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Oregon Knife Laws

Jeffrey
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190
Oregon Knife Laws
Oregon

Oregon knife laws are found mostly in the Court’s decisions, or case law, and not in the statutes, which can make it not only hard to understand, but difficult to find. This article puts the law together in an easy to read way that even those without legal training will be able to find and understand what is legal and what is not, when it comes to owning and carrying knives in Oregon.

What is Legal to Own

What is Illegal to Own

Oregon law does not restrict the ownership of any type of knife for those who have not been convicted of a felony. As a matter of fact, in 1984 in State v. Delgado, the Supreme Court of Oregon found that former Oregon statute § 166.510(1) was unconstitutional because it prohibited the mere possession and mere carrying of a weapon. The Court believed that restricting the possession and open carrying of weapons for non-felons was a violation of a person’s right to bear arms under the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution.

What the Law Says

166.240 Carrying of concealed weapons.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person who carries concealed upon the person any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any dirk, dagger, ice pick, slungshot, metal knuckles, or any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person, commits a Class B misdemeanor.

Possession and Carry of Weapons by a Felon

A person who has been convicted of a felony may not own a knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force. He or she also may not open or conceal carry a dirk, dagger, or stiletto.

Restrictions on Carry

  • It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk, dagger, or any stabbing knife
  • It is illegal to conceal carry a Balisong, or butterfly knife
  • It is illegal to conceal carry a gravity knife
  • It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force (swinging the knife around)
  • It is legal to conceal carry a pocketknife
  • It is legal to open carry any type of knife

It may appear that a switchblade has a blade that “projects by force of a spring” and therefore is a knife which one cannot legally conceal carry. However, the Court in State v. Ramer found that because a switchblade is type of pocketknife, and it is not illegal to carry a concealed pocketknife, it could not be illegal to conceal carry a switchblade.

In 1987, The Appellate Court ruled, in State v. Boswell, that one must be carrying one of the weapons listed as illegal to conceal carry or a weapon similar to one of those listed which was designed or intended for use a weapon to be convicted of carrying a concealed weapon. It then reversed Mr. Boswell’s conviction for carrying a concealed weapon because the weapon he was found carrying was not similar to any of those listed by the statute as illegal to conceal carry.

Definitions of Various Types of Knives

Oregon statutes fail to define any type of knife. The case law in Oregon, however, has offered definitions of dirk and dagger, and guidelines to follow when determining if a knife is a pocketknife or not.

Pocketknife

In 1978, in the case of State v. Pruett, the Supreme Court of Oregon found that a “Sportman’s” knife with a 3 ½-inch blade, which folded manually into the handle of the knife, but locked when fully open, was an “ordinary pocketknife”. One year after the Pruett decision, in State v. Strong, the court found that a knife with a 4 ¾ inch folding blade fit the definition of a pocketknife. However, in 1986, in State v. Witherbee, Mr. Witherbee was indicted and convicted for carrying concealed a six inch Survival Knife, and the Court upheld his conviction finding that the knife he was carrying was not an ordinary pocketknife.

Dirk and Dagger

In the case of State v. Ruff, the Oregon Court of Appeals declared that since the terms “dirk” and “dagger” were not defined by statute, the legislature intended that the ordinary meanings of the words apply. When a Court uses the ordinary meaning of a word, it generally looks to Webster’s Dictionary for that meaning.

Definition of Concealed Carry

Oregon statute does not define concealed carry. Case law in Oregon, however, has offered some guidance on what exactly concealed carry is.

In State v. Turner, the Supreme Court of Oregon declared that a weapon was concealed if it was not readily identifiable as a weapon or if the person carrying it attempted to obscure the fact that he or she was carrying a weapon.  The Court also said that a weapon was concealed within the meaning of the statute even if it was recognizable if there is also evidence of an imperfect attempt to prevent it from being discovered or recognized.

In State v. Crumal, the Court found that the conceal carry statute referred to weapons that were on and moved along with the carrier’s body. It did not include weapons that were just in reasonable proximity to the person or in some place where the weapons would be deemed to be in the constructive possession of the person. Thus, the Court ruled that a defendant could not be convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, where the weapon was being carried under the floor mat on the passenger side of a vehicle.

Conclusion on Oregon Knife Law

Oregon may be one of the most lenient states when it comes to owning knives. Unless you have been convicted of a felony, you can own any knife you choose in Oregon. Those who have been convicted of a felony, may not own a knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force.

It is illegal in Oregon to conceal carry, on your person, a dirk, dagger, or stabbing knife, a butterfly knife, gravity knife, or any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force.

Sources

  • ORS § 166.240 (2011)
  • ORS § 166.270 (2011)
  • State v. Delgado, 692 P.2d 610 (1984)
  • State v. Ramer, 671 P2d 723 (1983)
  • State v. Boswell, 745 P.2d 436, (1987 Ore. App.)
  • State v. Pruett, 586 P2d 800 (1978)
  • State v. Strong, 598 P2d 1254 (1979 Ore. App.)
  • State v. Witherbee, 717 P2d 661 (1986)
  • State v. Ruff, 211 P.3d 277, (2009 Ore. App.)
  • State v. Turner, 191 P3d 697 (2008)
  • State v. Crumal, 633 P.2d 1313 (1981 Ore. App.)

190 COMMENTS

  1. State v Ramer was decided in 1983, 166.240 (and surrounding laws) have been amended since then which my make that decision moot. In fact, 166.510 no longer even exists on the books, so Ramer’s comments in re that law are completely void now.

  2. Sir,

    There are two statements related to concealed carrying of automatic knives which as written are mutually exclusive.

    Under “Restrictions on Carry” it’s stated:
    It is legal to conceal carry a switchblade
    Under “Conclusion to Oregon knife law” it’s stated:

    It is illegal in Oregon to conceal carry, on your person, a dirk, dagger, or stabbing knife, a butterfly knife, gravity knife, or any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force.

    I”m sure that readers would be appreciative of any clarification.

  4. Bear in mind that “concealed” is always subject to considerable interpretation especially dependent upon circumstance.

  8. I own a Kershaw Special Agent boot knife. I’m not entirely sure what type of blade it classifies as, but I’m sure it’s classified as a dagger. Can anyone confirm what kind of blade the Kershaw Special Agent is?

  9. I’m a Wiccan and thus it is one of our practices to “cast a circle” with a dull blade called an athame. My regular athame has a dull blade about 5 inches long, so when we want to celebrate outdoors at a park (similar to a picnic) I very rarely bring my athame because I’m worried it could be illegal to have a blade (however dull) in public, even for religious purposes. Today I bought knife from eBay. It’s pretty dull but I plan on dulling it a little more. It’s a mini knife that doesn’t fold, the blade is a little less than 3 inches long. Very small. I bought it because I thought no self respecting police officer could consider such a tiny thing any danger or any more dangerous than a dollar store pocket knife.
    What do you think? Could this 3 inch dull knife lead to me getting into any trouble in public?

    • Also, this brings up the question, if someone were to have a picnic at a public park and brought steak knifes and a large knife to cut cheese or fruit or whatever, could they get in trouble? If not, I don’t think it would be fair for a small group of people practicing their religion with (dull) knifes to get in trouble either.

      • The main issue there is that steak knives, chef’s knives, etc., are not considered “daggers, dirks, or stabbing knives” to begin with (even though they can be used for stabbing, that’s not their primary purpose as designed), while a dagger-style athame is very likely to be considered a stabbing knife if the tip is sharp.

    • “It is legal to open carry any type of knife.”

      As long as you aren’t concealing it, disturbing the public, being a menace, or whatever, I don’t see what the problem would be.

      • Alright thank you. By concealing you mean hiding it in my pocket and saying I have no weapon to an officer? Because what if I’m traveling to the area and have it in a backpack?

        • Concealed means concealed in any way, as long as it’s on your person or moves with your person, which most likely includes inside a backpack. If it is not visible to casual inspection, it’s concealed.

          Either knife would be 100% legal to carry, dull or sharp, if it’s in a belt sheath where both the sheath and the handle are visible outside your clothing, or strapped to the outside of your backpack in a fully visible manner.

          But hiding a portion of the knife, i.e. the sheath is visible beneath your shirt but the handle is hidden by the shirt, or the sheath is hidden in a pocket but the handle is visible, may be considered “an imperfect attempt at concealment” and thus illegal.

          If it’s too dull to cut or stab, however, I seriously doubt any court of law would actually consider it a knife. The important thing there would be for the tip to be rounded enough that it can’t be used to stab with, since Oregon law specifically prohibits stabbing knives. If only the edges are dull but the point is sharp-ish, that leaves you with a “stabbing knife” for sure, as it cannot cut, only stab.

        • Have to disagree with Heartcall here, repectfully. If you have a knife in a backpack, in such a way as you have to set the thing down and dig the knife out to use it, it’s not concealed carry, because it’s not “carry”. Carry means you can get at it easily. Most jurisdictions let you carry a knife in a toolbox or tool roll. Shoving what is essentially an ineffective butterknife into the bottom of your pack should be no problem at all. And, even in Oregon, if you can’t convince them with the 2nd Amendment, you can piffle them with the First–it’s a religious item. End of discussion.

          Also, there’s the 4th Amendment. If the thing is in your pack, insist the officer get a warrant to search it.

          Really. I lived in Portland for over 20 years and talked to a police officer about twice. Just be cool 🙂

          • I’m down here in Texas, and I’ve been stopped a couple times for my kirpans… and I carry miniature ones that are perfectly legal in my jurisdiction. Carrying the minimum size as prescribed by my faith would end up with some sort of court battle. Nowadays, I tend to conceal mine (an officer suggested that I do so, in order to avoid being stopped… for openly carrying a blade which is clearly legal), which is also against my faith. You can’t trust an officer to know the law, and therefore you can’t expect an officer to accurately/justly enforce the law. You also can’t expect the Bill of Rights to actually mean anything without a lengthy, expensive court battle, during which the burden of proof is on you, and you are not guaranteed to win, although the spirit and letter of the law are obviously on your side.

        • If you are wearing the backpack it will be considered concealed carry, but I am pretty sure the cops aren’t going to bother you if your just going camping. most cops aren’t going to bust your balls about the whole backpack knife thing unless you have your blade party out of the backpack than you can get in some trouble.

    • Unfortunately, a lot of states don’t make exceptions for religious blades. These statutes do technically violate your rights which are supposedly granted by the Bill of Rights, since you could not reasonably carry your black-handled athame (typically dull) and white-handled knife (typically sharp) (both of which are traditionally double-edged daggers, and should be wrapped in a black or white cloth except when in use during a ceremony… i.e., tradition prescribes that the blades and all other ritual tools be intentionally concealed from the uninitiated).

    • The best magical substitute for an item is the item. If you are trying to represent a sharp knife, yes you can use a dull one or even a wooden one, but the best item is a sharp metal knife of good quality.

    • What category would a Cold Steel T handle fall into. The blade is no different than a hunting knife but the T handle could be construed as a stabbing knife. Thoughts.

  10. I was stopped while walking home in downtown Springfield with a kershaw blur on my pocket. This is a 3.4″ blade that swings to lock open and, due to the knife´s torsion bar, otherwise is held closed. Although it is A) a pocketknife (under any definition), B) there was no aggression or violence, C) kershaw´s SpeedSafe opening function is federally legal, and D) it was in view (clipped to my pocket) – the officer was stretching for an arrest and called it a concealed weapon. Along with a Disorderly for disagreeing with him. They will be overturned, but I still had to wear cuffs to jail. No matter what you´re carrying be aware that the vagueness of the statutes work both ways regardless of intent.

  11. I’d like to clarify that the simplest way to avoid any entanglement with the law over the “stabbing weapon” lingo, such as “dirk” or “dagger,” is to make certain the blade you carry concealed is single edged. A single edged knife takes you straight away from any logical or legal discussion of “designed for stabbing.”

    Also, a pocket clip on a folder, no matter how deep the knife sits, is not considered partially of fully or imperfectly “concealed.” Pocket clips are legally accepted as a form of open carry, just like a belt sheath is not “partially concealing” that a Buck 110 is in there.

  12. What about blades that are built into everyday objects such as a cane knife for example? The cane would be in the open and not concealed and acts as a sheath for the blade. Is it still considered a concealed weapon?

    • RE read the definition that was listed for concealed. Second paragraph, first sentence. A cain would be both readily available and distinguished.

  14. The article and laws don’t seem to address a non stabbing knife, non pocket knife, that is concealed. For example, I carry a large fixed blade knife (Becker BK5) when camping and hunting or working in my yard (in Portland). I often will head into a store with it on but I pull my shirt over it so I don’t make anyone uncomfortable. It rides high so it is basically hidden from anyone not looking for it. The blade is 8 inches long.

    • It is always better to open carry a fixed blade, who cares if someone gets uncomfortable, it is within your right as a law-abiding citizen to carry a knife.

  15. I am slightly confused here as this article states that “It is legal to conceal carry a switchblade”, but in the same section also states that “It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force (swinging the knife around)”.

    Are switch blades not a subset of blades that swing into position by spring?

    • If the switchblade “can” be considered a pocket knife, then youre good. If it’s double edged, it could be illegal to conceal carry. Switchblades are both legal and illegal. It just depends.

    • Holster-type-thing on the thigh… from reading this, as long as it’s visible, you’re good in Oregon. Under a skirt or something of the sort, meh, might be construed as attempt to conceal, and depending on the knife will get you in trouble.

    • I live in Oregon and yes our knife laws are pretty lame honestly. We have major knife companies here that make these types of tools/weapons and most people I know carry them

    • Yes it is as long as it is visible to the public and do not make an attempt to hide it. I do it all the time as a security guard in Oregon.

  17. I’m going on a survival expedition next month to Oregon and would like to bring along my Bowie knife. Would it be legal to carry it around on my backpack? Or is that considered concealed?

    • A survival knife for the sake of defense or utility use in the woods does not fall into civilian territories, and thus may actually be under the discretion of the United States Park Service. However, being the nephew of a former Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy in Oregon, I can assure you no Sheriff or Deputy is going to cuff you and pat you down as a threat just for carrying a big knife in the woods. Oddly enough, cops in MOST of Oregon are not asshats. To reiterate, so long as you do not have the weapon with the intent of being menacing or hidden away in your bag, you’re fine. If it is strapped to your back-pack or ruck-sack, and you are not waving it around when the cops show up, it’s all good. Hell, at that point you could probably get away with a 22-inch machete. Oregon is pretty chill, except Portland. F**k Portland.

    • Just carry it in a sheath on your belt. I’ve seen homeless people carrying 12 inch blades in sheaths. No one cares just don’t take it out at a Starbucks and we good ??

  18. I find the Oregon knife laws silly. Automatic knives are not better weapons. Even if opening speed were an issue, I just tested how quickly I can open my brother’s OTF vs. one of his unpowered folders, and the OTF is both slower and less reliable, as well as louder, heavier, and more unwieldly. This goes triple for balisongs, which take unskilled users something like 800 ms to open, vs. 80 for the folder.

    • Look, the issue with automatic knives is not their ability to harm others, it’s mostly about the ability to harm the user or cause accidents around the user. Inexperienced users are far more likely to harm themselves and/or others with a knife that opens of its own accord, as with the gravity knife, and especially in the case of the butterfly knife, a weapon that requires care and dexterity in order to manipulate in many cases.

    • I totally agree with Peter. It is just another way of Oregon legislature trying to make people feel more protected when they are not. Same goes for the firearms laws they are wanting to impose.

  19. Regarding: “In State v. Crumal, the Court found that the conceal carry statute referred to weapons that were on and moved along with the carrier’s body. “, does this mean that an UN-concealed weapon, such as one carried on the outer clothing, on one’s head or in one’s hand clearly visible is considered “concealed”? Because that is exactly how this sounds. It sounds like the law says that any weapon being carried at ALL whether or not it is concealed is considered concealed. Is this true?

  22. We found a drug addict who was carrying a machete (probably 14″ in length) in a backpack and walking around a church property last night. We could clearly see the handle but not the blade. Is it legal for him to carry it in public? The was in Portland, OR.

  23. I wanna buy a SOG Flash II Tanto with a partially serrated blade, blade length of 3.5″. It’s assisted opening, and my question is does that count as something that swings into position by force of a spring? Basically, are assisted opening knives illegal to conceal carry?

  25. I read some where that pocket knives with a blade less than 2.5 inches are not considered a Dangerous Weapon by definition according to law. Is that true?

  27. So keeping my 7in Bowie knife, in it’s leather case on my belt (not hidden under my shirt) legal? Even if i’m walking around downtown portland?

    • Yes, anyone of any age can open carry any melee weapon in the state of Oregon. I’ve been open carrying combat knives and my handaxe since i was 14.

    • Not in Oregon. Or I’m pretty sure any state for that matter. Age restrictions are generally more restrictive than weapon type restrictions. I was not allowed to legally carry a 3.5 inch blade until I turned 16 (in my county), but a Bayonet? I’d assume we are referring either to the M9 8.5″ or the KA-BAR? Either way, you cannot carry that outside of private property unless it is for protection and utility purposes in wooded areas and non-populated areas of wilderness.

    • I believe it would be, but to be safe I would call or visit your local police department and ask them just to be safe.

  33. i heard that automatic knives and spring assisted knives are now legal, does anyone have anymore information on this?

  35. So wait, does Oregon count in-the-pocket as concealed carry?

    So we can carry a switchblade in our pocket but not a spring assisted knife?

    That doesn’t make sense…

  36. I was resently in trouble with the law for carrying a spring assisted knife, not concealed and being a felon has me worried….. How much time if convicted would i be looking at????

    Thanks
    Tremendously,
    Josh

  37. “It may appear that a switchblade has a blade that “projects by force of a spring” and therefore is a knife which one cannot legally conceal carry. However, the Court in State v. Ramer found that because a switchblade is type of pocketknife, and it is not illegal to carry a concealed pocketknife, it could not be illegal to conceal carry a switchblade.”

    WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG
    DANGEROUSLY WRONG!

    Go do the research on this case. This site is only telling half the story. Switchblade knives were indeed decided to be a pocketknife, that is correct. The other half of this case that this site dangerously leaves out is that while considered a pocketknife, switchblades were also considered to be stabbing weapons, making concealed carry of them 100% Illegal. Ramer was found innocent of carrying a concealed weapon, but guilty of carrying a stabbing weapon.

    http://www.leagle.com/decision/19831394671P2d723_11376/STATE%20v.%20RAMER

  38. If i have a spring knife, is it considered concealed if i have it in my pocket with the pocket clip visible or does the whole knife have to be visible

  41. You can open carry any kind of knife you want in Oregon. For Autos and Balisongs you can carry in your pocket with a clip! As long as you can see the hunting knife or dagger or Dirk it is not concealed! I love the knife laws here, wish our gun laws were as good!

  43. Is it legal to carry a folding pocket knife that is about a 4 in long blade and about 7 and a half long total if you are under the age of 18?

  46. I have a ” Gerber Skinner ” fixed blade , overall 71/2 ” with a 2 3/4 ” blade , is it legal to carry concealed ?

  48. All these laws are totally unconstitutional. My prefured knife is a balisong. I open carry mine. If they arrest me I guess it would be a good reason to sue for false arrest ????????????

  49. This is incorrect. It is not legal to carry a concealed switchblade knife in Oregon. The case that you cite (State. v. Ramer) is from 1983. At the time of that case’s decision 166.240 had language about exemptions for an “ordinary pocketknife.” That language is no longer in 166.240 and a switchblade would likely be captured by the language “any knife having a blade that projects. . . into position by force of a spring.”

  53. When it comes to definition the laws are weak: even if they use webster’s dictionary. It would be nice if the government would be very specific. How much of the weapon must be visible to constitute open carry? I mean you put the knife in a sheath for safety and that conceals it. Is it the handle that needs to be visible, does that include the blade?
    If you have a sheath that does not have a clip or belt loop on it. Then typically a reasonable person would put that part in a pocket and let the handle stick out.

    So how does the court view a handle sticking out and the sheath in a pocket? The blade is sheathed for a safety concern, the handle only is visible for practical reasons.

  55. So I have a Nodachi, its a sword and I dont know if I can carry it in public. I was wondering if I needed a licence to carry a sword or if its alright to just carry it in public. Its too big to hide but I was walking to practice and I got questioned by the cops. After I showed them it and it was in a bag strapped away they let me go with a warning to be carful.

  62. “State v. Ramer found that because a switchblade is type of pocketknife”
    I don’t see why you couldn’t use this case as precedence.. My 3 inch assisted blade knife is indeed a type of pocketknife as well.

    It seems to me this is more precedent saying it is just a pocketknife…
    “In 1978, in the case of State v. Pruett, the Supreme Court of Oregon found that a “Sportman’s” knife with a 3 ½-inch blade, which folded manually into the handle of the knife, but locked when fully open, was an “ordinary pocketknife”. “

  70. So, I’m curious as to what is considered concealed when carrying a pocket knife. I carry a pocket knife in my front pocket but clipped on the outside. Is that considered concealed?

  71. I just bought a 2 inch dagger with a holdster that hangs upside down with a chain hanging from my neck, so it’s not conceled… is this legal as a felon? You just want to wear it when hiking or when im somewhere i dont feel safe… what yall think? Would i get charged with felon in possession of weapon?

  73. I own a knife with a pocket clip, and it has a knob on the blade to assist opening ( a flipper) crkt M16-04
    the blade is 3.9 inches. is this legal to carry,
    if I clip it to the inside of my pocket is this considered concealed carry in the state of Oregon????

    Definition of Concealed Carry
    In State v. Turner, the Supreme Court of Oregon declared that a weapon was concealed if it was not readily identifiable as a weapon or if the person carrying it attempted to obscure the fact that he or she was carrying a weapon.

  74. Thanks for all the intrest .being informed is better then .be charged for lack of information.about rights .lets know our rights.

  75. Just reintroduced my self to throwing knives .an like to throw in out of the way spots .at parks .at dead tree logs.if spotted wanna know how i should be carrying .open an very visable of course.is my guess with big throwing knives. Thanks.

  77. Summary: In Oregon you are allowed to own any knife/pocket knife/sword/etc. If you are going to open carry a knife it has to be no more than (3 1/2 IN. Blade) and has to Manually fold open and lock against handle when fully open. Knifes that use any form of gravitational force/spring assist aren’t to be carried on your person otherwise you could get into trouble.

  82. I am turning 21 this month and I own a disguised knife; a pen knife and will be moving to Oregon. the blade is roughly 2″ long. Would it be legal to carry in my purse, backpack, etc?

  85. Here is the question in my view: How does the honest citizen protect themselves against vicious murderous criminals? Depend on the police? The police themselves are now targets and are being murdered, but they have weapons to protect themselves. So what about the honest citizen, they also are being murdered, but are for the most part defenseless. Depending on the police to protect you in this extremely dangerous world is living in a dream world. THE POLICE CAN NOT PROTECT YOU! So the laws that have been passed about weapons, for the most part, do not disarm the criminal, they disarm the honest citizen! Do not the lawmakers know this? So why do the lawmakers pass these laws? The answer must be to protect the lawmakers! The criminal politicians do not fear the criminal so much, it is the honest citizen they fear. The criminal politicians are afraid of the people, that the people may someday rise against them. Evil governments want to disarm the people. Vote carefully.

  88. is it legal to carry a spear on your person while in the woods in eastern oregon? i bought a schrade phantom spear and would like to know if its legal to carry.

    • Here’s the official ordinance:166.240 Carrying of concealed weapons.
      (1) Except as provided in subsection (2)
      of this section, any person who carries concealed
      upon the person any knife having a
      blade that projects or swings into position by
      force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any
      dirk, dagger, ice pick, slungshot, metal
      knuckles, or any similar instrument by the
      use of which injury could be inflicted upon
      the person or property of any other person,
      commits a Class B misdemeanor.

      If it was me, I’d stay away from a switchblade and get a really good pocket knife with a flipper opening mechanism since it shows your intentions may be a little less aggressive than a switchblade. Just my thoughts!

    • Yes but it has nothing to do with a concealed carry permit. Oregon concealed carry permit applies ONLY TO HANDGUNS. If you have an Oregon concealed carry permit and you conceal any weapon other than a handgun you are not compliant with the law. That means no baseball bats, crowbars, rifles, brass knuckles, nun-chucks, throwing stars, bazookas, etc. A pocket knife is not considered a weapon., and can be concealed with a few notable exceptions mentioned above in the article. Oregon considers a switchblade to be a pocket knife. However, if the switchblade is a dagger/stiletto or other double edged design intended for stabbing, I’d steer clear or ask your local PD/Sheriff. The laws are lenient, but without clear definition (like the difference between automatic and switchblade).

  90. It doesn’t mention karambits and I’m not sure if they legally fall into any of these categories, just wondering as I’m planning on purchasing one and would like to know if I’m allowed to carry, and by extension, conceal carry it with or without a permit.

    • Based on my interpretation of this, a karambit with a curved tip/ point would be legal as that wouldn’t be intended as a stabbing knife. So based on this language KaBar TDI is out.

    • Legal. Not a stabbing weapon. Unless you are committing crimes or are a convicted felon, it’s hard to get yourself in trouble with a knife in Oregon.

    • I would assume not, considering it isn’t a knife. You can’t be convicted of concealing an illegal weapon if it isn’t a weapon in the first place. if it is seen, it could be mis-identified, though, and therefore *might* be considered a misleading weapon, but I doubt it. Granted, I am nowhere near a professional, so I would take everything I say with a grain of salt.

  92. Short story, for 3 years I’ve had a fixed blade knife, in a sheath, with the entire handel visible out of my pocket while taking the local publically funded bus to and from work. This last Friday, for the first time ever, I had a diver challenge my right to carry stating: “it’s against federal law to carry a fixed blade knife on the bus.” Kicking me off the bus.

    I live in Eugene Oregon, an open carry city of an open carry State, and I was legally open carrying my legal knife.

    I haven’t been able to find any federal law restricting knives being carried on public transportation that doesn’t cross state lines. Near as I can tell the driver was wrong thoughts?

  93. How do machetes catagorize? I was wondering if it were legal to conceal or open carry a folding machete since I heard some places define them as tools rather than weapons. Also reguarding karambits, my interpretation as well as some other commenters was that they define as pocket knives(for folding karambits), and/or are negated from the stabbing catagory hince the rounded blade. I know a lot of models were designed for self defense, but were based off an agricultural variation as they were origionally intended. How would the law stand in terms of defining the karambit?

  94. So can we get an answer I am a felon with 10 + felonies in Oregon State and Washington State I am in Oregon State right now facing criminal charges for felon in possession of a weapon allegedly a firearm police confiscated my band and towed it to their impound lot while seeking a search warrant I have about 5 knives all fixed blades all super Sharp double edged with serrated blades and all on Magic mount magnetic holders hanging from my front windshield in my vehicle all in Arms Reach from my driver seat also a Smith and Weston machete a Smith & Wesson Hatchet is Smith & Wesson tomahawk next to my driver’s seat is a solid steel handle and axe the knife closest to my reach has about a 14-inch blade huge blade right next to my driver’s window hanging from the windshield is it illegal for me to possess these knives they’re all in plane visible site and none of them were attempted to be concealed can they charge me for having those knives are they illegal it doesn’t say much about fixed blades or serrated blades in any of the comments I’m off parole all cases are closed and I am a free man other than my gun rights taken away for life do I need to worry about tonight being in plain sight giving the police probable cause for a search warrant for my whole vehicle as well as the gun case in the back of the van in plain sight carrying a 22 allegedly?

    • Hey Vincent;
      Thanks for checking out Knifeup and asking your question. I have two points to answer your question. The first one is that your case is complicated enough with your previous convictions, that you may be in a whole other category when it comes to determining what is legal or illegal. Ultimately, I’d get the counsel of a legal professional in Oregon since I’m not a lawyer and can’t give you “official” information anyway.
      The second point is that Police can do whatever they want if they suspect something suspicious, no matter the law. Given your former convictions, they could probably hassle you even if you weren’t overtly illegal in your actions. If you look suspicious and have very “dangerous-looking” weapons, I’d say you’re fair game for the cops. I’m not you, but if I were in your shoes, I’d stick with a small but potent pocket knife as my companion instead of 5 double-edged weapons. The police could simply ask you why you have such fierce weapons, and why you have five of them. Without a good answer, you could face some trouble, but that’s just my opinion. If anyone else has any ideas, let’s hear ’em please!
      Thanks Vincent,
      J.

  96. Hi,
    I unfortunately have a felony conviction from 10 years ago now. I live in the Portland metro area and was hoping someone could provide some clarification on knifes that swing open via centrifugal force? I am interested in getting a zt 0450, which isn’t assisted but open manually via a flipper. Or a bm mini crooked river,which could technically be opened via axis lock. Does anyone know if either of these could be misconstrued as swing open via centrifugal force? Or if they violate the laws regarding felon carry?
    I use knifes every single day at work for cutting and would like to treat myself to something better than a box cutter.

  97. I am a lawyer this is the laws in Oregon
    DIRK AND DAGGER
    In the case of State v. Ruff, the Oregon Court of Appeals declared that since the terms “dirk” and “dagger” were not defined by statute, the legislature intended that the ordinary meanings of the words apply. When a Court uses the ordinary meaning of a word, it generally looks to Webster’s Dictionary for that meaning.
    RESTRICTIONS ON CARRY
    * It is illegal to conceal carry a dirk, dagger, or any stabbing knife
    * It is illegal to conceal carry a Balisong, or butterfly knife
    * It is illegal to conceal carry a gravity knife
    * It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force (swinging the knife around)
    * It is legal to conceal carry a pocketknife
    * It is legal to conceal carry a switchblade
    * It is legal to open carry any type of knife
    It may appear that a switchblade has a blade that “projects by force of a spring” and therefore is a knife which one cannot legally conceal carry. However, the Court in State v. Ramer found that because a switchblade is type of pocketknife, and it is not illegal to carry a concealed pocketknife, it could not be illegal to conceal carry a switchblade.
    DIRK AND DAGGER
    In the case of State v. Ruff, the Oregon Court of Appeals declared that since the terms “dirk” and “dagger” were not defined by statute, the legislature intended that the ordinary meanings of the words apply. When a Court uses the ordinary meaning of a word, it generally looks to Webster’s Dictionary for that meaning.

    • Fixed blade hunting knifes are not what I would call “stabbing” knives, normal considered to be long thin blades. It would seem that you should be able to conceal a hunting knive since it would not fall under any other restrictions. Your thoughts. 2. I have been told that Kershaw knives that use a torsion bar to open do not fall under the statute of spring assisted and may be concealed. Have you heard anything?

  100. I recently got a throwing hatchet for Christmas. What are the laws about where I can and cannot throw it? I would like to go up into the forest nearby and practice throwing either at trees or a circular cut of wood.

    • Hey Bear;
      As a good rule of thumb, stay FAR away from public places. There’s no way you’ll get away with chucking an ax anywhere kids or families might be. The best scenario is to do it where no one can see and preferably on your own land. Otherwise, various clubs and dedicated throwing areas do exist for a fee.
      Thanks for dropping by and I wish I could offer you more specific advice on this, but I’m not actually allowed to since I’m not a lawyer. Only a legal pro in Oregon can give you a definitive answer.
      cheers,
      J.

    • law says u cannot throw it on the city bus, concerts, school functions, at neighbors car, etc. use none living targets, that U own on Ur property(unless legally hunting, with a tomahawk, if thats the case then u rock)

  101. This is what is so ridiculous about these vague unconstitutional knife laws.
    So basically I can carry a K-bar or sword around public so long as it’s “open carried”.

    But a kurshaw chive clipped on my pocket MIGHT get me thrown in jail.

    Right…..

    CA actually did something correct about this and added a small line into their knife laws to clarify that these assisted knives are totally acceptable are not what was intended to be illegal.

    https://socallawblog.blogspot.com/search?q=knife

    To clarify all the confusion regarding what did and didn’t qualify as a “switchblade” in California, the legislature revamped section 17235 of the Penal Code by adding one sentence to the law. The addition, in italics, was intended to clarify that assisted openers ARE legal to carry in the State of California. Today, that code section reads as follows:

    “A ‘switchblade knife’ means a knife having the appearance of a pocketknife and includes a
    spring-blade knife, snap-blade knife, gravity knife, or any other similar type knife, the blade or blades of which are two or more inches in length and which can be released automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, flip of the wrist or other mechanical device, or is released by the weight of the blade or by any type of mechanism whatsoever. ‘Switchblade knife’ does not include a knife that opens with one hand utilizing thumb pressure applied solely to the blade of the knife or a thumb stud attached to the blade, provided that the knife has a detent or other mechanism that provides resistance that must be overcome in opening the blade, or that biases the blade back toward its closed position.”

  102. Go to any knife store in Oregon ask a cleark. From what i was told the clip on the out side of your pocket as long as its “viable” is open carry. But laws change so keep up.

  103. It is illegal to conceal carry any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force (swinging the knife around)

    It is legal to conceal carry a switchblade

    Can you clarify the difference? Or is this a typo?

    • Hey Seth;
      Not a typo. From my research, I found that the law actually says:

      “…any person who carries concealed upon the person any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any dirk, dagger, ice pick, slungshot, metal knuckles, or any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person, commits a Class B misdemeanor”.

      However, as I mentioned in the article …

      “It may appear that a switchblade has a blade that “projects by force of a spring” and therefore is a knife which one cannot legally conceal carry. However, the Court in State v. Ramer found that because a switchblade is type of pocketknife, and it is not illegal to carry a concealed pocketknife, it could not be illegal to conceal carry a switchblade.

      So there you have it. I hope that helps answer the apparent contradiction!
      Cheers,
      J.

    • In Oregon any knife thatslides into the locked position without manually using your hand/fingers is illegal. A gravity knife, or any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force. I own several of the Kershaw Centrifugal force knives you describe as “open assist”. My Brother is an Oregon Criminal Defense Attorney. Last summer he noticed I had this very Kershaw clipped to my right front pocket. He asked me if I could open it for him to see. Once I did he told me that he has defended several clients unsuccessfully who simply carried these particular knives. Cops are assholes and good everyday people who were literally walking their dog in front of their own homes were stopped by police. Most people don’t know this law so they wear the knife clipped to one of their front pockets. The cop sees the clip part of the knife and asks the good Citizen to show them the knife. Most people naturally show the cop and then they get cited for carrying an illegal knife. It costs about $5,000 dollars to defend ones self properly. If you have no priors, you usually get a minimum fine and a very scathing lecture from the Judge. Also it is on your record and it is a crime , so your F’d for the rest of your life. Furthermore it is now a personal choice of mine to never buy another Kershaw again. The Japanese company based in Tualatin Oregon flies their Japanese flag above the American flag. To me this is out of the question and not okay. Of course I will keep my previously purchased kershaw knives, but I will never buy another one again. I am an avid high quality knife collector. I buy Buck, Old Timer, and a few other American made brands these days. I also love Gerber! I am NOT an attorney, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

    • Skippy, I’ve also driven by their office in OR. All the flag poles are at the same height. The Japanese flag is at the center because they’re a Japanese company. There is also an American flag & an Oregon flag. It’s not a big deal. Chill. Everyone has pride in their own country, but having pride in your own country doesn’t necessarily mean you’re disparaging another.

    • The knife can not exceed the length of your forearm (wrist to elbow) at that point its classified as a sword

  108. How do you carry a knife as small as a switchblade without it being concealed? Is there some type of switch blade holster? I’m serious. I want to carry a switch blade for protection, but not sure how to carry it without getting in trouble for it being hidden/ concealed

    • Hey Jess;
      Great question and good point! The only answer I have is that you can buy a sheath for a switchblade (just Google Switchblade sheath). It does not look very threatening at all since it’s a nylon pouch that covers the whole knife with no handle or menacing blade showing. I think (my opinion only) that using such a sheath is your only practical way to carry a switchblade openly.
      cheers,
      J.

  109. I have an Italian style OTF Stiletto, with a dagger blade. The sheath can be worn on a belt, but completely encases the knife. Would this be legal to open carry, as long as the sheath is fully visible?

    • Yes. An appellate ruling states along as the the knife is on a sheath connected to ones belt it cannot be considered conceal carry. I have one and i put my jacket over it all the time. Since on in a sheath holster on my belt it’s not considered concealed even if covered.

  110. So I recently bought a fixed blade knife and I just want to be sure I understand this right. As long as it is completely visible and not covered in any way it is legal to carry, right? The blade itself is 6 3/4″ long and it is a single edged blade. I understand that it could be misinterpreted as a “stabbing weapon”, but honestly how high would the risk be of a cop saying that? I just want to carry it around because its a good solid blade that I feel like would be really useful to have on me for misc work and if need be self defence. The sheath is really sturdy and very well made so there’s no risk of it slipping out or anything, so there’s no issue there imo.
    for reference, here’s the link to the knife in specific https://www.coldsteel.com/leathernecksf-d2.html

  111. The fixed karambit is basically a curved dagger as both edges are sharpened to a point. You could not carry one concealed. Aside from that they also have a metal knuckle in the design which may put them in a hole different class? This knife was designed as a stabbing and slashing weapon as anyone who has trained in fighting with one can attest to.

    • I hope you’re wrong. I just bought a Fox 598 Fixed blade Karambit yesterday. It doesn’t make sense, because neck knives are basically the same thing, and nobody glances twice at neck knives.

  112. Hi, I’m 18, and just want to know if it would be legal for me to carry a 2 inch blade in my front pants pocket. It’s manual to open 100%

    There is no specific law that I could find saying exactly what counts as open vs concealed carry, and as a young adult who needs to protect themselves, I don’t want to trip over a technicality of me carrying it into a store when all I’m doing it’s buying milk and getting home safe

  114. hey guys I’m 27 With a felony for weed back in 2012. am I able to open carry a 4″ fixed blade. also because I also am a bow hunter and want to make sure I’m good to have one out in backcountry

    • Frank.

      Unfortunately you may not conceal nor open carry a dirk, dagger or stabbing knife.

      Those knives are generally fixed blade. Oregon law doesnt clearly define dirk, dagger or stabbing knife but if i were you i wouldn’t push it. Just go get your knife rights back first.

    • The way I read it is only a folding (no assist) pocketknife can be concealed on or in close proximity. You can carry any blade unconcealed. I think it’s time to go sword!

  115. If you have a concealed firearms permit, does that same permit allow you to conceal carry a knife that may otherwise be considered illegal if not worn in the open?

    Dave

    • In reply to David Kendall:

      No.

      in Oregon, the permit is not a concealed firearms permit, it is a “concealed handgun license” and only applies to handguns, not other firearms, not knives not any weapon other than a handgun.

  117. I walk with a slight limp and use a walking stick from time to time (especially when it’s cold outside). I don’t read the statute as prohibiting sword canes that conceal a blade longer than a dirk (>25 in). Am I missing something here. Is there a different statute than 166.240 that I should be looking at?

  118. Great description of the details re: knives in the State of Oregon. That’s the Good News.

    The Not So Wonderful part (the gap): does case law describe what constitutes Open and Concealed Carry?

    Example: I own an assisted blade knife (blade projects forward from the handle, by releasing via slide-type button at the opposing end of the handle.

    This knife has a clip on the handle (as do countless knives), for holding the knife onto the pocket slit.

    Would the exposure of the clip on the pocket slit constitute open carry. In my mind, applying the “reasonable person” phrase, a reasonable person would identify the pocket clip as attached to a knife.

    Sorry for droning on, but I wished to be detailed.

    Your assistance will be appreciated. Thank you.

  119. I was wondering if it is legal to carry a Ka-bar TDI under a shirt clipped to a belt in Oregon? Been thing of buying a TDI knife but I want to know the law on it first before sending money on it.

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