Maybe moving to London and need some info/suggestions.

d.2.the.p

d.2.the.p

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I posted this over in Spyderco's forums but figured I'd toss it up here too.

I might be moving to London, so I have an extremely valid reason to buy new knives (at least that's what I'm telling myself ). That said, I'm trying to decide between a Ti UKPK, G10 Urban Leaf, and Squeak.

I really want the UKPK, but it's my understanding that, though perfectly legal, a knife of that size would still draw a lot of negative attention in urban areas from people and police due to general anti-knife sentiment. Does anyone know if that's actually the case?

Next is the Urban. This is probably the way I want to go, but it is just SO freaking expensive for what you're getting. Does anyone know if Spyderco is releasing new high-end versions soon since the current G10 versions have been disco'd (similar to what they did with the UKPK)?

Lastly, there's the Squeak. It's SO tiny, but everyone seems to love it. The price is definitely right and this would be least likely to get negative press in public. General consensus?

Any suggestions?
 
My suggestion is to read up on the actual laws in the area you will be moving to. Ask the question inthe Knife Laws subforum. Once tou have a firm understanding of the legalities, then you start shopping around.
 
RevDevil said:
My suggestion is to read up on the actual laws in the area you will be moving to. Ask the question inthe Knife Laws subforum. Once tou have a firm understanding of the legalities, then you start shopping around.
Click to expand...

I actually have explored the laws quite a bit, and as far as the UK goes, as long as the blade length is under 3"/75mm and there is no locking mechanism whatsoever, it's legal. So all 3 choices are fine. However, after exploring a number of posts here and on British Blades, it appears that a lot of people in the more urban areas are still very anti-knife due to the widespread knife-related violence that's reared it's ugly head over the years. I generally gravitate towards 2"-3" blades anyway for similar reasons here in the states - I would prefer not draw negative attention even though I'm well within my legal rights.
 
I don't know what you look like, but I appear to be an American to most everyone I run into. When I was last in London, I carried a SAK. I used it in public and nobody gave a crap.
 
You are spot on about public perception, especially in the capital (or any major city or conurbation) where youth knife crime in particular has led to continued negative perceptions of knife carry, regardless of legality.

That said, certain knives are more non-knife person (NKP) friendly in the UK; SAK's, US traditional patterns and the non-locking Opinels.

Personally I carry a Cognet Douk-Douk if I know I'm going somewhere I could need to use my knife around other folks (I live up north so I'm talking a larger city (train station etc) NOT going out to a bar or gig where the doormen/security will even take the chain off your wallet from you if they're that way inclined, and where I have no need for a knife at all).

In the UK you DO NOT have to justify carrying a sub 3" non-locking folder at all. A Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) may advise you not to carry it or put it away but you are not obliged to.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga...s-with-blades-or-points-and-offensive-weapons

This once happened to me at an armed checkpoint/metal detector set up at a railway station, I used everyday, after a stabbing the evening before. The PCSO, who was being a big of a jobs worth, picked up my Douk-Douk, after I willing emptied my pockets, before walking through the scanner. She started playing with it, opening it saying "ooh this is sharp, why have you got it?". After I calmly explained why, then explained the fact I didn't need a reason, her colleague, a firearms officer took it out of her hand, she had still not worked out how to close it (its non locking :/) and said I was free to go about my business, shaking his head at his over zealous, non-police officer colleague.

After some high profile incidents, as previously mentioned, PCSO's have been given the right to stop search and detain, but I have found they can be less lacking in 'real policing' and judicious reasoning than their real deal colleagues.

When I go to work I carry a locking folder (sometimes fix blades and axes!).
I need to justify this if asked, my reason for doing is simply that I use it for work.
 
I spend around 3 months a year in London and I carry either a small SAK or a Case Peanut deep in a pocket. I have found that I have never needed more than that and the Spyderco clips are just to much of a broadcast.

British Blades forum have an excellent section on legal matters with a lot of advise.

Have fun in London.

Steven
 
The Spyderco Squeak is one hell of a knife IMHO.

Fit, and finish are fantastic and the N690 steel takes a wicked edge, however it is not quite VG10. ;)

I would put the blade steel between AUS8, and VG10, but it works well for a knife it's size. Fits in the hand very well, and is not too small for the Spyderhole to work well.

Personally the UKPN is more blade, and an excellent knife, but if you want to keep it smaller the Squeak would be my second choice.

I guess I shouldn't mention I bought it for my Fiance though..........Oops. :P
 
It is, but lacks the one handed opening that is perfectly legal in the UK far as I know.
 
I'm Scottish but have lived in the US for the past 15 years. My gateway spyderco was a UKPK that I bought specifically for going home to Scotland to visit. It was hard for me to understand the anti knife sentiment until I got home. I ended up only carrying my Wenger Highlander Swiss army knife since even the UKPK "looked" like a weapon to my family.

After my experience I would say skip the expensive slipits and buy the cheaper UKPK and a nice alox Swiss army.
 
I live in London and my EDC is between UKPK, Squeak, Bucks Solo, Byrd Wing, and a numbers of SAK, I used them all the time in full view, as long as it is under 3 inches and non locking, you should be fine.
 
I was in London over the summer and used a SAK numerous times in public and didn't run into any trouble.
 
I agree that the Squeak is a great knife especially for EDC and if want a more friendly version, you can get the Pink one :D

I actually am carrying mine right now and I love it
 
The UK Pen knife is designed with British law in mind. In an intense urban environment a small swiss army flies under radar. In Pubs and parties no knife is best. You are in the land of 23,000,000 surveilance cameras. I enjoy England a lot. I error on the side of discretion as I am a knife maker and don't want to do anything that further regulates that in the future. I have run into more anti-knife sentiment in Seattle. Learn the fine points of queues, enjoy the Uk and its fine people...Take care...Ed
 
Thank you all for the information and suggestions. This is what I love about this forum - you get to hear what people all over the world from all walks of life have to say. Even one of my favorite knife makers!

That said, I have a squeak on the way which will fit nicely in my watch pocket if I want to carry it. I have a black alox SAK Cadet that I used to carry a lot which will undoubtedly find its way back into my pocket more often than not as well.
 
My first recommedation would be not to move to London. I had 6 years there and couldn't get out fast enough.

If you do, absolutely need to go you should be fine with any of the UKPK options. I carry mine when I need to be confident of passing any 'checks'. If you do want to err on the side of caution, get a couple of cheaper FRN version and be prepared for one to be 'held onto' whilst check are made.

The G10 UKPK whilst no longer in production is available on the second-hand market and it a terrific option. The FRN options with somewhat lesser steels are fine if you are okay with sharpening.

But seriously, take a good hard think before moving to the rat-race that is London.

Best of luck.

Ben
 
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