United States · checked 2026-10-26 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law in New York City

State law applies (switchblades banned) plus city code 10-133: no knife with a 4 in or longer blade in public, and no knife carried in open view, including a visible clip, unless a listed exception applies such as work, hunting or transport from purchase. Transit system bans weapons.

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
Switchblade possession is a state misdemeanour (Penal Law 265.01(1)) and applies in the city.
Source
2ProhibitedAny knife or tool, blade at least 101.6 mm
Carrying any knife with blade 4 in or longer in a public place, street or park is barred, concealed or not, except listed exceptions (work, hunting, transport from purchase).
Source
3UnclearAny knife or tool, spring assisted
State 'opens automatically' definition may or may not cover spring-assist; not verified. City open-view rule applies as well.
Source
4RestrictedA folding knife, a multitool, a keychain tool, scissors only or a fixed blade
Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Source
5UnclearAnything else
Items not classified; open-view and 4 in rules may still apply.
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
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why State 'opens automatically' definition may or may not cover spring-assist; not verified. City open-view rule applies as well.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why State 'opens automatically' definition may or may not cover spring-assist; not verified. City open-view rule applies as well.
Victorinox Swiss Card Classic	blade length not published	Unclear Why This turns on a length the maker does not publish (the cutting edge). If this rule applies: Carrying any knife with blade 4 in or longer in a public place, street or park is barred, concealed or not, except listed exceptions (work, hunting, transport from purchase).
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X	blade length not published	Unclear Why This turns on a length the maker does not publish (the cutting edge). If this rule applies: Carrying any knife with blade 4 in or longer in a public place, street or park is barred, concealed or not, except listed exceptions (work, hunting, transport from purchase).
Buck 110 Folding Hunter	blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Leatherman Arc	blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Benchmade Bugout	blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Victorinox Cadet (Alox)	blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Victorinox Classic SD	blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Victorinox Climber	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)	65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Gerber Dime	blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
CIVIVI Elementum	blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)	blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Victorinox Huntsman	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
ESEE Izula-II	blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Spyderco Ladybug 3	43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Leatherman Micra	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Benchmade Mini Bugout	blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper	blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel	blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel	blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Spyderco Para 3	67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)	blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)	blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Spyderco Roadie	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Leatherman Skeletool CX	blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Victorinox Spartan	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Spyderco Squeak	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)	blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Leatherman Squirt PS4	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
W.R. Case & Sons Trapper	76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Leatherman Wave Plus	blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published	Restricted Why Under 4 in blades: must be fully out of view. A pocket clip, hinge or top showing counts as open view per NYPD. Fixed blades worn outside clothing are barred.
Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)	blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published	Prohibited Why Carrying any knife with blade 4 in or longer in a public place, street or park is barred, concealed or not, except listed exceptions (work, hunting, transport from purchase).

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: NYPD: weapons may not be carried anywhere within the NYC Transit System.
Schools, workplaces and events: Not verified for city specifics; state school-grounds offence 265.01-A exists.
In a vehicle: State presumption applies to switchblades or daggers in cars (265.15(3)). City rule covers public places; vehicle specifics not verified.
Age limits: Not verified.
Buying and importing: Not verified for city; state limits apply. Many retailers refuse to ship knives to NY; We did not verify any statute requiring that.
Penalties: 10-133(e) (current amlegal text): offence, fine up to $300 and/or up to 15 days. An older mirror says class B misdemeanour; treat the amlegal text as current. State 265.01: class A misdemeanour.
Recent changes: State gravity knife ban repealed 30 May 2019. amlegal marks 10-133 as current October 2026; no amendment seen.
Pending changes: None verified.

Reasons the authorities have accepted

Work customarily requiring the knife
Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking
Transporting directly to/from purchase, sharpening or repair, packaged inaccessibly
Scouts or similar organisation activities

Sources

NYC Admin. Code 10-133(b)
“any knife which has a blade length of four inches or more.”
NYPD knives FAQ
“When any portion of the knife is visible, such as the clip, hinge or top, this is considered in public view.”

What we could not confirm

Whether blade length means blade or edge is not defined in the text
Hunting-exception scope nuance not verified
Enforcement of 'visible clip' reading is NYPD interpretation, not statute text

Keep going

General information, not legal advice. Know something we got wrong? Tell us and include a source.