Tennessee has some of the most permissive knife laws in the country, including for pocket knives. There are no restrictions on the type or blade length of knives that can be owned or carried, including pocket knives, switchblades, automatic knives, and even large fixed-blade knives. You may carry these openly or concealed without any general statewide prohibition.
However, there are important location-based restrictions. It is illegal to carry any knife—including a pocket knife—onto school property or into other clearly designated “weapons-free zones” such as certain government buildings and properties. Violating these location rules can result in serious penalties, including felony charges, possible jail time of up to six years, and significant fines.
Exceptions:
Disguised or undetectable knives, such as those hidden in everyday objects or made from materials that cannot be detected by metal detectors, are prohibited.
If a knife is used or carried with criminal intent, especially during the commission of a crime, penalties are much steeper.
Unlike many other states, local governments in Tennessee cannot impose their own knife ordinances, as state law “preempts” local regulation, ensuring uniform rules statewide.
You can legally own and carry nearly any kind of pocket knife in Tennessee, with no limits on blade length, either openly or concealed, except where specifically prohibited such as on school grounds or certain government properties. Using a knife unlawfully, possessing one in a restricted area, or carrying prohibited disguised/undetectable knives can all result in criminal penalties.
Sources
[1] https://mrbailinc.com/legal-aspects-of-owning-and-carrying-a-knife-in-tennessee/
[2] https://tkellknives.com/knife-laws-in-tennessee-a-guide-to-legal-carry-and-use/
[3] https://nobliecustomknives.com/us-knife-laws/tennessee-knife-laws/
[4] https://midsouthgunlawyer.com/tennessee-weapon-laws/pocket-knives-tn/
[5] https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/tennessee/
