Legal to make and sell knives?

[Hammerhead6814]

Hello, new guy here. I'm around on a few other boards, but this place holds the most traffic so I'm betting my closest bill (a five) that someone here knows the answer to my question.

I've recently tried my hand at making a knife. About half-way through the process of cutting out the blank I sketched, I realized that I do not know if it's legal to do this.

I'm a resident of Missouri, I have no criminal history save a couple of speeding tickets. I have no affiliations with political, social, or religious radical groups.

Is it legal for me to make my own knife? Is it legal to sell one?

I've googled "Is it legal to make knives" and "Is it legal to sell knives", and paraphrased them several times. I keep getting sites related to foreign countries (Britain and such). Anyone know the laws here in the states? Specifically Missouri?

 

[Searcher1970]

Howdy,
I cant think of anywhere in the states making and selling knives is illegal. I have a lot of friends that make their living making custom knives.

 

[backline]

Some states may have laws about making an "automatic" knife (ie switchblade), or Balisongs (butterfly).
But none that I know of declare it illegal to make a knife (as long as you aren't in prison).

 

[ACBMWM3]

If your making regular ol' knives and not things like auto stilettos and what not you are fine. My dad's got a friend who makes some killer custom knives for a living and hes been doing it going on 30 years now.

 

[WardenWolf]

In most areas, knives are not a controlled item. Aside from a few specific varieties that fall under archaic laws, and the occasional restriction on length, they are otherwise mostly unregulated and can be sold without any special procedures except for age verification.

 

[Grey Morel]

Its just a knife friend!

Some specific kinds, such as automatic and gravity knives, are regulated in SOME states, but not in others. You would have to search your state laws. You can do this from your states webpage for free!

Make your knives with no worries.

 

[hso]

Is it legal for me to make my own knife? Is it legal to sell one?

Yes

Look for knifemakers in MO that you can learn from. There are no less than 6 senior knifemakers from the Knifemaker's Guild and 3 Mastersmiths from the ABS in the state.

The first, and easiest, step is cutting out the blank.

It get's much more interesting after that.

 

[nalioth]

It saddens me that we have become so legislated that this question would even cross someone's mind.

 

[TheVirginian]

Heck yeah, just next door in Arkansas, they're only considered toothpicks...
-Bill

 

[Macmac]

I am afraid the speeding ticket infractions will delve over into the arts of making knives and therfore you need to send me all the tooling, the rivets and handle material , plus all the nice tool steel right now!

You had all the fun legally allowed when you were caught for speeding, and so it is a big time violation to even think of making a plastic butter knife.

The "Thought Police" will be at your house shortly if you dream of such a thing..

All you spoons will be next.....

BTW, I'll take that fiver too!

 

[JLaw]

Hammerhead6814,

Use caution, knife making can be habit forming to the point of addicting! Please post a picture of what you are working on now or when it's complete.

(Sorry I didn't answer your question directly, looks like others here already have.)

JLaw
(Knife maker wanna-be)

 

[Hammerhead6814]

Thanks for the reply's guys.

I can't find anything on MO's website on weapons (so I know I'm not doing something right). But I have talked to a number of people who've told me it's legal in this state, provided I do not make "switchblades" or other spring-loaded knives (I don't even know how to).

So I'm giving this a try, hopefully I'll have some pictures to share in awhile.

You had all the fun legally allowed when you were caught for speeding, and so it is a big time violation to even think of making a plastic butter knife.

Actually I was running late to an interview the first time (didn't get the job ). Second time I just simply didn't check the speed limit when I turned off 435 North, went from a 70 to a 65 and didn't even know it. :banghead:

 

[nalioth]

May I suggest paying an attorney for an hour of his or her time.

You see, here in Texas, you can make all the switchblades and gravity knives you like. You can even have them in your house.

It is illegal to carry them, unless you are only equipped with one arm.

You see, the laws for "making" stuff can be different from "owning" or "carrying" the same item.

I know for a fact that guns are made in states where it is illegal to own them.

 

[hso]

Making a switchblade is covered by any restrictions on possession, unless you're in a state that allows dealers selling to LE.

 

[KevinAbbeyTech]

The only state that I know of that has even considered making owning or making a knife is Hawaii.

Of course, you can get around any restrictions by calling whatever you have "paperweights".


Excuse me, do you have any "paperweights"?
What kind of "paperweights" are you looking for?
Do you have any fully automatic "paperweights".

lol

 

[hso]

Of course, you can get around any restrictions by calling whatever you have "paperweights".

You should realllllllly add a smilie when joking so someone doesn't mistake a reply like that as serious advice. can communicate better than words at times.

Just in case someone thinks the "paperweight" idea might work, if it is a switchblade and the law says possession is not permitted by the State's subjects then it doesn't matter what you call it yourself the State will prosecute you for what they call it if they happen to find you with it. About the only way such a "fully automatic paperweight" might work is if it had a comb/fork/spoon instead of a blade or if it was made of plastic.

 

[wyk]

It is perfectly legal to make and sell your own knife in any state as far as I know. But do take care to observe laws in your state regaring sale to minors as well as bans on certain types of knives in certain states. eg: California bans knives disguised as other objects.

 

[Speedo66]

Most restrictions have to do with length of blade or where and when a person can carry.

Production and sale should not be a problem.