Are Switchblades Legal? Automatic Knife Laws by State
Switchblades are legal to own in 44 states, but carrying one concealed is where states split. One row per state and D.C., each read from the statute.
EDC reference desk
Bookmark-worthy references — knife-steel ratings and the gear terms behind every carry.
Knife steel chart
| Steel | Best for |
|---|---|
| 14C28N | Best value |
| S35VN | All-round |
| MagnaCut | Do-it-all |
12 EDC steels rated for edge, toughness, corrosion and sharpening.
Compare steels → NetworkGun & gear glossary
| Term | Category |
|---|---|
| Striker-fired | Action |
| MOA | Optics |
| Cerakote | Finish |
30 gun, ammo and gear terms, from Guns & Gadgets Daily.
View full chart →Reader Favorites
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More from the Brand Avalanche network
- Guns & Gadgets Daily — Firearm, optic & concealed-carry reviews
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Best Pocket Knife Under 50 Dollars: 8 Gift Picks Compared
Eight pocket knives that list for $50 or less at their own makers, from a $23 Opinel to a $46.99 Kershaw, with steel, blade length, lock and who each one fits.
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Buck 110 vs 112: Which Folding Hunter to Carry
The Buck 110 Folding Hunter and 112 Ranger side by side on blade, weight, steel and Buck’s own prices, plus the other versions Buck sells, where they are made and what the Forever Warranty covers.
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Which Swiss Army Knife Should You Buy? 10 Models Compared
Victorinox sells dozens of Swiss Army knives. Here are ten in stock, one job each, with Victorinox’s own function counts, weights and prices, plus which ones lock and what TSA allows.
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Best Headlamp for Hunting: 7 Picks Ranked for Deer Season
Seven headlamps ranked for deer season on each maker’s own numbers: lumens, throw, runtime on max and low, red and green light, lockout, weight and price.
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Gifts for Hunters Who Carry: Knives, Lights and Tools
Fifteen practical gifts for deer, hog and bird hunters, from a $4.95 all-weather notebook to the $229.99 Buck 664 Alpha Hunter Pro, sorted by budget and hunt, plus the four states that sell license gift certificates.
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Best Fixed Blade Knife and Survival Knife, Compared
Seven fixed blade and survival knives, sorted by job and compared on the numbers each maker publishes: steel, blade length, spine thickness, weight and price, plus steel scores and carry-law notes.
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How to Sharpen a Knife: Whetstone, Rod and Pocket Knife
The plain way to put a real edge on any knife: find the angle with a felt marker, work coarse to fine grit, and know when a rod or strop is enough. Angles and grits come from Buck, DMT and WÜSTHOF.
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EDC Keychain Setup: What to Carry and What to Leave Off
How to set up an EDC keychain: keys, a small light and one tool, the car key rule most guides skip, and what TSA allows.
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Car Emergency Kit: What to Keep in Your Vehicle
What to keep in a car emergency kit, checked against Ready.gov, NHTSA and AAA, plus what to do if you get stranded.
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Hunting Knife Guide: Fixed vs Folding, Gut Hooks and Steel
How to pick a hunting knife: fixed or folding, drop point or clip point, if a gut hook is worth it, and which steels hold up.
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Best EDC Combinations: Knife, Light & Tool Pairings
The best EDC combos pair a knife, light, and carry that work together. Four proven everyday carry combinations by use case, plus how to build your own.
