non locking knives, a rant!

[PreparedKent]

As I type this message I am sat in my office minus a fingertip, while opening up some bags of feed yesterday my non locking folder closed up on me and chopped the top of my finger off!

Luckily, it will heal but if I had lost my trigger finger I probably would have committed suicide, I don't carry a locking folder everyday as any issues with the law affect my access to shooting sports.... However, I do need to carry a knife everyday for utility use.

This has got me thinking, we as survivalists and responsible knife users need to take the government to task over this ridiculous law... a three inch locking blade is not a weapon, if I wanted to carry a knife as a weapon I would be carrying my fixed blade 5 and a half inch Cold Steel Peace Maker 2.

Maybe a petition would be a good idea? Or is being a survivalist (and looking after poultry) a good enough reason to carry my locking folder??

[featherstick]

The law is confused and confusing on this point and has been discussed many times on this site. I think British Blades forum has an up-to-date summary. As I understand it (and I am neither lwayer nor copper) you can carry whatever you want so long as you have a good reason in the eyes of the law. So a mediaeval re-enactor can carry a morning star, crossbow, war-hammer and sword so long as (the good reason) he or she is on the way to or from a demonstration, meeting etc. Similarly a martial artist can carry a bokken on the way to a training session. A camper can carry an axe on Victoria station so long as it's packed, they have a booking at a campsite and a ticket to the campsite, and a rucksack with tent, sleeping bag etc.

I think in your case if you could show that you use the knife on a regular basis, and you're on the way to or from or around where you use it, you should be fine. It's having it in your pocket in the shopping centre that will give you a problem. However you are unlikely to be stopped on a random basis and searched for a knife without due cause, so I wouldn't worry about carrying it.

True story - I was the first First Aider at a nasty motorbike crash on the M20. When the coppers arrived we wanted to remove one casualty's shoes. I got my lock knife out to cut the laces and the Traffic Sergeant's head swung round like it was on ceramic bearings as soon as he heard the "click". "Is that yours?!!" he asked - I replied "No, found it on the side of the road" and cut the casualty's laces to get some traction on his leg. Nothing more was said.

Edited to add: I hope your finger heals up soon!

[Yorkshire Andy]

http://www.completesafetysupplies.co.uk ... oCPwTw_wcB


Or a mini peasant
http://www.heinnie.com/svord-peasant-mini

[Jaeger48]

Many UK laws baffle me. I'm in a 1/2 office 1/2 factory work environment and a folding knife is common in many pockets as is a multitool on the belt.

What is the limit for a locking blade folder?

[Captain Darling]

The fact that it has a lock at all is a limiting factor.

Non folding (fixed) blades is a limiting factor.

Folding, non locking, but over 3 inches is a limiting factor.

However as mentioned, you can carry whatever you want (within reason) as long as, if questioned, you have a good reason to be carrying. It's open to the police officers interpretation of a decent reason, admittedly, but I'm sure just talking to the copper and explaining in a non aggressive, adult, responsible manner will lead to no further action being taken.

[preparedsurrey]

As long as you have a reason it's fine in theory. I have been questioned once about having a lock knife and was told it would be a better idea to leave it on site or in the van whilst shopping. I would say don't have anything you would be worried about loosing though. By the way my answer to why have you got that was because I'm a carpenter and I really like the number of fingers I've got.

Edit my mate got stopped years ago going home from work with a massive Bowie knife - like the one Crocodile Dundee pulls out, his reason of working in a scrap yard and needing to cut lots of yhings was deemed to be ok

[jansman]

On the flip side... As a knife user of many years ( 30 years a butcher till last week) I carry a Swiss Army knife always. Never had the blade fold on me. I pay attention. I know that sounds harsh, but lack of attention during my career would have cost me fingers for sure. Lock knives are great, but can land you in trouble. Don't ask me how I know.

[grenfell]

I carry a Swiss Army knife too and have never had a problem either. A friend of mine , however , had one and not looking tried to close it the wrong way and cut his hand open , so he promptly smashed the knife to pieces
I also carry in the van a large kitchen knife , useful for gardening jobs , and a couple of Stanley knives. I'm in two minds about a change in the law. I tend to agree that for the majority a slackening of the rules would be welcome and wouldn't have even the slightest detrimental effect but I suppose there's the nagging doubt about that handful of knobs that would use such a change for their own mischief.

[ForgeCorvus]

Carry what you like, but have a 'Good Reason'* and don't fail the Attitude Test.

I EDC an Opinel, but if I'm without 'Good Reason' (ie not working, camping etc) I do have a 30mm slip-joint on my Leatherman Style.



* "Because I want to" is not Good Reason

[PreparedKent]

I think I'm going to EDC a opinel no8 from now on, as I spend a lot of time outdoors and look after poultry that shall be my reason.

Think l'll leave my 3" cold steel voyager tanto at home though as the tacticool look might not wash with the law