The legal situation in Germany

The legal situation naturally plays a crucial role when purchasing a knife. Generally, all items we sell within Germany are legal under German weapons law. Only the purchase of switchblades now requires certain legal prerequisites for their legitimate acquisition. Buying, selling, and possessing all knives we distribute here is definitely legal. However, carrying fixed-blade knives with a blade length exceeding 12 centimeters, striking and thrusting weapons, as well as knives that can be locked with one hand, is regulated by the weapons law. Transporting these items in a locked container is considered a permissible form of carrying.

Within the Weapons Act, paragraph § 42a explains the prohibition of carrying imitation weapons and certain portable objects in Germany:

1. It is forbidden

1. imitation firearms,
2. Bladed and thrusting weapons according to Annex 1 Section 1 Subsection 2 No. 1.1 or
3. Carrying knives with a blade that can be locked with one hand (one-handed knives) or fixed-blade knives with a blade length exceeding 12 cm.

Paragraph 1 does not apply.

1. for use in photo, film or television recordings or theatre performances,
2. for transport in a sealed container,
3. for carrying the items specified in paragraph 1, numbers 2 and 3, provided there is a legitimate interest. Further regulations remain unaffected.

3. A legitimate interest pursuant to paragraph 2 no. 3 exists in particular if the carrying of the items is related to the exercise of a profession, the maintenance of customs, sport or serves a generally recognized purpose.

"One-hand locking" knives are knives that have a device for one-handed opening and a blade lock. If a knife has only one of these features, it is not subject to Section 42a. The one-handed knife designation is also negated if a knife that, by its technical specifications, should be opened with two hands can only be opened with one hand using a skillful flicking motion, which typically requires special practice. "Slashing and thrusting weapons" are objects whose intended purpose is use as a weapon, as is the case, for example, with double-edged daggers or bayonets. The mere suitability of an object does not automatically make it a weapon. For example, a kitchen knife can, of course, also be used as a weapon, but its intended purpose is decisive for its classification as a utility item, which is why a kitchen knife is not classified as a weapon. For all these items (fixed-blade knives with a blade length exceeding 12 centimeters, one-hand locking knives, and striking or thrusting weapons), the legislator permits carrying only if a legitimate interest exists. This legitimate interest is defined as conducting "in connection with sport, the practice of a profession, the preservation of customs or a generally recognized purpose".

Previously, only weapons were prohibited at events (§ 42 para. 1 Weapons Act). Knives (apart from edged weapons such as daggers, combat knives, and bayonets) were exempt from this prohibition. Carrying knives at public events (such as festivals, fairs, or sporting events) is now generally prohibited by law – regardless of blade length or opening mechanism. However, the revised law includes a comprehensive list of exceptions (§ 42 para. 4a sentence 2 Weapons Act), which we will briefly outline here. The following are exempt from the prohibition on carrying knives at the aforementioned events:

1. Delivery traffic,
2. Business owners and their employees and agents of business owners who carry knives in connection with their professional activities,
3. People who transport a knife from one place to another in a way that prevents it from being readily accessible,
4. Persons who carry a knife in or on certain buildings or areas with public transport, as well as in means of transport and facilities of public passenger transport, in or on which crowds may occur and which are subject to a right of domicile, with the consent of the owner of the right of domicile, if carrying the knife serves the purpose of being in the area of ​​the right of domicile or is related thereto,
5. the commercial display of knives at trade fairs, markets and exhibitions,
6. Rescue workers and emergency personnel in civil protection and disaster relief in connection with their activities,
7. Participants in photo, film or television recordings, theatrical performances or historical reenactments, if knives are used for this purpose,
8. Persons who carry knives in connection with the preservation of customs, hunting or the practice of sports,
9. Owners of catering establishments, their employees and agents, as well as their customers,
10. Persons who carry knives in connection with a generally recognized purpose.
    
    The requirement of transporting knives in a way that prevents immediate access was specified in Annex 1, Section 2, Number 13. It states verbatim: "A knife is not considered readily accessible if it can only be reached with more than three movements." A locked container is therefore not required, but is probably the safest option legally. According to the explanatory memorandum to the law (Bundestag printed matter 20/12805, p. 37), the use of knives is permitted despite the prohibition on carrying them if, for example, they are used briefly for peeling or cutting food brought along.

Carrying knives on long-distance public transport (e.g., long-distance trains, long-distance buses) is now automatically prohibited by law. This prohibition also extends to "enclosed facilities of long-distance public transport, in particular buildings and stops" (train stations and correspondingly designed stops). However, the same exceptions apply here as for carrying knives at public events (§ 42b para. 1 sentence 2 no. 2 in conjunction with § 42 para. 4a of the Weapons Act). The Federal Ministry of the Interior also has the option of extending the general knife ban to all railway facilities of Deutsche Bahn (e.g., parking lots, track areas, etc.) by means of a statutory order. Furthermore, the existing option of the Federal Police to establish weapons-free zones remains in effect.

In Germany, objects and knives are prohibited if their shape allows them to disguise themselves as another object or if they are disguised as everyday items (e.g., belt buckle knives and sword canes). Prohibited items also include certain knives such as balisongs or butterfly knives, gravity knives, OTF knives, knuckle knives, and knuckle dusters or knuckle knives. However, this prohibition does not apply to blunt practice balisongs or to hunters/furriers with regard to the possession of knuckle knives. Under German weapons law, the handling or possession of such prohibited items is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.