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Louis Martin Custom Knives

Reviewed September 2026

Delaware Knife Laws

In Delaware, switchblades are legal and butterfly knives are restricted. Carrying a deadly weapon concealed requires a license; ordinary pocket knives with blades 3.75 inches or under (folding or not, since 2025) are exempt. The blade limit to know: 3.75 inches for the concealed pocket-knife exemption.

Switchblades: Legal

Legalized by SB 108, signed July 31, 2025, ending a ban in place since 1953.

Butterfly Knives: Restricted

Not named by statute and untested in Delaware courts; treat carry as a gray area.

Concealed Carry

Carrying a deadly weapon concealed requires a license; ordinary pocket knives with blades 3.75 inches or under (folding or not, since 2025) are exempt.

Local Ordinances

Delaware has no statewide preemption, so cities and counties can add stricter rules. Check local ordinances before carrying. Also bans undetectable knives, throwing stars, and gravity knives.

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: Del. Code tit. 11, §§1442, 1446, 1457

Carrying a concealed deadly weapon other than an ordinary pocketknife is a Class G felony under §1442, elevated to Class F within a Safe School and Recreation Zone that extends 1,000 feet beyond school property. Effective July 30, 2025, Delaware repealed its automatic knife restrictions and expanded the ordinary pocketknife blade limit from 3 inches to 3.75 inches. State v. Harmon, 800 A.2d 1289 (2002) held blade length is measured as the entire knife excluding the handle.

Delaware Knife Law FAQ

Are switchblades legal in Delaware?
Switchblades (automatic knives) are legal in Delaware. Legalized by SB 108, signed July 31, 2025, ending a ban in place since 1953. Reviewed September 2026; this is general information, not legal advice.
Are butterfly knives legal in Delaware?
Butterfly knives (balisongs) are restricted in Delaware. Not named by statute and untested in Delaware courts; treat carry as a gray area.
Is it legal to carry a knife in Delaware?
Generally yes, within limits: Carrying a deadly weapon concealed requires a license; ordinary pocket knives with blades 3.75 inches or under (folding or not, since 2025) are exempt. Carrying any knife with intent to use it unlawfully is a crime everywhere.
What size knife can you legally carry in Delaware?
The limit to know is 3.75 inches for the concealed pocket-knife exemption. Also bans undetectable knives, throwing stars, and gravity knives.

Traveling Through?

Knife law changes at the state line. Bordering states: Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.

Hand-Forged Knives, Shipped to Delaware

Every Louis Martin blade is hand-forged and ships free anywhere in the US. Start with our pocket knives and everyday carry pieces, browse the full collection, and keep our national knife law guide handy when you travel.