Below are the laws regarding switchblades for each state.  The source is the November 1998 issue of Tactical Knives.  Be sure and check with the state governments to get the latest information. Also check out the Federal Switchblade Act for Federal rules and regulations



State
Possession Legal?
Carry Legal?
Alabama
Y
Y3
Alaska
N
N
Arizona
Y
Y
Arkansas
Y
Y2
California
Y
N
Colorado
N
N
Connecticut
N
N
Delaware
N
Y3,4
Florida
Y
Y
Georgia
Y
N
Hawaii
N
N
Idaho
Y
Y3
Illinois
N
N
Indiana
N
N
Iowa
Y
Y
Kansas
N
N
Kentucky
Y
Y3
Louisiana
N
N
Maine
N
N
Maryland
Y
Y3
Massachusetts
N
N
Michigan
N
N
Minnesota
Y1
N
Mississippi
Y
N
Missouri
Y1
N
Montana
Y1
N
Nebraska
Y
Y3
Nevada
N
N
NewHampshire
N
N
NewJersey
N
N
NewMexico
N
N
NewYork
N
N
NorthCarolina
Y
Y3
NorthDakota
Y
Y3
Ohio
Y
Y
Oklahoma
Y
N
Oregon
Y
Y3
Pennsylvania
Y1
N
Rhode Island
Y
N
South Carolina
Y
N
South Dakota
Y
Y
Tennessee
N
N
Texas
Y1
N
Utah
Y
Y3
Vermont
N
N
Virginia
Y
Y3,4
Washington
N
N
West Virginia
Y
Y3,4
Wisconsin
N
N
Wyoming
Y
N

 

1Possession banned, but exception made for collectors and/orpossession as curios or antiques
2Carry allowed if blade is under 3.5 inches
3Carry allowed if not concealed
4Concealed Carry allowed with permit or license
 

Other Information

Originally, I created this page to be a supplement to my page on State Comparisons, but it has turned out to be one of the most popular pages on my site.  I'll try to compile some more information on switchblades as time permits, but until then, here are some useful links.

Other Pages Summarizing State Switchblade laws

KnifeArt.com has a page on switchblade laws.  Also check out The Automatic Knife Resource Guide and Newsletter, Bladeforums.com, and Knifeforums.com.

Books on Knife Laws

I couldn't find any books that dealt specifically with state knife laws, but since knives are often included in weapons laws, here are some books on state gun laws:

Alan Korwin's guides to state gun laws: Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, and Virginia.

Books on Knife Combat

I haven't read any of these books, but they have received favorable reviews from readers.

Combat Use of the Double-Edged Fighting Knife, by Rex Applegate
Knife Self-Defense for Combat, by Michael D. Echanis
Knife Fighting : A Practical Course, by Michael D. Janich
Knives, Knife Fighting, and Related Hassles : How to Survive a Real Knife Fight, by Marc MacYoung
Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out : Knife Fighting Techniques from Folsom Prison, by Don Pentecost
Modern Knife Combat : The Training of a Knife Fighter, by Greg Walker

Switchblade Manufacturerers

Benchmade.com
SKM Automatic Knives
Microtech Knives