United States · checked 2026-10-26 · Medium confidence
Knife carry law 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 summary rests on mostly official, partly secondary sources. Open questions are listed at the end. Treat anything marked unclear as a reason to leave the item at home.
How we apply the law
Rules are checked from the top. The first one that fits decides. Every verdict on this site comes from this list, not from hand typed cells.
- 1ProhibitedAny knife or tool, automatic or gravity or flick opening
Federal definition covers button-release and inertia/gravity blades. Banned in federal enclaves, territories, Indian country, interstate sale/transport and the mail. Elsewhere, state law decides carrying. Exceptions: one-armed users (3 in or less), military.
Source - 2No restriction foundAny knife or tool, spring assisted
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.
Source - 3No restriction foundA folding knife, a multitool, a keychain tool or scissors only, blade up to 63.5 mm
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.
Source - 4RestrictedA folding knife, a fixed blade, a multitool, a keychain tool or scissors only
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).
Source - 5UnclearAnything else
Items without a classifiable blade: federal law does not restrict ordinary carry; ballistic knives are banned in federal jurisdiction (15 U.S.C. 1245).
Source
34 popular knives and tools, checked here
Specifications come from the makers. Where a maker does not publish the cutting edge length, a length rule can only be answered if even the full blade length falls on one side of the line. Otherwise the result is unclear, on purpose.
| Product | Specs | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Victorinox Classic SD | blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published | No restriction foundWhyNo 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 restriction foundWhyNo 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 restriction foundWhyNo 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 | No restriction foundWhySpring-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 restriction foundWhyNo 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 restriction foundWhyNo 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 restriction foundWhyNo 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 restriction foundWhyNo 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 | No restriction foundWhySpring-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 restriction foundWhyNo 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. |
| Victorinox Swiss Card Classic | blade length not published | UnclearWhyThis turns on a length the maker does not publish (the cutting edge). If this rule applies: 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. |
| Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X | blade length not published | UnclearWhyThis turns on a length the maker does not publish (the cutting edge). If this rule applies: 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. |
| Buck 110 Folding Hunter | blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 Cadet (Alox) | blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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) | blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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) | 65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in) | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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) | blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | 67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in) | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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) | blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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) | blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | 76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in) | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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 | blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published | RestrictedWhyEveryday 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). |
What the verdict does not cover
- Public transport and restricted zones
- Federal facilities and courthouses (18 USC 930); also TSA bars most knives in airport cabins (not checked this session). Military bases and national parks have own rules (not verified).
- Schools, workplaces and events
- Federal workplaces covered by 18 USC 930 if employees regularly present; exception for lawful purposes (930(d)(3)). Schools are state law.
- In a vehicle
- No federal rule on knives in private vehicles; state law applies.
- Age limits
- No federal minimum age for owning or carrying a knife.
- Buying and importing
- Interstate shipment/distribution of automatic or gravity knives is a federal crime (15 USC 1242); mail nonmailable except to government buyers (18 USC 1716(g)). Import of switchblades is also barred under 15 USC 1241-1245 framework (import rules not separately verified). Ordinary folders may be mailed.
- Penalties
- Switchblade offences: up to 5 years and $2,000 fine (15 USC 1242-1243). Federal facility: up to 1 year; court facility: up to 2 years; with criminal intent 5 years.
- Recent changes
- 2009 (Pub. L. 111-83, 28 Oct 2009) excluded spring-assisted knives from the Switchblade Act. No 2025-2026 change found.
- Pending changes
- None verified. Preemption: federal law does not preempt state or local knife laws; many states have their own preemption statutes (not verified here).
Sources
- 15 U.S.C. 1242 (interstate commerce ban)
“Whoever knowingly introduces... into interstate commerce, or transports or distributes in interstate commerce, any switchblade knife, shall be fined... or imprisoned not more than five years”
- 15 U.S.C. 1241(b), 1244(5) (definition and spring-assist exception)
“a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade”
- 18 U.S.C. 930(g)(2) (federal facility)
“such term does not include a pocket knife with a blade of less than 2½ inches in length.”
- 15 U.S.C. ch. 29 Switchblade Knives
- 18 U.S.C. 1716
What we could not confirm
- USPS Publication 52 sec. 444 text not opened
- Import rules (CBP) not verified
- TSA rules not verified
- Cornell LII used as secondary mirror of official US Code
Keep going
- Check your own knife in United States (federal law)
- Popular knives with no restriction found in United States (federal law)
- Flying with a knife or multitool
- Knife carry law in California
- Knife carry law in Canada (federal Criminal Code)
- Knife carry law in Florida
- Knife carry law in Illinois
- Knife carry law in Massachusetts
- Knife carry law in New Jersey
General information, not legal advice. Know something we got wrong? Tell us and include a source.