Bowie knives are weapons according to the laws of most states. While carrying smaller knives, even sheath knives, may not garner much attention, a Bowie will almost always get noticed. Whether or not it is actually legal to carry such a knife will depend on where one lives and the exact laws that apply. It will also greatly depend upon whether or not one is on private or federal property.

Knives, however, particularly large ones such as Bowie knives, are not smiled upon in all settings. In some situations, they are downright illegal. One must always know for certain where they stand legally before carrying a knife into any public place. There are some general rules that one can follow to make sure they don’t run afoul of the law. One should also exercise simple good manners, as well. For instance, while a fine dining establishment may not specifically prohibit weapons, they’re likely not smiled upon at the establishment and can be left in the car.

Federal property should always be considered off limits for carrying Bowie knives. Many of these sites have security which will immediately consider this a threat. Carrying most weaponry onto federal property is a felony, in the vast majority of cases. Leave the Bowie in the car when heading onto federal property.

Bowie knives will be restricted in some cities by local ordinances. In many cases, these ordinances will be based on blade length. Usually, they permit the carry of any knife 3 inches or shorter in blade length, which is too short to reach the heart on a human being. A Bowie knife will always violate such ordinances, so make sure to be aware if they’re on the books in any given city. Oftentimes, all it takes is a simple phone call to find out for sure. Ignorance of the law will not prevent one from being charged for violating it!

In some places, the legality of carrying a Bowie knife will depend upon it being visible. While open carry of any weapon may be permitted, concealed carry will be illegal. Oftentimes, this is found in small towns where outdoors activities such as hunting are very common. Individuals in these places oftentimes go about their business with knives on their belts, especially around hunting and fishing season. The best advice is always to ask local law enforcement. Keep in mind that carrying a Bowie knife will almost always garner attention and, in some settings, may just be poor manners. In the right settings, however, it’s likely to draw a lot of questions and a lot of curiosity about the knife.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knifes store featuring the original bowie knife as well as humidors for storage.