What are there any laws in the state of California about carrying a pocket knife?
Unless you’re asking about carrying a knife in specific areas that are prohibited (schools, courthouses, some government offices, etc), the two laws you need to know are Penal Code sections 12020 and 653k. 12020 makes it illegal to carry a “dirk or dagger” CONCEALED on your person. A knife, no matter how big and ugly, carried on a sheath on your belt (if NOT covered by a jacket or shirt) is not concealed and is not against the law. A “dirk or dagger” is an object with or without a handguard that is readily capable to be used as a stabbing instrument. It does not have to be knife. Sharpened screwdrivers and other tools can qualify as well. A folding knife, carried folded in your pocket does NOT qualify as a concealed dirk, since when it’s folded, it’s not “readily available for immediate use” as a stabbing instrument. The only types of knives that are illegal to carry are covered in Penal Code section 653k. That makes it illegal to carry on your person or in the passenger compartment of
