The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist

I am not decided yet if I want to get involved in the Notakatana pre-order. One of the major consideration for me is it's legality to import to the UK. The (relatively) new laws dictate that any curved blade (or sword) should not exceed 50cm unless it is made pre 1953. 20 inch is just a hair over 50cm (50.8 cm). So, I was wondering if it is possible to make one (or few if there are other UK buyers) relatively shorter?

Thanks advance for the answer.
 
murat1983 said:
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist

I am not decided yet if I want to get involved in the Notakatana pre-order. One of the major consideration for me is it's legality to import to the UK. The (relatively) new laws dictate that any curved blade (or sword) should not exceed 50cm unless it is made pre 1953. 20 inch is just a hair over 50cm (50.8 cm). So, I was wondering if it is possible to make one (or few if there are other UK buyers) relatively shorter?

Thanks advance for the answer.
Click to expand...
1) Is the law specifically regarding blade length or total length?

Because the Notta-katana has a 20" blade, but the total length is almost 30".
 
murat1983 said:
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist

I am not decided yet if I want to get involved in the Notakatana pre-order. One of the major consideration for me is it's legality to import to the UK. The (relatively) new laws dictate that any curved blade (or sword) should not exceed 50cm unless it is made pre 1953. 20 inch is just a hair over 50cm (50.8 cm). So, I was wondering if it is possible to make one (or few if there are other UK buyers) relatively shorter?

Thanks advance for the answer.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm sorry dude, I don't think it's a good idea.
 
murat1983 said:
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist

I am not decided yet if I want to get involved in the Notakatana pre-order. One of the major consideration for me is it's legality to import to the UK. The (relatively) new laws dictate that any curved blade (or sword) should not exceed 50cm unless it is made pre 1953. 20 inch is just a hair over 50cm (50.8 cm). So, I was wondering if it is possible to make one (or few if there are other UK buyers) relatively shorter?

Thanks advance for the answer.
Click to expand...
you should be fine since your law is in metric
 
bluemax_1 said:
Wow... just googled their law:

Not just illegal to import, but illegal to POSSESS. Sheesh.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's a ridiculous law. Only applies to a blade with a curved edge. 19.6" is the maximum the blade can be.
On a straight edged sword there are no restrictions on lengh.
The Katana hate started a few years ago when they only allowed "Traditionally made"curved swords, as with all prohibition it's a slippery slope.

The 0.35" issue can be got around by not shapening that amount closest to the handle. (Or adding a choil etc etc)
 
SIx Magpies said:
Yeah it's a ridiculous law. Only applies to a blade with a curved edge. 19.6" is the maximum the blade can be.
On a straight edged sword there are no restrictions on lengh.
The Katana hate started a few years ago when they only allowed "Traditionally made"curved swords, as with all prohibition it's a slippery slope.

The 0.35" issue can be got around by not shapening that amount closest to the handle. (Or adding a choil etc etc)
Click to expand...

Mark suggested we just cut the tip off. We could even round it a little bit so nobody accidentally gets poked.
 
SIx Magpies said:
The Katana hate started a few years ago when they only allowed "Traditionally made"curved swords, as with all prohibition it's a slippery slope.

The 0.35" issue can be got around by not shapening that amount closest to the handle. (Or adding a choil etc etc)
Click to expand...

Perhaps NOT a Katana name tags helps :) :) :)

I would not gamble with unsharpened section or the choil. Unlike the folding knife law, the law for this item says blade length. It doe not say cutting edge length.
 
SIx Magpies said:
Yeah it's a ridiculous law. Only applies to a blade with a curved edge. 19.6" is the maximum the blade can be.
On a straight edged sword there are no restrictions on lengh.
The Katana hate started a few years ago when they only allowed "Traditionally made"curved swords, as with all prohibition it's a slippery slope.

The 0.35" issue can be got around by not shapening that amount closest to the handle. (Or adding a choil etc etc)
Click to expand...
Pretty much confirms it's a nonsense law that someone came up with to ban scary ideas.

"It's got a GREEN handle!!! AAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
 
SIx Magpies said:
You joke about green handles but we have another even more ludicrous law that bans "zombie knives"
Green and orange combo handles, serrated back edges are all telltale zombie knives! :)
Click to expand...
That was what the joke was referring to; as if the color 'green', or the word 'zombie', somehow makes a tool unconscionably more deadly/dangerous.

Just like this new, "Straight blades are fine, but I saw this movie where they were using curved blades! OH NO!".
 
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