Checked 2026-10-26 · medium confidence
EDC knives with no carry restriction found in California
Concealed carry of a 'dirk or dagger' (fixed blades, or folders locked open) is a crime; a fixed blade worn openly is not covered by that rule. Switchblades with 2 in+ blades cannot be carried, kept in a vehicle's front area or sold. Schools and colleges have separate bans. Cities may add rules.
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 California page first.
18 that the law does not single out
- Leatherman Arc
blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
- Victorinox Cadet (Alox)
blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Victorinox Classic SD
blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Victorinox Climber
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Gerber Dime
blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
- Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)
blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Victorinox Huntsman
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Leatherman Micra
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
- W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper
blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Spyderco Roadie
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Leatherman Skeletool CX
blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
- Victorinox Spartan
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Spyderco Squeak
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Leatherman Squirt PS4
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
- Victorinox Swiss Card Classic
blade length not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
- Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X
blade length not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
- W.R. Case & Sons Trapper
76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)
A non-locking folder counts as a dirk only if its blade is exposed and locked; a slipjoint cannot lock. Blades over 2.5 in are still barred at schools and colleges.
- Leatherman Wave Plus
blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published
No California rule found specific to multitools or small tools; a locked-open blade could still be treated as a dirk if concealed. Schools restrict blades over 2.5 in.
Popular knives that need a reason or are restricted
| Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Spyderco Ladybug 3 | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Benchmade Bugout | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Benchmade Mini Bugout | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Spyderco Para 3 | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight) | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| CIVIVI Elementum | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Kershaw Leek | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I) | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| CRKT Squid (Thumbstud) | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| CRKT Squid Assisted | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown) | Restricted A fixed blade capable of stabbing is a dirk or dagger: criminal if concealed (e.g. under clothing). Carried openly in a visible sheath it is outside 21310. Banned at schools if blade over 2.5 in. |
| ESEE Izula-II | Restricted A fixed blade capable of stabbing is a dirk or dagger: criminal if concealed (e.g. under clothing). Carried openly in a visible sheath it is outside 21310. Banned at schools if blade over 2.5 in. |
| Buck 110 Folding Hunter | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |
| Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge) | Restricted Locking folder is a dirk only when open and locked. Carried closed it is not; concealed open-and-locked is an offence. K-12 schools ban any locking folder and blades over 2.5 in. |