Carrying in UK, Ireland

I'm going to be spending 2 1/2 weeks oversees in England, Ireland, and Scotland. Assuming that I check it in my luggage for the flight, will I have any problem carrying my Sypderco Native clipped to my belt on the trains between cities or even just walking around?
 
T

TD

Joined
Apr 16, 1999
Messages
129
Don't do that. it's illegal. Check out this website for more detail about the law: http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/home.htm
I don't carry even SAK here, although some UK people do. In general, people tend to view knives of any kind as weapons. Sad isn't it.

[This message has been edited by TD (edited 05-26-2000).]
 
I was nearly arrested for carrying a mini AFCK, which was confiscated. The problem is the lock. According to the officer who interrogated me (quite harshly, I might add), if the knife locks open, as opposed to a Swiss Army Knife which does not, it is an illegal weapon.

BTW, if you are stopped with a locking knife, do not, without first seeking legal advice, admit that you have used, would use, or intend to use, the knife for self defense. If you make that admission, then you have just admitted that you carry the knife with intent to use it as a weapon, in which case you are likely going to jail.

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Cameron Reddy
 
Would a Leatherman Micra be considered OK for carry in the U.K.? I mean, since their primary function is as a pair of small scissors (despite anything Vampire Gerbil might have said up on his Deadly and Scary Leatherman Micra Website)? Or are folding scissors illegal too, due to the recent spate of "snipping" deaths there?
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I lived in the U.K. for a short time, I carried a Spyderco Endura because I was young and stupid and didn't know any better, but now that I am older, and understand what the knife laws there are like, I can see why my friends freaked out when I showed it to them...
 
I carry a large BM Stryker everyday. If I got caught with this I would be in trouble but if you're not walking round waving it in the air who's gonna know. But, in your case I wouldnt risk it as you dont wanna go to prison in a foreign country.

JD
 
Some police forces have taken upon themselves (with the conivence of some judges/magistrates) to class any locking blade as illegal even if it is under a 3" blade which you are supposed to be able top carry without worrying about it.

the law reads somethnig like this

"you are not allowed to carry any knife without good reason except a small folding pocket knife with a blade less than 76mm"

I allways carry on a daily basis (unless I am going to a pub in a town centre in the evening as many have bouncers on the doors) but allways with a blade less than the 76mm, usually a Calypso Jnr or a BM 705.

In a forgein country with equally s**te knife laws I would probably be more curcumspect.

p.s. I allways carry IWB when out and about as it less likley to be seen and commented on.

[This message has been edited by bagman (edited 05-27-2000).]
 
I am very interested in laws relating to knives and started a topic area on Bladeforms about the topic.

I read through some of the legal stuff I could find on the UK and at first it appear that carrying an "ordinary" pocketknife with a folding blade with a cutting edge of less that 3" was legal. But in new laws it appears that carry ANY knife in the UK is illegal. Does anyone know if this it true? Anyone from the UK on here have any knowledge of this?

If carrying any knife is illegal, how does one get a newly purchased kitchen knife home?

 
I think carrying a sub 3 inches, non-locking type is still OK. But I never dare to put my theory to a test. Like Bagman said, how the police interpret the laws may vary from one area to the next. bad thing is that not only that the police can confiscate the knife, you may also be registered as carrier of offensive weapons.
As regards buying knives from shops, that's a straight forward matter because you can always prove that you are on your way home, at reasonable hours of the day of course. That shouldn't constitute carrying with an intention to use the knives in public places.
 
I kept a SAK in my backpack and put the least offensive knife I could think of in my checked luggage (Spyderco Cricket). I didn't have any problems, but next time I'll probably just go with the SAK. It passed through every checkpoint without incident. In Glasgow, however, they went through every inch of my wife's carry-on looking for weapons. She's a Librarian for heavens sake.
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BTW, the stores we visited in Ireland had the kitchen knives put up under lock and key.

Jack
 
In the "British guide to offensive weapons" shown further up this thread, it contradicts itself... It says in one secion that injuring someone without a weapon can lead to fines/imprisonment...then at the bottom it recomends learning self defence.... damn british
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The beast we are, lest the beast we become.
 
When I was there, the Stanley knife was very popular, as was the old razor blades in the potato trick. Civilised?
 
There is a "Catch-22" to UK knife law. Although it is correct that you can carry a small folder, another law forbids the carriage in a public place of any "offensive weapon". Generally, it is left up to the court to decide if any specific instance was legal. By the way, there are legally no "defensive weapons".
Police are trained to look for the clip, so beware of carrying this way.
I wouldn't advise any visitor (or resident) to beak the law, however your chances of being stopped/searched are slim.
A Leatherman Wave could be explained as a tool for travel, so that could be an option.
Hope this helps.
Den
 
One of my friends signs his emails with the words: "if all guns will be outlawed - then only outlaws will have guns."

This is a known argument and it holds true for knives as well.

The problem is that guns are rarely used as tools (few of us hunt on a daily basis...) but knives on the other hand..

As I suggested in most of these threads before:

Dress, act and talk like a gentleman - and your knife will be regarded as a gentleman's tool.

Act, dress or behave like a jerk (any one will do..) and anything you carry becomes a menacing weapon...

And having a very low profile/highly concealed knife is always a tactical advantage...if they can't see it - they can't be ready for it..

I always carry - IWB, behind the belt, black clip - and shirt slightly pulled to cover even the faint sign of the clip.

No one has even noticed it - not even experienced Police Officers and professional security personal (and we have allot of them here in Israel..)

And as usual - better be judged by twelve (actually 10 in Britain) then carried by six.

Be safe.
 
Knives are not illegal, but you need a good reason to be carrying them about.

SAK's and penknives are gentlemanly and are fine. A Wave carried in its case in a coat pocket or daysack is fine as a travel tool (not on the belt).

Wearing your shooting or fishing togs a fixed blade or large lock knife is appropriate.

Going to and from a job with your tools is fine.

Do carry a knife in the UK, but carry something appropriate with good reason. Do not carry anything more than a penknife to a pub. Do not carry anything to a night club. Bouncers will protect the innocent/calm and will poleaxe anyone with a knife.

"For self defence" is not a reason ever, nor is a large locking folder for making sandwiches.

The Police hate knives and will give you a hard time. You cannot blame them as they are so lightly armed and the last call they made was some drunk with a kitchen knife. Be polite and firm and have a good reason, if you do not want to waste several hours in a police station.
If you were pulled up, keep to your very sensible good reason and do not elaborate. Not all policemen know the law. Ask to speak to a senior officer to explain where you may have gone wrong and ask for it in writing especially if they want to confiscate the item. Offer not to carry it again, and that you will pack it away in your suitcase once back at your hotel room. Act the tourist. They do not want the cost of a court case either -- your costs against them would be very high if the magistrates went in your favour. The magistrates will find in your favour if you show what an upright citizen you are; the knife is no threat and very importantly it never crossed your mind that it could be used offensively. Carry a gentleman's knife not a tactical folder or, God forbid, a combat knife. Do not carry more than one knife, as then you will have to give three good reasons. Never carry if you are going to drink heavily.

Safety in the UK is based on confidence and staying away from trouble spots. Trouble is obviouse so move away from it. Nearly all of it is due to excess drinking. Anything else is like being hit by a No: 10 bus, which nothing is going to save you from.

Be insured and if mugged give up your stuff and think of it as giving to charity. Call the alarm after the event and once free. Then hope the punk overdoses. The law is too much in the villan favour. Beat the hell out of the mugger and it will be you who defends yourself in court with a 50/50 chance. It will ruin your holiday.

Good reasons:
I am medically trained (can prove) and always carry a penknife for when I might be of help. Its good for pealing oranges, which I love.
I have a Wave at the bottom of my day sack because I am traveling and cannot carry a tool box.

Bad reasons:
I carry a knitting needle because I am a woman and am scared.
I am carrying a lock knife because I do at home, and you never know when you might need it!

Bad isn't it.



[This message has been edited by GREENJACKET (edited 06-05-2000).]
 
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