Checked 2026-10-26 · medium confidence
EDC knives with no carry restriction found in Illinois
State law bans switchblades and ballistic knives unless the person holds a valid FOID card, and bans carrying a dagger or dangerous knife with intent to use it unlawfully. Ordinary folders, fixed blades and balisongs have no statewide length limit. Chicago adds its own limits, including a ban on concealing blades over 2.5 inches. Home-rule towns 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 Illinois page first.
32 that the law does not single out
- Buck 110 Folding Hunter
blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Leatherman Arc
blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Benchmade Bugout
blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Victorinox Cadet (Alox)
blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Victorinox Classic SD
blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Victorinox Climber
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)
blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide length limit or carry-manner rule found for fixed blades, open or concealed. Chicago bans concealing blades over 2.5 in.
- Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)
65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Gerber Dime
blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- CIVIVI Elementum
blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)
blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Victorinox Huntsman
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- ESEE Izula-II
blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide length limit or carry-manner rule found for fixed blades, open or concealed. Chicago bans concealing blades over 2.5 in.
- Spyderco Ladybug 3
43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Leatherman Micra
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Benchmade Mini Bugout
blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper
blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel
blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel
blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Spyderco Para 3
67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)
blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)
blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Spyderco Roadie
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Leatherman Skeletool CX
blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Victorinox Spartan
blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Spyderco Squeak
44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)
blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Leatherman Squirt PS4
blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Victorinox Swiss Card Classic
blade length not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X
blade length not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- W.R. Case & Sons Trapper
76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
- Leatherman Wave Plus
blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published
No statewide restriction found for locking, non-locking or one-hand folders and multitools. Chicago: do not conceal blades over 2.5 in (63.5 mm).
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.
- Kershaw Leek: blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published
- CRKT Squid Assisted: blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published