Scalpel or Razor Blade

[Bear86]

Ok i am putting together a survival tin, as i am going to be carrying it in public so i can't carry a knife in the tin as its hard to find one under 3 inches it would be illegal. So that leaves me with a scalpel or a razor blade which is more practical.

They are both relatively inexpensive i can get to scalpel 10 scalpels for £1.65 on eBay or 5 razor for a pound so cost is not an issue. There are also two types of razors double edged and single edged the double edged looks harder to handle safely. So do i got for a scalpel or a single edged razor. The scalpel would be better for fine cutting work and looks more like a blade but a single edge razor looks better to handle.

[scoobie]

Personally, I wouldnt want to rely on either (had an accident with a scalpel blade many years ago, slipped on something I was holding, and carved a big gash on my thumb - still got the scar!)

Check out HH for UK legal knives: http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/-UK-Legal ... -1-92-641/

I'd probably go for one of these: http://www.heinnie.com/-UK-Legal-Carry- ... -658-3923/

or

http://www.heinnie.com/-UK-Legal-Carry- ... -658-5279/

[Ian]

There are plenty of sub 3" non locking knives available. If it has to be a knife an Opinel would be my choice but have you considered one of the miniature multitools? Most would fit the ubiquitous tobacco tin and would give you other functions that could be useful. Many have pliers, bottle and tin openers for starters.

[MickyP]

One advantage a scalpel may have over a knife and razor blades is if you stored it as part of a small first aid kit. They are a common piece of equipment in many first aid kits so you would have a decent reason to be carrying it. It probably depends on where you live and where you intend to carry your survival tin. I wouldn't want to be carrying even a legal knife or razor blades around London during the next couple of weeks.

Even if is legal to carry a knife it may not be wise to carry it in certain areas.

[jansman]

Poundland are currently stocking in their DIY section a " survival tool", basically a piece of pressed steel that has an edge on it, a bottle opener, rule, screwdriver etc. fits in a tin nicely. If you are in London( or any city for that matter) I would be careful with edged tools.

5 yrs ago I was witness to an assault- but I was arrested too!!! In my pocket was a Swiss Army Knife- Boy did that take some sorting!

Long story short, I was released after 23 looong hours and became a prosecution witness.

In the fullness of time I sued for wrongful arrest,violations of my Human Rights, AND got my DNA and fingerprints removed from the National Database.

Having the SAK on me complicated the situation, so all of you , BE AWARE!

[Attack Warning Red]

5 yrs ago I was witness to an assault- but I was arrested too!!! In my pocket was a Swiss Army Knife- Boy did that take some sorting!

Having the SAK on me complicated the situation, so all of you , BE AWARE!

I agree with that. I don't carry any kind of knife or bladed object on me at all. I'm in London pretty much every day, and I'd be worried about carrying even a UK-legal item. I've been stopped and searched randomly a few years ago while entering the London Underground. I'd be worried if I was carrying anything with the jittery Met police.

[Bladerunner]

What about a Stanley knife blade?
Very easy to handle without slashing your wrists and takes up next to no room in a survival tin.
Wrap some duct tape round it and they probably wouldn't even notice there was a blade inside it. Plus you will have some duct tape in your tin, win win.

I use a wet razor and by the razor blades in bulk. Works out very cheap for 100. They come in packs of ten so I just through one pack in my tin.

Be lucky (and sharp of wit)

[tshw1973]

Under UK law its illegal to possess an offensive weapon ( any item made used or adapted to be offensive - can include razor blades scalpels knives or any item that can be considered to be a weapon) or bladed article without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. This includes blades under 3".

What this means is this..

If you have a small camping knife and you are camping, fine.
If you have a small camping knife at the pub not fine, you could be prosecuted.

If you have a carpet cutting knife at work or while cutting carpets fine.
If you have a carpet knife at the pub or in the town centre, not fine.

The best way to avoid prosecution, but not guaranteed, is to have a knife as part of a multitool, if you have to carry it around.

Oh and btw, telling a police officer you carry a blade in case of the impending zombie apocalypse not only would get you arrested but possibly also sectioned.

[jansman]

Because mine was a SAK- multitool basically, my solicitor argued that I was legal, as I described what I had used it for just that day. I am VERY cautious now, being banged up for 23 hrs ain't fun.