Checked 2026-10-26 · medium confidence
EDC knives with no carry restriction found in United States (federal law)
Federal law does not regulate ordinary carrying of knives on foot. It bans automatic (switchblade) and gravity/inertia knives in interstate commerce, the mail and federal enclaves, and bans weapons (knives over 2.5 in blade) in federal buildings and courthouses. State and local law governs everyday carry.
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 United States (federal law) page first.
10 that the law does not single out
- Victorinox Classic SD
blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
- Gerber Dime
blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
- Spyderco Ladybug 3
43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
- Kershaw Leek
blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published
Spring-assisted knives needing hand pressure on the blade to overcome closure bias are excluded from the federal switchblade ban since 2009. Federal-facility limits still apply.
- Leatherman Micra
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
- Spyderco Roadie
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
- Spyderco Squeak
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
- CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)
blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
- CRKT Squid Assisted
blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published
Spring-assisted knives needing hand pressure on the blade to overcome closure bias are excluded from the federal switchblade ban since 2009. Federal-facility limits still apply.
- Leatherman Squirt PS4
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
No federal rule on carrying a pocket knife with blade under 2.5 in. Excluded from 'dangerous weapon' in federal facilities. State and local law still applies.
Popular knives that need a reason or are restricted
| Victorinox Cadet (Alox) | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Victorinox Spartan | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Victorinox Climber | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Victorinox Huntsman | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma) | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| W.R. Case & Sons Trapper | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Benchmade Bugout | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Benchmade Mini Bugout | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Spyderco Para 3 | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight) | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| CIVIVI Elementum | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I) | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown) | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| ESEE Izula-II | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Buck 110 Folding Hunter | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge) | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Leatherman Wave Plus | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Leatherman Skeletool CX | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
| Leatherman Arc | Restricted Everyday carry outdoors is not federally regulated, but a larger knife can be a 'dangerous weapon': banned in federal buildings (up to 1 year) and federal court facilities (up to 2 years). |
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.
- Victorinox Swiss Card Classic: blade length not published
- Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X: blade length not published