Reviewed October 13, 2026

New York Knife Laws

In New York, switchblades are restricted and butterfly knives are legal. Carrying with unlawful intent is a crime; New York City caps blades at 4 inches and bans visible carry (including clipped folders). The blade limit to know: 4 inches in New York City.

Switchblades: Restricted

Switchblades remain restricted except for hunters and anglers with a valid license.

Butterfly Knives: Legal

Butterfly knives are generally legal after the 2019 gravity-knife repeal.

Concealed Carry

Carrying with unlawful intent is a crime; New York City caps blades at 4 inches and bans visible carry (including clipped folders).

Local Ordinances

New York has no statewide preemption, so cities and counties can add stricter rules. Check local ordinances before carrying. NYC enforcement is far stricter than the rest of the state.

Not legal advice. This page was last reviewed October 13, 2026. Statuses come from state statutes and reputable trackers, and the linked facts below were checked against the official statute or code text on October 13, 2026. Laws change; verify the current statute or consult a lawyer before buying or carrying. See the full 50-state comparison.

The Law in Detail

Key statutes: N.Y. Penal Law §§265.01, 265.02, 265.20

Fourth-degree criminal possession under §265.01 is a misdemeanor, but §265.02 elevates it to a felony when the defendant has any prior conviction. In People v. Berrezueta (2018), New York's highest court suggested assisted-opening knives could qualify as illegal switchblades, and Matter of Jamie D. (1983) set a three-part test for what counts as a dangerous knife. NYC Transit Authority rules (21 NYCRR 1050.8) separately ban box cutters, straight razors, and gravity knives on the transit system.

Checked Against the Statute Text

The FAQ answers below include statute details from these sources:

Switchblades: N.Y. Penal Law §265.00(4); N.Y. Penal Law §265.01(1); N.Y. Penal Law §265.20(a)(6)
Butterfly knives: N.Y. Penal Law §265.01(1)
Carrying a knife: N.Y. Penal Law §265.01(2)

New York City Rules

Breaking the city's knife possession rules in §10-133 is an offense punishable by a fine of up to $300, up to 15 days in jail, or both. (N.Y.C. Admin. Code §10-133(e))
Selling or offering to sell, within the city, a folding knife with a blade of four inches or more that locks open and needs a release to close is also unlawful. (N.Y.C. Admin. Code §10-134(b))

The New York City answer in the FAQ below draws on N.Y.C. Admin. Code §10-133(b), N.Y.C. Admin. Code §10-133(c), and N.Y.C. Admin. Code §10-133(d)(6).

Each fact linked above, including those in the FAQ answers, was checked against the official statute or code text on October 13, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

New York Knife Law FAQ

Are switchblades legal in New York?

Switchblades (automatic knives) are restricted in New York. Switchblades remain restricted except for hunters and anglers with a valid license. New York defines a switchblade as any knife whose blade opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle. Possessing one is criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor, unless an exemption applies. The hunting and fishing exemption covers possession for use while hunting, trapping, or fishing by a person carrying a valid license issued under Environmental Conservation Law §11-0713. Reviewed October 13, 2026; this is general information, not legal advice.

Are butterfly knives legal in New York?

Butterfly knives (balisongs) are legal in New York. Butterfly knives are generally legal after the 2019 gravity-knife repeal. The possession list in §265.01(1) does not include gravity knives.

Is it legal to carry a knife in New York?

Generally yes, within limits: Carrying with unlawful intent is a crime; New York City caps blades at 4 inches and bans visible carry (including clipped folders). Carrying any knife with intent to use it unlawfully is a crime everywhere. For daggers, dirks, stilettos, machetes, razors, and other dangerous knives, the crime under §265.01(2) is possessing one with intent to use it unlawfully against another person.

What size knife can you legally carry in New York?

The limit to know is 4 inches in New York City. NYC enforcement is far stricter than the rest of the state.

What are the knife laws in New York City?

In New York City, carrying or possessing a knife with a blade of four inches or more in any public place, street, or park is unlawful. Wearing a knife outside your clothing or carrying one in open view in public is also unlawful, whether or not the blade is exposed, unless you are actually using it for a lawful purpose. The city rules exempt a knife being used for, or carried directly to or from, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, picnicking, or work that customarily requires one, and a knife carried directly to or from a place of purchase, sharpening, or repair when it is packaged so it is not easy to reach. These city rules apply on top of New York state law.

Traveling Through?

Knife law changes at the state line. Bordering states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont.

Hand-Forged Knives, Shipped to New York

Every Louis Martin blade is hand-forged and ships free anywhere in the US, including right here in New York. Start with our pocket knives and everyday carry pieces, browse the full collection, or read our guide to the best knives in New York, and keep our national knife law guide handy when you travel.