[Closed] UK legal knives

It's got to be a non-locking folder under 3". So a fixed doesn't count. Nor does an opinel as they lock.

I got stopped and searched in the peak district on a bike.

Yeah, it's the other way around. It's fixed blades which were banned, a folding knife has to be non-locking because it was later ruled that a locking one essentially converts it into a fixed blade. As Yak says, your Opinel is also an illegal carry I'm afraid.

There's a degree of common sense to be exercised here though. Carrying a penknife in a rucksack when halfway up a hill is a different scenario from having it in your back pocket in the middle of Manchester Arndale. What are you gonna do, shiv a sheep if it looks at your burd a bit funny?

As Yak says, your Opinel is also an illegal carry I’m afraid.

I'm sorry but its really not illegal.

IF you have a valid reason.

being out on the hills with a porkpie... legal.

being in the woods with a half carved spoon... legal.

walking to your chef job with a wallet of knives... legal.

carrying your knives from shop to car to house... legal.

standing by your sailing boat/canoe whatever just about to set off... legal.

Wandering round tesco with it in your pocket. Not legal and stupid.

no such laws for axes I think so when I am out with the PeeblesFleet its grandfors for me

^That's all fine, but once the pie is eaten you have an illegal knife.

I would err on the side of caution and get a legal carry.

I would err on the side of caution and get a legal carry second pie.

What about diving knives which are a short fixed blade?
OK on you person when doing activity (for me kayak/fishing fixed on my PFD), even when you're messing about on beach/car park putting out or in.

I always have my leatherman wave that locks in my rucksack, for work and when out walking, and I may be wearing it when I go to shops for food. Though on a recent day trip to Aberdeen I did deliberately remove it.

Make your sandwiches before you set out, problem solved.

That’s all fine, but once the pie is eaten you have an illegal knife.

I had it to eat my pork pie. Its still a valid reason to have a knife.

I mean thats probably the weakest reason on the list. Because you can cut a porkpie with a creditcard.

I have a fee fixed blades for carving and stuff and a Massive opinel i cook with when camping.

Other than that though not sure why you would want more than a swiss army knife which i do carry alot. Best use for it ever so far was cutting zipties after a wee girl managed to ziptie her wee brothers wrists together HARD and the dad was a little bit worried about how he was going to fix it 😁

I’m sorry but its really not illegal.

You could still be arrested for it. It's only legal in a "court would almost certainly decide that you had good reason to be carrying it" sort of way.

Like I said, common sense should apply and one would hope that your average copper would recognise the validity of carrying a rope knife when you're going mountain climbing, and it's my understanding that for most practical purposes this is exactly what happens. But you could still be lifted for it and generally be given a bad day and things of that nature if you had Constable Savage on your case and you were being particularly irritating. Or brown.

Other than that though not sure why you would want more than a swiss army knife which i do carry alot.

That's the silly thing with all this. If you have a knife for none-murdery reasons, a locking knife is considerably safer than a SAK. You're not going to accidentally fold it back over your knuckles.

I understand the need for legislation, but your average scrote isn't going to be carrying an Opinel which takes several seconds and both hands to open and lock out. Doubly so in the bottom of a rucksack.

Because you can cut a porkpie with a creditcard.

I think if the police saw you doing this, they'd certainly have more questions... 😁
RM.

Because you can cut a porkpie with a creditcard

Do that within twenty miles of Melton Mowbray and you'll be hanging from the nearest gibbet within minutes.

What about diving knives which are a short fixed blade?
OK on you person when doing activity (for me kayak/fishing fixed on my PFD), even when you’re messing about on beach/car park putting out or in.

Its legal to carry any sized knife in public if you have "good reason". Ultimately it will be for the courts to determine if you have a good reason at that particular time. Clearly diving, fishing, etc where knives are part of the routine kit used or have a safety role you'll not face a big difficulty doing that (and its unlikely to even go to court). If you were kayaking yesterday and put it in your jacket, forget and wear the same jacket again today that might be a harder battle (although I think a credible witness whos jacket was for the outdoors rather than "fashion" might stand a good chance).

I think Rik carrying a fixed blade knife on a day cycling / hill walking trip might find himself struggling to justify why. To make sandwiches will probably test the courts imagination! Just in case - might also struggle - although the context would be relevant: how big a hill, how far from help, where (bottom of bag with other tools might support a just in case - in your hip pocket - not so much), etc. The probably with bottom of bag just in case is when you forget to take it out and are cycling through town a few days later, or take that bag to tesco. If that's a possibility - either don't carry a knife (I've never bothered on day trips, but do when camping) or just take a small folder.

no such laws for axes I think so when I am out with the PeeblesFleet its grandfors for me

applies to any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed

Context is everything. Obviously if an outdoorsy pursuit that normally involves a knife; diving, fishing, climbing, camping, yachting, hunting etc, is being travelled to or actually undertaken, then the lawful purpose is easily established by the other kit being carried and an officer isn't going to consider action. 'Forgetting' that you have a Rambo knife in your best jaiket when 'up the dancin' is somewhat different and right up there with baseball enthusiasts who keep a bat in the car but strangely never carry a mitt or baseballs... Rule 1 applies.

EDIT - Pretty much wot Poly said above!

Because you can cut a porkpie with a creditcard.

American Express? That'll do pastry, sir.

If you're looking to be truly legal, then it has to be a non-locking folder. I have a lovely Hultafors chisel knife which I got for camping, but it stays in the camping box... The law is (understandably) quite short on loopholes because it has to give Police the chance to arrest a yout' with a knife without allowing them to say they were opening boxes and forgot... You technically have to be on your way to where you need that knife, using it, or on your way back from using it (and you'd better have the pork pie wrapper...)

I have a tiny little non-locking Opinel for bike packing, made sure it was very very legal in case I ever forget I have it in my pocket or something.

It's flippin' sharp though.

Cool thanks for the clarification and yes i always carry a second pie! Who doesn't, that and an emergency mars bar. Fixed blade is no go

Making sandwiches in advance is just not an option, i wouldn't want my apple to go brown with my brie baguette

I have just swapped out the opinel for a swiss army knife.

I was always under the illusion that the opinel was okay, as you manually have to move the locking mechanism into place unlike a framelock knife which is automatic upon opening the blade. But no worries swiss army knife apple slayer it is.

OK on you person when doing activity (for me kayak/fishing fixed on my PFD), even when you’re messing about on beach/car park putting out or in.

The only way to be sure is to be searched by a cop and see what happens. Then possibly repeat it again the next day with another cop in a slightly different mood.
The "good reason" is vague and highly subjective.
I wouldnt carry a locking knife for my porkpie when hillwalking since whilst it does have advantages they arent going to be obvious enough to pass that test.
I do carry a locking knife for my porkpie, bread and cheese when paddling whitewater. Sorry, to correct that, I carry a locking knife since in a rescue situation in fast flowing water I really dont want to worry about the blade folding on my fingers. Other people I know carry fixed blades.
Since its tucked away in the BA and that in turn is in a bag in the boot or buried under other things I dont feel worried about being found with it when driving to a location. As opposed to having it sitting in the centre alcove.
Likewise when getting on and off the water I would feel happy justifying my actions although obviously would prefer not to.
However if (as has happened) when waiting for the shuttle run have walked to the local town/village for a quick snack I would leave the knife behind with the kayak. It could probably be justified but why risk the hassle.
So for your beach example I would feel fine going from the car to the sea and back again but if I felt like an icecream I would probably drop the knife off in the car before walking the half mile down the beach.

no such laws for axes I think so when I am out with the PeeblesFleet its grandfors for me

Go on try that theory. Let us know what it’s like to be pepper sprayed.

That’s the silly thing with all this. If you have a knife for none-murdery reasons, a locking knife is considerably safer than a SAK. You’re not going to accidentally fold it back over your knuckles.

What I meant by that is that you can carry a perfectly legal alternative and if you are able to fold a swiss army knife on you knuckles cutting a pork pie you probably shouldn't be allowed more than a blunt spoon 😀

there are some non locking EDC knives that have such a ridiculously strong springs there is no way you can close it accidentally

Something like https://heinnie.com/boker-plus-worldwide

In case the information is useful to anyone, this is my post from 5 years ago with links to the relevant section of the Criminal Justice Act and the precedent setting legal case.
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/penknife-law/#post-7505732

Also worth reading the subsequent post from ‘Scapegoat’ who IIRC may have been a serving police officer.

I normally carry a small Opinel locking knife in my work rucksack for various job related tasks (I never forget my lunch box, so I can be sure it's with me). I only have a short bike commute so don't worry about that, but on occasion I will need to take a train to collect my car from a garage so try to remember to take it out just in case they're checking at the station which they often do if there's a home football match.

Does anyone make a Swiss Army style folding knife with a spring loaded safety peg? So it is still folding / not locked but can only fold shut to 90 degrees without lifting the peg to let it fold further (and therefore can't snap shut on your knuckles).

In case the information is useful to anyone, this is my post from 5 years ago

Oh, I remember that. That's the one that was going relatively well until Dogstabber McGraw turned up, isn't it.

Because you can cut a porkpie with a creditcard.

Its possible but just try getting it up your nose.

a couple of years ago i went to Amsterdam for work meetings, i had just come back from Scotland the day before flying over, only going for 3 days so just had a carry on bag with me.
I put a small daypack in my carry on bigger bag.
When i got to the hotel and unpacked and put stuff in the smaller back to take to the meetings, i noticed there was something in front pocket of the small bag, instantly knew it was my folding knofe, which had been with me in Scotland.
it was a UK legal carry one like this https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcM_v9YXkAAJvpa?format=jpg&name=900x900

Been right through Heathrow security with that in the bag, would have been "interesting" if they had been awake in security.

Reminds me of the time several years ago I set the alarms off going

INTO THE HOUSES OF COMMONS

with a little locking pocket knife in my coat.... eek!
I was soo nervous, but calmly explained to teh armed police sat about that I'd been doing up my house, and that was the knife i'd been using to cut all the webbing straps and must ahve put it in my pocket.
I guess cos I was a middle class white guy in smart clothes I didn't fit any 'profiles', and they just gave it back to me when I finished my tour...!

DrP

I have a staff team who regularly walk into schools with three or four field knives. I have knives in buouyancy aid, first aid kit and by the back door.
My kitchen has half a dozen. My kids have one each.

It's all about context.

If you've got good reason that they are a tool, you can carry them.

Its possible but just try getting it up your nose.

Coke and porkers?

You can pop the wee steel locking collar off an opinel, then it has no locking mechanism?.

I'm always amused by the fact that these are UK legal carry 😀

https://heinnie.com/lansky-madrock-world-legal

I've got one of the slightly less bonkers looking ones, but even that gets the odd raised eyebrow when I'm slicing fruit in the office...

https://heinnie.com/lansky-world-legal-knife

Been right through Heathrow security with that in the bag, would have been “interesting” if they had been awake in security.

It will have been noted. And they will have profiled you too. It's perfectly OK to take a folding knife of 6 cm onto a plane through LHR. Son2 has finished two years in that role.

Screwdrivers of ANY form are an absolute no-no. That goes for bike multitools with a screwdriver attachment too. Check those in.

TiRed i know the rules say you are allowed to take one through the airports, but its not the reality in most airports as most security staff do not know the details of the rules.
Most places they will not let you take anything like scissors etc even though they have big posters showing that you are allowed if under a certain size.

To think as an 8 year old i never went anywhere without my sheaf knife..

as most security staff do not know the details of the rules.

And that is based on what?

Those screens you see them looking at - The operatives have repeated daily testing. His best confiscation was a standard issue US Marine Ka-Bar Knife from a traveling Marine who forgot to check it in. That one was definitely not legal.

In case the information is useful to anyone, this is my post from 5 years ago

But beware that the law has changed since then:
Offensive Weapons Act 2019
I think the main change relevant to carrying is the change in definition of a flick knife

I’m always amused by the fact that these are UK legal carry 😀

I have a sword peasant and a sword peasant mini.

they are essentiall a fixed blade as the tang sticks out and folds into the handle. Its impossible to close it on yourself if you are holding the handle and you can open it one handed.

ITs completely legal, well the mini one is the normal one fails the blade length test. You could proper **** some one up with one, its mad. it doesn't look remotely tactical though.

Think I have told this before.

Two policemen once did the blues and twos to get to me as I had a 24" machete in a public (ish) place.

Some old duffer had seen me and my mates with axes and knives wrecking the place and called the police.

I was 15 and a scout senior patrol leader (in my uniform top and necker) leading two patrols (Similarly attired) to clean up the laneway to the county campground before the buses arrived for an international jamboree.

I was clearing undergrowth to let the lads with the saws and axes get to the big jobs that crossed the lane.

Old man had lost his rag because the land that backed onto his garden that he had snaffled was now obvious.

Police were happy to let us carry on (we all had the knife and axe badge and solid toe boots) despite me being the oldest.

There was a letter of complaint in the local paper about all the scouts loitering and making the place messy. The following week there were loads complimenting the work we had put in to make everything look immaculate. For 6 weeks before every scout troop in the area had descended and polished anything that stayed still for 30 seconds.

So I suspect, as ever, it's all about context.

Most days I carry an Enzo PK70 but have a Lanskey World legal as well as around 30 other pocket knives that all get carried at some point.

Having a locking knife while out hillwalking and having a reason to use it (pies) makes it perfectly legal to carry.

I'm just amazed that I've made it to 62 years of age without having to carry a knife on a daily basis. Probably because I live the UK and aren't living out some Bear Ghrylls fantasy.

To think as an 8 year old i never went anywhere without my sheaf knife..

Even outside of harvest time?