Come 1 September 2017 when the law goes into effect, there will no longer be such a thing as an "illegal knife" in Texas.
Knives will be divided into two categories. Knives with blades over 5.5" will be "location specific" knives which may not be carried/possessed into certain locations and events listed in the law (generally the list is pretty similar to the places you can't carry a handgun) or carried/possessed by a person under 18. All other knives are essentially unrestricted by state law.
Here's a link to the entire bill for those who find such things interesting.
https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB1935/id/1624843
The list of undefined illegal knives (dirks, daggers, poniards, stilettos, swords, spears, throwing knives, bowie knives) has been deleted. Previous legislative sessions saw the removal of the prohibition against gravity knives and switchblades and also invalidated local restrictions on knives that are more restrictive than state law.
All this means that TX knife law is now VERY simple. Blade length is the sole discriminant and if the blade is under 5.5" there are no legal restrictions under state law that I can see. Knives with blades over 5.5", are not illegal assuming you're over 18, you just have to avoid carrying in the restricted locations/events/activities explicitly listed in the law.
Knives will be divided into two categories. Knives with blades over 5.5" will be "location specific" knives which may not be carried/possessed into certain locations and events listed in the law (generally the list is pretty similar to the places you can't carry a handgun) or carried/possessed by a person under 18. All other knives are essentially unrestricted by state law.
Here's a link to the entire bill for those who find such things interesting.
https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB1935/id/1624843
The list of undefined illegal knives (dirks, daggers, poniards, stilettos, swords, spears, throwing knives, bowie knives) has been deleted. Previous legislative sessions saw the removal of the prohibition against gravity knives and switchblades and also invalidated local restrictions on knives that are more restrictive than state law.
All this means that TX knife law is now VERY simple. Blade length is the sole discriminant and if the blade is under 5.5" there are no legal restrictions under state law that I can see. Knives with blades over 5.5", are not illegal assuming you're over 18, you just have to avoid carrying in the restricted locations/events/activities explicitly listed in the law.