It is LEGAL to own and carry any type of knife in the State of Utah as long as you are not a restricted person as defined in 76-10-503.
Legal knives include a butterfly knife, dirk, dagger, stiletto, bowie knife, automatic*, gravity*, switchblade* or a disguised knife (in a belt buckle, necklace, etc.)
* See Federal restrictions below.

  • Bowie Knife
    Is essentially a heavy dagger with a pointed, straight 12-20 inch blade. The “toothpick” is balanced and weighted for throwing and can also be used for thrusting.
    The historical Bowie knife was not a single design but was a series of knives improved several times by Jim Bowie over the years. The version most
    commonly known as the historical Bowie knife was rather large and of massive construction, as knives go, usually having a blade of at least 6″ (15cm)
    in length, some reaching 12 inches (30cm) or more, with a relatively broad blade that was an inch and a half to two inches wide (4 to 5 cm) and made of steel
  • Pen Knife
    A small folding pocket knife, originally used for cutting a quill to make a pen nib. It may have single or multiple blades and additional tools
    incorporated into the design. Over the last hundred years, there has been a proliferation of multi-function knives with diverse and often ingenious
    gadgets including awls, reamers, scissors, nail files, corkscrews, tweezers, toothpicks, and so on, and the tradition continues with the incorporation of modern devices such as ballpoint pens, LED torches and USB flash drives. The most famous example of a multi-function knife is the Swiss Army knife, some versions of which number dozens of functions and are more of a folding multi-tool, incorporating a blade or two, than a penknife with extras.
  • Gravity Knife
    A knife that can be opened solely by the forces of gravity or centripetal force. One method of opening is where the blade exits out the front
    of the handle point-first and locks into place. Another form is like a switchblade, but instead of a button or spring, the knife is “flipped” out of the handle, and locked into place. To retract the blade back into the handle, a release lever or liner lock is pressed. Should the knife be equipped with a spring to open the blade, it is referred to as an Out-The-Front Automatic (OTF) knife, or a switchblade if it exits out of the side. Knives commonly mistaken for gravity knives include OTF automatic knives, the switchblade and the butterfly knife (or balisong), and occasionally common folding knives (see penny knife).
  • Gimlet
    A weapon that looks like an ice pick and opens like a switchblade knife.
  • Clasp Knife
    A folding knife, strictly speaking, is one equipped with some means of holding the blade in the open position when in use, so that it cannot close
    accidentally on the user’s fingers. The term tends to refer to a medium-sized to large knife. It implies a locking mechanism such as a twisting ring or catch that must be released in a distinct action before the knife can be folded, as opposed to the more usual sliding spring which requires only that a sufficient force be applied to the back of the knife for it to fold into the handle, and for which the term penknife is normally used. The term lock-knife or lockback knife also exists to make this distinction.
  • Dirk
    A Scots word for a long dagger; sometimes a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt, rather than a knife blade. Dirks were made with either
    double-edged or single-edged blades, and there was no standard blade configuration. Reference books covering naval dirks invariably show the popularity catch an opponent’s blade, a concept borrowed from the medieval Scottish dirk, and also often had an upper guard that bent forward at an angle, also intended to catch an opponent’s blade. The back edge of the curved clip point also called the “false edge,” was often sharpened to allow someone trained in European techniques of saber fencing to execute the maneuver called the “back cut” or “back slash.” A brass quillon was attached to protect the hand, usually cast in a mold.
    The blade shape was likely derived from the Spanish Navajo clasp knives carried in Spain and the Spanish colonies in the Americas.
  • Butterfly Knife / Balisong
    The Balisong, called a Butterfly knife in the West, and sometimes known as a Batangas knife, is a form of folding pocket knife with two handles that
    counter-rotate around the tang such that, when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the handles. In the hands of a trained user, the knife blade can be brought forth quickly using one hand. Manipulations (flipping) are performed for art or amusement and require great skill. Translated from Tagalog, the word “Balisong” means “Broken Horn” (literally, “baling sungay”) as the original Balisongs were made from carved animal horns and recycled knife blades. The name butterfly knife is a term coined in the United States much like “drumbox” for the kahon.
  • Jack Knife
    A large clasp knife. To fold or double. A large knife with one or more folding blades.
  • Stiletto
    a. A small dagger with a slender, tapering blade.
    b. Something shaped like such a dagger.
  • Switchblade
    There are two basic types of switchblades: Side-Opening and Out-The-Front (OTF).
    1. A side-opening knife’s blade pivots out of the side of the handle (in the same manner as an ordinary folding knife).
    2. An OTF knife’s blade slides directly forward, out of the tip of the handle.
    There are two types of OTF knives: Double Action and Single Action.
    • Double Action OTFs allow the user to extend or retract the blade with the press of a sliding button. Spring tension in these knives is provided by the movement of the button, which makes them much safer to carry since they will not open accidentally. However, the extra force the spring requires can also make the intentional opening more difficult.
    • Single Action OTFs require the user to retract the blade manually and compress the spring. Because they often use a lever to compress the spring, stronger springs can be used. This makes them open more vigorously than the double-action type and allows them to achieve tighter lock-ups.

State Laws

10-8-47.5. Knives regulated by state.
(1) As used in this section, "knife" means a cutting instrument that includes a sharpened or pointed blade.
(2) The authority to regulate a knife is reserved to the state except where the Legislature specifically delegates responsibility to a municipality.
(3) (a) Unless specifically authorized by the Legislature or, subject to Subsection (3)(b), a municipal ordinance with a criminal penalty, a municipality may not enact or enforce an ordinance or a regulation pertaining to a knife.
(b) A municipality may not enact an ordinance with a criminal penalty pertaining to a knife that is:
(i) more restrictive than a state criminal penalty pertaining to a knife; or
(ii) has a greater criminal penalty than a state penalty pertaining to a knife.

17-50-332. Knives regulated by state.
(1) As used in this section, "knife" means a cutting instrument that includes a sharpened or pointed blade.
(2) The authority to regulate a knife is reserved to the state except where the Legislature specifically delegates responsibility to a county.
(3) (a) Unless specifically authorized by the Legislature or, subject to Subsection (3)(b), a county ordinance with a criminal penalty, a county may not enact or enforce an ordinance or a regulation pertaining to a knife.
(b) A county may not enact an ordinance with a criminal penalty pertaining to a knife that is:
(i) more restrictive than a state criminal penalty pertaining to a knife; or
(ii) has a greater criminal penalty than a state penalty pertaining to a knife.

17B-1-103. Local district status and powers -- Registration as a limited purpose entity.
(7) (a) As used in this Subsection (7), "knife" means a cutting instrument that includes a sharpened or pointed blade.
(b) The authority to regulate a knife is reserved to the state except where the Legislature specifically delegates responsibility to a special district.
(c) Unless specifically authorized by the Legislature by statute, a special district may not adopt or enforce a regulation or rule pertaining to a knife.

76-10-501. Definitions.
(6) (a) "Dangerous weapon" means
(i) a firearm; or
(ii) an object that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
(b) The following factors shall be used in determining whether any object, other than a firearm, is a dangerous weapon:(ii) the primary purpose for which the object was made;
(iii) the character of the wound, if any, produced by the object's unlawful use;
(iv) the manner in which the object was unlawfully used;
(v) whether the manner in which the object is used or possessed constitutes a potential imminent threat to public safety; and
(vi) the lawful purposes for which the object may be used.

76-10-505.5. Possession of a dangerous weapon, firearm, or short barreled shotgun on or about school premises -- Penalties.
(1) As used in this section, "on or about school premises" means:
(a) (i) in a public or private elementary or secondary school; or
(ii) on the grounds of any of those schools;
(b) (i) in a public or private institution of higher education; or
(ii) on the grounds of a public or private institution of higher education; and
(iii) (A) inside the building where a preschool or child care is being held, if the entire building is being used for the operation of the preschool or child care; or
(B) if only a portion of a building is being used to operate a preschool or child care, in that room or rooms where the preschool or child care operation is being held.
(2) A person may not possess any dangerous weapon, firearm, or short barreled shotgun, as those terms are defined in Section 76-10-501, at a place that the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is on or about school premises as defined in this section.
(3) (a) Possession of a dangerous weapon on or about school premises is a class B misdemeanor.
(b) Possession of a firearm or short barreled shotgun on or about school premises is a class A misdemeanor.
(4) This section does not apply if:
(a) the person is authorized to possess a firearm as provided under Section 53-5-704, 53-5-705, 76-10-511, or 76-10-523, or as otherwise authorized by law;
(b) the possession is approved by the responsible school administrator;
(c) the item is present or to be used in connection with a lawful, approved activity and is in the possession or under the control of the person responsible for its possession or use; or
(d) the possession is:
(i) at the person's place of residence or on the person's property; or
(ii) in any vehicle lawfully under the person's control, other than a vehicle owned by the school or used by the school to transport students.
(5) This section does not prohibit prosecution of a more serious weapons offense that may occur on or about school premises.

76-10-503. Restrictions on possession, purchase, transfer, and ownership of dangerous weapons by certain persons -- Exceptions.(1) For purposes of this section:
(a) A Category I restricted person is a person who:
(i) has been convicted of a violent felony;
(ii) is on probation or parole for a felony;
(iii) is on parole from secure care, as defined in Section 80-1-102;
(iv) within the last 10 years has been adjudicated under Section 80-6-701 for an offense which if committed by an adult would have been a violent felony as defined in Section 76-3-203.5;
(v) is an alien who is illegally or unlawfully in the United States; or
(vi) is on probation for a conviction of possessing:
(A) a substance classified in Section 58-37-4 as a Schedule I or II controlled substance;
(B) a controlled substance analog; or
(C) a substance listed in Section 58-37-4.2.
(b) A Category II restricted person is a person who:
(i) has been convicted of:
(A) a domestic violence offense that is a felony;
(B) a felony that is not a domestic violence offense or a violent felony and within seven years after completing the sentence for the conviction, has been convicted of or charged with another felony or class A misdemeanor;
(C) multiple felonies that are part of a single criminal episode and are not domestic violence offenses or violent felonies and within seven years after completing the sentence for the convictions, has been convicted of or charged with another felony or class A misdemeanor; or
(D) multiple felonies that are not part of a single criminal episode;
(ii) (A) within the last seven years has completed a sentence for:
(I) a conviction for a felony that is not a domestic violence offense or a violent felony; or
(II) convictions for multiple felonies that are part of a single criminal episode and are not domestic violence offenses or violent felonies; and
(B) within the last seven years and after the completion of a sentence for a conviction described in Subsection (1)(b)(ii)(A), has not been convicted of or charged with another felony or class A misdemeanor;
(iii) within the last seven years has been adjudicated delinquent for an offense which if committed by an adult would have been a felony;
(iv) is an unlawful user of a controlled substance as defined in Section 58-37-2;
(v) is in possession of a dangerous weapon and is knowingly and intentionally in unlawful possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance as defined in Section 58-37-2;
(vi) has been found not guilty by reason of insanity for a felony offense;
(vii) has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial for a felony offense;
(viii) has been adjudicated as mentally defective as provided in the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Pub. L. No. 103-159, 107 Stat. 1536 (1993), or has been committed to a mental institution;
(ix) has been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces;
(x) has renounced the individual's citizenship after having been a citizen of the United States;
(xi) is a respondent or defendant subject to a protective order or child protective order that is issued after a hearing for which the respondent or defendant received actual notice and at which the respondent or defendant has an opportunity to participate, that restrains the respondent or defendant from harassing, stalking, threatening, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner, as defined in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 921, or a child of the intimate partner, in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the intimate partner or child of the intimate partner, and that:
(A) includes a finding that the respondent or defendant represents a credible threat to the physical safety of an individual who meets the definition of an intimate partner in 18 U.S.C. Sec. 921 or the child of the individual; or
(B) explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily harm against an intimate partner or the child of an intimate partner; or
(xii) except as provided in Subsection (1)(d), has been convicted of the commission or attempted commission of misdemeanor assault under Section 76-5-102 or aggravated assault under Section 76-5-103 against an individual:
(A) who is a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian;
(B) with whom the restricted person shares a child in common;
(C) who is cohabitating or has cohabitated with the restricted person as a spouse, parent, or guardian;
(D) involved in a dating relationship with the restricted person within the last five years; or
(E) similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or guardian of the restricted person.
(c) (i) As used in this section, a conviction of a felony or adjudication of delinquency for an offense which would be a felony if committed by an adult does not include:
(A) a conviction or an adjudication under Section 80-6-701 for an offense pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, restraint of trade, or other similar offenses relating to the regulation of business practices not involving theft or fraud; or
(B) a conviction or an adjudication under Section 80-6-701 which, in accordance with the law of the jurisdiction in which the conviction or adjudication occurred, has been expunged, set aside, reduced to a misdemeanor by court order, pardoned or regarding which the person's civil rights have been restored unless the pardon, reduction, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.
(ii) As used in this section, a conviction for misdemeanor assault under Subsection (1)(b)(xii), does not include a conviction which, in accordance with the law of the jurisdiction in which the conviction occurred, has been expunged, set aside, reduced to an infraction by court order, pardoned, or regarding which the person's civil rights have been restored, unless the pardon, reduction, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.
(iii) It is the burden of the defendant in a criminal case to provide evidence that a conviction or an adjudication under Section 80-6-701 is subject to an exception provided in this Subsection (1)(c), after which it is the burden of the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the conviction or the adjudication is not subject to that exception.
(d) A person is not a restricted person for a conviction under Subsection (1)(b)(xii)(D) if:
(i) five years have elapsed from the later of:
(A) the day on which the conviction is entered;
(B) the day on which the person is released from incarceration following the conviction; or
(C) the day on which the person's probation for the conviction is successfully terminated;
(ii) the person only has a single conviction for misdemeanor assault as described in Subsection (1)(b)(xii)(D); and
(iii) the person is not otherwise a restricted person under Subsection (1)(a) or (b).
(2) A Category I restricted person who intentionally or knowingly agrees, consents, offers, or arranges to purchase, transfer, possess, use, or have under the person's custody or control, or who intentionally or knowingly purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under the person's custody or control:
(a) a firearm is guilty of a second degree felony; or
(b) a dangerous weapon other than a firearm is guilty of a third degree felony.
(3) A Category II restricted person who intentionally or knowingly purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under the person's custody or control:
(a) a firearm is guilty of a third degree felony; or
(b) a dangerous weapon other than a firearm is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
(4) A person may be subject to the restrictions of both categories at the same time.
(5) A Category I or Category II restricted person may not use an antique firearm for an activity regulated under Title 23A, Wildlife Resources Act.
(6) If a higher penalty than is prescribed in this section is provided in another section for one who purchases, transfers, possesses, uses, or has under this custody or control a dangerous weapon, the penalties of that section control.
(7) It is an affirmative defense to a charge based on the definition in Subsection (1)(b)(v) that the person was:
(a) in possession of a controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner for use of a member of the person's household or for administration to an animal owned by the person or a member of the person's household; or
(b) otherwise authorized by law to possess the substance.
(8) (a) It is an affirmative defense to transferring a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a person restricted under Subsection (2) or (3) that the firearm or dangerous weapon:
(i) was possessed by the person or was under the person's custody or control before the person became a restricted person;
(ii) was not used in or possessed during the commission of a crime or subject to disposition under Section Title 77, Chapter 11a, Part 4, Disposal of Seized Property and Contraband;
(iii) is not being held as evidence by a court or law enforcement agency;
(iv) was transferred to a person not legally prohibited from possessing the weapon; and
(v) unless a different time is ordered by the court, was transferred within 10 days of the person becoming a restricted person.
(b) Subsection (8)(a) is not a defense to the use, purchase, or possession on the person of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
(9) (a) A person may not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a firearm or dangerous weapon to a person, knowing that the recipient is a person described in Subsection (1)(a) or (b).
(b) A person who violates Subsection (9)(a) when the recipient is:
(i) a person described in Subsection (1)(a) and the transaction involves a firearm, is guilty of a second degree felony;
(ii) a person described in Subsection (1)(a) and the transaction involves a dangerous weapon other than a firearm, and the transferor has knowledge that the recipient intends to use the weapon for any unlawful purpose, is guilty of a third degree felony;
(iii) a person described in Subsection (1)(b) and the transaction involves a firearm, is guilty of a third degree felony; or
(iv) a person described in Subsection (1)(b) and the transaction involves a dangerous weapon other than a firearm, and the transferor has knowledge that the recipient intends to use the weapon for an unlawful purpose, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
(10) (a) A person may not knowingly solicit, persuade, encourage or entice a dealer or other person to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of a firearm or dangerous weapon under circumstances which the person knows would be a violation of the law.
(b) A person may not provide to a dealer or other person information that the person knows to be materially false information with intent to deceive the dealer or other person about the legality of a sale, transfer or other disposition of a firearm or dangerous weapon.
(c) "Materially false information" means information that portrays an illegal transaction as legal or a legal transaction as illegal.
(d) A person who violates this Subsection (10) is guilty of:
(i) a third degree felony if the transaction involved a firearm; or
(ii) a class A misdemeanor if the transaction involved a dangerous weapon other than a firearm.

Federal Laws

Federal laws on switchblades and ballistic knives do not apply to the possession or sale of switchblade and ballistic knives within a state’s boundaries. Knife laws within a state are controlled through state laws, in our case there are none in Utah.

U.S.C. §15-29-1241. Definitions
As used in this chapter -
(a) The term ''interstate commerce'' means commerce between any State, Territory, possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof.
(b) The term ''switchblade knife'' means any knife having a blade which opens automatically -
(1) by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle of the knife, or
(2) by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.

U.S.C. §15-29-1242. Introduction, manufacture for introduction, transportation or distribution in interstate commerce; penalty
Whoever knowingly introduces, or manufactures for introduction, into interstate commerce, or transports or distributes in interstate commerce, any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

U.S.C. §15-29- 1243. Manufacture, sale, or possession within specific jurisdictions; penalty
Whoever, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), manufactures, sells, or possesses any switchblade knife, shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

U.S.C. §15-29- 1244. Exceptions
Sections 1242 and 1243 of this title shall not apply to -
(1) any common carrier or contract carrier, with respect to any switchblade knife shipped, transported, or delivered for shipment in interstate commerce in the ordinary course of business;
(2) the manufacture, sale, transportation, distribution, possession, or introduction into interstate commerce, of switchblade knives pursuant to contract with the Armed Forces;
(3) the Armed Forces or any member or employee thereof acting in the performance of his duty; or
(4) the possession, and transportation upon his person, of any switchblade knife with a blade three inches or less in length by any individual who has only one arm.

U.S.C. §15-29- 1245. Ballistic knives
(a) Prohibition and penalties for possession, manufacture, sale, or importation.
Whoever in or affecting interstate commerce, within any Territory or possession of the United States, within Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18), or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18), knowingly possesses, manufactures, sells, or imports a ballistic knife shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
(b) Prohibition and penalties for possession or use during commission of Federal crime of violence. Whoever possesses or uses a ballistic knife in the commission of a Federal crime of violence shall be fined as provided in title 18, or imprisoned not less than five years and not more than ten years, or both.
(c) Exceptions
The exceptions provided in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 1244 of this title with respect to switchblade knives shall apply to ballistic knives under subsection (a) of this section.
(d) ''Ballistic knife'' defined
As used in this section, the term ''ballistic knife'' means a knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.