☕ Washington Knife Laws
Overview
Washington does not have statewide preemption, so local ordinances may impose additional restrictions. Open carry is legal, but concealed carry of certain knives is restricted. There is no general blade length restriction. Switchblades are prohibited; disguised knives have restrictions.
Quick Legal Facts
Carry Laws & Blade Length
Washington does not restrict open carry of knives. RCW 9.41.250(1)(b) only prohibits 'furtively' carrying 'with intent to conceal' dangerous weapons, which by its terms does not apply to open carry. RCW 9.41.270 separately prohibits carrying any weapon in a manner that 'manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons,' but this is a manner-of-carry restriction, not a ban on open carry.
It is a gross misdemeanor to 'furtively carry with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon' under RCW 9.41.250(1)(b). The prohibition requires both furtive carry and intent to conceal. Ordinary folding knives not designed as weapons are generally not considered 'dangerous weapons' for purposes of this statute. Fixed-blade daggers and dirks are specifically named.
Statute: 9.41.250
Washington has no statewide blade length limit. No statute establishes a maximum blade length for carrying knives. The concealed carry restriction in RCW 9.41.250(1)(b) applies to weapon type (daggers, dirks, and other dangerous weapons), not blade length.
Statute: 9.41.250
Knife Type Legality
| Knife Type | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Switchblades | Illegal | Switchblades are prohibited under the 'spring blade knife' ban. RCW 9.41.250(1)(a) prohibits manufacturing, selling, disposing of, or possessing spring blade knives. RCW 9.41.250(2) defines 'spring blade knife' as any knife with a blade 'automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device.' RCW 9.41.251 provides narrow exceptions for law enforcement, firefighters, rescue personnel, and military members. |
| Balisongs / Butterfly Knives | Unclear | The legality of balisongs is unclear. RCW 9.41.250(2) defines 'spring blade knife' to include any knife with a blade that opens 'by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement.' Balisong knives, which open via a flipping/centrifugal motion, could fall within this definition. The statute does not mention balisongs or butterfly knives by name, and no published Washington appellate decision has definitively resolved whether balisongs are spring blade knives. Statute: 9.41.250 |
| Disguised Knives | Restricted | Disguised knives are not specifically addressed by name in Washington statutes. However, a disguised knife designed as a dagger or dirk would be subject to the concealed carry prohibition in RCW 9.41.250(1)(b), and if it incorporates a spring-release or gravity-opening mechanism it would also be prohibited as a spring blade knife under RCW 9.41.250(1)(a). Possession and open carry of non-spring-blade disguised knives is not expressly prohibited. Statute: 9.41.250 |
| Assisted-Opening | Legal | Assisted-opening knives are explicitly excluded from the 'spring blade knife' definition. RCW 9.41.250(2) states: 'A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not a spring blade knife.' Statute: 9.41.250 |
| Ballistic Knives | Unclear | Ballistic knives are not mentioned by name in Washington statutes. A ballistic knife that uses a spring mechanism to propel the blade could fall within the 'spring blade knife' definition in RCW 9.41.250(2) as a knife with a blade 'automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device.' No Washington appellate court has addressed this question. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1716) separately restricts ballistic knives in interstate commerce. Statute: 9.41.250 |
Legal Disclaimer
This information is provided for general educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws change frequently and local ordinances may impose additional restrictions beyond state law. Always verify with official state sources before making decisions about knife carry or ownership. KnifeInformer is not a law firm — consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.
