Illinois Criminal Code 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of Weapons. (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly... (2) Carries or possesses with intent to use the same unlawfully against another, a dagger, dirk, billy, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto, broken bottle or other piece of glass... or any other dangerous or deadly weapon of like character... - 720 ILCS 5/33A-1... A person is considered armed with a dangerous weapon... when he carries on or about his person or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk, switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or dangerous weapon of like character. - 720 ILCS 5/24-1. Unlawful Use of Weapons. (a) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly: (1) Sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses or carries any... knife commonly referred to as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife, or a ballistic knife, which is a device that propels a knifelike blade as a projectile by means of a coil spring, elastic material, or compressed gas... - 720 ILCS 5/33A-1... A person is considered armed with a dangerous weapon... when he carries on or about his person or is otherwise armed with a category I or category II weapon. (b) A category I weapon is a [firearm or] a knife with a blade at least 3 inches in length, dagger, dirk, switchblade knife, stiletto, or any other deadly or dangerous weapon of like character. Illinois Case Law: - "Possession of hunting knife is not a crime; however, knowingly carrying or possessing dangerous weapon with intent to use same unlawfully against another constitutes offense..." (1982) - "Weapon not listed in statute can become "dangerous weapon" when it is used in a manner dangerous to well being of individual threatened, and knife with blade less than 3 inches in length can be dangerous weapon if used in such manner." (1991) - "A straight-blade razor did not constitute a per se dangerous weapon, for purposes of armed violence charge..." (1987) - "Walking cane, even if not per se dangerous, was... transformed by defendant's usage into a dangerous weapon." (1977) http://www.knife-expert.com