A local sporting goods store had a great sale on this 4.5" folding knife.

So I bought one.

Then I wondered if I can carry it around in a pocket legally, or is it relegated to being a tool box knife.

After reading Web sites on California knife law, I realized California has fairly unrestrictive knife laws.

As far as I can tell the S&W folding knifes are legal to carry concealed -- and there is no maximum blade length.

As long as it isn't a switchblade it OK. And my reading is these knifes don't qualify as switchblades here based on the penal code definition.

I'm wondering about other states? Are rules more restrictive most places?

It's hard to believe there is something here in California that the legislature hasn't gotten around to making illegal.

A few cities (LA and SF) have more restrictive laws -- figures.

The knife is legal to carry in Calif, except for ordinances in some cities. Outside of Calif, who knows? This model, and similar versions, are sold in many sporting goods stores, gun shows in Calif., and online, at often very low prices. Good value for your money, even though most are made in China for Taylor Cutlery, S&W knife licensee. Ed.

Not to worry... I'm sure that the CA legislature will be along shortly, they'll need something else to protect the public from, after they have finished banning all handguns except for possibly break open, single shot .22 rimfires, and limiting our ammo purchases to one 50 rd box every other month, in even numbered years only.

As with gun laws, knife laws vary by state, some have more, some have less.

In 2009 there was an effort at the Federal level by the Office of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to alter their interpretation of the definition of switchblade knives in 1958 Switchblade Knife Act, to include spring-assisted or one-handed-opening knives.

That would have led to about 80% of the folding knives on the market becoming illegal.

Fortunately thanks to the efforts of various pro-knife organizations such as kniferights.org (like what the NRA is to firearms), it didn't succeed... The 2010 fiscal year budget bill passed for the Deptment of Homeland Security (which oversees the US Border Patrol) contained an ammendment that clarified that assisted-opening pocketknives are exempt from current (my emphasis) regulation.

Oh.... and CA hasn't been completely sitting on the sidelines either: Knife Rights - California Appeals Court Throws Out Misguided Switchblade Ruling

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222