United States · checked 2026-10-26 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law 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 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.

1RestrictedAny knife or tool, automatic
Switchblades and OTFs are prohibited unless you hold a currently valid Illinois FOID card (or are a seller/maker). Chicago bans them outright, with no FOID exception in its ordinance.
Source
2UnclearAny knife or tool, spring assisted
Statute covers a blade that 'opens automatically' by pressure on a button, spring or other device in the handle. Whether spring-assisted flippers fit is not settled by anything we found.
Source
3No restriction foundAny knife or tool, gravity or flick opening
Balisongs and gravity knives are not named in 24-1(a)(1); no specific statewide restriction found. Chicago concealment limits still apply.
Source
4No restriction foundAny knife or tool, double edged
Daggers are offences only when carried with intent to use unlawfully against another (24-1(a)(2)); no statewide ban on double-edged blades as such. Chicago bans concealing any dagger.
Source
5No restriction foundA fixed blade
No statewide length limit or carry-manner rule found for fixed blades, open or concealed. Chicago bans concealing blades over 2.5 in.
Source
6No restriction foundA folding knife, a multitool, a keychain tool or scissors only
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).
Source
7No restriction foundAnything else
Catch-all: no specific statewide restriction found; ballistic knives and throwing stars are banned, and local ordinances and school/transit locations apply.
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 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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 restriction found Why 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).
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Statute covers a blade that 'opens automatically' by pressure on a button, spring or other device in the handle. Whether spring-assisted flippers fit is not settled by anything we found.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Statute covers a blade that 'opens automatically' by pressure on a button, spring or other device in the handle. Whether spring-assisted flippers fit is not settled by anything we found.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: 24-1(c): switchblade, unlawful-intent dagger and similar offences in schools, public parks, courthouses, public transport vehicles or within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, courthouses or transit facilities are enhanced felonies. Applies to (a)(1)-(a)(3); class not fully read.
Schools, workplaces and events: Schools and colleges are covered by the 24-1(c) enhancements for the listed offences. School district policies not checked.
In a vehicle: No knife-specific vehicle rule found in 24-1 beyond the firearm provisions.
Age limits: No statewide knife age limit found in 24-1. Chicago: no knife with 2-in+ blade for anyone 18 or under to carry, or to be sold or given to them.
Buying and importing: Sale or purchase of switchblades is banned for non-FOID holders. Other knives: no state purchase ban found. Chicago bars possession of switchblades.
Penalties: Unlawful possession of weapons: penalty classes not read from the statute; enhanced to felony in listed places. Chicago: $200 fine and/or up to 6 months.
Recent changes: 24-1 was last amended by P.A. 103-822 (eff. 1 Jan 2025); We found no knife-specific change in 2024-2026.
Pending changes: SB 297 (104th GA) proposes changes to 24-1; not read, we do not know if knife-related.

Sources

720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(1)
“any knife, commonly referred to as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button”
Chicago Municipal Code 8-24-020(f)
“No person shall carry concealed on or about his person a dagger, any knife with a blade more than two and one-half inches in length”

What we could not confirm

Spring-assisted status under 24-1(a)(1) is unsettled; no case law found.
Class of misdemeanour/felony penalties for knives not read from the statute.
Preemption: We found no knife preemption; home-rule towns may regulate. Not checked against case law.
FOID exemption relevance for non-residents (cannot hold FOID) is my reading, not verified.

Keep going

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