Checked 2026-10-26 · medium confidence
EDC knives with no carry restriction found in Germany
Carrying a knife that can be locked and used one-handed (Einhandmesser), or any fixed blade over 12 cm, is banned in public without a recognised reason or closed container. Switchblades and butterfly knives are banned outright. Since 31 Oct 2024 all knives are banned at public events and long-distance transport; states add local bans.
This is a filter, not a ranking. We have not tested these knives, and “no restriction found” is not a promise that carrying is legal. Transport rules, local bans and events still apply. Read the full Germany page first.
20 that the law does not single out
- Buck 110 Folding Hunter
blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published
A locking folder that genuinely needs two hands to open is not an Einhandmesser per the BKA. § 42a does not apply, but event, rail and local ban-zone rules do, and police or courts may judge borderline models differently.
- Victorinox Cadet (Alox)
blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Victorinox Classic SD
blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Victorinox Climber
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)
blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published
Single-edged fixed blade of 12 cm or less is not covered by § 42a. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply. Knuckle-handled (Faustmesser) fixed knives are banned outright and are not covered by this rule.
- Gerber Dime
blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published
A locking folder that genuinely needs two hands to open is not an Einhandmesser per the BKA. § 42a does not apply, but event, rail and local ban-zone rules do, and police or courts may judge borderline models differently.
- Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)
blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Victorinox Huntsman
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- ESEE Izula-II
blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published
Single-edged fixed blade of 12 cm or less is not covered by § 42a. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply. Knuckle-handled (Faustmesser) fixed knives are banned outright and are not covered by this rule.
- Leatherman Micra
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper
blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel
blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published
A locking folder that genuinely needs two hands to open is not an Einhandmesser per the BKA. § 42a does not apply, but event, rail and local ban-zone rules do, and police or courts may judge borderline models differently.
- Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel
blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published
A locking folder that genuinely needs two hands to open is not an Einhandmesser per the BKA. § 42a does not apply, but event, rail and local ban-zone rules do, and police or courts may judge borderline models differently.
- Spyderco Roadie
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Victorinox Spartan
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Spyderco Squeak
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Leatherman Squirt PS4
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
A locking folder that genuinely needs two hands to open is not an Einhandmesser per the BKA. § 42a does not apply, but event, rail and local ban-zone rules do, and police or courts may judge borderline models differently.
- Victorinox Swiss Card Classic
blade length not published
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
- Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X
blade length not published
A locking folder that genuinely needs two hands to open is not an Einhandmesser per the BKA. § 42a does not apply, but event, rail and local ban-zone rules do, and police or courts may judge borderline models differently.
- W.R. Case & Sons Trapper
76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)
A blade that cannot be locked open is not an 'einhändig feststellbare' blade, so § 42a does not catch it, even if you can open it with one hand. Event, rail and local ban-zone rules still apply.
Popular knives that need a reason or are restricted
| Spyderco Ladybug 3 | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Benchmade Bugout | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Benchmade Mini Bugout | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Spyderco Para 3 | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight) | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| CIVIVI Elementum | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I) | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| CRKT Squid (Thumbstud) | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge) | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Leatherman Wave Plus | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Leatherman Skeletool CX | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
| Leatherman Arc | Restricted Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it. |
Could not be settled from published specs
The answer turns on a length the maker does not publish, or on a point the law leaves open.
- Kershaw Leek: blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published
- CRKT Squid Assisted: blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published