If you are unfamiliar with karambits, they are a style of knife that originated in Indonesia and the Philippines. They are considered highly functional, as their specialized blade shape makes them well-suited for slicing. In the food and beverage industry, they are sometimes used to cut open product boxes; however, karambits are also known as tactical weapons due to their unique curved blades. If you are engaged in business or are a consumer in New York, it is important to understand whether the laws in the state affect how you use a karambit. As you will learn, the answer may impact the products you are importing or distributing.

In New York, it is illegal to unlawfully carry a knife as a concealed weapon. In this case, unlawfully means that the blade is either removed from the sheath or the sheath is not covered or secured properly by something else. If you do possess a karambit knife without a concealed weapon license, you may be charged with unlawful possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Under N.Y. Penal Law § 265.01, the charge is a Class A misdemeanor and punishable by up to a year behind bars. Penalties may also include fines and probationary sanctions, which may more closely resemble the penalties of civil violations.

Similar to the way New York laws work, federal laws also make it illegal to transport knives across state lines for unlawful purposes. That said, most legal experts would likely agree that distributing large amounts of karambits for the purpose of helping consumers use them as weapons would represent an unlawful purpose, whereas using the knives exclusively for culinary functions would not. This means that if you are the owner or operator of a business that deals with these knives, understanding the laws that dictate whether the goods you could be charged with trafficking are legal is vital.

Violating New York knife laws could include severe penalties, including criminal charges. Even if no charges are filed, the consequences of your actions can be detrimental to your business, as governmental agencies do not always take these matters lightly. As such, it is imperative that you comply with knife laws for the sake of your New York business. This includes having access to knives for use in a safety-first manner and exercising all possible caution when using them. Even if you determine that you will not need to have access to one of these knives, it is important to ensure that your transportation methods do not put you or others at risk.

A New York law firm, Units, released an article called ” Are Karambits Legal in NY? ” in October 2020 that discusses these issues in greater detail and addresses some of the myths surrounding New York law. It is beneficial to keep abreast of laws pertaining to knives in New York, and Units also addresses new developments in this area. Legal changes could not only affect how you use these knives, but they could also impact whether you should incorporate them into your food operation in the first place. One recent change to be aware of is that as of June 2019, even box cutter knives with a circular or semi-circular component, often known as karambit knives, are prohibited in New York.

Taking the time to determine whether your operations, employees, and/or consumers will be lawfully able to transport these knives is the best way to ensure that your business is protected. The above information should also help you determine whether you want to procure these goods for your inventory moving forward.