Knife Laws in Germany?

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Jul 9, 2001
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It looks like I will be moving to Frankfurt, Germany in a couple of weeks for a job there. Not really what I am wanting to do but this is due to the depression-like economic conditions for computer programmers here.

I am thinking of taking at least a SAK with me, in checked luggage. Are there any German members out there who can advise me of what is OK to have?
 
Thanks, Quiet Storm,

At this point I don't know if I will be living in Frankfurt or some other nearby town. The job is at the airport. Another place I am interested in is Mainz, a beautiful city, and also near the airport.
 
Yup, Mainz is OK, but I just like Frankfurt for its skyline. People call it "Mainhattan" (the Main is a river).
But unfortunately crime is rampant in Frankfurt.
 
Sorry, this is somewhat off topic and perhaps I should have started a separate thread, but I'm interested to know one's legal obligations for carrying a knife in defense. I think there are too many people totally unknowledgeable about their obligations as a responsible citizen when carrying a potentially deadly weapon, and -- worse -- like a speeding driver they seem oblivious to the consequences that could derive from using it.

As some forumites know, I was involved in a confrontation during the summer where I had to draw my knife on some low-life punk strung out on something. Luckilly, I never had to use it. I merely scared him off by brandishing it in defense.

After my post, the wannabe Dirty Harrys, and guys who have read one too many Fred Perrin articles, and Soldier of Fortune magazines (think Dale from "King of the Hill") started in with their dubious opinions like, "Big mistake FTC. You should keep your knife hidden until you enemy is in range to strike." (I'm paraphrasing of course).

I thought to myself: that's all fine and good when you're watching Paul Vunak "defanging the snake" in a Jeet Kune Do video. But it's different when your next step may result in seriously injuring or killing another human being just because he's acting a bit stupid and you are anxious to try out those "Green Beret karate tricks" you learned from a weekend knife fighting seminar.

Not only do you have to live with your consequences ethically, but you'll be dealing with the law who will see YOU as the aggressor using a concealed weapon. In other words, I'm not risking landing my ass in jail just for one moment of self-imposed justice.

I know others may have a point of view different from mine, and I respect that, but if I can't state it eloquently enough, I found an article from a fellow who pretty much sums it up for me. http://www.kc3.com/self_defense/continuum.htm

Therefore, I would like to hear from members from the forum with real law, and law enforcement knowledge on what the real obligations of carrying and using a concealed blade in defense.

Thanks,

FTC
 
but you'll be dealing with the law who will see YOU as the aggressor using a concealed weapon.


I haven't heard what the situation is in Canada, but I know that in Britian, Australia, as well as Democrat controlled cities in the US,
the goal is to outlaw self-defense. Because of Draconian gun control laws, Britian now has the highest crime rate in the industrialized world. One can be arrested there for carrying any object with the intent to use it as a weapon in self-defense.

It is a sick world we live in now, where a man can be arrested for trying to protect himself and loved ones from criminal attack, yet it is seen as just fine for a man to dress up in women's clothes.

Quiet Storm,

You wouldn't happen to live in Koblenz, would you? My ancestor, Devault Beck, immigrated to America from Koblenz in 1751.
 
W.T.Beck,

almost every knife is legal to in Germany, exceptions:
Don´t carry weapons or other dangerous items on political meetings, in discos, on fairgrounds etc. Weapon means everything, made to hurt someone by means of physical power.

Forbidden are knives with knuckles and D-Guards and knives hidden in other things. like umbrellas, combs or lipsticks.

And forbidden are spring knives with blades longer than 8,5 cm, or thinner than 14% of blade length or double ground.

Darmstadt too is quite near to the Airport - we have our direct bus line from the city to the airport.

If you are here, feel free to call me.

Claus
 
@W. T. Beck

No, I´m not from Koblenz, I´m from Heidelberg.


@Claus

Thanks for completing the German knife law summary.
 
Thanks everyone for the information on the German knife laws.

Quiet Storm,

Heidelberg is a beautiful city. I remember the world's largest wine barrel in the castle there.
 
Hi,

I'm related to Devault Beck, also. How did you know that he came from Koblenz? I have access to the Koblenz church records and will look for him if you are sure he comes from there.

Thanks so much,
Karen
 
Hi Karen,

since this thread is almost four years old and the last time W.T. Beck visited this forum was over a month ago, your best bet would probably be to contact him via email (click his name and select "View Public Profile", you'll find a link to a contact form there).
 
I lived in and around Frankfurt for a few years.(aside from a year at boarding school near the border to France).

You should check out Oberursel, my main home and stomping ground in Germany. It's only about 15 minutes from the center, you even have the "train" coming and going to Frankfurt very often(I can't remember but I think it was every half an hour all day long), and you have the Taunus forest right there at the edge of town.(I used to go hiking all the time there--nice place).

It's a middle to high class area, so some properties are a bit expensive, but it's worth it.

Oh, and there is a gun store right in the center, selling everything from guns, gas guns, good knives, etc. Or atleast there was one years ago but I don't see why it wouldn't still be there.

Good luck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberursel
 
Bwahaha!

I didn't realize how old this thread was! I wouldn't have bothered.
 
Hello Sundance4444,

Do you think we have the same ancestors? An aunt (now deceased) researched the Beck family history. She found out that Devault Beck came from Koblenz. I believe the date was 1751 but I am not sure. He first went to Pennsylvania and then moved south to North Carolina, settling in Davidson County. That was just south of a German Moravian settlement called Salem (now a part of Winston-Salem).

I asked my aunt's daughter if she had the records from my aunt's research. She said she did not know what happened to them.

As far as I know I am the only decendant of Devault Beck in the U.S. who has visit Koblenz. I have been there a few times while living in Raunheim near Frankfurt in 2002 - 2003.
 
We are talking about the same Grandpa. I thought it amazing that of all the Beck family researchers, I should find your post indicating that he came from Koblenz. I had to join this site and hope you would see this reply. No other site or person out there indicates where in Germany he came from.
You may E-mail me at baland1@msn.com It would be easier for me if that works for you. Thanks for writing.
 
W.T. Beck said:
I know that in ... Democrat controlled cities in the US,
the goal is to outlaw self-defense.

I'd love to see one piece of documentation supporting that

W.T. Beck said:
Britian now has the highest crime rate in the industrialized world.

I'd love to see one piece of documentation supporting that.
 
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