[Closed] Legal to carry a hunting knife bikepacking in the UK?

OP, I think I probably had similar ideas at your age. I guess what I found out that what I imagined to be problematic (like food and water) isn't really a problem in the UK and things I hadn't considered so much like staying warm, dry, and insect bite free were more problematic.
Rather than stepping straight in at surviving indefinitely in the wild, start by say riding three days or so away from your house and you'll find a set of experiences that won't be how you imagined.

These are the beasts that will sustain you, they are far too trusting they only problem being the furiosity of the attack needed to take them down.

[img] [/img]

4 1/2" blade and yes it was a pain and yes it needed some sharpening!
It's the tidy butchering that needs a decent knife. After all even elephant skin isn't that thick.

Ah, for some reason I was envisaging a 2" blade! 🙂

From my limited experience of skinning deer (twice!) I found a 5" blade was actually pretty much perfect for me (I swapped blades a couple of times to something larger and smaller but neither felt as useful), but it did need to sharpen quite a bit. Took ages, but my technique is probably rubbish.

I was hoping Ben spends his time dressed as the reaper, pointing at random locals.

There's a bunch of elderly dog walkers who spend their whole time moaning about everything we do - I could go stand in their gardens 😉

At what point would the blade length fall into the camp of 'safe' again?

1 inch - safe

4 inches - dangerous

60 inches - ?? safe!!

DrP

Legally its more down to intended use - a flick knife is smaller than a scythe but is designed for a very different and more dangerous purpose. It'd actually be pretty hard to attack someone with a scythe, the angle and weighting is all wrong. The billhooks and slashers we use for hedging and undergrowth clearance would be a lot better, though the blades are half the length.

Try it with a scimitar...................."Yes officer, just off to the park to do some jobs."

Try it with a scimitar...................."Yes officer, just off to the park to do some jobs."

"This? Oh, it's ceremonial, my religious beliefs require that I carry it."

I'm surprised The Church Of The Hoodie hasn't sprung up yet... (-:

Rather more years ago now than i care to remember, when i was a bit of an "off roader" (yeah, yeah i know 😉 i used to carry a pretty comprehensive kit in my Land rover. One evening i was stopped for a random carcheck in Portsmouth city centre, and the Officer pulled out the 10" hunting knife i had wedged behind the seats! The conversation went something along these lines:

Officer: "er, hmm, this is a bit much isn't it, you could use this (waving knife around) to hurt someone!"

Me: "not really".

Officer: "What do you mean?"

Me, reaching into back and pulling out my trusty 12inch Stihl chain saw "Nawh, i'd use this!"

Luckily he saw the funny side of it and we both had a good laugh about it 😉

Couple of refs to archery and hunting in this thread.

1981 wildlife and countryside act officially stopped hunting with Bows and crossbows and arrows and explosive's.

Being anywhere with a bow and arrows without permission from landowner is i belive called armed tresspass.

Spearguns in sal****er is ok but not all fish species are fair game.
Spearguns in freshwater/inland lakes is ilegal.

Snares in Scotland must be of a certain type that can't entrap or harm deer, the wrong bit of brass wire loop is ilegal.

The little MORA's are handy for UK stuff and fishing. Take some fishing gear, a handline and try catch a fish for tea, or go coastal and try the wild mussels/oysters/limpets etc etc 🙂

acehtn

1981 wildlife and countryside act officially stopped hunting with Bows and crossbows and arrows and explosive's.

Sensible, explosive arrows are just "cheating" surely?? 😉

bencooper - Member
There's a bunch of elderly dog walkers who spend their whole time moaning about everything we do - I could go stand in their gardens

Now that would be a forum worthy Go Pro video....

maxtorque - Member

Sensible, explosive arrows are just "cheating" surely??

Only if it's through John Lewis's...
Primark on the other hand.....

ha. funny thread. not sure how long its been since the majority of people replying to this thread have been out for an extended period of time without their comfort blankets and shop bought supplies. 😈

Admittedly pudgy, middle-aged, garishly attired gents on expensive bikes probably don't rank highly on the police shakedown list, but you never know.

Honestly it annoys me that people be so discouraging to the lad.

Carry a hunting knife when you go out into the 'wild'. It is probably one of the most useful tools just after your lighter/flint. Your genuinely going to want it. Mine goes every where with me, don't act like a dick and wave it around town and all will be well.

Set snares and traps in the right places and you should do alright. Fish the rivers and collect shellfish at the shore. Accept you will get hungry long before you succeed. Learn to deal with it and enjoy the little things. You'll come back with a greater appreciation of the ecosystem we're part of and some peace of mind.

Castanea, earlier:

[img] [/img]

Mine goes every where with me

[img] [/img]

Probably the most useful thing to carry would be a length of heavy-duty fishing line, with a biggish hook, and something to bait it with, and go fishing for crayfish. Any river/stream with a decent population of Signal Crayfish should provide some decent eating. All you then need is a pot to cook the buggers in.
I sat watching a couple of blokes fishing for them a couple of years ago at a pub on the banks of the Thames; they went away with twenty or thirty after about thirty minutes, every time they threw the line in it came back out with a large crustacean clinging to the end after only a minute or two. I've seen them in water less than a foot deep near Castle Combe, you could just pick them up and put in a pot.
Much easier than trying to catch and kill bunnies.
And knife-wise a cheap Mora would do, like a Clipper: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clipper-Carbon-Stainless-carbon-steel-2-5mm/dp/B00IAM6G26/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1409765873&sr=8-5&keywords=mora+frost
And learn how to sharpen it properly; a blunt knife is more likely to slip and injure it's user due to having to use more force when cutting.
Carbon steel is easiest to sharpen, and hold an edge, but it will stain and rust if neglected, stainless slightly more effort to sharpen, but easiest to keep bright.

Explosive ammo or just explosives was deemed unsporting and banned, not just thunder heads on arrows 🙂 or Dukes of Hazzard type antics.

Heard a term called "whumping" years ago. Poachers would go down the fish farm, with dynamite, "WHUMP" fish get stunned by shock wave, float to surface, get skimmed up and poachers leg it. Sort of smash and grab robbery poaching style.

Technically you aren't supposed to use a baited line for crayfish and you need an EA authorization to trap them.

Join the Scouts* - you get a fetching uniform, badges and a nice warm Scout leader to keep you warm in the evenings!

*(I may be doing the Scout Assoc a bit of a disservice here 😀 )

I thought Signal Crayfish were an invasive species? You cant catch White Clawed Crayfish as they're protected (& native to UK)

I think we've been here before....

Ah Ha!
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crayfish-tapping-using-the-right-trap

I stand corrected. (said the man in the orthopeadic shoes)

Anyway OP, good luck with your knife & you manage to creep up on it & kill it. 😉

I carry a leatherman at work and a small legal leatherman on my keys the rest of the time.
Most of the people I know who hunt (rim fire and air rifle) use an opinel wooden handled jobbie for skinning and gutting small game, as they are both very good and relatively cheap so not the end of the world if damaged or lost.

Right, OP is back! And damn, I did not expect 67 replies so this reply is gonna be lawnggg. First things first, you guys are literally unbelievably funny. I was in stiches reading this thread. So thanks for the laughs! And some of you have some brilliant ideas. I really want to reply to each of those, so I’m going to make an effort to do so.
@Mikewsmith
I haven’t decided yet! I was scouring locations, and Hertforshire looks pretty beautiful. I actually just went down to Cornwall this summer (with in bike in car) and saw some of the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen. The stuff of desktop backgrounds. To me, it was another experience. I really want to go there. I don’t know how I’m going to make it work, but when there’ s a will there’s a way. And there’s a will 😉 I’d love some suggestions on places to go! I was focusing on building my ECR which is pretty much ready now, it’s one hell of a setup, even got a Dynamo powered lights with a usb and a mounted speaker on the bike, all hooked up! XD Got 3 1.5l bottle cages coming, got a Brooks B67 and a front and back rack and WW2 Military issue bags mounted on!! Had a ton of fun just building it up, can’t wait to get started! I haven’t actually caught anything before, have cooked caught food though, over a fire. Aside from meat, I haven’t really looked into it yet. I was going to research it etc and for the meantime fill 30 litres of space to the brim with Go Apple and Sultana bars! I’ll need a lot. My main concern is water, but hopefully the 3 x 1.5l bottles will last half a day at least… I think I will do that first actually, just go away for a weekend. That’s a brilliant idea. I’m gonna do that! Would really love some reccomendations, I’m currently located in London 🙂
@shifter
I honestly cannot stand when people take that stand. I just want to live my life as should be, I want to make the most of it, really live it, I can’t stand the monotony that life seems to have become. I don’t let my age become a limiting factor because I don’t see it as such, but when some people can’t see past it, it does get to me. Though I’m sure my undeniable, explicit naivety might contribute to that!
In terms of the knife, I was merely enquiring on the legibility of carrying one around, not asking advice on the size.
@rureadyboots @drp and @FunkyDunc thanks for the laughs, and I mean that! I still have a slight giggle on me…..
@irelanst From now on, call me naked jungle guy?
@duckman I’ll mind myself.
@dknwhy
Thank you for the brilliant advice, if I’m going to get a knife, a swiss army knife sounds like a good idea 🙂 and to be honest, I haven’t watched any of those programs, I just love the idea of being self-sustainable in the wild, but it clearly seems like that’s not gonna work. Are fires really that hard to light? I’ve had success with starting off with one of those light the bag logs. I think that’s the best idea, in terms of survival skills. I actually did a course, in which we learn all the basics and where we learnt how to skin and cook a rabbit properly (a lot of effort involved!) , the uses of a knife, how to use it properly etc, but taking that to the next level sounds like the best idea. Are there any you know of? I was going to sign up to the Duke of Edinburgh but any others would be welcome 🙂 would a stove be a thing to get? I was wondering how practical those would be, given I would have to have a gas canister on me too, would be great for heating water and food, but how long do those canisters last for? Working up to it what I’m going to do now, as opposed to diving straight in, and I’ll check out the bikepacking thread. Thanks bud 🙂 you’ve really helped me out! And I’d love to post some stories, but post it here? Not too sure about that lol
@crankboy
Ascertained this from the thread, think I’mma ditch that idea on exactly the reason you stated; there isn’t really anything it would be viable to hunt one with. Gonna get me a swiss army knife 😀
@cb
Holy shit dude that is SO AWESOME. That sounds too good to be true!!! If it is..If it is…. So you can literally drink any water? That does sound too good to be true….
@mattsccm
That truth is kind of depressing. Really depressing. I mean, it’s like there’s no freedom anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m animal person and love them more than I do most people but the fact that I can’t just live out in the wild is frustrating. What do you mean a Leatherman breaks the rules? I thought it was legal to carry a pocket knife with a smaller than 3” blade? And you’re damn right on that, sure do need to do some research
@thisisnotaspoon
Excuse my ignorance if you will, but what’s the difference between hunting and poaching? I’m guessing one is where it is within the boundaries of the law and the other it is not? Getting a job kinda defeats the point in the bikepacking aspect and I doubt I’ll be lucky enough to get one on a quirky beach bar or beautiful rural farm, those are the only I would really consider, and life isn’t a movie. If you’ve got any idea how I can get one of those kinda jobs, I’d love to hear it!
@pk13 and @bencooper is there an efficient way of boiling the water? If there is, then that’s the obvious way to go, but I don’t know of one. I was considering getting one of those camping stoves, but I doubt the small gas canisters will last for more than one boil? I hope I’m wrong. I really do! I hope I’m so, so wrong.

@fasthaggis how did I not think of that? How???
@thegreatape don’t worry, I would come near an old hag like you if I was dying of hunger and had a hunting knife!

@spudface completely forgot that til you pointed it out, especially the pudgy bit 😉

@peterfile I totally wish you did! That’d be a story to tell.

@IanMunro Not too worried about staying warm and dry, with thermal and waterproof everything tbh, and even if I do, I kinda like the cold. Oh, the experiences? The ones where you’re always cold and wet, surrounded by nature, where the best part is getting into dry clothes and your warm, warm sleeping bag in what you can feel is well earned, hearing the rain pour down on your tent, it all being oddly comforting? I like it. I love waking up in the middle of nowhere, where all that surrounds is the beautyof nature, waking to yet another adventure. I like it. I like how it’s a bit of a challenge, a struggle, it’s what makes it fun. I like it, because it makes me feel alive. It’s something that I can’t ever really describe as much as I try. I think it’s just being alive.
@bencooper you should totally post them Go Pro vids! After you, you know, make em…

@castanea
It is really, really nice to see some actual encouragement so thank you for that 🙂 couldn’t agree more with that, the negativity is annoying but then you realise that the people that spread it are those that sit at home in the evenings rewatching Jeremy kyle that they recorded earlier, rendering any effect it had to disappear! I’ve been set on getting a Multitool, probably a Leatherman now, still advise getting a real knife? And you’ve got it. You totally get why I enjoy doing this. It’s enjoying life really, and I honestly do love that challenge. And yeah, you’re right, at the end, if nothing else, I’ll just have a greater appreciation for how we don’t have to struggle so much for the necessary things in life 🙂

@CountZero holy shit that’s a brilliant idea!!! And it sounds far, far more efficient in terms of food yield than hunting ever could. So I don’t even need a fishing rod, just fishing line, a hook and bait? I’ve never fished before! Ooh, and regarding the knife, would you still advise getting a proper knife? I was just going to go for a multitool, but would love to hear your take, you deff know what you’re talking about! Also, great tip on the knife sharpening, will bear that in mind thank you 🙂
@rogerthecats
I think may actually, I’ll look into it!
1500 words people....

Summary please.

Hmmm, you seem to be very knife orientated? & Have you thought about joining the Royal Marines when your'e old enough? You'll certainly enjoy the cold then.

[i]I love waking up in the middle of nowhere, where all that surrounds is the beautyof nature, waking to yet another adventure. I like it. I like how it’s a bit of a challenge, a struggle, it’s what makes it fun. I like it, because it makes me feel alive. It’s something that I can’t ever really describe as much as I try. I think it’s just being alive.[/i]

& you haven't got a decent knife yet, after all that?

Love your enthusiasm, so don't take this the wrong way, but get the self sufficiency idea out of your head it's not going to happen. All you need to do is factor is stops at populated areas with a shop every day or 2, carry enough stuff in between and you are sorted(just make sure the shop is open).

I'd advise starting slow. Do 1 night a few times then 2 etc. And get all your kit sorted over these times and learn your limits, and find out what kit you do and don't need, and then begin to get the weight and bulk of that down, after that and you've gained some experience you'll then be able to do longer trips.

Small steps.

Catching your food frees up alcohol carrying capacity...

Hertfordshire eh? I was out for a road ride tonight in the north Herts villages and the little shop I usually pick up a milkshake and marsbar from from was shut. Thought I was going to die. Luckily I passed a bramble bush and all was well. That's about as wild as it gets I'm afraid but if I had come across a deer I'd definitely have stabbed it!

@thegreatape don’t worry, I would come near an old hag like you if I was dying of hunger and had a hunting knife!

I think you may have missed the motive for my request - a fear of missing my dinner several days in a row rather than becoming yours - but I'm grateful nonetheless!

Has the OP been back yet for his [s]outpouring of patronising condescension[/s] advice?

Get a svord peasant and dont be a dick about waving it around.

The lifestyle you want is a dream that'll fail but you'll enjoy finding that out.

Britishblades and bushcraft. Co. Uk forums will have the answers for you go there and poke around.

Hertfordshire? 😯

Ssshhh, he's asleep. Don't wake the little bugger up now FFS!
Sweet dreams kiddo.

aracer - Member
Hertfordshire?

I can’t stand the monotony that life seems to have become.

Jeez. You're 16. Go out, buy cider, chase women. If that has become monotonous for you already then you're in for a long shift mate 🙂

Jeez. You're 16. Go out, buy cider, chase women

I've personally only seen parts of the great wilderness of Hertforshire but you would probably struggle to avoid civilisation for about 10 minutes
[img] [/img]
As for cornwall see the cider point again.

but you would probably struggle to avoid civilisation for about 10 minutes

You've obviously never been to Watford on a Saturday night!

I think this is where he's seen "Hertfordshire"

Hereford might be a better bet 😆

natrix - Member
Hereford might be a better bet

SAS...

should have chosen their camo before putting their nightvision on.

or are they pretending to be bushes in a sandpit?

should have chosen their camo before putting their nightvision on.

Maybe they should wait until it's dark too.................

There is no end to the sarcasm is there? and @peterfile, there's more to life than that, and I think it's sad that you don't see that.

And thanks Seosamh for the advice, it's spot on, I'm going to do exactly that (:

And @esselgruntfuttock, I really can't understand why people do such things - sign their life away to someone who doesn't give a **** about it and then go on to fight a fight that is not their own, to give their lives away for nothing. I mean, it's the epitome of ignorance. That will offend a lot of people, and I'm not sorry. I mean it's almost like signing up to become a slave. And the craziest thing is, even so, the pay is shit! Oh and about the knife? I'm still confused on which one to get lol!

@jambourgie You've got it spot on there, wish I never mentioned my age. But then of course, I'd have no excuse for my silliness! Unlike some people...

Oh and about the knife? I'm still confused on which one to get

Just get yourself a cheap Opinel to start with, although if you are riding a multi-tool with pliers can be very handy. Go prepared, with instant noodles and enough containers to carry water.

Leave no trace.

If you venture into the real wilderness solo make sure to leave a route plan with someone and an ETA.

Food: just carry porridge - it's light. You can make it with cold water, it won't taste great but it will keep you going. The Highland armies were fuelled by it which is why they were so mobile, a sporran full of porridge and a great big knife, and they were good to go. A week of porridge isn't going to have you suffering from malnutrition, so you'd get by.

Great big knives: very useful things but they'll get you arrested in this nanny state. If you think you may have to despatch some of the Zombie horde, then a folding shovel is the trick. Just sharpen the edges and it will do double duty as a chopper. Just don't expect it to last long. Many of the Australian troops in WW1 preferred to use their suitably sharpened shovels for trench warfare in place of a rifle with a bayonet. I'm told it was far more effective. You can also use your shovel for disposing of waste.

Small knives: spend your money on a quality blade and learn to keep it sharp. Keep it small enough to appear innocuous. It can also be lashed to a pole to make a spear, but that's a quick way to bugger up a good blade.

Endurance: you can survive without food for a few days if you ration your energy expenditure. just don't try it in winter unless you want to experience real misery. While the weather is good, try a day out without eating so you can learn to control your appetite.

Hunting: poaching is illegal. As far as I'm concerned that just means don't get caught or target endangered animals. The right to live of the land has been stolen from us, so I see nothing wrong with "stealing" some food for a meal from the possessors of the stolen lands. If you haven't killed anything before, you may be surprised how hard it is to do. No animal conveniently drops dead just because you've stuck a few holes in it unless they are the right holes.

If you get your outdoor adventure wrong you're not going to die (in this country) unless you do something really stupid. What can kill you is exposure to the elements if you get caught in some nasty weather, so concentrate on getting your clothing and shelter sorted first.

Doing a course may be a wise idea. At your age there are lots available.

Whatever happens don't be put off trying, and if you get it wrong, try again.