Munich knife laws

bigbre

bigbre

Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
270
Hey,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the knife laws in Munich germany. I have a spyderco salt 1 with the yellow handle and I was wondering if I could carry it or if I had to be sneaky with it.

Thanks

-alex

the quicker that someone could clear this up for me the better as I am already in munich.
 
Im not totally sure, but ive heard something about one-handed openers not being allowed for regular civilian use. Only if you have a valid reason, such as your job etc.

Ill see if i can find some info for you.
 
Yeah, i remembered correctly. One-handed locking openers are illegal in germany except if youre a fireman, emt, tradesman or in any other job that requires such a knife.

You better be real sneaky with it especially with the visually agressive Spyderco, or better yet go invest in a legal folder.

From Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife_legislation#Germany

German law explicitly forbids a few types of knives and regards other types of knives as weapons.

German law defines a weapon to be any item that is intended to reduce or eliminate the ability of a person to attack another person or to defend themselves. Example: A bayonet is intended to injure or kill people, hence it is regarded as a weapon by the law, while a machete is regarded as a tool to clear dense vegetation. A knife with a two-sided blade and a switchblade which is not illegal as described below are always regarded as weapons. Sabres and similar items are regarded as weapons.

German law explicitly lists the following knives as being illegal to manufacture, import, sell or possess:

* Butterfly knives
* Gravity knives
* Push daggers
* Switchblade knives are the only knives where the law makes restrictions on the length of the knife:
o All OTF switchblade knives are regarded as illegal to possess.
o All side-opening switchblade knives are illegal, except when the blade
+ is no longer than 8.5 cm
+ is at least 20% as wide as it is long
+ has a continuous back.

The law makes an exception for push daggers: These knives may be owned and used by owners of a hunting permit, or by members of the fur industry.

All weapons are subject to restrictions, including a minimum age of the owner, they have to be stored properly and may not be carried at certain public events. All knives that are not illegal or regarded as weapons can be purchased, owned and carried by anyone.

In February 2008 a new law was passed which outlaws the carrying of certain types of knives without commonly awarded purpose:

* All switchblades, even those formerly allowed for carrying.
* All locking folders with one-handed opening mechanism. If the knife has just one of these two features, it is still legal.
* All blades over 12.0 cm.
 
Ok thanks man so if I am reading that correctly I could legally carry a sog multitool butnot the spydie...damn wimpy Europeans (In regard to knives) grrrrrr. Thanks man

-alex
 
yeah, when I got back from my month long backpacking trip through Europe, I found out I pretty much violated the knife laws in all 7 countries I visited... OOPS. I guess if you just mind your business, stay smart, and keep it out of sight you'll be alright. Carried my old spyderco in my pocket most of the time, don't even remember the model, it was a gift and I lost it not long after, not very big though.

Also had a Victorinox Hiker (or camper maybe?) in my pack the whole time, pretty sure that's alright in most countries though...
 
bigbre said:
Ok thanks man so if I am reading that correctly I could legally carry a sog multitool butnot the spydie...damn wimpy Europeans (In regard to knives) grrrrrr. Thanks man

-alex
Click to expand...

You cant carry a locking blade or a one-handed opener. If youre talking about a multitool with a locking blade its a no-no.
 
kmm said:
Yeah, i remembered correctly. One-handed locking openers are illegal in germany except if youre a fireman, emt, tradesman or in any other job that requires such a knife.

You better be real sneaky with it especially with the visually agressive Spyderco, or better yet go invest in a legal folder.

From Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knife_legislation#Germany

German law explicitly forbids a few types of knives and regards other types of knives as weapons.

German law defines a weapon to be any item that is intended to reduce or eliminate the ability of a person to attack another person or to defend themselves. Example: A bayonet is intended to injure or kill people, hence it is regarded as a weapon by the law, while a machete is regarded as a tool to clear dense vegetation. A knife with a two-sided blade and a switchblade which is not illegal as described below are always regarded as weapons. Sabres and similar items are regarded as weapons.

German law explicitly lists the following knives as being illegal to manufacture, import, sell or possess:

* Butterfly knives
* Gravity knives
* Push daggers
* Switchblade knives are the only knives where the law makes restrictions on the length of the knife:
o All OTF switchblade knives are regarded as illegal to possess.
o All side-opening switchblade knives are illegal, except when the blade
+ is no longer than 8.5 cm
+ is at least 20% as wide as it is long
+ has a continuous back.

The law makes an exception for push daggers: These knives may be owned and used by owners of a hunting permit, or by members of the fur industry.

All weapons are subject to restrictions, including a minimum age of the owner, they have to be stored properly and may not be carried at certain public events. All knives that are not illegal or regarded as weapons can be purchased, owned and carried by anyone.

In February 2008 a new law was passed which outlaws the carrying of certain types of knives without commonly awarded purpose:

* All switchblades, even those formerly allowed for carrying.
* All locking folders with one-handed opening mechanism. If the knife has just one of these two features, it is still legal.
* All blades over 12.0 cm.
Click to expand...
According to this law, if you remove the thumb stud, you can still have the locking folder. CS "Voyager" folders have easily-removable thumb studs. A small screwdriver is all that you will need. Blades with thumb-holes, such as the Spyderco, will be much more difficult to modify in order to make them legal to carry.
 
TOM1960 said:
According to this law, if you remove the thumb stud, you can still have the locking folder. CS "Voyager" folders have easily-removable thumb studs. A small screwdriver is all that you will need. Blades with thumb-holes, such as the Spyderco, will be much more difficult to modify in order to make them legal to carry.
Click to expand...

Thats correct, and a Spydie UKPK/DKPK will be legal too.
 
I lived in Wiesbaden in the late 80's, early 90's when I was in the AF. Normally, if you keep it hidden, no problem. They have changed even since Ive lived there and really try to be "PC". The irony is that one-handers, lockblades are illegal for the most part. But switchblades, as long as they are too big, usually fly by okay.

With that said. Most Deutsches love a well made knife, will usually leave you alone. Just dont do anything that draws attention from the Polizei and you should be fine. If theres one thing that anmoys the Polizei, an annoying american.

With that said, hope you enjoy your time there. You will be in my family's area. Its quite beautiful there.
 
Although this thread is a few weeks old, i'd like to add some information - because afaik some statements were wrong. ;)
kmm said:
You cant carry a locking blade or a one-handed opener.
Click to expand...
Correct version: You cant carry a locking blade which is also a one-handed opener.
So a one-handed-opener without a lock is ok as well as a two-handed-opener with lock.
TOM1960 said:
According to this law, if you remove the thumb stud, you can still have the locking folder.
Click to expand...
That's not that clear yet - unfortunately in the original text of the german law on arms they refer to knives that you can open with one hand - and yeah, that way a police officer can bend it as he wants to. :(

In addition to this, the munich police seems to have fun to check people that look.. suspicious - which can mean that they want to see some ID, want to check your bag or maybe more.
(they did not check me since i moved here in oct-08 but i see them quite often at the subway station close-by my appartement and they're sometimes busy with checking some :( but: i guess this means that i dont look suspicious :))

Carrying a one-hand-opener is a administrative offence, not a criminal act - so i think it's not that crucial - and i usually carry a BM710 and 707 with removed thumb studs and a (bit) tightened pivot screw - so that it gets harder to open it. Maybe some officers would let me keep them, i guess some would not. If they would confiscate it i'd file an objection and maybe it would reach court - in that case we would finally know a bit more. :)

s_f

PS.: not every country in europe is that knife-unfriendly - in austria you can buy and carry switch blades and balis of (afaik) any kind and afaik that's similar in finland.
 
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In 2007 I legally bought 2 out-the-side switchblades in Germany no problem. So maybe in that regard they're not as idiotic as Canada is. I was told that in Austria and France virtually anything goes but time restraints prevented me from confirming that claim.
 
There was a change of the law on arms in April 2008 regarding the one-hand-openers and fixed blades > 12 cm.

Switchblades with a blade larger than 5cm (about 2") are considered as a weapon (so you need a legal reason to carry them), switchblades with a blade larger than 8.5 cm are illegal (no carry, no possession) as well as any OTFs and balisongs - since 2004.

In France you should have a legal reason (and afaik self-defense is not a legal reason in most european countries).

Simon

PS.: just to emphasize this (maybe it got neglected in the last posts): you are allowed to carry the one-handed-openers and larger fixed blades if you have a legal reason (fishing, hiking, hunting, maybe having a picnic, ...) - but it could be hard to convince a munich police officer 10 pm in the subway when you're on your way home from shopping wearing usual clothes..
 
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Larry Turko said:
France virtually anything goes but time restraints prevented me from confirming that claim.
Click to expand...

France manufactures quality switchblades. Anything can be bought knife wise; automatics and balis are very common.
Even in extremely rural areas shops sold Italian automatics. Visit the gun shops, they often stock many knives. I'd love to visit a knife show in France.

Do not carry any though, except small laguiole and other traditional knives.
You can get away with a locking one, but it isn't strictly legal and depends on Police decision.

Automatics = Novelty toy's in France.
 
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