There is no single federal law setting a minimum purchase age for ordinary knives in the United States. Age limits are set state by state and vary, and many states that regulate sale to minors set the line at 18. Retailers, including us, apply an age policy that responds to that patchwork.
Ordinary, non-automatic knives are not subject to a federal minimum purchase age the way some other regulated products are. What exists instead is a set of state statutes, some of which restrict sale or transfer to minors and some of which do not address it at all.
The American Knife & Tool Institute maintains an overview of age-based knife laws by state, which is the best starting point if you want to see how your own state treats the question.
Because the rules differ by state, retailers set a policy rather than trying to apply fifty different ones at checkout. Our policy is described on our terms of service page and is a store policy responsive to varying state law, not a claim about a federal requirement.
Anyone telling you that federal law sets an age of 18 for buying a pocket knife is repeating something that is not accurate. The 18 figure comes from state statutes, where it is common but not universal.
Gifting is a separate question from purchase, and it is also state-dependent. Some states restrict transfer to a minor as well as sale.
If you are buying a first knife for a young person, check your own state's position, and see our answer on teaching safe knife handling for the part that matters more than the paperwork.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Knife laws vary by state, county, and city, change frequently, and are subject to interpretation by courts and law enforcement. Knives Now is a retailer, not a law firm, and this summary should not be relied upon as a substitute for consulting a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction or reviewing the current text of the applicable statute. Before purchasing, carrying, or shipping any knife, confirm current local, state, and federal law for your specific situation, including any restrictions on carry location, blade length, or knife type. Knives Now makes no warranty as to the completeness, accuracy, or current applicability of the information on this page and disclaims all liability for actions taken in reliance on it.