 5.5" blade and a walking stick, you can quickly have an effective machete or spear in your hand. Just watch some of the Youtube videos on the Bushman series and you'll see what they can do.

While I can't speak to the practicality of such a weapon in any particular scenario, even a short spear is a far better weapon than a pocket knife. While one could argue the knife might be better in some CQC situation, whatever, you'll have both anyway. Now I understand it may be illegal to carry a spear, but if the knife is not socketed to your walking stick or cane or umbrella, then it is not a spear. It would be hard to argue that any knife is a spear that is illegal for carry simply because it could be taped or tied to a stick. While many people would find this impractical, that's fine too. It's still accomplishes more than just adding a couple inches with an Espada XL handle.
 
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