The UK, multitool legal?

M

Max Manley

Joined
Nov 29, 2008
Messages
61
Going to the UK in February and I'm planning on taking my Leatherman Charge with me as my EDC, but I'm having doubts about it being legal due to it's locking blades...

Is it legal?
 
If it were me (I'm planning a UK trip myself, but it is a couple of years out yet), I'd probably go with the knifeless Leatherman Fuse just to be safe, and then an additional slip-joint/non-locking knife that is definitely UK legal.
 
I wouldn't take it, no.

If you must risk taking something to a country whose laws are much more restrictive than ours, take something disposable -- a cheap 10 USD Chinese-made multitool, for example, or a disposable 2 USD lockback knife of the the type you can get at any outlet mall Black and Decker store. That way, if you have the knife confiscated at some checkpoint or other, you won't be losing much. I still wouldn't take anything, though; when I travel to someplace where I'm unsure of the laws, I just buy something locally and mail it back to myself (if I'm flying home).
 
Carry a strong pen. If a lifer can kill with melted and rolled coffee cup lids, you should be fine defending yourself (against the majority of thugs) with a bic pen. I know I would be. Just use it brutally... stab,stab,stab,stab,stab,stab
 
solidsoldier said:
Carry a strong pen. If a lifer can kill with melted and rolled coffee cup lids, you should be fine defending yourself (against the majority of thugs) with a bic pen. I know I would be. Just use it brutally... stab,stab,stab,stab,stab,stab
Click to expand...

I believe the OP wasn´t referring to self-defence situations.

That said, I agree with Phil, take nothing and buy a cheap-ish multi-tool with non-locking blades locally and keep the receipt. If you then get stopped by the police, you can explain that

a) you bought it in the UK, so as far as you know, it should be legal and

b) you´re carrying it on your person because you bought it so recently, you slipped it in your coat pocket coming out of the shop and kinda forgot about it, heck, you still got the receipt with it too

I can´t see how they could possibly charge you with anything under those circumstances.
 
solidsoldier said:
Carry a strong pen. If a lifer can kill with melted and rolled coffee cup lids, you should be fine defending yourself (against the majority of thugs) with a bic pen. I know I would be. Just use it brutally... stab,stab,stab,stab,stab,stab
Click to expand...

When motor oil used to be sold in cans, in the olden days, Bic had a TV commercial where they punched holes in the metal lid and the wrote with the pen.


BTW--Is a regular pocket knife legal? Like say, a Case Trapper or Stockman?
 
Arkeld said:
I believe the OP wasn´t referring to self-defence situations.

That said, I agree with Phil, take nothing and buy a cheap-ish multi-tool with non-locking blades locally and keep the receipt. If you then get stopped by the police, you can explain that

a) you bought it in the UK, so as far as you know, it should be legal and

b) you´re carrying it on your person because you bought it so recently, you slipped it in your coat pocket coming out of the shop and kinda forgot about it, heck, you still got the receipt with it too

I can´t see how they could possibly charge you with anything under those circumstances.
Click to expand...

This is probably the best suggestion.
 
To the best of my recollection, current UK knife law would indicate that the only style of knife you may carry without need to justify your lawful carry said knife is one that is sub-3" blade and non-locking. Anything else and you must be able to provide a plausible reason for requiring that style of knife as opposed to a sub-3" slippie, i.e. if you are hunting, fishing, or camping, then a fixed blade is considered acceptable. Trying that in town will get you locked up.

Bear in mind, of course, that this is not legal counsel but only my understanding of the way things presently stand over there. :)
 
"with good reason" if you are any type of trades person on a "buisness" trip, it would be reasonable to carry a tool of your trade. If I travel I will travel as a Medical first responder, and if the country I travel to allows me to assist someone in need, I will carry any tool to assist myself with that. but then again my canadian passport is gold most places in the world, I'm assuming Swedes would get a similar reception.
 
You would need to have a valid 'good reason' for carrying the Leatherman in the UK, but simply being an overseas tourist on holiday is likely to be accepted by a police officer here. It's essentially your vacation pocket tool kit/picnicking kit etc

If you are really concerned then carry take a non-locking SAK or similiar slipjoint folder, with a blade under 3" in length. There are no restrictions on carrying these.

It's important to remember that in the UK your chances of being stopped by the police, let alone searched, are miniscule. The police must have a reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime in order to stop and search, and this reason must be able to stand up in court. Our police don't even pull over motorists that much. Compared to the stories I read here on BF about the actions of US police officers I assure you that you have nothing to fear from the UK police!

It's worth mentioning that recently there have been a few highly reported stories of new 'anti-terror' legislation being used to stop and search people in parts of London, but this really is very rare, and done more for publicity than anything.

If you have any specific questions about UK law and your trip then please don't hesitate to ask me. I teach Law for my living, and I'm an Admin over at www.britishblades.com, spending a lot of my time on answering legal queries and concerns, and moderating our Law Forum.

Enjoy your visit!

Danzo
 
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