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Louis Martin Custom Knives

Reviewed September 2026

North Dakota Knife Laws

In North Dakota, switchblades are legal and butterfly knives are legal. Blades over 6 inches count as dangerous weapons for concealed carry (raised from 5 inches in 2025); a concealed weapon license covers them. The blade limit to know: 6 inches concealed without a license.

Switchblades: Legal

Automatic knives are legal.

Butterfly Knives: Legal

Butterfly knives are legal.

Concealed Carry

Blades over 6 inches count as dangerous weapons for concealed carry (raised from 5 inches in 2025); a concealed weapon license covers them.

Local Ordinances

North Dakota has no statewide preemption, so cities and counties can add stricter rules. Check local ordinances before carrying. Constitutional carry covers firearms only, not knives: the license requirement still applies to long blades.

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.D. Cent. Code §§62.1-01-01, 62.1-04-02, 62.1-02-05

Blades at the dangerous-weapon threshold (raised from 5 to 6 inches by HB 1588, effective August 2025) trigger Chapter 62.1, where violations are Class A misdemeanors carrying up to 360 days and a $3,000 fine. In State v. Vermilya (1988), the state Supreme Court held that a modified straight razor could be prosecuted as a dangerous weapon even below the 5-inch threshold. North Dakota has no statewide preemption, leaving cities like Bismarck and Fargo free to enact their own knife ordinances.

North Dakota Knife Law FAQ

Are switchblades legal in North Dakota?
Switchblades (automatic knives) are legal in North Dakota. Automatic knives are legal. Reviewed September 2026; this is general information, not legal advice.
Are butterfly knives legal in North Dakota?
Butterfly knives (balisongs) are legal in North Dakota. Butterfly knives are legal.
Is it legal to carry a knife in North Dakota?
Generally yes, within limits: Blades over 6 inches count as dangerous weapons for concealed carry (raised from 5 inches in 2025); a concealed weapon license covers them. Carrying any knife with intent to use it unlawfully is a crime everywhere.
What size knife can you legally carry in North Dakota?
The limit to know is 6 inches concealed without a license. Constitutional carry covers firearms only, not knives: the license requirement still applies to long blades.

Traveling Through?

Knife law changes at the state line. Bordering states: Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota.

Hand-Forged Knives, Shipped to North Dakota

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