is this knife legal or not?

[tsmith]

i have a vanguard buck knife i carry i was wondering if it is legal or illegal? the exposed blade is 4 1/8"

thanks

[Guest Caveman]

No, it is not legal if the blade is over 4 inches.

[TNcitizen22]

Not legal.

[tsmith]

thank you!

[Oh Shoot]

"blade" is not defined in TCA weapons statute.

The sharpened part of that Buck (which some would define "blade" as) is no more than 4".

Knife aficionados differentiate between a knife's "blade" and its "choil" but of course you can't trust that any particular LEO would see it the same way, so it's safest to assume "blade" is all the metal exposed before the haft.

Indeed, Buck, like most manufacturers, includes the non-sharpened part of exposed metal in its description of 4 1/8".

- OS

Edited October 27, 2010 by OhShoot

[TNWNGR]

The key elements of whether a knife is legal or illegal is “Intent to go armed”, if you are in the field hunting, camping, fishing or simply woods walking the knife is not illegal. Nor is owning it or having it at home or on your property or business. Where it becomes illegal is when you’ve placed yourself in the context whereby the knife can be construed as a weapon i.e. in a bar, public event, school, or such like.

Needless to say having a lock blade knife where the blade is over 4” is also not something you want to have on you if you place yourself in a position to be arrested for public intoxication, DUI, Disorderly Conduct or Assault. It’s really pretty simple if you use come common sense, just don’t place yourself in a position where you’re going to draw the notice of law enforcement.

[hso]

Carrying a knife with a blade 4" in length or greater is illegal in TN even though you'll find many people in the woods with longer knives.

[Oh Shoot]

Carrying a knife with a blade 4" in length or greater is illegal in TN even though you'll find many people in the woods with longer knives.

Because there is an exception for camping, hunting, fishing, hiking....

- OS

[tsmith]

cool thank you all for your answers and help. i just dont carry it anymore. better safe than sorry! thanks again!

[willis68]

Carrying a knife with a blade 4" in length or greater is illegal in TN even though you'll find many people in the woods with longer knives.

Blades with 4' and shorter length are Legal, greater than 4" is not

[gunsablazin]

Does this 4" rule apply to fixed blade knives? I have KaBar TDI fixed blade which I like to carry, its blade is less than 2". I use it as a box cutter at work, and carry it back and forth from home to work.

[Oh Shoot]

Does this 4" rule apply to fixed blade knives?...

Yes, of course.

- OS