"U.K. street-legal" tactical: Is there such a thing?

maximus otter

maximus otter

Joined
Jul 20, 2002
Messages
4,187
I was recently asked a question by a mate. S/he wanted advice on a street-legal knife a family member could carry here in the U.K. One of the minor considerations was that - although we live in a Socialist paradise where crime does not occur - it should be "Tactical."

As the law stands here in Britain, the only knife one is allowed to carry as an EDC is a slip-joint folder with a blade less than 3" long, e.g. a basic SAK. If the blade is fixed, or is capable of being locked in the open position it is illegal for EDC no matter what the blade length. Autos and gravity knives are out of the question. Serrations are not an issue. Double-edged knives are not specifically mentioned anywhere in the law AFAIK, but I think my friend would be skating on thin ice in a "Sheeple" court.

Here, therefore, are the criteria as I see them:

a) One-handed opening
b) Blade <3" long
c) Folding
d) Non-locking
e) Preferably stainless, but carbon not excluded
f) Preferably single-edged
g) "Tactical"
h) Mass production, readily available in Britain

I am scratching my head. Any suggestions, lads?

maximus otter

PS: I know the law is pointless & laughable........
 
Not much out there as far as a sub 3 inch non-locking tactical folder. Other than traditional slip joint folders, the only thing I could think of is perhaps one of John Greco's Friction Folders. The large versions have 2 inch blades and are quite sturdy. They can be opened with one hand but do not lock. A good bargain for a handmade knife.

Lrg1_225X168.png


Lrg2_225X168.png


Check out www.cqcknives.com for more info.
 
El Cid,

Thanks for the prompt reply. You have caused me to edit my post to include the stipulation, "Must be mass-produced & readily available in the UK."

Although Greco knives are doubtless of excellent quality, trying to source one in the U.K. would be pointless.

Price is a consideration, too...........

maximus otter
 
Maximus Otter, no problem. Shipping cost alone would be high for delivery to the U.K. I would go with RLR's suggestion on the Spyderco Pride. I may have to get one of these myself. RLR, thanks for mentioning it.

sp72british.jpg
 
A multi-tool like the Leatherman Wave or Gerber Legend or even the one-handed Swiss Army Knife should be easy enough to explain if you were questioned by an officer.

As it is not just a knife, you can use it for whatever you want, but the blade is always there and much safer than a Pride (which folds even easier than my Swiss Army Knife).

It's not nice living in a kingdom where self preservation is illegal. :(
 
The pride holds pretty tightly. If yours isn't so, Mr. Bombastic, I would suggest returning it to Spyderland. I've handled a few and found the opposite - quite tight, in a good way. Not my "cup of tea" (;) to the brits) but a nice option.

Cheers - RLR
 
I would go for a German Kissing Crane brand "Small Brown Mule". These retail at $16.00 in the USA. They have a 2-3/4" carbon steel blade. The carbon steel make them tougher for their comparative thinness. They are not normally one-handed. If you file or grind a cuttout about an inch from the tip you can make a place to pinch the blade for a wrist flip handle drop opening.

HTTP://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?UCKC37
 
a) One-handed opening
b) Blade <3" long
c) Folding
d) Non-locking
e) Preferably stainless, but carbon not excluded
f) Preferably single-edged
g) "Tactical"
h) Mass production, readily available in Britain


A Stanley knife...6 out of 8 score isn't bad.
Some might even call them "Tactical" so 7/8 :D
 
A straight razor might work, there is no point for stabbing, but stabbing is not a good idea with a non locking blade anyway.

Ca-20976.jpg
 
a) One-handed opening
b) Blade <3" long
c) Folding
d) Non-locking
e) Preferably stainless, but carbon not excluded
f) Preferably single-edged
g) "Tactical"
h) Mass production, readily available in Britain


A Stanley knife...6 out of 8 score isn't bad.
Some might even call them "Tactical" so 7/8 :D
 
If you carry a small SAK (not the tiny fingernail job) with a Philips (crosspoint) screwdriver on the backside, you can always fold it out and grip it in your fist with the screwdriver sticking out between your fingers. It's better than nothing and a few shots to the bad guy's head area would probably light 'im up nicely, maybe enough to make him reconsider his intentions.

JK
 
To add to Jedi Knife's post, you can also use the awl in the same centre position as the Philips screwdriver. A bit more deadly, you can even sharpen it to get it jabby. However, you can't open it one-handed, unlike the Philips.
 
Lots of good suggestions, gents. Many thanks.

xx033,

A straight razor, while a vicious close-combat weapon, is right out. It has no legit use as an EDC, and, to "Sheeple", immediately shouts out, "Thug."

Jacknife,

A Stanley knife's blade locks in the "deployed" position, therefore it's illegal for EDC. Also, its possession screams "Football hooligan."

Jedi Knife & AlphalphaPB,

SAKs have been considered but are too slow & fiddly to deploy, though "Street-perfect."

Jeff Clark,

Good suggestion, but my acquaintance doesn't want to modify a knife. As I told him/her, UK law frowns on anything "Used, intended or adapted " for use as an offensive weapon.

Mr. Bombastic,

Multitools are fine but many, e.g. my Gerber 600, have blades which lock open, disqualifying them. Also, they are geologically slow to deploy.

It looks like the Spydie Pride is well in the lead. Any more offers?

maximus otter
 
Hi Maximus - alas as we both well know its damn near impossible to carry anything of use that doesn't fall foul of the law, even a LM wave has locking blades.
I've got a Pride, nice enough as an EDC but I'd be worried in a self defence situation that it would fold if used to block or in a grapple.
The under 3" non-locking rule is a lawful carry per se, but locking / over 3" or fixed etc. are still lawful with a reasonable excuse, and going out on a limb, that would be my choice.
Most of us are not the type to be routinely or randomly searched (unless entering secure areas, and we would have foreknowledge of that). Anything we carry is only going to be discovered by accident, or in the extremely unlikely chance we have to use it in defence.
As an alternative to keeping within the sub 3" slip joints, I would seriously consider something more useful that (a) stands little chance of being discovered, and (b) is reasonably friendly to look at or justify. And a sweet condescending smile.
In my work enviroment I can pull out a large Dyad to cut a large cable tie (you know the type) without any comment, just because it has two blades. Two very nasty blades, but people immediately think "SAK", its a tool not a knife.
I can sit at the computer idily flicking a Gunting Drone or CRMIPT and colleagues look at it, borrow it and play with it, and although they think I'm freaky, they find nothing unlawful with it.
Another I've considered is the Eickhorn rescue folders (Heinney have them) - they are bright colours, big letters on the handle, but are so obviously a tool with the in built seat cutter. But they carry a good one handed locking blade, and a window cracker that would really dent a forehead or the back of someones hand. I'm eagerly awaiting the new Spyderco Rescue with window cracker to see if that could fit the bill too.
Ways and means. Always a bit of a risk, but you can minimise the chance of an embarrasing incident with a bit of planning in your verbal defence.
I've got about two hundred metres of visibility out the window this morning so you could probably carry a machette and no-one would see. Where's the snow! Happy Christmas one and all :-)
 
Zardoz,

Thanks for the thoughtful input. I'm glad I'm not the only one in our situation who has considered......... "options."

maximus otter
 
Maximus...maybe the CS TM you got from me?

seriously though...I have stopped visiting England due mainly to this ridiculous law...and shall probably not return until it is legal to carry some kind of EDC...
:(
 
Although I do not own the Pride (not yet anyway) I do own the Navigator. Both the Pride and the Meerkat are built on it's frame. The frame is surprisingly comfortable for a small knife. It's ergonomics are excellent and the blade is sufficiently thick to handle most jobs. Given your options and desire to stay legal I would think that the Pride will be a good choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top