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Are Automatic Knives Legal in Washington?

Are Automatic Knives Legal in Washington?

The Short Answer

No. Automatic knives — including OTF knives, switchblades, and gravity knives — are illegal for most people in Washington State. The state classifies them as "spring blade knives" and prohibits their manufacture, sale, possession, and carry by the general public. There are narrow exceptions for law enforcement, firefighters, rescue personnel, and military members on official duty. Washington is one of the more restrictive states in the country when it comes to automatic knives.

What Washington Law Actually Says

The Statute (RCW 9.41.250)

Washington's key knife statute is RCW 9.41.250, titled "Dangerous weapons — Penalty." It defines and restricts spring blade knives:

"'Spring blade knife' means any knife, including a prototype, model, or other sample, with a blade that is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement. A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not a spring blade knife."

The statute makes it a gross misdemeanor to:

  • Manufacture a spring blade knife
  • Sell or dispose of a spring blade knife
  • Possess a spring blade knife

What That Means in Plain English

Washington draws a clear line. If the blade deploys automatically — by spring, button press, gravity, or centrifugal force — it's a spring blade knife and it's illegal for civilians. That covers:

  • Side-opening automatic knives (traditional switchblades)
  • OTF (out-the-front) knives — both single and dual-action
  • Gravity knives
  • Balisongs used as gravity knives (if the blade falls open by gravity)

The statute specifically carves out assisted-opening knives — those with a "bias toward closure" that require manual force to initiate opening. Those are legal.

OTF Knives in Washington

OTF knives are illegal in Washington. An OTF knife deploys its blade automatically via a spring mechanism activated by a button or slider — that's the textbook definition of a "spring blade knife" under RCW 9.41.250. It doesn't matter what brand, what blade length, or what you intend to use it for. Possession alone is a gross misdemeanor.

Switchblades vs. Automatic Knives: What Washington Considers Them

Washington uses the term "spring blade knife" rather than "switchblade" or "automatic knife." The definition is broad and covers essentially any knife where the blade deploys without manual force applied directly to the blade itself.

Here's how the different types break down under Washington law:

| Knife Type | Legal in Washington? | |---|---| | Side-opening automatic (switchblade) | No | | OTF (out-the-front) automatic | No | | Gravity knife | No | | Assisted opener (bias toward closure) | Yes | | Manual folding knife | Yes | | Fixed blade knife | Yes |

The assisted-opener exception is critical. If the knife has a spring or detent mechanism that creates a bias toward closure — meaning you have to physically push the blade open before the spring assists — it's legal. This is the standard design for most "assisted opening" knives from major manufacturers like Kershaw, Benchmade, and Zero Tolerance.

Carrying Knives in Washington

Open Carry

Open carry of legal knives (manual folders, fixed blades, assisted openers) is permitted, but there's a catch. RCW 9.41.270 makes it unlawful to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any knife:

"...in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons."

This is a judgment-based statute. Carrying a fixed blade on your belt in a rural area? Probably fine. Brandishing a large knife downtown at night? That could trigger a charge.

Concealed Carry

RCW 9.41.250 also addresses concealed carry, making it a gross misdemeanor to:

"Furtively carry with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon."

Key words: furtively and intent to conceal. The Washington Supreme Court in State v. Myles (1995) explained that "furtively" means "stealthily, secretly, sneakily, or slyly." Simply having a knife in your pocket isn't necessarily furtive — but context matters enormously.

The court also established a "circumstances of possession" doctrine. A paring knife in your kitchen is a utensil. That same paring knife concealed on a street corner at 2 AM could be a "dangerous weapon." Whether a legal knife becomes a "dangerous weapon" depends on how and where you're carrying it.

Where You Can't Carry (Restricted Locations)

Even legal knives are restricted in certain locations under Washington law:

  • Schools (RCW 9.41.280): All knives and dangerous weapons prohibited on public or private school premises, school buses, and school activity areas
  • Court facilities and jails: Weapons prohibited
  • Law enforcement facilities and correctional institutions: Weapons prohibited
  • Establishments classified as 21+ by the state liquor and cannabis board: Weapons prohibited

Blade Length Restrictions

Washington state law has no specific blade length restriction for legal knife types. However, several cities have enacted their own ordinances. Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver all prohibit the open or concealed carry of any "dangerous knife," defined as a knife with a blade longer than three and one-half inches. Since Washington has no statewide preemption for knife laws, these local ordinances are enforceable.

If you carry in any of Washington's larger cities, treat 3.5 inches as your practical blade length ceiling.

What About Assisted Openers?

Assisted-opening knives are specifically exempted from Washington's spring blade knife definition. The statute says:

"A knife that contains a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to create a bias toward closure of the blade and that requires physical exertion applied to the blade by hand, wrist, or arm to overcome the bias toward closure to assist in opening the knife is not a spring blade knife."

This is a clear, intentional carve-out. Assisted openers are legal to own, carry, buy, and sell in Washington.

Buying Automatic Knives in Washington

You cannot legally buy, sell, or possess automatic knives in Washington as a civilian. RCW 9.41.250 prohibits the manufacture, sale, and disposition of spring blade knives.

There is one notable exception: RCW 9.41.251 provides that the restrictions do not apply to "any manufacturer or commercial distributor." In other words, a company can manufacture or distribute spring blade knives in Washington for sale to other states or to authorized personnel — but they can't sell them to regular Washington residents.

If you're ordering a knife online and shipping it to Washington, an automatic knife is illegal to receive and possess.

Age Restrictions

Since automatic knives are illegal for everyone in Washington (except authorized personnel), age restrictions are moot. For legal knife types, the school-property restrictions apply to all persons, and the 21+ establishment restriction applies by definition.

Statewide Preemption

Washington has no statewide preemption for knife laws. Cities and counties can and do pass their own ordinances. As noted above, Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver all have a 3.5-inch "dangerous knife" restriction. Other jurisdictions may have additional restrictions. Always check local law when traveling within Washington.

Special Exceptions

The law provides exceptions for the following individuals regarding spring blade knives:

  • General authority law enforcement officers
  • Firefighters and rescue personnel
  • Washington State Patrol officers
  • Active military members

These exceptions only apply while the person is on official duty, transporting the knife to/from storage, or storing the knife. Clerical and secretarial personnel within these agencies are specifically excluded from the exception.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I carry an OTF knife in Washington?

No. OTF knives are classified as spring blade knives and are illegal to possess in Washington.

Are switchblades illegal in Washington?

Yes. All automatic knives, including traditional switchblades, are illegal for civilians in Washington under RCW 9.41.250.

Is there a blade length limit for knives in Washington?

No state-level limit, but Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver all restrict knives with blades over 3.5 inches. Check local ordinances.

Are assisted-opening knives legal in Washington?

Yes. The statute specifically exempts knives with a bias toward closure that require manual force to initiate opening.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws change — sometimes faster than websites update. Federal, state, and local laws may all apply to your situation, and local ordinances can be more restrictive than state law.

Before purchasing, carrying, or traveling with any automatic knife, OTF knife, or switchblade, verify current laws with official state and local sources. We are not attorneys, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on this information.

When in doubt, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

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