What's wrong with the UK Penknife?

D

Dude Crush

Joined
Nov 22, 2004
Messages
30
It looks great! Am I correct that it doesn't have a lock? What would be the advantage of not having a lock? Any idea if Spyderco will come out with one with a lock? Anybody out there have one? Anyone what one? Anythoughts? Anybody?...
 
Uk knives are illegal if they have a lock, hence they can sell this one in the UK.

I think it looks quite nice.
 
It's a one-hand slip-joint knife. Made special for spydie fans in the UK. Would be nice to get a few over here, with G-10 scales and CalypsoJr.-like handle, I hear that they are very nice.
 
Sal started the thread on british blades a while back, asking if anyone would be interested in helping design it and with naming it.

They are available in the US (or at least the distributors have them listed)
 
The knife was designed to be a UK legal EDC. In the UK, carrying a knife in a public place without a good reason is prohibited. A sub-3" slipjoint (not the exact phrasing used in the law;) ) is exempt from this law ie. no reason is needed to carry one.
The vast majority of production knives that come into this category are rubbish. Being slightly spoiled as knife knuts in the technology stakes, there was a gap in the market for a UK legal EDC in high end materials. After a thread currently noted as having nearly 1300 posts(!), the Spyderco UK Penknife came into being.

Design features include: Calypso Jr-style blade (leaf shape, full flat grind) in S30V, large finger choil to help prevent accidental closure in use, ambidextrous deep-carry wire pocket clip (only the clip is visible outside the pocket), 'halfway stop' so the blade clicks to 90° on closing so it doesn't spring back on your fingers, 3 point torx construction

If you haven't guessed it, I'm a big fan. It's exactly what we asked for :D
Feedback from owners is generally very positive, the only point really being raised is its somewhat 'tactical' look. Another thread was started by Sal for a more sheeple/NKP (non knife person) friendly knife in response.

Considering what it retails at in the UK, £56 IIRC, you get a lot of knife for your money.
 
They are not available in USA except to collectors and they are not in the 2005 catalog. US dealers with unclaimed collector numbers did distribute a few but not many. We can order them from UK dealers but at a premium of $20-40 over what US prices would be.
That said, mine is VERY nice but she's a numbered safe queen. I just wish I could get a second one at a reasonable price for EDC. I would also love to give one to my dad!
 
DaveH said:
Uk knives are illegal if they have a lock, hence they can sell this one in the UK.

I think it looks quite nice.
Click to expand...

Really? That's silly... they enjoy people cutting themselves? Even a little 1" blade thing? What about fixed blades?
 
I think they can buy all the lockblades they want to in the UK. Just illegal to carry. UK Penknife was designed to allow legal carry. The slipjoint is a little stiff but still allows for 1 hand closure. There is a half stop to protect your fingers. Have you ever cut yourself with an SAK 'cause it did not have a lock? I'm sure it happens occasionally, but not often, at least when folks are sober and careful.
 
yuzuha said:
Really? That's silly... they enjoy people cutting themselves? Even a little 1" blade thing? What about fixed blades?
Click to expand...
Locking folders are not totally illegal, just that you need a good reason to carry one in a public place. I'm lucky in that my job justifies me to carry a locking folder for work, but in theory I would have to change it for a sub 3" non-locking folder for carry outside of work in public places. The advantage of the Spyderco Penknife is that I can now have a clipped one hand opening/closing folder with a premium steel blade for both work and public EDC ;)
 
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