A Question to the UK folk.....

Would you carry a sub 3” unassuming knife with a lock in the UK.... Given the circumstances in post?

  • Yes

    Votes: 2 10.5%

  • No

    Votes: 15 78.9%

  • Sometimes - Not in a heavily populated area

    Votes: 2 10.5%
  • Total voters
    19
Status
Not open for further replies.
N

NDH

Joined
Oct 24, 2020
Messages
21
Apologies if you’ve already seen this on Reddit, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen what online spaces are the most populated.......

Anyway, any opinion on the below will be greatly received!

Hello UK folk!

Question for you good people.....

How many of you carry a locking knife in the UK? I'm well aware of the law, and that it needs to be a sub 3" blade that doesn't lock (unless you have a valid reason), and I'm also acutely aware of how vague that is!

I've been searching for a new knife for a while now, and SO many comments allude to never having a locking knife in the UK for fear of prosecution and breaking the law etc.

Now, I appreciate everyone's situation is different, so I should probably add a few caveats here.....

I've never been stopped or searched by the police. I'd also never take a knife with me to a densely populated area. It may live in my pocket on a quick trip to the supermarket (very rare I may add), but I'd not take it to London or a busy city centre!

The vast majority of the time it would be at home (appreciate that would be perfectly fine), walks around the village, and days out with the family (national trust etc).

It wouldn't be with me on nights out or the pub, as I'm never there!

So given those circumstances, would you have any qualms whatsoever in carrying a small locking pocket knife?

I have a UKPK, and appreciate its design for the law, but I don't love the style at all.

I should also add, the only reason I’m asking, is because I just don’t love many UK legs knives.

Thanks in advance!
 
I think you know the answer...
There are more slipjoint options available than ever before, with more countries bringing in similar legislation.
So long as you feel you can justify it then there shouldn't be a problem. If you know you will have to admit 'I knew the rules but chose to bend/break them' then it might not be worth living life on the edge. Especially as the record for carrying an edged weapon outside of guidance is pretty long lasting.
Camping, hunting, climbing, sailing etc sure, you can provide a good reason for having a larger and locking knife. You will only regret the decision when you do get stopped and searched one day.
 
Wurger190 said:
I think you know the answer...
There are more slipjoint options available than ever before, with more countries bringing in similar legislation.
So long as you feel you can justify it then there shouldn't be a problem. If you know you will have to admit 'I knew the rules but chose to bend/break them' then it might not be worth living life on the edge. Especially as the record for carrying an edged weapon outside of guidance is pretty long lasting.
Camping, hunting, climbing, sailing etc sure, you can provide a good reason for having a larger and locking knife. You will only regret the decision when you do get stopped and searched one day.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response.

Out of interest, would you carry one at home or around the countryside (walks etc).

Or are you in the firm “not in the UK regardless” camp?
 
NDH said:
Thanks for the response.

Out of interest, would you carry one at home or around the countryside (walks etc).

Or are you in the firm “not in the UK regardless” camp?
Click to expand...
I have many knives, most of my folders are locking in some way or another and are over 3" in blade length.
I use these for work, or specific activities where I can justify a one handed opening (not assisted opening) and locking mechanism.
I grew up with a knife in my pocket and don't like to be without one. But equally, knowing the legislation means playing to it, not trying to justify subverting it.
 
What I'm trying to say is, yes, I'd love to carry my Cold Steel Recon 1 tanto all the time. It's an excellent knife and would all i require of it.
But, I carry a Syderco UKPK which does ok and keeps me legal.
 
Wurger190 said:
What I'm trying to say is, yes, I'd love to carry my Cold Steel Recon 1 tanto all the time. It's an excellent knife and would all i require of it.
But, I carry a Syderco UKPK which does ok and keeps me legal.
Click to expand...

That’s a fair comment.

I guess my question stemmed from my unique circumstances and curiosity into the research I’d already done.

I’m not going to be a big knife collector. I like to use things I love, and the UKPK just doesn’t do it for me (I’ve not seen a UK legal carry that I really love the look of).

Given my relatively modest use, remote location and the fact I wouldn’t carry it into town or a city etc, I was just wondering if anyone had been in that situation before, and what they decided to do (carry).

I was also curious about the concern with being stopped/searched by police and falling the wrong side of the law.

As someone with no convictions/warnings and never even spoken to a police officer in an official capacity, I just wondered if the concern stemmed from prior experience, or purely just covering all possible angles, despite how remote being stopped would be.

I fully support the law, and I’m not looking to circumvent it “just cause I can” or another “stick it to em” type statement.

It’s certainly interesting to see the responses of others, so I appreciate your insight!
 
The trouble you may get in makes it not worth it. Don't get me wrong, I love my knives and I carry constantly at least two or three of them. They are all legal, sort of. They are on the small side and none of them reeks of weapon, at least. Now, I live in a village and being an old, bearded, white haired guy makes it very unlikely I get body searched by police. Still, I know I'm fooling, I should carry strictly legal when I go out. The problem is when you carry a knife day in, day out, you get so used to it you forget it's there. I found myself in town with a 4" fixed blade in the pocket without realizing it until I came home and changed clothes. So, short version, put yourself at ease and at peace with carrying only what is legal where you live. By the way, you really don't need a lock on your knife. It takes some caution and focus but your cutting needs will be perfectly met with a slipjoint or a friction folder. You're in luck, due to the legislation, the offer has grown to be so abundant and diverse that you will have a hard time choosing.
 
I have a hard time understanding why some people stubbornly want to outplay the law. In the end, you loose. And you won't like it.
There are so many ways to enjoy a knife / many knives without risking going to jail.
 
The only absurdity here is you, telling people to not respect their country's current laws. From whatever country they may be.
 
I wouldn't and haven't. It's not worth the hassle and playing dice with murphy's law. There are so many great slipjoints on the market today that will accomplish the vast majority of tasks that I've never felt the need.
 
Here's the easy deciding question: you say you have a family, do you want them to get caught up in the hassle and fallout if you are caught with an illegal knife?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top