Journal · February 11, 2026 · 6 min read
Are Swords Legal to Own in the USA? What Collectors Should Know
This is the question we are asked most often by first-time US sword buyers, usually right before they place an order. The short version: in most of the United States, owning a sword as a collectible is legal for an adult, and the rules tighten sharply as soon as you carry it in public.
What follows is general information, not legal advice. Knife and sword law in the US is set at state, county and city level and it changes, so check your own jurisdiction before buying.
Ownership is treated very differently from carry
Almost everywhere in the US, an adult may buy, own, display and transport a sword or large knife as a collectible. Federal law does not restrict ordinary sword ownership.
Carry is the other half of the picture. Open or concealed carry of a long blade in public is restricted or prohibited in many states and cities, and what counts as a weapon, a tool or a collectible depends entirely on local wording. Some places also restrict specific mechanisms rather than lengths — automatic and gravity knives, for example.
State and city rules vary more than people expect
A few states are notably stricter than the national norm, and several large cities have their own ordinances that are stricter than the state they sit in. Blade length limits, restrictions on specific blade types, and prohibitions on carrying anywhere near a school or government building are the usual points.
Because those details are rewritten regularly, the only reliable approach is to search your own state statute plus your city ordinance before ordering, or ask a local attorney if a large or unusual piece matters to you.
Age, shipping and receiving
Buyers of bladed goods must be adults, and in many jurisdictions that means 18 or older. We only sell to adults, and we ask for an adult to be available to receive the delivery.
Shipments may require a signature. Carriers also have their own rules on how bladed items must be packaged and declared, and a small number of local jurisdictions restrict delivery of certain blade types altogether. If your address is somewhere with unusual restrictions, tell us before ordering.
For international orders outside the US, customs rules and import duties are the buyer's responsibility, and a few countries prohibit importing certain blades entirely.
Buying and displaying sensibly
Keep swords and large blades stored or displayed at home rather than carried. Transport them cased or sheathed in the trunk of a vehicle, not within reach of the driver. Keep them away from children, and out of reach in any household where that matters.
If you are buying a piece as a gift, check the recipient's state rather than yours.
We ship hand-forged swords, knives and axes as collectible and working pieces, and buyers are responsible for following the ownership, carry, import and age rules that apply where they live. If you are unsure whether we can ship a particular piece to your address, ask us on WhatsApp first.