Reviewed September 2026
Wisconsin Knife Laws
In Wisconsin, switchblades are legal and butterfly knives are legal. Legal for anyone not prohibited from possessing firearms; preemption since 2016. There is no notable statewide blade length limit.
Legalized in 2016.
Butterfly knives are legal.
Legal for anyone not prohibited from possessing firearms; preemption since 2016.
Wisconsin has statewide preemption: cities and counties cannot pass stricter knife laws than the state. A model modern knife statute.
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: Wis. Stat. §§941.231, 948.60, 66.0409
In State v. Herrmann (2015), the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled the automatic knife ban unconstitutional as applied, and the legislature repealed §941.24 effective February 6, 2016. The same 2016 reform added statewide preemption under §66.0409, which bars local knife carry ordinances and pretextual disorderly conduct charges based solely on knife possession. Remaining knife violations under Chapter 941 are Class A misdemeanors carrying up to 9 months and a $10,000 fine.
Wisconsin Knife Law FAQ
Are switchblades legal in Wisconsin?
Are butterfly knives legal in Wisconsin?
Is it legal to carry a knife in Wisconsin?
What size knife can you legally carry in Wisconsin?
Traveling Through?
Knife law changes at the state line. Bordering states: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota.
Hand-Forged Knives, Shipped to Wisconsin
Every Louis Martin blade is hand-forged and ships free anywhere in the US, including right here in Wisconsin. Start with our pocket knives and everyday carry pieces, browse the full collection, and keep our national knife law guide handy when you travel.