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Louis Martin Custom Knives

Reviewed September 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. We are a NY maker: ask us about compliant carry.

Not legal advice. Statuses reviewed September 2026 from state statutes and reputable trackers. 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.

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. Reviewed September 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.
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.
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. We are a NY maker: ask us about compliant carry.

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.