Ohio Knife Laws: Switchblades, Butterfly Knives, Brass Knuckles and What You Can Carry
Short answer
Yes, mostly. Ohio has no statewide ban on owning or carrying switchblades, butterfly knives, OTF knives or gravity knives, and no blade length limit. A knife is not a “deadly weapon” for the concealed carry offense unless it was used as a weapon (ORC 2923.12). Ballistic knives are banned.
Last verified: October 31, 2026 against Ohio Revised Code sections 2923.11, 2923.12, 2923.20 and 9.68
If you are checking Ohio knife laws before you buy, carry or sell a blade, the news is better than it was a few years ago. Senate Bill 140 took ordinary knives and brass knuckles out of the weapons-sales statute in 2021, and Ohio does not set a blade length limit. The sections below cover the knives people ask about most, the rules that still apply, and the places where a knife can get you charged.
Key facts
- No statewide blade length limit appears in Ohio’s weapons chapter (ORC Chapter 2923).
- Switchblades, gravity knives, springblade knives and brass knuckles were removed from the unlawful weapons sales offense in
ORC 2923.20effective April 12, 2021. - Ballistic knives (a detachable blade fired by a spring) are “dangerous ordnance” under
ORC 2923.11. - Concealed carry of a deadly weapon other than a handgun is a first-degree misdemeanor under
ORC 2923.12, but a knife that was not used as a weapon is excluded. - Schools and courthouses are off limits for a deadly weapon, including a knife used or carried as one (
ORC 2923.122,ORC 2923.123). - Cities cannot add their own knife restrictions (
ORC 9.68).
What knives are illegal in Ohio?
Only one kind of knife is banned by name: the ballistic knife. ORC 2923.11 defines it as a knife with a detachable blade that a spring-operated mechanism propels, and it counts as dangerous ordnance.
Every other blade is judged by how it is carried and used. Ohio law has no list of banned shapes, no rule on serrated edges and no cap on length.
| Knife or item | Statewide status in Ohio |
|---|---|
| Pocket knife or folding knife | Legal to own and carry |
| Switchblade or automatic knife | Legal to own and carry; sales ban removed in 2021 |
| OTF (out-the-front) knife | Legal to own and carry; treated like an automatic knife |
| Butterfly knife | Legal to own and carry |
| Gravity knife | Legal to own and carry; sales ban removed in 2021 |
| Stiletto | Legal to own and carry |
| Sword | Not banned; concealed carry rules apply |
| Brass knuckles | Sales ban removed in 2021; concealed carry rules apply |
| Ballistic knife | Dangerous ordnance |
Are switchblades legal in Ohio?
Yes. Until April 12, 2021, ORC 2923.20 made it an offense to manufacture, sell or furnish a switchblade knife, springblade knife or gravity knife. Senate Bill 140 of the 133rd General Assembly removed that item. The current section covers only firearms, dangerous ordnance and ammunition.
That is why automatic knives, OTF knives and gravity knives are now treated like any other blade in Ohio. The same is true of stilettos and butterfly knives, which Ohio statutes never named at all.
Are brass knuckles legal in Ohio?
Yes, in the sense that Ohio no longer bans selling them. The version of ORC 2923.20 in force before April 12, 2021 listed brass knuckles next to switchblades, and Senate Bill 140 removed them.
The knife exclusion in the concealed carry law does not mention knuckles. If you hide brass knuckles on your person or ready at hand, a prosecutor can still treat them as a concealed deadly weapon under ORC 2923.12.
Can you carry a knife in Ohio? The concealed carry rule
Yes. ORC 2923.12(A) bars knowingly carrying a concealed “deadly weapon other than a handgun,” but division (H) says a knife, razor or cutting instrument is not a deadly weapon for that section if it was not used as a weapon.
In everyday terms, a pocket knife clipped inside your pocket for opening boxes or cutting rope is not a crime. Pulling it during an argument changes the picture, because then it was used as a weapon.
Senate Bill 215 (June 13, 2022) lets adults who may legally own a handgun carry it concealed without a license. It did not change the knife rules, which never required a permit. Our Ohio gun law guide covers handguns.
Is there a legal knife length in Ohio?
No. Ohio sets no maximum blade length for a pocket knife, a fixed blade or a sword. A long blade can still attract attention, because a prosecutor may argue a large knife was carried as a weapon.
Where you cannot bring a knife
The statewide limits focus on places, not on blade types.
| Place or situation | Statute | Offense level |
|---|---|---|
| School safety zone (conveying or possessing a deadly weapon) | ORC 2923.122 | F5, or F4 with a prior conviction |
| Courthouse or building with a courtroom | ORC 2923.123 | F5, or F4 with a prior conviction |
| Concealing a deadly weapon other than a handgun | ORC 2923.12 | M1; F4 with a prior conviction or if the item is dangerous ordnance |
A pocket knife in a school parking lot is a fact question: it matters whether it was possessed or carried as a weapon.
Defenses exist. Under ORC 2923.12(D), you may raise an affirmative defense if you carried a weapon other than a handgun or dangerous ordnance for defense tied to a lawful job that carries a risk of attack, for defense during a lawful activity because of a reasonable fear of criminal attack, or for any lawful purpose inside your own home.
Penalties for knife offenses in Ohio
| Level | Jail or prison | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| First-degree misdemeanor (M1) | Up to 180 days in jail | $1,000 |
| Fifth-degree felony (F5) | 6 to 12 months in prison | $2,500 |
| Fourth-degree felony (F4) | 6 to 18 months in prison | $5,000 |
Ranges come from ORC 2929.24, ORC 2929.28, ORC 2929.14 and ORC 2929.18. A judge sets the actual sentence. Using a knife in a fight can add separate charges such as assault; see our self-defense guide.
Timeline of changes
- Before April 12, 2021:
ORC 2923.20still bans selling brass knuckles, switchblades, springblade knives and gravity knives. - April 12, 2021: Senate Bill 140 takes effect and removes that item.
- June 13, 2022: Senate Bill 215 brings permitless handgun carry.
- April 9, 2025: Senate Bill 58 updates
ORC 9.68, which keeps knife rules uniform statewide.
Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati knife rules
Cities follow state law. ORC 9.68 declares null and void any local rule that restricts owning, carrying or selling a knife, with an exception for zoning limits on commercial sales. A person hurt by a conflicting ordinance can sue for damages or a court order.
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| “Switchblades are illegal in Ohio.” | The sales ban ended April 12, 2021. |
| “Knives need to be under 3 inches.” | Ohio has no blade length limit. |
| “You need a permit to carry a knife.” | Ohio has no knife permit. |
| “Any hidden knife is a crime.” | A knife not used as a weapon is excluded from ORC 2923.12. |
Frequently asked questions
Are butterfly knives illegal in Ohio?
No. Ohio statutes do not ban butterfly knives, also called balisongs. You can own and carry one. As with any knife, using it as a weapon, or carrying it into a school or courthouse, can lead to charges.
Are OTF knives legal in Ohio?
Yes. Out-the-front knives are automatic knives, and Ohio removed its ban on selling switchblades and similar knives on April 12, 2021. Only ballistic knives, which fire a detached blade, are listed as dangerous ordnance.
Are gravity knives legal in Ohio?
Yes. Gravity knives were listed in ORC 2923.20 before April 12, 2021 but were removed by Senate Bill 140. You may own and carry one under state law.
Are brass knuckles illegal in Ohio?
The sales ban ended April 12, 2021. Hiding them on your person can still be treated as carrying a concealed deadly weapon, a first-degree misdemeanor under ORC 2923.12.
Is it legal to carry a sword in Ohio?
Ohio has no statute banning swords. Because a sword is a cutting instrument, the knife exclusion in ORC 2923.12(H) applies when it is not used as a weapon. Cities cannot add their own limits.
Do I need a license to carry a knife in Ohio?
No. Ohio has no knife license or permit. The concealed handgun license rules apply only to handguns, not to knives.
What changed on this page
- October 31, 2026: First published against
ORC 2923.11,ORC 2923.12,ORC 2923.20andORC 9.68. See our editorial policy and corrections page.
If this affects you
If you were charged over a knife, speak with an Ohio-licensed criminal defense attorney before you talk to police. If a city or village tries to enforce its own knife rule, ask an Ohio-licensed attorney about ORC 9.68.
For related topics, see the Guns and Weapons section. This page is general information, not legal advice.
