This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always check current state and local laws or speak with a qualified attorney before relying on legal information.
Introduction: New York State vs New York City
When people ask “are katanas legal in New York,” the real answer starts with another question. Are you talking about New York State in general, or New York City specifically.
In most of New York State, owning a katana is legal. There is no statewide blade length limit, and traditional non concealed swords are generally treated like other knives and weapons.
However, New York has two important complications:
- Some specific weapons are banned statewide, including cane swords.
- New York City has its own local knife rules, including a four inch blade limit in public places and strict rules about knives in open view.
If you want to buy a katana online and live in New York, you can do it legally. You just need to understand how state law, New York City law, and basic common sense fit together.
Are Katanas Legal To Own In New York State
Statewide ownership
At the New York State level, there is no law that bans traditional katanas by name. New York weapon rules are found in Penal Law Article 265. Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree is defined in Penal Law section 265.01.
Section 265.01(1) lists certain weapons that are always illegal to possess, called per se weapons. These include:
- Switchblade knife
- Pilum ballistic knife
- Metal knuckle knife
- Cane sword
- Various clubs and throwing stars
A traditional katana that is simply a sword with an exposed blade and scabbard is not on that banned list. So at the state level:
- A regular katana is generally legal to own.
- A cane sword, where the blade is hidden inside a cane, is illegal to possess.
New York’s definition section, Penal Law 265.00, specifically defines cane sword as a cane or swagger stick with a concealed blade inside that can be used as a sword or stiletto.
Intent to use unlawfully
New York also criminalizes possessing any dangerous knife or similar weapon with intent to use it unlawfully against another person under section 265.01(2).
This means:
- Mere ownership of a katana at home is not a crime.
- Using or carrying a katana as a weapon to threaten or attack someone can lead to charges.
For a collector who buys a katana for display or martial arts practice, the law is mainly concerned with how you use it.
Key Difference: Regular Katana vs Cane Sword
This distinction matters.
Regular katana
- Clearly a sword
- Long, visible blade in a scabbard
- Generally legal to own statewide
Cane sword
- Blade hidden inside what appears to be a walking cane
- Designed to be concealed
- Explicitly defined and banned in New York Penal Law 265.00 and 265.01(1)
If you live in New York, you should avoid cane swords entirely. If you want a functional or display katana, stick to a normal, non concealed sword.
Owning and Buying a Katana In New York
Owning a katana
Across New York State, outside New York City specific rules, you can:
- Own a katana at home
- Keep multiple swords in a collection
- Display them on stands or on the wall
- Train in martial arts with live blades in an appropriate setting
There is:
- No licensing requirement for owning a standard katana
- No registration system for swords
- No statewide blade length limit for ownership
Buying a katana in New York
You can legally buy a katana from:
- Local sword or knife shops
- Martial arts suppliers
- Online katana shops such as Pacific Armory
State law does not ban the sale of traditional katanas to adults. Cane swords and certain automatic knives are restricted, but a normal katana is not on that list.
New York City Knife Rules: Extra Restrictions That Affect Swords
New York City is much stricter than the rest of the state.
The New York City Administrative Code section 10 133 makes it illegal in any public place, street, or park to:
- Carry a knife with a blade length of four inches or more, and
- Wear or carry any knife in open view, whether the blade is exposed or not, unless actually using it for a lawful purpose such as work.
Knife law explanations and New York criminal defense sources summarize this as:
- No knives with blades four inches or longer in public in New York City.
- Any knife, even smaller, should be kept completely concealed and only carried for a clear lawful purpose.
- Knives clipped visibly to pockets often result in tickets or arrests.
For a katana, this means practically:
- You should not walk around New York City with a katana on your hip.
- When transporting a katana to a dojo or out of the city, it should be in a proper case or sword bag, not in open view.
Martial arts students in New York City commonly transport real katanas in secure cases directly to and from their dojo without issue, but they do not carry them openly in public.
If you live in New York City:
- Think of your katana as a display and training tool at home.
- Only move it in a closed case for legitimate reasons like practice, shipping, or moving.
Can You Carry A Katana In Public In New York
Outside New York City
Statewide New York law does not set a specific blade length limit for knives and swords, and it does not explicitly ban carrying a normal sword.
However, you must keep three things in mind:
-
Per se banned weapons
You cannot carry or possess per se weapons such as cane swords or certain automatic knives at all. -
Unlawful intent
If you carry any dangerous knife or weapon with intent to use it unlawfully, that fits Penal Law 265.01(2). -
Local ordinances
Towns or counties can adopt their own rules, so always check local regulations.
For most collectors:
- It is safer to treat a katana as an item you keep at home.
- When you do move it, keep it sheathed in a case and go directly between locations.
Inside New York City
In New York City, the combination of Administrative Code 10 133 and aggressive knife enforcement means that:
- Carrying a katana on your person in public is extremely likely to cause legal trouble.
- Even smaller knives must be under four inches and not exposed in public.
So while buying and owning a katana in New York City is legal, carrying it around the streets is not wise and likely not legal in practical terms.
Katana Shipping And Import Laws In New York
Shipping a katana to New York
New York State does not have a general ban on shipping legal swords to residents. A traditional katana is treated like any other legal knife or weapon:
- Retailers can ship using UPS, FedEx, USPS, or other carriers
- Packages simply need to be properly labeled and packed
Per se banned items, such as cane swords or automatic knives, should not be sold or shipped into New York.
Importing a katana from overseas
Importing a katana from another country is generally allowed for personal use:
- Federal customs rules focus on truthful description and safety
- There is no special federal ban on importing traditional swords
- New York bans target certain concealed or automatic designs, not ordinary katanas
So from a buyer perspective:
- It is legal to ship a standard katana into New York
- You should avoid ordering cane swords or disguised weapons
Is It Legal To Display A Katana At Home In New York
Yes. Neither New York State law nor New York City code restricts how you display a legal sword inside your private home.
You can:
- Mount a katana on the wall
- Display it on a stand
- Keep a collection of katanas, wakizashi, and tanto
- Showcase antique or modern swords behind glass
The key is that you are not using it as a weapon or displaying it in a threatening way in public.
Buying A Katana Online In New York
Since traditional katanas are legal to own and ship into New York, buying online is one of the easiest ways to get a real katana.
Why New York buyers choose online katana shops
- Much wider selection than local stores
- Access to real high carbon steel katanas, not just stainless display pieces
- Ability to choose blade geometry, hamon style, and fittings
- Transparent descriptions of steel type and tang construction
- Competitive pricing and frequent deals
You can legally:
- Browse an online shop like Pacific Armory
- Choose a battle ready or display katana
- Check out with your New York shipping address
- Receive the sword at your home in a secure package
As always, avoid ordering cane swords or disguised weapons into the state.
What Type Of Katana Should A New York Buyer Choose
Law is not limiting your steel choice. Your decision is about performance and aesthetics.
T10 Katana
Very hard and sharp, excellent edge retention, great for serious cutting practice.
1095 High Carbon Steel Katana
Strong and sharp, popular for tameshigiri and functional use.
1060 Carbon Steel Katana
Flexible and tough, ideal for beginners and regular training.
9260 Spring Steel Katana
Very resistant to bending and damage, good for heavy cutting sessions.
Folded Steel Katana
Beautiful layered patterns with traditional style and modern performance.
Clay Tempered Katana
Real hamon along the edge, combining cutting performance and traditional aesthetics.
For more information on katana steels click here.
Why New York Buyers Choose Pacific Armory
If you live in New York and want a real katana or a display piece,
At Pacific Armory you get:
- Real high carbon steel blades
- Full tang construction for strength
- Battle ready options and display pieces
- Clay tempered blades with real hamon
- Quality fittings and tight wrapping
- Worldwide shipping, including to New York State and New York City
New York customers appreciate the ability to buy a legal, well made katana online and have it shipped directly to their door.
Frequently Asked Questions About Katana Legality In New York
Are katanas legal in New York State
Yes. Traditional katanas are legal to own in New York State. The law bans specific items like cane swords and certain automatic knives, not normal swords, and punishes unlawful intent.
Are katanas legal in New York City
Owning a katana in New York City is legal, but carrying it in public is heavily restricted by the four inch blade rule and open view rules in Administrative Code 10 133. In practice, katanas should be kept at home and only transported in a case for legitimate reasons.
Are cane swords legal in New York
No. Cane swords are defined in Penal Law 265.00 and are listed as per se illegal weapons in Penal Law 265.01(1). Possessing a cane sword in New York can be charged as criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Can you carry a katana in public in New York
Outside New York City, there is no explicit blade length limit, but carrying any dangerous weapon with intent to use it unlawfully is a crime. In New York City, public carry of large blades is effectively prohibited by local code. Transporting a katana in a case directly to or from training is the safest approach.
Is it legal to buy a katana online and ship it to New York
Yes. Buying a traditional katana online and shipping it to New York is generally legal, as long as the sword is not a banned design like a cane sword or certain automatic knives.
Conclusion: New York Is Katana Friendly With Important Local Rules
New York State allows you to own, display, and buy katanas without a license or blade length limit. The main restrictions are:
- Certain per se banned weapons, such as cane swords and specific automatic knives
- Local knife rules in New York City, including a four inch limit and strict rules about knives in public view
If you understand these rules and treat your katana as a collectible and training tool instead of something to show off in public, New York is a workable state for katana ownership.
Since you can legally purchase katanas in New York, why wait. Buy one now. Here at Pacific Armory we ship katanas all over the world, including directly to your door in New York. Get your next katana here.