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Collectible Knives & Dutch Law

At Gear2Game we sell replicas of in-game knives, such as the Fadecase karambits, as collectables for adults. This page explains what Dutch (and Belgian) law says, what it means for you and how we handle it.

In short

  • Every knife in our shop is legal to buy and own in the Netherlands.
  • We only sell knives to customers aged 18 and over.
  • Keeping or displaying a knife at home is fine; carrying it in public is not.
  • We do not sell butterfly knives or switchblades.
  • Living in Belgium? Please also read the Belgium section below.

What does Dutch law say?

In the Netherlands this is governed by the Weapons and Ammunition Act (Wet wapens en munitie, WWM). The act sorts weapons into categories. Category I covers weapons that are banned outright, such as switchblades, gravity knives, butterfly knives, knuckle-dusters and throwing stars. We do not sell any of these.

Other stabbing and striking weapons, such as daggers, swords and knives with a double-edged blade, fall into the lightest category (category IV). For this category:

  • Owning one is allowed for adults (18+).
  • Carrying one – having it on you on the street, on public transport or in other public places – is prohibited.

Ordinary knives, such as a karambit with a single-edged blade or a manually opened folding knife, are not listed as banned weapons. In practice the same rule still applies: keep them at home.

Not a weapon, and yet...

The WWM also has an article for objects that are not weapons in themselves. Carrying an object that, given its nature or the circumstances in which it is found, can reasonably be assumed to be intended to injure or threaten someone can also be an offence.

This means that on a night out, at a concert or at a football match, all kinds of objects can be treated as a weapon and confiscated: a baton, a screwdriver, an axe, a pocket knife or a kitchen knife. A replica knife from a game certainly counts, even if you bought it as a collectable.

Municipalities can also have their own rules. Many cities designate security risk areas or knife-ban zones, where police may search people preventively and where knives outside the WWM are banned as well.

Storing and displaying at home

A knife from our collection belongs in a display case, on the wall or in its original box – not in your pocket. A few tips:

  • Keep your knives out of reach of children.
  • Do not take a knife to school, work, an event or a LAN party, not even "to show it off".
  • Need to transport a knife, for example when moving house or after picking up your order? Keep it well packed and not ready to hand, and take it straight home.

Our 18+ check

Because we only sell knives to adults, checkout asks for an extra confirmation. If your cart contains a knife, you can only pay after ticking that you are 18 or older. We store that confirmation with your order.

We reserve the right to ask for proof of age and to cancel an order if we doubt the buyer's age. In that case you get a full refund.

Note: the Dutch government is preparing a law that bans selling knives to minors nationwide. We already apply that 18+ limit today.

Belgium

Belgium has its own Weapons Act (2006), which is stricter than Dutch law on a number of points. Banned weapons include:

  • switchblades and gravity knives (also called flick knives or stilettos);
  • butterfly knives;
  • bladed weapons disguised as another object, such as a knife hidden in a belt or a pen.

Take extra care in Belgium: some police officers interpret the law broadly and consider every locking knife banned, including ordinary locking folding knives such as Opinel knives and larger Swiss army knives. Carrying a knife without a legitimate reason is prohibited in Belgium as well.

Ordering from Belgium? Check beforehand whether the specific knife is allowed there. Not sure? Email us and we will help you figure it out.

Good to know

This page has been put together with care, but it is not legal advice. Laws, and the way police and courts apply them, can change. You are responsible for how you own, store and transport a knife. If in doubt, ask the police or a lawyer.

The full text of the act (in Dutch) is on wetten.overheid.nl: Wet wapens en munitie. For questions about a specific situation you can also call the Dutch police on 0900-8844.

Questions?

Not sure whether a knife is allowed where you live? Contact us before ordering at [email protected]. We are happy to help.

Last updated: November 2026.