New Jersey law prohibits the possession “without any explainable lawful purpose” of any “gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, dangerous knife or ballistic knife.” Possession of a weapon in one’s home is arguably a “lawful purpose.” Pocket knives may be carried outside the home, except by one having unlawful intent or who possesses the knife for some unlawful purpose. Self-defense beyond the limits of one’s home is not a lawful purpose.
i’m pretty sure that posession of automatic daggers is illegal. could be wrong. regarding carrying them…i’m pretty sure that you need to have a legal reason for having them other than self defense, but could be wrong again. i was told that second one by a couple local cops that i’m friends with.
No knife is legal for self defense in nj. Even if you’re carrying a butter knife, the moment you tell a cop it’s for self defense you become the next test case.
I am not talking about self defense or any other reason for edc. I am talking strictly about having it in my house as part of a collection, nothing else.
I started collecting knives before I started my firearms journey and they still hold a special place in my heart. From my understanding most knives are legal in NJ. The main no goes are gravity and switch blades ( OTF’s can be owned but it needs a special reason why you are carrying them. I don’t risk it personally)
My recommendation ( based on some of the stuff I own)
Para Military 2 - old reliable great everyday use knife. Comes in multiple flavors so you can find your perfect match. Go to choice for people new to the hobby
Kershaw Knockout - great more budget option and it’s assisted opening ( not an auto) but feels really close
bench made bugout - over priced based on current offering of the market but if you want a light weight offering this is a serious contender
Microtech Stitch or MSI - both great offering from Microtech but these are BIG boys and if you don’t like the weight/heft it can be a deal breaker. But are great knives that can be used hard.
Kunwu Excalibur - my current EDC it’s a great knife and works perfect for me. It’s not cheap but based on materials and quality it can’t be beat imo. There are two main version( full titanium or carbon fiber) I own both and they are good to go.
Chris Reeves Large Inkosi - not for everyone given the price point but if you want to just buy one knife and use it forever this is the way to go. Great material and the warranty/after service can’t be beat. ( I carry this one a lot as well)
Knives in pic from top to bottom and left to right
I was on a grand jury last year and when they gave a prohibited weapon class to help the uneducated the detective said something about a knife that both edges were sharp and mentioned a bayonet, any true info on this in the written law? I like the short bayonet as a utility tool in the car
From what I have been told by my LEO friends, any knife is technically legal as long as you are carrying it for a legal reason. In the same breath however, every knife is illegal if it is in your possession if you are arrested for any crime. It could be shoplifting but if you are carrying you will also incur an illegal weapons charge. I knew a UPS driver who got into a bar fight after his shift and had a box cutter in his pocket and was charged. He didn’t pull it out or try to use it but still got charged. Crappy law…
The Stitch is great - they recently released a smaller version called the M-Stitch thats much more EDC friendly. I just picked it up last week - posting here w/ my full size Stitch so you can see the size comparison.
The action on the Mini stitch is amazing lol. I’d say its smoother than the full size stitch I have. That said, the mini in the pic is a Marfione “Select” so its supposed to be their mid-tech line. What I dont know is whether their Select line means just the finishes, etc. or if they improve the action as well.
I’m playing with it right now and its smooth as buttahhh.
so a double edged knife is illegal? now I have to ask, what is the NJ legal definition of an “edge”? not being a wise ass but if i grind the “edge” off the short side of a bayonet does that make it legal?