Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed.

s9 has no folding-knife, length or lock exemption: any knife or article with a blade or sharp point carried in public is an offence unless you prove good reason, lawful authority, work use or a recreational purpose. Burden is on you.

Per McAuley v Mulholland 2003 SCCR 326 (as summarised by Crime.Scot), a functional locking mechanism takes the knife out of the folding-pocketknife exclusion at any size. You need a reasonable excuse.

Pocket knives and multitools, locking or not, are everyday objects, not weapons (OGH, BMI). No national carry restriction found; Waffenverbotszonen and event orders can still ban carrying objects that are 'geeignet' for violence.

No national offence for carrying a knife in public was found. The Interior Ministry spokesman says legislation does not limit carrying knives in public spaces. Premises owners and carriers set their own rules.

Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.

Einhandmesser (opens and locks one-handed). Carrying in public is banned unless you have a legitimate interest (work, custom, sport, other generally recognised purpose) or it is in a closed container (§ 42a Abs. 2-3). The carrier must show it.

Folders with a blade of 5 cm or more, single edge, pointed and with any blade lock: carrying without a justified reason is a crime (6 months-3 years, art. 4 comma 8). The reason must be real, current and checkable at the stop.

This turns on a length the maker does not publish (the cutting edge, which is at most the 76.5 mm blade). If this rule applies: A folding knife longer than 28 cm when opened (overall length, not blade length) is category I and banned outright.

Police state that having a knife in a pocket or on a belt is not an offence under art. 50a. It becomes one if circumstances indicate intent to commit a crime, for example brandishing it. Mass events, schools and private venues have separate rules.

The statute does not say whether ordinary pocket knives are 'cold weapons'. Readings differ and no authoritative interpretation or case law was found. The exceptions (sport, hunting, fishing, work) may help but are untested.

Not a prohibited weapon, but it is a category 5 'arma blanca': carrying outside home, work or sport is banned unless you have a need that police accept. Pointed blades are singled out. Local fines are likely without a clear purpose.

Manual folders and multitools are 'Taschenmesser' (Swiss Army knife and comparable products), expressly not dangerous objects. Misuse (threatening) is still an offence. Whether tactical locking folders count as 'comparable' is not defined in law.

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.

Legal status turns on whether the blade can be flicked open with a brisk wrist motion (CBSA/CITT 'centrifugal' test, including flippers and studs). Tight-pivot or detented knives that cannot be flicked open are not 'prohibited' on that test, but there is no bright line.

Folder with blade 4 in or less is a common pocketknife per the Florida Supreme Court (3¾-in blade); not a 'weapon'. The court declined to set 4 in as a bright line.

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).

§10(b) bans a 'device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position'. Ordinary locking folders are not named, but no appellate reading found; treat as uncertain.

No length or lock limit in statute. A pocket folder is an offence only if treated as a weapon carried under circumstances not manifestly appropriate. Practitioners say outcome depends on intent, context, and officer/prosecutor discretion.

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.

No statewide restriction on ordinary non-automatic folders or tools found, apart from the intent offence. Local rules (NYC), schools and transit apply.

Since Act 119 of 2022 the offensive-weapons definition no longer lists knives, so no statewide opening-type ban. Carrying with intent to use criminally (s.907) and brandishing remain offences. Philadelphia and school/court rules still apply.

Catch-all: no specific statewide restriction found for folders, multitools, keychain tools or scissors with blades 5.5 in or shorter.

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).

No state blade-length or lock rule. Manual folders (including one-hand opening by thumb stud or flipper) are fine; brandishing is an offence. Seattle bans carrying a folder over 3.5 inches blade.

22-4504 bars carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. A small utility folder is generally not weapon-by-design, but circumstances can make it one. No blade-length safe harbour; DC has many weapon-free sites.

NSW, Vic, Qld, WA and SA all make carrying a knife in public an offence without lawful excuse/reasonable excuse (work, sport, recreation, etc.); self-defence is never an excuse. Use the state entry for details.

Any knife or blade in a public place or school, including pocket knives and multitools with a blade, is an offence unless you prove a reasonable excuse (work, food, sport, uniform, genuine religious purpose; self-defence excluded). Burden is on you.

Any knife, including folders, fixed blades and multitools with a blade, in a public place needs a reasonable excuse (s.13A, s.202A). No blade-length exemption. Work, trade, fishing, camping or religious (kirpan) use can qualify; self-defence does not.

Any knife you physically possess in a public place (includes places visible from a public place) or school needs a reasonable excuse: lawful activity/employment, sport, exhibiting, or lawful purpose (e.g. pen knife or Swiss Army knife for normal utility). Self-defence is excluded.

Any other knife in a public place, education facility or place of worship needs a lawful excuse (s.21E; 6 months, or 12 months for repeat). A visibly carried offensive weapon that scares someone is a separate 2-year offence.

Other knives (folders, fixed blades, multitools with a blade) are controlled weapons: need a lawful excuse (employment, lawful sport/recreation, collection). Courts consider time and place. Self-defence is excluded. Daggers, throwing blades and machetes are prohibited.

A knife (or blade, axe, machete) anywhere in WA needs a lawful excuse: lawful work/duty/activity, sport/recreation/entertainment, or collection/display. Self-defence is excluded and you must prove the excuse. Round-tipped dull and plastic/wooden eating knives are excluded. Even with excuse, carrying that scares people is an offence.