Ohio knife laws, regarding fixed blade, and folders?

S

Sanitarium 73

Joined
Nov 30, 2004
Messages
5
I am hoping someone can clear up a few concerns I have regarding the knife laws in Ohio.

I was told that folders with blades lengths less than or equal to 4 inches were legal to carry. Also, if the particular knife was equipped with some sort of a pocket clip, would the clip have to be visible?

On to fixed blades. I was told that fixed blade knives of any blade length could be carried, so long as it was sheathed, and in plain sight. This was said to apply to swords as well. I doubt the truthfullness behind this one...so I wanted to ask the experts!

Thus far, I have been unable to find a current version of the Ohio knife laws. I appreciate the assistance anyone can provide!

Jim
 
I can't answer this, but always remember that you have state laws as well as municipal laws (ordinances) to check. In many cases, a state has no length limits, but your city, town, or village may!

And if you go into another location for work, school, shopping, etc., *their* local ordinances apply.
 
There is no statewide restriction on blade length. Some municipalities have restrictions as far down as 2.5 inch. If you are carrying the knife as a weapon, it must not be concealed, that is a violation of a state concealed weapon law. If it is carried as a tool, your guess is as good as mine whether the clip must be showing. Sound vauge? It is.

I'm not a lawyer. Yet.
 
Here is an online version of the ORC.

Hope this helps.

The previous poster hit it. No length provisions under ORC, but local municipalities may have restrictions.

There is a provision for carrying concealed "weapons", not "tools".
 
Problem is, both everything and nothing is legal. There are no mentions in the ORC of butterfly knives, but they are illegal in may munies. Be sane, and you'll be fine, though. :)
 
They hit it on the head. No length restrictions for the state. Learn local laws. The farther from a larger town you are, the less hassle you might face. Ohio has left it up to the LEO to determine if the knife you carry is a weapon. You should follow suit. Never refer to your knife as a weapon. While I have heard some LEO's say this is splitting hairs, I know of someone who was arrested for CCW for carrying a slipjoint folder. He was stopped in New Albany. The Officer asked if he had any weapons on him or in his car. He answered that all he had was his pocket knife. He was aksed to step out of the car, frisked, cuffed and arrested. Judge tossed it because it was obvious that he wasn't carrying a weapon and he didn't have a record. The judge did ask him why he admitted he was carrying a weapon when he wasn't.

I would suggest carrying pocket knives with clips actually clipped to your pocket so it can be seen. Fixed blades- don't go crazy and carry an 11" bowie in the open. YOU WILL BE STOPPED!
 
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