Ranger Green...TOPS in my book! :) *Updated with San Antonio's Knife Ordinance*

[The Sun]

i've been waiting to pimp this knife for two years! i finally couldn't stand it anymore so i took an hour and pimped this one for me

. i don't have a lot of time to pimp my own knives since i've been so busy with the new knives, and all the Pimp Work over the past couple years, but i couldn't stand it anymore!

Plus, in the city of San Antonio there's an ordinance about not carrying folding knives that lock (unless it's work related, which obviously in my case it is...BUT). i could definitely carry a folder, but i'd rather not risk a "tell it to the judge" scenario with my XM...or any other nice folder for that matter.

I've been carrying a folder since we moved to SA (about a year now), but it's always in the back of my mind that it could get confiscated due to the horror stories i've heard at the local knife shop. I've had this TOPS MIL SPIE III for a couple years and i used to carry it everyday when i lived in Beaumont working as an Engineer for the county. but, i've always hated the handle on this otherwise AWESOME knife................soooooo, i took that aggression out on a nice hunk of coarse texture G10

Not really sure of the reasoning behind allowing the carry of an up to 4" bladed fixed blade in lieu of a locking folder, but i'm compliant now regardless if the work related question comes into play or not. so, now i'm not paranoid when i go into town

. ....silly lawmakers!!!...

if you're not familiar with the TOPS MIL SPIE III here's a few basic spec's:

• 3/16" stock thickness
• 3.5" blade, 8" overall
• 154CM Steel
• Paul Bos HT'ed to RC 58-60

all that translates into a great little fixed-blade! i usually carry it horizontally right next to my belt buckle and it's very comfortable! even with my knife making rest (read: fat gut) while sitting it doesn't "dig."

anyway...pic's

Before:

After:

this is the actual code: San Antonio, Texas Code of Ordinances / Section 21-17



Sec. 21-17. - Certain knives prohibited generally; exceptions; penalty for violation.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly carry on or about his person a knife with a blade less than five and one-half (5½) inches in length, which knife is equipped with a lock mechanism so that upon opening, it becomes a fixed blade knife.
(b) The above prohibition set forth in subsection (a) shall not be applicable to a person carrying such a knife:
(1) In the actual discharge of his duties as a peace officer, a member of the armed forces or national guard, or a guard employed by a penal institution;
(2) On his own premises or premises under his control;
(3) Traveling;
(4) Engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or other lawful sporting activity; or
(5) Using such a knife in connection with a lawful occupation, during such utilization.

here is also a link to the official site, and the ordinance:

http://library.municode.com/HTML/11...IICO_CH21OFMIPR_ARTIINGE_S21-17CEKNPRGEEXPEVI

 

[wquiles]

Re: Ranger Green...TOPS in my book!

I live in Tx and have not heard before about SA' city ordinance on knives. Any links to the actual ordinance I can read?

Will

 

[The Sun]

Re: Ranger Green...TOPS in my book!

A quick google search will bring up what you're looking for. Just search San Antonio's Knife City Ordinance, or knife law and multiple pages on the subject will come up along with the official site.

It states the no folding knife with a locking mechanism, with a blade less than 5.5" may be carried within the city limits. But, a fixed blade with no more than a 4"blade may. It also states that you may carry a locking folder if it is job related (and does not go into specifics about criteria), with no specification on blade length.

I'm good friends with a pretty good bit of SA's finest and have talked to them a great deal about this and they say that as long ad you're not threatening people or blatantly causing attention due to your folding knife then they don't care. So, pretty much just be a normal person and you have nothing to worry about.

 

[wquiles]

Re: Ranger Green...TOPS in my book!

A quick google search will bring up what you're looking for. Just search San Antonio's Knife City Ordinance, or knife law and multiple pages on the subject will come up along with the official site.

It states the no folding knife with a locking mechanism, with a blade more, or less than 5.5" may be carried within the city limits. But, a fixed blade with no more than a 4"blade may. It also states that you may carry a locking folder if it is job related (and does not go into specifics about criteria), with no specification on blade length.

I'm good friends with a pretty good bit of SA's finest and have talked to them a great deal about this and they say that as long ad you're not threatening people or blatantly causing attention due to your folding knife then they don't care. So, pretty much just be a normal person and you have nothing to worry about.

Gotcha - thanks. It does sound like a poorly written law. It is a good thing that as long as you are not doing anything questionable the police leaves you alone :thumbsup:

 

[The Sun]

Re: Ranger Green...TOPS in my book!

That's right! It's good that they leave it up to commons sense...but I'm sure that is pretty tuff on law enforcement to determine since common sense is pretty UNcommon in SA.

If I were in they're situation I probably wouldn't be so lenient...but the strange thing about the city ordinance is that it allows for fixed blades!?!? From what was explained to me, the rationale behind the law was that the lawmakers thought folders were easier to conceal. Strange how the mind works sometimes

 

[The Sun]

Re: Ranger Green...TOPS in my book!

this is the actual code: San Antonio, Texas Code of Ordinances / Section 21-17



Sec. 21-17. - Certain knives prohibited generally; exceptions; penalty for violation.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly carry on or about his person a knife with a blade less than five and one-half (5½) inches in length, which knife is equipped with a lock mechanism so that upon opening, it becomes a fixed blade knife.
(b) The above prohibition set forth in subsection (a) shall not be applicable to a person carrying such a knife:
(1) In the actual discharge of his duties as a peace officer, a member of the armed forces or national guard, or a guard employed by a penal institution;
(2) On his own premises or premises under his control;
(3) Traveling;
(4) Engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or other lawful sporting activity; or
(5) Using such a knife in connection with a lawful occupation, during such utilization.

here is also a link to the official site, and the ordinance:

http://library.municode.com/HTML/11...IICO_CH21OFMIPR_ARTIINGE_S21-17CEKNPRGEEXPEVI

 

[wquiles]

Amazing how poorly written that was ...

Hopefully one day it will be "corrected" by folks with true common sense.

 

[The Sun]

well it looks like it was amended once already. it used to have the specification on blade length for a fixed blade allowed in city limits as well, but now it's omitted. i guess their falling in line with the state's law of 5.5" everywhere.

when i read this months ago it used to read 4" for a fixed blade in city limits, but like i said now nothing is there!

i'm not a big fan of laws, codes, or ordinances that leave a lot of gray area open to interpretation. i'll be carrying a copy of 21-17 around in my wallet just in case!

 

[The Sun]

also....the "lawful sporting activity" thing really throws me a loop! i guess jogging, walking, Frisbee, golf, or swiming would be a "lawful sporting activity." there's no definition in the chapter for "lawful sporting activity."

i guess that's why there's so much room for officers discretion, which can be a good thing.

 

[PeterH]

Strikes me as an ordinance intended to be enforced selectively, very not good.

 

[The Sun]

yep, very not great!

 

[QtrHorse]

I have spoke with many Police Officer's here in SA and not one said they would bother someone with a folder unless they needed to. I have carried a folder for the past three years and never had an issue but then again, I obey the law for the most part. I have even pulled my knife out in front of a Police Officer and they did not say anything.

 

[The Sun]

all my LEO buddy's say the same thing.

that's pretty much the just of it...as long as you're a normal law abiding citizen, then you have nothing to worry about.

but, that being said the law needs to be written in a way that a clear definition of the law that people are meant to abide by and law enforcement is meant to uphold can be understood.

it's not LEO's responsibility to interpret the law, only to enforce it and it would be a lot easier on them and citizens if the ordinance was defined better. as is, what good is the ordinance really doing? i say that because i conceal my fixed blade a lot better than a folder, at least with the folder you can see the clip in a pocket....not to mention if one where to be pulled on me i'd rather it be a cheap flea market special that could fail, or easily be dealt with rather than a 5.5" fixed blade.

i've carried a folder for the last year that i've lived here and never had a problem, and even though i am exempt from the ordinance i still like to be operating to the letter of the law...i just like to know what the "letter" is defined to be.

 

[william lafferty]

I often carry a Cold Steel Espada 5.5in folder in my waistband. I guess that's not a problem in SA.

 

[The Sun]

well the ordinance does say no less than 5.5"

 

[revolvergeek]

Strikes me as an ordinance intended to be enforced selectively, very not good.

This was the impression that I got a few years back when I called SAPD to ask about it before we had our yearly conference over there. The law is precisely written ; Texas state law prohibits carrying of a knife with a blade longer than 5.5", so by banning all lockbacks smaller than they they effectively ban all lockbacks. The lady assured me that 'we' wouldn't have any problem with it, and in fact I saw a huge number of people walking around with Tactical folders clipped to their pockets. :shrug:

 

[The Sun]

of course it's precisely written...they ban all locking knives, but you can carry them anyway!

completely understandable!

I suggest everyone call SAPD, better yet, the Attorney General before carrying a folder in SA.