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

Knife carry law in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has no statewide blade-length, lock or opening-type limit; automatic knives were removed from the offensive-weapons definition in 2022. Intent to use a weapon criminally, schools, and court facilities are the main limits. There is no knife preemption, and Philadelphia's ordinance bans cutting weapons on streets (enforcement reportedly halted by a 2023 settlement).

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.

1No restriction foundAny knife or tool, automatic, spring assisted, gravity or flick opening, one hand manual opening or two hand opening
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.
Source
2No restriction foundA fixed blade, double edged
No statewide dagger or double-edge rule found after Act 119 of 2022. Intent to use criminally and place rules still apply. Pre-2022 'dagger' language was deleted from s.908.
Source
3No restriction foundA fixed blade, a folding knife, a multitool, a keychain tool or scissors only
No statewide blade-length, lock or concealment rule found. Knives are barred on K-12 school property and in court facilities, and Philadelphia has its own ordinance.
Source
4No restriction foundAnything else
Catch-all: no statewide knife restriction found; check local ordinances (especially Philadelphia) and location rules.
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 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.
Leatherman Arc	blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Benchmade Bugout	blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Victorinox Cadet (Alox)	blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Victorinox Classic SD	blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Victorinox Climber	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)	blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)	65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)	No restriction found Why 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.
Gerber Dime	blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
CIVIVI Elementum	blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)	blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Victorinox Huntsman	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
ESEE Izula-II	blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Spyderco Ladybug 3	43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)	No restriction found Why 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.
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Leatherman Micra	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Benchmade Mini Bugout	blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper	blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel	blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel	blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Spyderco Para 3	67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)	No restriction found Why 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.
Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)	blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)	blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Spyderco Roadie	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	No restriction found Why 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.
Leatherman Skeletool CX	blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Victorinox Spartan	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Spyderco Squeak	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	No restriction found Why 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.
CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)	blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Leatherman Squirt PS4	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Victorinox Swiss Card Classic	blade length not published	No restriction found Why 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.
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X	blade length not published	No restriction found Why 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.
W.R. Case & Sons Trapper	76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)	No restriction found Why 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.
Leatherman Wave Plus	blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published	No restriction found Why 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.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: Philadelphia Code 10-820 prohibits any cutting weapon on streets/public property; AKTI reports a 2023 court-approved settlement making it unenforceable (secondary, not verified on court docket). SEPTA rules not checked. No statewide airport rule; TSA applies.
Schools, workplaces and events: 18 Pa.C.S. 912: any knife or cutting tool in buildings, grounds, or transport of K-12 schools is a first-degree misdemeanor, subject to a lawful-purpose defence. Court facilities (s.913) also ban dangerous weapons; We did not open s.913.
In a vehicle: No knife-specific vehicle rule found.
Age limits: Per AKTI, selling or giving a deadly weapon to someone under 18 is unlawful (18 Pa.C.S. 6302); not opened on legis site.
Buying and importing: No state restriction on buying or shipping knives found, automatics included, since the 2022 change. Philadelphia delivery risk not assessed.
Penalties: Section 912 and s.908 are first-degree misdemeanors; other penalty details not verified.
Recent changes: Act 119 of 2022 (P.L.1782, eff. 60 days after 3 Nov 2022, so about 3 Jan 2023) removed knives from 'offensive weapons'. Many retailer pages still call automatics illegal in PA.
Pending changes: None found.

Sources

18 Pa.C.S. 908 Prohibited offensive weapons (as amended by Act 119 of 2022)
“any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles ... or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.”
18 Pa.C.S. 912 Weapon on school property
“"weapon" ... shall include but not be limited to any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool”
AKTI Pennsylvania summary (secondary)
“restrictions on the commerce, possession, and carry of automatic knives originally enacted in April of 1956 have been removed.”
18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 9

What we could not confirm

No statute text for s.907, s.913, s.6302 was opened; relied on AKTI.
Current status of Philadelphia 10-820 (settlement per AKTI only).
Absence of knife preemption inferred from AKTI, not primary text.
Other cities' ordinances not surveyed.

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