What knives are legal to carry in California?

Answer 1

Knives which are illegal to carry include switchblades, butterfly knives, gravity knives, ballistic knives, and non-magnetic knives. belt buckle knives, and "undetectable knives". For definitions of these terms, read California Penal Code 653k.

Answer 2

No one really knows. My 21 year old son was arrested and put in jail for a knife you buy at Harbor Freight. The case was never brought before a judge, but we were out the $500.00 in bail money due to using a bail bondsman. This was in San Diego. Answers are never specifically answered in the penal code and I've spent a lot of time trying to figure this one out.......

Added: Although the state law describes in specifics what TYPES of knives are prohibited (e.g.: switchblades - gravity knioves - ballisongs - butterfly - dirks - daggers - etc - etc) it does not, as stated above, specify what constitutes an unlawful length.

HOWEVER, Los Angeles County has a separate law which DOES state that three (3) inches is the maximum lawful length.

Answer 3

The link I provided should help you find an authoritative answer from the State of NC directly, which is the only answer I would trust... Check out the link to the PDF and note that most of the time the concealed weapons laws are combined, so you'll find the regulations for blades as well as guns in the same place. Best of luck!

Answer 4

pocket knife with the clip showed is legal

The rules on "what is a legal pocketknife versus a switchblade" are contained in Penal Code 653k. In it's entirety (current effective 1/1/2002): 653k: Every person who possesses in the passenger's or driver's area of any motor vehicle in any public place or place open to the public, carries upon his or her person, and every person who sells, offers for sale, exposes for sale, loans, transfers, or gives to any other person a switchblade knife having a blade two or more inches in length is guilty of a misdemeanor.

For the purposes of this section, "switchblade knife" means a knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. "Switchblade knife" does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.

For purposes of this section, "passenger's or driver's area" means that part of a motor vehicle which is designed to carry the driver and passengers, including any interior compartment or space therein.

2.5 inches is the STATE law...not 'less than 2 inches"...and your answer pertains to switchblades only. Legal carry of switchblades is fine if they are UNDER 2 inches (see above). Any other knife is fine if not more than 2.5 inches. There are other restrictions pertaining to municipalities, counties, cities and other restricted locations. You may also carry a non dagger sheath knife of the same as long as it is carried properly.

Answer 5

Yes it is legal to carry most of the types of knives in California.

Very Short Summary:

State California allows for concealed carry of the folding knives and there is no limit to the blade length. As long as the knife is not banned by PC 653K it is legal. 653K does not make Assisted Openers(AO) illegal. However, depending on the particular AO mechanism and other details some AOs may fall under switchblade category. Kershaw Speed Safe is not one of them, it is perfectly legal, details further down. As far as the state law goes, fixed blades must be carried openly, in the sheath, on the waist. I can't find where does the law ban either double edged blades or dirks and daggers. As the wording is, those are ok for open carry. No knives longer than 2.5"in the school, but folders are ok in the Universities and Colleges. Unless, they were banned by local authorities. No knives longer than 4" in public buildings or buildings open to public meetings, e.g. courts, city halls, police stations, city council meetings, etc.

Detailed information and analysis in the attached link.

Answer 6

Anything but a Machete or a knife chefs use. Use a pocketknife better.

Answer 7

From tip of blade to base of blade can not be longer than the lengh of an adults palm its like 3 1/2 inches or so