Netherlands · checked 2026-10-26 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law in Netherlands

Dutch law names banned knives rather than banning all knives: switchblades, gravity/flick knives, butterfly knives, double-edged folders and folders over 28 cm open are banned outright, even at home. Ordinary single-edge folders up to 28 cm are tolerated, but local knife bans, venues and police circumstances can still catch you.

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.

1ProhibitedA folding knife or a multitool, automatic
Push-button/automatic folders are 'stiletto' or 'valmes' (category I): banned to carry, possess, transport or import, even at home. Politie says carrying one means a fine.
Source
2ProhibitedA folding knife or a multitool, gravity or flick opening
Butterfly (balisong) knives and flick/gravity knives fall under 'vlindermes' or 'valmes' (category I) and are banned outright, including at home and in luggage.
Source
3UnclearA folding knife or a multitool, spring assisted
Spring-assisted folders are not named. The 'valmes' definition covers blades pushed straight out by a release mechanism; Justis says 'with or without spring'. Whether assisted openers count is not settled in sources found. Avoid.
Source
4ProhibitedA folding knife or a multitool, double edged
A folding knife whose blade has more than one cutting edge is category I and banned outright (carrying, possessing, transporting, importing).
Source
5ProhibitedA folding knife or a multitool, open length at least 280.1 mm
A folding knife longer than 28 cm when opened (overall length, not blade length) is category I and banned outright.
Source
6No restriction foundA folding knife or a multitool, with or without a lock, two hand opening or one hand manual opening, single edged, open length up to 280 mm
Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Source
7ProhibitedA fixed blade, double edged
Fixed blades with more than one cutting edge (daggers) are category IV: carrying is banned (art. 27) unless you hold a permit; no tourist exemption was found. Concealed 'disguised' blades are category I.
Source
8UnclearA fixed blade, single edged
Single-edge fixed blades are not listed, but category IV-7 covers objects reasonably meant to injure given their nature or circumstances, and many councils ban carrying knives. No official text clears fixed blades; avoid carrying openly.
Source
9No restriction foundScissors only or a keychain tool
No specific rule found for these. The catch-all (category IV-7) and local bans can still apply if police judge it meant to injure; knuckle-style 'vilmes' and disguised blades are category I.
Source
10UnclearAnything else
Catch-all: combination not covered by a listed rule. Category I bans (including 'vilmes', ballistic knives, throwing stars, disguised blades) are absolute; check Wet wapens en munitie art. 2.
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
Buck 110 Folding Hunter	blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Leatherman Arc	blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Benchmade Bugout	blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Victorinox Cadet (Alox)	blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Victorinox Classic SD	blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Victorinox Climber	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)	65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Gerber Dime	blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific rule found for these. The catch-all (category IV-7) and local bans can still apply if police judge it meant to injure; knuckle-style 'vilmes' and disguised blades are category I.
CIVIVI Elementum	blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)	blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Victorinox Huntsman	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Spyderco Ladybug 3	43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Leatherman Micra	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific rule found for these. The catch-all (category IV-7) and local bans can still apply if police judge it meant to injure; knuckle-style 'vilmes' and disguised blades are category I.
Benchmade Mini Bugout	blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper	blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel	blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel	blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Spyderco Para 3	67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)	blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Spyderco Roadie	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Leatherman Skeletool CX	blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Victorinox Spartan	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Spyderco Squeak	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)	blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Leatherman Squirt PS4	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why No specific rule found for these. The catch-all (category IV-7) and local bans can still apply if police judge it meant to injure; knuckle-style 'vilmes' and disguised blades are category I.
Victorinox Swiss Card Classic	blade length not published	No restriction found Why No specific rule found for these. The catch-all (category IV-7) and local bans can still apply if police judge it meant to injure; knuckle-style 'vilmes' and disguised blades are category I.
W.R. Case & Sons Trapper	76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Leatherman Wave Plus	blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why Single-edge manual folders up to 28 cm open are not a listed weapon; lock type does not matter. Not allowed in bars, stadiums, some venues or local knife-ban zones, and police can treat one as a weapon by circumstances.
Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)	blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Single-edge fixed blades are not listed, but category IV-7 covers objects reasonably meant to injure given their nature or circumstances, and many councils ban carrying knives. No official text clears fixed blades; avoid carrying openly.
ESEE Izula-II	blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Single-edge fixed blades are not listed, but category IV-7 covers objects reasonably meant to injure given their nature or circumstances, and many councils ban carrying knives. No official text clears fixed blades; avoid carrying openly.
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Spring-assisted folders are not named. The 'valmes' definition covers blades pushed straight out by a release mechanism; Justis says 'with or without spring'. Whether assisted openers count is not settled in sources found. Avoid.
Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)	blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why 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.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Spring-assisted folders are not named. The 'valmes' definition covers blades pushed straight out by a release mechanism; Justis says 'with or without spring'. Whether assisted openers count is not settled in sources found. Avoid.
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: A folding knife longer than 28 cm when opened (overall length, not blade length) is category I and banned outright.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: A mayor can designate a veiligheidsrisicogebied (Gemeentewet 151b/174b) for up to the shortest necessary time; the public prosecutor can then order searches of anyone for weapons for max 12 hours (WWM 50-52 lid 3). Separately, councils use APV art. 2:50a-type rules; Waddinxveen has banned carrying knives municipality-wide since 13 March 2026 for two years (an exemption needs both packed away AND a reasonable purpose). Check the local APV. Airport security zones carry heavier penalties (WWM 55 lid 3b).
Schools, workplaces and events: Politie and Justis say pocket knives are not allowed in bars/horeca or football stadiums. The exact legal basis for those venues (house rules, APV, or other law) was not verified. Schools and events: not verified.
In a vehicle: WWM art. 1 separates 'dragen' (on a public road or public place, ready for immediate use) from 'vervoeren' (packed so it cannot be used immediately). Category I weapons are banned for both. Category IV art. 27 bans only 'dragen'. Whether a knife in a car glovebox counts was not checked.
Age limits: No statutory minimum age found for buying or carrying ordinary single-edge knives. WWM art. 31 lid 4 bans handing category IV weapons to under-18s. A planned national ban on carrying/selling knives to minors was not enacted (see pending).
Buying and importing: Category I knives may not be imported ('doen binnenkomen') or transferred; ordering a butterfly, automatic or double-edged folder online for delivery to NL is an offence. Justis says trade and possession of stiletto/valmes/vlindermes has been banned since 1 May 2012. Customs rules for other knives were not checked.
Penalties: Category I (art. 55 lid 1): prison up to 9 months or a fourth-category fine; up to 8 years if on a plane or at a designated airport (art. 55 lid 3b). Category IV carrying (art. 54): third-category fine (an 'overtreding'). Euro amounts not verified. Items are seized.
Recent changes: Regeling wapens en munitie current version in force since 1 Aug 2025. Knife categories were read in the WWM version in force since 1 Jul 2026 (earlier versions not compared). Many councils added or renewed knife-ban APV rules in 2025-2026 (e.g. Venlo APV amendment of 9 Apr 2025, seen only in a search excerpt; Waddinxveen 13 Mar 2026).
Pending changes: Government is preparing a completely new Wet wapens en munitie (Kamerbrief 17 Jun 2026; no knife details checked). A motion (Bikkers, 27 May 2026) asks the government to bring a bill for a national knife-carrying ban; whether it was adopted was not verified.

Sources

Wet wapens en munitie (WWM) art. 2 lid 1, categorie I onder 1° en 2°
“andere opvouwbare messen, indien: a. het lemmet meer dan een snijkant heeft; of b. de lengte in opengevouwen toestand langer dan 28 cm is”
Regeling wapens en munitie art. 2 (definitions of stiletto, valmes, vlindermes)
“dan wel door een zwaaibeweging of door zwaartekracht rechtstandig uit het heft wordt gebracht”
Justis (Ministry of Justice and Security): Welke soorten messen zijn verboden?
“Een opvouwbaar zakmes van maximaal 28 centimeter (uitgevouwen) met 1 snijkant mag u in de meeste gevallen wel bij u hebben.”
Gerechtshof 's-Hertogenbosch ECLI:NL:GHSHE:2018:1972 (quoting legislator on folding knives)
“Andere opvouwbare messen zijn in beginsel geen wapen in de zin van de Wwm en dus niet verboden.”
Gemeentewet art. 151b (mayor may designate a veiligheidsrisicogebied) and WWM art. 50-52 lid 3 (stop-and-search powers)
“In een veiligheidsrisicogebied kan de officier van justitie de bevoegdheden ... toepassen.”
Wet wapens en munitie (wetten.overheid.nl)
Politie.nl: Mag ik een mes op zak hebben?
Example local ban: Aanwijzingsbesluit messen- en steekwapenverbod Waddinxveen

What we could not confirm

Are spring-assisted folders 'valmessen' under Regeling art. 2 b? No court ruling or official statement found.
Is a single-edge fixed blade (e.g. camping knife) treated as category IV-7 when carried openly? No official guidance found.
The 'hanteren' concept you asked about does not appear in the WWM text read; the law uses 'dragen' (art. 1 lid 10). Not verified in case law.
Legal basis for the 'no pocket knives in horeca/stadiums' statement by Justis/Politie was not identified.
Euro amounts of fine categories and the Hoge Raad's current stance on category IV-7 and folders were not verified.
Regeling art. 26-30 (exemptions for category IV) and WWM art. 26 (possession) were only skimmed.

Keep going

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