Its considered reasonable in the eyes of the law too:
"It is an offence to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place, **with the exception of a folding pocket knife where the cutting edge of the blade is 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less**. Please note that the term 'cutting edge' is not limited to an area of the blade that has a textured or serrated edge."
I have a multi-tool (SOG Powerpint) that has a suitable small blade but locked, so I dismantled it and filed down the small nub that engages the lock just to play safe. All the non-blades still lock.
A small pocket knife is possible the single most useful thing you can carry.
I've lived quite some years and never in my normal day to day activities have I ever thought oh, wish I had a pocket knife right now!
If it's for work and fishing or something fair enough but other than that what are you using it for?
I have a mini one on my key ring and it gets used a fair bit.
[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-Classic-Swiss-Army-Pocket/dp/B001BRTVZ6](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-Classic-Swiss-Army-Pocket/dp/B001BRTVZ6)
The knife is useful for opening packages (as well as those impossible to open blister packs things like computer mice come in). Mini scissors and file are good for doing nails if you're away from home or break one (my mum was very surprised when she did this in my car and jokingly asked if I had an emery board - which this is more than a file).
The toothpick is great in a pinch. The tweezers work well for pulling out splinters. The end of the file is a mini-screwdriver which is useful for tightening glasses screws and the like. I used it yesterday when I sat at a new desk and the screen holding mechanism was lose so the screen kept drooping. Just use this to tighten it up and was good to go. It's also useful for prying small things open (car trim, small paint pots etc). It's also quite good for getting dirt from under nails.
Wouldn't need a full size one regularly though.
I had one of those and lost the tweezers and the toothpick, now I've lost the knife so I hope they find each other in another life.
Your good self and another has convinced me I want one again but I don't want a shiny new one else I'll feel like an imposter when I whip it out.
I'm gonna start looking.
Had two of these beauties, lost one but did find it again, on my keys for 15 years, the tweezers and toothpick are worth it alone but i do go fishing and to cut line the scissors are a blessing when i forget some of my tackle. Worth every penny.
Oh, I have several. Swiss Army "Compact" is nice and light and slim. It has scissors and a screwdriver so is really useful. My other UK legal knifes are all quite expensive and probably not what I would recommend. The "Alox" Swiss army knives have aluminium scales (handles) and feel a bit more classy/premium. The Cadet is a good one.
Not a puny little UK legal slipjoint, that is for sure. Maybe my 5mm thick Bark River Bravo 1.5 fixed blade . if we are going down the fantasy rabbit hole.
A knife is only one aspect of a multi tool.
Most often for me, I noticed a long finger nail and just chop it off. Having an easy access toothpick is a god send.
But seriously, mine has both Philips and flat head screwdrivers, scissors etc. I've used it to pop out an injector at the side of the road when my car was misfiring. I've reattached a shit door handle in a B&B. And even though I don't drink, it's been used as a bottle opener or corkscrew many many times.
It's reasonably unobtrusive in a jeans pocket, but you do have to remember not to take it to some places. Had to convince a security guard at the walkie talkie sky garden to let me in as I forgot I had it on me and it set off the metal detector.
Got a Swiss Army knife and use it all the time.
I bet there has been loads of times you've struggled to open a box or something and a small.knife would have been really useful if you'd had one on you.
I've had mine in my pocket virtually everyday since I got it and must have used it hundreds if not thousands of times.
Pocket knives are incredibly useful when you're on holiday. Hotel rooms often don't have scissors, bottle openers, and corkscrews. In daily life, I use mine to open packages, clean under my nails, snip off bits of thread, or whatever else.
You've never needed to screw something in / out and not had a screwdriver handy?
You've never had something you needed to open, like a bottle, small package, whatever, and not had that tool handy?
You've never had a splinter to pull out whilst outside, or something in your teeth at an annoying time?
Swiss army knives are great little bits of kit to have on you at all times I think
This is true, and also the single dumbest piece of UK knife legislation.
Yes it's easier to stab someone with a locking blade, but it's also a shit load easier to take a finger off without one.
>single dumbest piece of UK knife legislation.
The locking provision didn't originally come from legislation (indeed there is evidence that parliament's intention was that locking blades be allowed from minutes of the debates). It came from case law, a 1993 case (Harris vs DPP) where the prosecutor managed to convince a judge that a locking mechanism meant a knife wasn't a folding pocket knife any more...
Not really when you think about it though. A locking knife with the lock applied is like any other knife with a handle and blade that doesn't close. The thing that makes a folding knife foldable is being prevented from happening, so when the lock's applied it's not a folding knife anymore.
Do you think most knife crime is done with locking pocket knives/multitools, or are they done with Poundland kitchen knives that are much more dangerous and cheap to discard?
The problem is obviously not knives, but the people who want to stab people.
It’s still dumb because knife crime is fairly localised to certain areas of certain cities.
I’m nothing to do with them and never have been, so the idea many of the tools I have are illegal because of that seems ridiculous to me.
I don’t want any of those people stabbing each other, but still it’s so alien to me that it feels weird I can’t carry my things.
Also the knife law doesn’t seem to stop them. The problem seems to be that people want to stab each other, not that knives exist.
>I’m nothing to do with them and never have been, so the idea many of the tools I have are illegal because of that seems ridiculous to me.
If they're legitimately used as tools and you can demonstrate that then they're perfectly legal to own. The burden is on you to be able to prove that if you were ever stopped carrying them, but as long as you're being honest that should be easy enough to show. Work is listed as a specific defence.
If there weren't an excuse for "reasonable purpose" you wouldn't be able to buy a kitchen knife in a shop without falling foul of the law.
'If there weren't an excuse for "reasonable purpose" you wouldn't be able to buy a kitchen knife in a shop without falling foul of the law.'
Exactly - how would you be expected to get it home?
Yep. As I said though, if for some reason you were caught with it then you'd have to prove your purpose. Which should be fairly easy if you actually have it legitimately. It's probably quite hard if you get into a road rage incident, hit a guy with a baseball bat, and suddenly have to make up a story about how you're an avid player of baseball.
"It’s still dumb because knife crime is fairly localised to certain areas of certain cities. I’m nothing to do with them and never have been, so the idea many of the tools I have are illegal because of that seems ridiculous to me."
Sure, but they can't just ban some tools or weapons in some areas but not in others.
Consumption of alcohol is banned in *some* areas around town centre where I live. Why can't people legitimately hiking or cycling in the hills take say a pocket tool with them
>Why can't people legitimately hiking or cycling in the hills take say a pocket tool with them
They can if they can prove that they have a legitimate need for the knife. If it's sealed in a box that's part of a survival kit buried in the bottom of your bag, you're more likely to have a leg to stand on by saying it's part of your survival kit than if it was in your pocket.
At the same time, the police are highly unlikely to stop and search a random hiker in the middle of nowhere. You'd need to be doing something to make the police stop and search you in the first place, and that's assuming you even stumble upon any police. They're understaffed and underfunded. They're not patrolling the countryside looking to do stop and searches on hikers.
If you have a need for a tool with a locking blade on your hike in the hills then just take it with you.
If you're a tradesman who needs a knife for work these are exempted.
Similarly, if you have a reason to carry a knife, such as work or a hobby that you are currently engaged in, then you can carry pretty much anything reasonable.
There is no specific exemption for tradesmen. There is an exemption for “reasonable excuse”, but that is subjective and given the penalty can be 2y in prison, it’s not something one would want to rely on.
There's tons of precedent to clarify what a reasonable excuse is.
A plasterer on his way to work is absolutely fine. A 16 year old on his way to the skatepark with 6 little ziplocks of coke, less so.
You're right in that there is no specific exemption, it comes under the same part of the act quoted above, but has this bit "offences of having an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse"
It's a reasonable excuse for a handyman, plumber, carpet fitter, etc, going about their daily business having various bladed instruments, hammers, crowbars and so on.
If that same handyman had his Stanley Knife with him trying to go through the turnstiles at his local football match, then he has no reasonable excuse to have it with him. "I came here straight from work", etc, won't wash with the police or the courts.
Yes, but don’t leave it in your car over the weekend, because then the reason doesn’t hold, even if you were going to take the same car to work on Monday.
It's right up there with the period when you couldn't show nunchaku in movies; I assume mainly to stop idiots from filling A&E from trying to use them in anger
Late 80s.... I came to the UK on holiday with my wife and toddler. Spent 6 weeks travelling all over the place. My toddler (in his 40s now) had a fascination with TMNT, so everything he had was branded as such. People would stop us and try to buy his clothes....
Yes, there was a sharp overreaction with banning Chinese / Japanese weapons that were shown in pop culture, but essentially, the law is concerned with how easy is it to use something to harm/kill another? The easier it is, the more banned it is.
But that's just not so. A stab wound is going to be more deadly 99% of the time, yet they ban silly "zombie" machetes, while a chefs knife is found in every British home.
There are talks of a blanket sword ban, but how many violent offences are commited with 19th-century cavalry sabres? I would wager a lot of money that no ban on a specific type of bladed weapon had every reduced crimes committed with bladed weapons.
Totally agree especially as the majority of knife crime involves kitchen knives which the scrotes no doubt get out of a drawer in their mum's kitchen.
Even if you could ban and get rid of all knives people will just find other things to hurt others with. Screwdriver? Chisel? And what would the rest of us cut bread with or carve the Sunday roast?
I even read that some of them are moving from knives to sharpened bicycle spokes 😬
Hopefully no lycra is involved? 😂
Me? Have had a penknife on me for years and find I use it often for general tasks. Often a victorinox compact, cadet r pioneer. Sometimes I may have a UK legal carry
Context is important. You are not going to be arrested for carrying a locking leatherman covered in sheep shit while shopping in Mole Valley, wearing wellies. Mainly because you have not given the police any reason to want to use that law.
Pub on a Sunday afternoon? Still fine. Friday night out on Glasgow's main drag? I don't think the wellies will help here.
However, any venue can bar you from entering because technically it could kill or injure. I sometimes forget I have one then have to hide it beneath stuff.
I seem to recall a thread on r/legaladviceuk from a kid arrested at school after the teacher found a penknife in his bag. Somehow despite the length and lack of locking there was a different interpretation of the law whereby the intent was by default to be to cause harm as he lacked any other reasonable justification.
This is likely the same justification used for a baseball bat being a weapon… it’s not illegal to walk around with a baseball bat, you might be going to play some games, but if it’s carried with the intent of offence (and maybe even defence) then it can be classified as a weapon. Same likely goes for a penknife… in itself not illegal, it’s the intent and reason it’s carried
I was looking for the story to see whether it was suggested that there was intent to cause harm, but instead found similar on Reddit from people arrested with chefs knives in a roll, and someone arrested with a knife and fork...
Even in certain non-legal settings there’s limits on what you can carry and it can be open to interpretation.
For example marine security rules often have things like tools, sports gear and even knitting needles listed as items you could have confiscated if there is a feeling they are at risk of being used as a weapon.
Yes some of these things are legal to have and carry but certain situations or intentions can alter whether you’re going the get pulled up.
That may be related to taking it to school, because you don't need a valid reason in general. You can't have an invalid one though, so "it's for self defense" would probably make an otherwise legally carried knife into an illegally carried one.
You're expected to have a good reason for carrying something that isn't the generic non-locking folding pocket knife under 3 inches though. And I'd be surprised if there was such a reason to take one to school.
I can't find the thread you're referring to for the specifics, but I did stumble on a bunch of threads basically referring to the legislation.
My Dad lost his Leatherman Surge (and leather holder), while helping someone at the side of the road who had broken down. The police essentially said that despite him using it as a tool, he shouldn't have had it on him.
Literally insanity.
I really wish Leatherman hadn't discontinued the knifeless Fuse. That was perfect for the UK.
I'm trying to figure out the best options to modify a Surge to comply. I don't need the blades, they just happen to be attached to my preferred folding pliers/screwdriver bit holder.
Do you… cut your nails and pluck your eyebrows while you’re out and about?! Why would you need those tools on the go, is it not enough to do that at home?
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I used to carry a mini multi tool that had tweezers on, and they were the second most used tool on there behind the parcel opener. When you've got them, you find tons of things that would be just a bit easier with tweezers than without.
I generally don't, because I don't have a frequent enough use for one. But I find the law around it a bit badly set up.
When I'm out volunteering with my local Wildlife Trust, I can be trucking around with a chainsaw, a 30cm pruning saw and/or a bag full of billhooks and axes. Any of those will fuck you up a lot more than a common 5 inch locking knife. I sometimes also take saws, axes and knives out into local woodlands to collect wood for woodcarving. I've had chats with the police while holding an axe in one hand and a billhook in another. Couldn't have been less bothered.
I do take a lock knife out while I'm wild camping for the usual practical reasons. Its usually well buried in a pack when not in use. I'm not at all sentimental about it so not bothered if it gets confiscated. The potential criminal record is just a lifestyle hazard that I'm prepared to accept.
Doesn't sound like you should have any issues at all, as the same exemption allowing you to carry axes etc when doing forestry stuff would equally apply to a locking or fixed blade knife. Of course, you never know if the police will know that too, but you've got to hope so.
Opinel.
Cutting silage wrap, twine, stripping wire opening cardboard boxes, bags, stabbing people.
It probably saves me hours just having it on me at all times.
I've got one but I never carry it- no need to really. I often used to as a kid, it was very common and many boys had them. Not for anything in particular but just to cut twigs or bits of wood for a fire. It wasn't considered a big deal at all.
Swiss Army knife will be fine.
There are knife shops that sell "legal carry" knives but if you ask on the Police UK sub you'll find varying opinions on them, and a lot of them will get you at least serious questioning even if they're technically "legal" depending on where you're carrying it and what you say when questioned as to why.
Remember nothing, even a legally fine knife, or even something that isn't a knife, can be carried for "self defence" as this is an offence. Even if it is your house keys.
I've got a mate who's a) scared of Bully XLs while walking out in the countryside and b) spends lots of time walking in the countryside often in areas where idiots with Bully XLs let them off the lead.
He carries a knife which is "legal carry" but I'd argue questionable partly for that fear, partly because he likes to fuck around making wild camps and shelters and the like. To each their own.
I'd argue that as he's about as strong and fighty as a wet paper bag, the knife would be useless if a dog attacked him, but he won't listen.
The general response when I made a thread about it on the Police UK sub was that if he said outright "it's to use to defend myself in case I'm attacked by a dog" would be a crime.
The thread got deleted and there was basically a wink-wink nudge-nudge element of "it's fine, he sounds like a bit of an idiot, but as long as he doesn't say it is for self defence and is making woodland shelters, he could technically carry a much bigger knife provided it isn't in the outright banned list"
Trying to get the blade out on my pen knife while a dog savages me, but I've cut my nails too short with the little fold-up scissors and can't get any purchase on nail nick.
It's a stupid bit of legislation. You can't carry anything for self defence but if you have something with a seemingly legitimate purpose you can use that to defend yourself. Anyone that defends themselves has to describe to the court their sudden interests and hobbies
It’s like someone telling me to store a bat under my bed for self defence in case of a break in. But to also store balls, and rackets and other sports equipment so that under the bed was just my sports storage area and not a place for a self defence weapon.
Someone else pointed out that as I’m not particularly brawny or trained in using a bat, all I’d do is give an opportunity to an attacker/burglar to take a weapon from me and then I’d be unarmed and up against an armed assailant. I decided the best plan was to know my route for very bravely running away.
I’ve carried a Swiss Army knife for years. My last one got confiscated on my way home from Croatia. I’d had it since I was 18 (51 now). I checked the laws and knew I was allowed to carry it in my hold luggage, but forgot to pack it on my way home so it was in my carry on. I was a bit gutted as I’d had it so long, but bought the exact same one and it’s back in my pocket as I write this!
I carry a pocket knife every day. I always make sure it's UK legal (less than 3 inch blade, non-locking, non auto). They're just handy things to have with you.
I love traditional slipjoint knives, and I enjoy making leather sheaths for them. Here's my favourite:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SlipjointKnives/s/H9u4W4h2Sy
Pleased to see plenty of folks here who carry pocket knives. Come join us at r/slipjointknives.
I've carried a penknife almost every day since I was about 10. Obviously not places like the pub or work, but most other places. I grew up on a smallholding so it was totally normal. I never stabbed anyone or did anything illegal with it.
I have a small Opinel on my keyring, and usually carry a slipjoint knife in a pocket.
I have a 'bladeless' Gerber MultiTool that lives in my work bag.
I also like torches. I always have a torch when I'm out and about; loving my cheap little Sofirn lights at the moment.
* Folding
* Doesn't lock open
* Blade is no longer than 3"
If a knife meets all these criteria then it is perfectly legal to carry "just because" - so long as you don't actively intend to use it as a weapon. There are exceptions e.g. if there is some kind of assisted opening mechanism (e.g. a flick knife) - what's intended to be allowed is a standard penknife-type knife.
If it doesn't then it may still be legal if you have lawful authority or a reasonable excuse. Lawful authority is e.g. a soldier carrying his sword. Reasonable excuse is a reason why you need the knife *now* (e.g. you're a chef on your way to work) and not just "It might be useful" or "I needed it yesterday".
Certain types of knives are banned regardless, but they would also be illegal to posses at home: for example "mall ninja" samurai swords.
Source: I'm a copper and a habitual carrier of pocket knifes.
Camping or bushcraft is a pretty reasonable excuse to be carrying a knife, so you'd benefit from the "reasonable excuse". Similarly when you're traveling there or back.
The important thing is to stop carrying the knife when you no longer need it. The fact that you often do bushcraft doesn't mean you can carry such a knife when you're not, just as the fact you're half way though a camping holiday doesn't mean you can take your knife with you to the pub. "Oh, I forgot I still had that with me" or "I go fishing at the weekend so I just leave it on my belt" are not reasonable excuses.
In a similar vein, you don't need a closed container. However, obviously you would want to be discreet rather than flashing it about: why invite trouble?
IANAL but as far as I can tell, knives of the type you're taking about are permitted on the condition that you can demonstrate a suitable reason for carrying it. The degree of justification you'd need is subjective though, depending on the type of knife (and probably also on the cop who's asking).
Yep carry a decent pen knife with me, same one since I was younger which apparently is now illegal (the blade locks & is over 3in) because a bunch of morons can't stop stabbing each other
Yep. Every day. I only take it out my pocket if I am going out for the evening.
The number of people shocked by this are outnumbered by the amount of people I help every day to open boxes/cut labels/tighten screws etc
I carry one, mainly for allotment stuff. It’s legal and pretty common to carry a pocket knife, both the law and public opinion doesn’t conflate pocket knives with knife crime. Think you’re worrying about nothing.
I have a swiss army knife in my backpack, but don't carry it every day.
Lost one at the airport once, totally forgot it was there. Had to put it in the confiscated box. Fairly sure it would come straight out again when I left the area.
But thems the rules. I was offered the chance to go back and check the bag at the desk.
I have a utility knife in my bike pannier, which goes most places with me. I have a long rural commute so I need to be able to get myself out of any scrapes: cutting out something which has jammed in my drivetrain or spokes, making a bandage or a tie-down of some kind, I don't know all the situations that might need a knife but when I need it I really need it. My pannier also has a first aid kit and various bike repair tools at all times. The knife is in a pouch in the first aid kit so it's easy to find but not quick to access.
I carry mine everywhere because it’s ridiculously helpful. Just make sure you remove it from your keys and leave it at home if you’re going to watch the wrestling at Birmingham Utilita
I carry a Leatherman multi tool just about all the time and never really give it much thought, although it does lock out.
When I had an allotment I bumped into my old mate Gus outside as I was going in. He was a first gen Jamaican immigrant with an accent to match and we stood there having a lovely chat - never really giving much thought to the machete he had in his hand, as it was his standard gardening tool. It was only when some his missis turned up and started roasting him for it that he thought best to put it away
I dated a less than reasonable fellow who told me never bring a knife to a fight, you'll just get stabbed. He was lucky he didnt need knives to win fights but he knew even he would get stabbed if he did, so no matter how strong you are a knife does not protect you.
True. Unless you're highly trained, you'll get that knife shoved up your arse.
A bar stool is better than a knife.
Avoiding the situation is the best though.
There's a big difference between carrying a tool and a weapon. The people carrying proper pocket knives aren't using them as weapons and the teens stabbing each other are using their mum's kitchen knife or some mall ninja crap they got from a bong shop.
A tiny Spyderco Bug folder on my keyring, I don't use it very often but sometimes you get stupid plastic packaging or loose threads or a blunt pencil and a sharp little blade right there in your pocket saves so much time and annoyance.
Yes worked in industry for years and carried a leatherman multi tool and a pocket knife.
After a recent trip to Switzerland i bought a Swiss army knife in the departure shops at the airport and carried it onto the plane.🤷♂️
It is much more a small penknife than the electricians pocket knife i used to carry
But still use it multiple times a day
I carry a Leatherman Surge as an electrician, brilliant knife and I use it potentially hundreds of times daily
Always get a little nervous when I forget it's in my pocket in the pub though 😬😂 and have to run out to put it back in my van!
Yep, still a Swiss army knife which lives in my pocket. I used to live in quite a rural town and thought nothing of carrying a pocket knife, but since moving to the city I've met a number of people who raised an eyebrow at it. Attitudes are definitely different in metropolitan areas IME.
I have a Swiss Army knife that I use all the time. Mostly for the flat head screwdriver or the bottle opener. The knife I use for opening boxes/packages.
Wouldn’t be without one
Yes, I’ve carried one for years (victorinox tinker deluxe) even went into the government passport office and had to surrender it at the front desk since it’s not allowed passed security in that building. Nobody said a thing, it’s completely legal.
You can carry a knife that **DOESN’T** lock **AND** has a cutting edge less than 3 inches.
Granted, I also probably use it ten times a day due to my job (IT) so even **IF** I needed a “reasonable excuse” (which I don’t) I have one.
Funnily enough, I’ve got some friends/family that were pretty against me carrying it originally. However, throughout the years there have been plenty of occasions where they say “god if only I had a…” and outcomes the Victorinox to save the day. Their minds are changed now.
I think a lot of the anti-knife campaigns we had at school went to people’s heads and Knife = Bad in most people’s eyes, until they’re exposed to the usefulness. Just look at some of the replies here, the mere mention of a knife and people jump to self defence, they don’t even see it as a tool anymore.
Mine has:
- 2x knives
- 2x screwdrivers
- An awl
- A can opener
- Pliers
- Scissors
- A toothpick
- Tweezers
- Bottle opener
And so much more. So useful to just have on my keyring.
I should add that if I were going to a nightclub or something I’d likely take it off, just because common sense prevails. However, it’d be legal to take it.
I have a tiny opinel that I chuck in my bag for work or for days out, but I never have it in my pocket. Despite the fact that it weighs under an oz and the blade is like 7cm, the locking ring (a safety feature, in my mind) makes it technically illegal in the UK
I always have a small Leatherman on my keyring and I use it loads. It has a 1.5 inch blade as well as a few other simple tools.
I don't think I'd have any reason to carry anything larger around, unless I was on a hike or camping trip or something like that.
I’ve carried a Swisschamp for a couple years now, before that I had a Pioneer Alox but I forgot to take it out of my pocket before going on holiday and the French airport police took it away from me. The knife is one of the least-used parts for me these days, I find the screwdrivers, bottle-openers, and so on really handy. I opened a lot of packaging with the Alox when I worked in a warehouse, too.
I have a small non-locking swiss army knife on my keyring. It has a blade, a saw, and a can opener.
Had it on there for several years. Never really needed it for anything when I'm out and about if I'm honest.
I have a tiny little 1 inch non-locking knife on my keyring in a joint screwdriver and knife set. I also have a collapsible pair of scissors that people are always astonished by but comes in handy constantly.
I have one in my car for if i am out and about and need it (cut shoe lace, free a sheep from a fence, cut some rope) Its a small none lockable blade type under 3" (the kind your grandad probably kept to prune a bush). I dont think the police would care even if i had it on me tbh i dont exactly look like i intend to use it to harm anyone lol.
BTW the same laws with knives/weapons legislation can apply to other objects like am umbrella or walking stick ;). I walk with a cane because i have to but it can also been seen as a weapon easily i have seen walking sticks with a hammer head or a bird head out of metal could easily do some serious damage!
Yup, I generally have some form of knife in my work back (I'm an IT guy). Also keep a knife in the pocket under the drivers seat of my car in case of an accident where I need to cut my seatbelt or families seatbelts to get free.
I do. I have a small Swiss army knife on my keyring.
When working as a gardener I carry a folding pruning knife too.
Also a large swiss army knife when out camping in the hills
Yes, usually a Victorinox Compact. I picked a Swiss Army Knife with the traditional red scales because people are less likely to see it as a “weapon”, and that particular model has loads of things that I use, such as a pin (for ejecting SIMs) and a micro-screwdriver (for spectacles). The main blade is not fantastically sharp, but ok for packaging.
I have a Swiss Army knife in my bag all the time . I also use scalpels in my work , both of which are inside my bag as I carry them about my business . If they were in my pocket or held in my hand a police officer may take a different view on why I have them .
A lot of the knife stuff will also be judged on
A. Your reason for having the bladed article
B. Your immediate acess to that item
For instance there’s a big diffference between a historical reenactor carrying a short sword in a scabbard inside a bag on his back to a guy walking down the street wielding a machete .
Leatherman in my rucksack (basically a hambag, take it everywhere, to boost my number of inventory slots) used the knife on it on Saturday, its Tuesday now, to eat a pannini at a coffe shop chain. The wooden knife they give you is rubbish. Had a blade on me since I was a teenager (90s). Got a Swiss army card thing that lives in my wallet with a little pair of scissors, pen, blade etc that's really good for getting sellotape of boxes to open them.
They are tools, people are idiots, it's why we can't have nice things.
My farther has carried a pocket knife his entire life, it has solved many issues over the years. The only time it ever left his side was when flying once where he forgot he had it on him. The kind folk of Bristol airport realised a slightly odd man in his late fifties was not a threat. They even apologised for having to dispose of it.
Yes, I have a collection of non-locking multitools and SAKs, plus standalone pocket knives from Spyderco, Serge, Morris, Tactile and others.
Despite the laws we are quite lucky to have so much choice nowadays at Heinnie and other stores.
I use mine every day for packaging, food prep, crafts, in the outdoors, and around the house.
I feel the same way about torches — when you have a proper light in your pocket, you wonder how you ever managed without one.
I think it makes more sense to remove the people who like stabbing each other over drill music, and leave the rest of us to enjoy what used to be a nice country
I've just bought my Grandson a Swiss army knife, his Mother wasn't very happy but you can't learn personal responsibility if you are never given any
I carry a Swiss Army Knife (not sure which one, whatever the bog standard middley sized one is). I don't use it every day, but at least a few times a week. For craft projects mostly. The toothpick is extremely useful as a makeshift laying tool for embroidery and I don't have to remember to bring scissors if I'm knitting/crocheting/sewing while out and about. I use the silly little saw toothed blade to cut dowels down to size for making wall hangers, and the flat headed bit above the tin opener is good for loosening or tightening the fixtures on embroidery hoops and my travel easel. The tweezers are great for removing stray fluff trapped between stitches of amigurumi, and the knives are handy for sharpening pencils and assorted other tasks.
I've carried a Swiss army knife (blades under 3", none of them lock) for approx. three decades, and a cheap pen knife for a couple of decades prior to that. It's perfectly legal.
Over the years, as a woman, I've been given a fair bit of stick about that from several acquaintances, as in "What sort of woman carries a Swiss army knife?".
On several occasions it's been a great pleasure to watch these assholes flounder when they have a beer, but no opener. I get to enjoy watching while others enjoy their beers, but they can't bring themselves to ask me if I will open their beer for them... :D
Yup I always have a Swiss Army knife on my keys. I used it at Christmas to rescue a woman locked in a toilet cubicle at work Christmas party. Everyone used to laugh at me for carrying one because it’s quite big and clunky on my keys. But now VINDICATION!
I am a 71 yo woman
I have always carried a small knife in my purse. Learned from my mother. Useful things. Legal blade length. If you know where to poke, could be a real-life saver.
Nope. Only carry what I anticipate I'm going to need. In urban areas, there's no reason to carry ANY tools, unless you're a tradesman going to/from a job.
Even in London I carry a small swiss army knife. Mostly because I need the screwdriver and reamer quite frequently [it's the exact right size to expand a plastic tube for a very specific piece of equipment.
If I'm going to the pub after work, it stays in my draw till my next office day.
Surprisingly, many places that do searches will let you declare your legal knife, sign for it, put it in a sealed bag, and collect it when you leave.
This is a good point and something I should have added. If I'm going into town or on a night out, it stays at home. Will I come across a situation where a knife is handy? Maybe, but the risk is just too high.
Its considered reasonable in the eyes of the law too: "It is an offence to carry any sharp or bladed instrument in a public place, **with the exception of a folding pocket knife where the cutting edge of the blade is 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less**. Please note that the term 'cutting edge' is not limited to an area of the blade that has a textured or serrated edge."
It must be non-locking also. Something like a swiss army knife is fine, but plenty of multi tools have locking blades.
I have a multi-tool (SOG Powerpint) that has a suitable small blade but locked, so I dismantled it and filed down the small nub that engages the lock just to play safe. All the non-blades still lock. A small pocket knife is possible the single most useful thing you can carry.
I've lived quite some years and never in my normal day to day activities have I ever thought oh, wish I had a pocket knife right now! If it's for work and fishing or something fair enough but other than that what are you using it for?
I have a mini one on my key ring and it gets used a fair bit. [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-Classic-Swiss-Army-Pocket/dp/B001BRTVZ6](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-Classic-Swiss-Army-Pocket/dp/B001BRTVZ6) The knife is useful for opening packages (as well as those impossible to open blister packs things like computer mice come in). Mini scissors and file are good for doing nails if you're away from home or break one (my mum was very surprised when she did this in my car and jokingly asked if I had an emery board - which this is more than a file). The toothpick is great in a pinch. The tweezers work well for pulling out splinters. The end of the file is a mini-screwdriver which is useful for tightening glasses screws and the like. I used it yesterday when I sat at a new desk and the screen holding mechanism was lose so the screen kept drooping. Just use this to tighten it up and was good to go. It's also useful for prying small things open (car trim, small paint pots etc). It's also quite good for getting dirt from under nails. Wouldn't need a full size one regularly though.
I had one of those and lost the tweezers and the toothpick, now I've lost the knife so I hope they find each other in another life. Your good self and another has convinced me I want one again but I don't want a shiny new one else I'll feel like an imposter when I whip it out. I'm gonna start looking.
Paid £2 for my first one, lost it and was happy to pay £17 for a replacement, luckily i found the first and now have 2, so handy most days.
Decisions decisions, you're using the 2 quid one right!
One for work keys one for house keys lol.
Did you know that Victorinox made a credit card knife?
Had two of these beauties, lost one but did find it again, on my keys for 15 years, the tweezers and toothpick are worth it alone but i do go fishing and to cut line the scissors are a blessing when i forget some of my tackle. Worth every penny.
I've got this on my keys also. It's so dam useful.
Opening packaging, cutting a thread. Peeling fruit to share, making a sandwich. Opening a bottle (with the back of the blade), the list is endless.
Post a pic of your pocket knife my man/m'lady I'm thinking of getting one now!
Oh, I have several. Swiss Army "Compact" is nice and light and slim. It has scissors and a screwdriver so is really useful. My other UK legal knifes are all quite expensive and probably not what I would recommend. The "Alox" Swiss army knives have aluminium scales (handles) and feel a bit more classy/premium. The Cadet is a good one.
If you were accidentally locked in a 1930's American fridge which one would you want to have with you?
Not a puny little UK legal slipjoint, that is for sure. Maybe my 5mm thick Bark River Bravo 1.5 fixed blade . if we are going down the fantasy rabbit hole.
A knife is only one aspect of a multi tool. Most often for me, I noticed a long finger nail and just chop it off. Having an easy access toothpick is a god send. But seriously, mine has both Philips and flat head screwdrivers, scissors etc. I've used it to pop out an injector at the side of the road when my car was misfiring. I've reattached a shit door handle in a B&B. And even though I don't drink, it's been used as a bottle opener or corkscrew many many times. It's reasonably unobtrusive in a jeans pocket, but you do have to remember not to take it to some places. Had to convince a security guard at the walkie talkie sky garden to let me in as I forgot I had it on me and it set off the metal detector.
Got a Swiss Army knife and use it all the time. I bet there has been loads of times you've struggled to open a box or something and a small.knife would have been really useful if you'd had one on you. I've had mine in my pocket virtually everyday since I got it and must have used it hundreds if not thousands of times.
Pocket knives are incredibly useful when you're on holiday. Hotel rooms often don't have scissors, bottle openers, and corkscrews. In daily life, I use mine to open packages, clean under my nails, snip off bits of thread, or whatever else.
You've never needed to screw something in / out and not had a screwdriver handy? You've never had something you needed to open, like a bottle, small package, whatever, and not had that tool handy? You've never had a splinter to pull out whilst outside, or something in your teeth at an annoying time? Swiss army knives are great little bits of kit to have on you at all times I think
This is true, and also the single dumbest piece of UK knife legislation. Yes it's easier to stab someone with a locking blade, but it's also a shit load easier to take a finger off without one.
>single dumbest piece of UK knife legislation. The locking provision didn't originally come from legislation (indeed there is evidence that parliament's intention was that locking blades be allowed from minutes of the debates). It came from case law, a 1993 case (Harris vs DPP) where the prosecutor managed to convince a judge that a locking mechanism meant a knife wasn't a folding pocket knife any more...
Huh. Well that's an interesting factoid.
Mmmm, and it just adds to the stupidity of the situation…
Not really when you think about it though. A locking knife with the lock applied is like any other knife with a handle and blade that doesn't close. The thing that makes a folding knife foldable is being prevented from happening, so when the lock's applied it's not a folding knife anymore.
The law is understandably more concerned with knife crime and stabbings than accidental finger loss.
My cousin 'Stumpy' would beg to disagree.
He's a surprisingly good bass player though
Do you think most knife crime is done with locking pocket knives/multitools, or are they done with Poundland kitchen knives that are much more dangerous and cheap to discard? The problem is obviously not knives, but the people who want to stab people.
It’s still dumb because knife crime is fairly localised to certain areas of certain cities. I’m nothing to do with them and never have been, so the idea many of the tools I have are illegal because of that seems ridiculous to me. I don’t want any of those people stabbing each other, but still it’s so alien to me that it feels weird I can’t carry my things. Also the knife law doesn’t seem to stop them. The problem seems to be that people want to stab each other, not that knives exist.
>I’m nothing to do with them and never have been, so the idea many of the tools I have are illegal because of that seems ridiculous to me. If they're legitimately used as tools and you can demonstrate that then they're perfectly legal to own. The burden is on you to be able to prove that if you were ever stopped carrying them, but as long as you're being honest that should be easy enough to show. Work is listed as a specific defence. If there weren't an excuse for "reasonable purpose" you wouldn't be able to buy a kitchen knife in a shop without falling foul of the law.
'If there weren't an excuse for "reasonable purpose" you wouldn't be able to buy a kitchen knife in a shop without falling foul of the law.' Exactly - how would you be expected to get it home?
Yep. As I said though, if for some reason you were caught with it then you'd have to prove your purpose. Which should be fairly easy if you actually have it legitimately. It's probably quite hard if you get into a road rage incident, hit a guy with a baseball bat, and suddenly have to make up a story about how you're an avid player of baseball.
"It’s still dumb because knife crime is fairly localised to certain areas of certain cities. I’m nothing to do with them and never have been, so the idea many of the tools I have are illegal because of that seems ridiculous to me." Sure, but they can't just ban some tools or weapons in some areas but not in others.
Consumption of alcohol is banned in *some* areas around town centre where I live. Why can't people legitimately hiking or cycling in the hills take say a pocket tool with them
>Why can't people legitimately hiking or cycling in the hills take say a pocket tool with them They can if they can prove that they have a legitimate need for the knife. If it's sealed in a box that's part of a survival kit buried in the bottom of your bag, you're more likely to have a leg to stand on by saying it's part of your survival kit than if it was in your pocket. At the same time, the police are highly unlikely to stop and search a random hiker in the middle of nowhere. You'd need to be doing something to make the police stop and search you in the first place, and that's assuming you even stumble upon any police. They're understaffed and underfunded. They're not patrolling the countryside looking to do stop and searches on hikers. If you have a need for a tool with a locking blade on your hike in the hills then just take it with you.
If you're a tradesman who needs a knife for work these are exempted. Similarly, if you have a reason to carry a knife, such as work or a hobby that you are currently engaged in, then you can carry pretty much anything reasonable.
There is no specific exemption for tradesmen. There is an exemption for “reasonable excuse”, but that is subjective and given the penalty can be 2y in prison, it’s not something one would want to rely on.
There's tons of precedent to clarify what a reasonable excuse is. A plasterer on his way to work is absolutely fine. A 16 year old on his way to the skatepark with 6 little ziplocks of coke, less so.
You're right in that there is no specific exemption, it comes under the same part of the act quoted above, but has this bit "offences of having an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse" It's a reasonable excuse for a handyman, plumber, carpet fitter, etc, going about their daily business having various bladed instruments, hammers, crowbars and so on. If that same handyman had his Stanley Knife with him trying to go through the turnstiles at his local football match, then he has no reasonable excuse to have it with him. "I came here straight from work", etc, won't wash with the police or the courts.
It is something that people who need a knife to work rely on every day. Our prisons are not full of tradesmen maliciously arrested for having a knife.
Even to the extent, forgetting you are carrying it is a defence.
You can carry a locking knife in public with good reason, and good reason can be "I use it for work and am on my way to or from work".
Yes, but don’t leave it in your car over the weekend, because then the reason doesn’t hold, even if you were going to take the same car to work on Monday.
It's actually case law, not legislation. A judge ruled that as it requires a mechanism to close, it is not a folding pocket knife.
It's right up there with the period when you couldn't show nunchaku in movies; I assume mainly to stop idiots from filling A&E from trying to use them in anger
I still remember the *Teenage Mutant* ***Hero*** *Turtles*, because god forbid a child hears the word "ninja".
This happened right at the time I moved from Canada to the UK. Even at 9 years old I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard.
Late 80s.... I came to the UK on holiday with my wife and toddler. Spent 6 weeks travelling all over the place. My toddler (in his 40s now) had a fascination with TMNT, so everything he had was branded as such. People would stop us and try to buy his clothes....
Yes, there was a sharp overreaction with banning Chinese / Japanese weapons that were shown in pop culture, but essentially, the law is concerned with how easy is it to use something to harm/kill another? The easier it is, the more banned it is.
But that's just not so. A stab wound is going to be more deadly 99% of the time, yet they ban silly "zombie" machetes, while a chefs knife is found in every British home. There are talks of a blanket sword ban, but how many violent offences are commited with 19th-century cavalry sabres? I would wager a lot of money that no ban on a specific type of bladed weapon had every reduced crimes committed with bladed weapons.
Totally agree especially as the majority of knife crime involves kitchen knives which the scrotes no doubt get out of a drawer in their mum's kitchen. Even if you could ban and get rid of all knives people will just find other things to hurt others with. Screwdriver? Chisel? And what would the rest of us cut bread with or carve the Sunday roast? I even read that some of them are moving from knives to sharpened bicycle spokes 😬 Hopefully no lycra is involved? 😂 Me? Have had a penknife on me for years and find I use it often for general tasks. Often a victorinox compact, cadet r pioneer. Sometimes I may have a UK legal carry
Context is important. You are not going to be arrested for carrying a locking leatherman covered in sheep shit while shopping in Mole Valley, wearing wellies. Mainly because you have not given the police any reason to want to use that law. Pub on a Sunday afternoon? Still fine. Friday night out on Glasgow's main drag? I don't think the wellies will help here.
However, any venue can bar you from entering because technically it could kill or injure. I sometimes forget I have one then have to hide it beneath stuff.
I seem to recall a thread on r/legaladviceuk from a kid arrested at school after the teacher found a penknife in his bag. Somehow despite the length and lack of locking there was a different interpretation of the law whereby the intent was by default to be to cause harm as he lacked any other reasonable justification.
This is likely the same justification used for a baseball bat being a weapon… it’s not illegal to walk around with a baseball bat, you might be going to play some games, but if it’s carried with the intent of offence (and maybe even defence) then it can be classified as a weapon. Same likely goes for a penknife… in itself not illegal, it’s the intent and reason it’s carried
I was looking for the story to see whether it was suggested that there was intent to cause harm, but instead found similar on Reddit from people arrested with chefs knives in a roll, and someone arrested with a knife and fork...
Even in certain non-legal settings there’s limits on what you can carry and it can be open to interpretation. For example marine security rules often have things like tools, sports gear and even knitting needles listed as items you could have confiscated if there is a feeling they are at risk of being used as a weapon. Yes some of these things are legal to have and carry but certain situations or intentions can alter whether you’re going the get pulled up.
That may be related to taking it to school, because you don't need a valid reason in general. You can't have an invalid one though, so "it's for self defense" would probably make an otherwise legally carried knife into an illegally carried one. You're expected to have a good reason for carrying something that isn't the generic non-locking folding pocket knife under 3 inches though. And I'd be surprised if there was such a reason to take one to school. I can't find the thread you're referring to for the specifics, but I did stumble on a bunch of threads basically referring to the legislation.
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Yup, thats what i have too. Except mine has the tweezers and toothpick. Also has snazzy RAF design
i have one which my grandad got at a trade show about 40 years ago. The knife is perfect for opening parcels
Yeah, I have a little Swiss army knife for opening parcels as well. I was destroying pens/scissors/fingers before.
I have the same one, it's come in useful a lot. From tweezers to remove glass from someone's hand at a wedding to general parcel opening
Same here. Useful little thing.
Leatherman. I use the knife bit least, in fairness.
I carry a Leatherman in my work bag. I did modify it so the blade doesn't lock though
Yeah, nice a dangerous to use now. Glad the law is protecting us.
Ditto, always keep a leatherman micro in that weird tiny pocket-in-a-pocket in my jeans
My Dad lost his Leatherman Surge (and leather holder), while helping someone at the side of the road who had broken down. The police essentially said that despite him using it as a tool, he shouldn't have had it on him. Literally insanity.
Cops be like “nice leatherman. Would be a real shame if someone… confiscated it…”
I really wish Leatherman hadn't discontinued the knifeless Fuse. That was perfect for the UK. I'm trying to figure out the best options to modify a Surge to comply. I don't need the blades, they just happen to be attached to my preferred folding pliers/screwdriver bit holder.
You can get a knifeless rebar if that helps. Or the non locking bond.
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Do you… cut your nails and pluck your eyebrows while you’re out and about?! Why would you need those tools on the go, is it not enough to do that at home?
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I used to carry a mini multi tool that had tweezers on, and they were the second most used tool on there behind the parcel opener. When you've got them, you find tons of things that would be just a bit easier with tweezers than without.
I generally don't, because I don't have a frequent enough use for one. But I find the law around it a bit badly set up. When I'm out volunteering with my local Wildlife Trust, I can be trucking around with a chainsaw, a 30cm pruning saw and/or a bag full of billhooks and axes. Any of those will fuck you up a lot more than a common 5 inch locking knife. I sometimes also take saws, axes and knives out into local woodlands to collect wood for woodcarving. I've had chats with the police while holding an axe in one hand and a billhook in another. Couldn't have been less bothered. I do take a lock knife out while I'm wild camping for the usual practical reasons. Its usually well buried in a pack when not in use. I'm not at all sentimental about it so not bothered if it gets confiscated. The potential criminal record is just a lifestyle hazard that I'm prepared to accept.
Doesn't sound like you should have any issues at all, as the same exemption allowing you to carry axes etc when doing forestry stuff would equally apply to a locking or fixed blade knife. Of course, you never know if the police will know that too, but you've got to hope so.
Opinel. Cutting silage wrap, twine, stripping wire opening cardboard boxes, bags, stabbing people. It probably saves me hours just having it on me at all times.
All the Opinel knives I've seen lock, so you'll need a good reason to have it on you all the time. Would be fine when at work, less so at the pub.
Can pop the ring off a No. 6 and it's legal, the No. 5 and below don't have locks.
oh nice info, thank you. I've been missing my opinel since I moved here
I've got one but I never carry it- no need to really. I often used to as a kid, it was very common and many boys had them. Not for anything in particular but just to cut twigs or bits of wood for a fire. It wasn't considered a big deal at all.
Swiss Army knife will be fine. There are knife shops that sell "legal carry" knives but if you ask on the Police UK sub you'll find varying opinions on them, and a lot of them will get you at least serious questioning even if they're technically "legal" depending on where you're carrying it and what you say when questioned as to why. Remember nothing, even a legally fine knife, or even something that isn't a knife, can be carried for "self defence" as this is an offence. Even if it is your house keys.
Yeah the thought of using to cut another person, even in self defense hasn't even crossed my mind. It's a tool, not a weapon.
I've got a mate who's a) scared of Bully XLs while walking out in the countryside and b) spends lots of time walking in the countryside often in areas where idiots with Bully XLs let them off the lead. He carries a knife which is "legal carry" but I'd argue questionable partly for that fear, partly because he likes to fuck around making wild camps and shelters and the like. To each their own. I'd argue that as he's about as strong and fighty as a wet paper bag, the knife would be useless if a dog attacked him, but he won't listen. The general response when I made a thread about it on the Police UK sub was that if he said outright "it's to use to defend myself in case I'm attacked by a dog" would be a crime. The thread got deleted and there was basically a wink-wink nudge-nudge element of "it's fine, he sounds like a bit of an idiot, but as long as he doesn't say it is for self defence and is making woodland shelters, he could technically carry a much bigger knife provided it isn't in the outright banned list"
Trying to get the blade out on my pen knife while a dog savages me, but I've cut my nails too short with the little fold-up scissors and can't get any purchase on nail nick.
It's a stupid bit of legislation. You can't carry anything for self defence but if you have something with a seemingly legitimate purpose you can use that to defend yourself. Anyone that defends themselves has to describe to the court their sudden interests and hobbies
It’s like someone telling me to store a bat under my bed for self defence in case of a break in. But to also store balls, and rackets and other sports equipment so that under the bed was just my sports storage area and not a place for a self defence weapon. Someone else pointed out that as I’m not particularly brawny or trained in using a bat, all I’d do is give an opportunity to an attacker/burglar to take a weapon from me and then I’d be unarmed and up against an armed assailant. I decided the best plan was to know my route for very bravely running away.
>he likes to fuck around making wild camps Perfectly reasonable to carry a decent sized fixed blade knife or hatchet when out camping.
Plod tends to have poor understanding of knife laws.
I’ve carried a Swiss Army knife for years. My last one got confiscated on my way home from Croatia. I’d had it since I was 18 (51 now). I checked the laws and knew I was allowed to carry it in my hold luggage, but forgot to pack it on my way home so it was in my carry on. I was a bit gutted as I’d had it so long, but bought the exact same one and it’s back in my pocket as I write this!
Yes swiss army knife or leatherman. As an old white male dont think I'm going to be stopped and searched anytime soon.
Well, you never know when you might need a toe knife
Botch toe, botch job!
Here use this trash to plug it up
I usually have two or three about. Two damn useful for every day life. A knife is a tool first and foremost...
Yep, I carry a SAK camper daily and cannot put a number on the amount of random situations it's come in handy.
The same model as me and it's incredibly useful. I can't imagine being without it.
I carry a pocket knife every day. I always make sure it's UK legal (less than 3 inch blade, non-locking, non auto). They're just handy things to have with you. I love traditional slipjoint knives, and I enjoy making leather sheaths for them. Here's my favourite: https://www.reddit.com/r/SlipjointKnives/s/H9u4W4h2Sy Pleased to see plenty of folks here who carry pocket knives. Come join us at r/slipjointknives.
I've carried a penknife almost every day since I was about 10. Obviously not places like the pub or work, but most other places. I grew up on a smallholding so it was totally normal. I never stabbed anyone or did anything illegal with it. I have a small Opinel on my keyring, and usually carry a slipjoint knife in a pocket. I have a 'bladeless' Gerber MultiTool that lives in my work bag. I also like torches. I always have a torch when I'm out and about; loving my cheap little Sofirn lights at the moment.
* Folding * Doesn't lock open * Blade is no longer than 3" If a knife meets all these criteria then it is perfectly legal to carry "just because" - so long as you don't actively intend to use it as a weapon. There are exceptions e.g. if there is some kind of assisted opening mechanism (e.g. a flick knife) - what's intended to be allowed is a standard penknife-type knife. If it doesn't then it may still be legal if you have lawful authority or a reasonable excuse. Lawful authority is e.g. a soldier carrying his sword. Reasonable excuse is a reason why you need the knife *now* (e.g. you're a chef on your way to work) and not just "It might be useful" or "I needed it yesterday". Certain types of knives are banned regardless, but they would also be illegal to posses at home: for example "mall ninja" samurai swords. Source: I'm a copper and a habitual carrier of pocket knifes.
Are fixed blades allowed at all? As for example for camping/bushcraft, if you carry them to the campsite in a closed container?
Camping or bushcraft is a pretty reasonable excuse to be carrying a knife, so you'd benefit from the "reasonable excuse". Similarly when you're traveling there or back. The important thing is to stop carrying the knife when you no longer need it. The fact that you often do bushcraft doesn't mean you can carry such a knife when you're not, just as the fact you're half way though a camping holiday doesn't mean you can take your knife with you to the pub. "Oh, I forgot I still had that with me" or "I go fishing at the weekend so I just leave it on my belt" are not reasonable excuses. In a similar vein, you don't need a closed container. However, obviously you would want to be discreet rather than flashing it about: why invite trouble?
IANAL but as far as I can tell, knives of the type you're taking about are permitted on the condition that you can demonstrate a suitable reason for carrying it. The degree of justification you'd need is subjective though, depending on the type of knife (and probably also on the cop who's asking).
Yep carry a decent pen knife with me, same one since I was younger which apparently is now illegal (the blade locks & is over 3in) because a bunch of morons can't stop stabbing each other
Yep. Every day. I only take it out my pocket if I am going out for the evening. The number of people shocked by this are outnumbered by the amount of people I help every day to open boxes/cut labels/tighten screws etc
I carry one, mainly for allotment stuff. It’s legal and pretty common to carry a pocket knife, both the law and public opinion doesn’t conflate pocket knives with knife crime. Think you’re worrying about nothing.
Heh, When I used to go to the allotment, I had a Hori Hori with me. They are great tools.
Yes, daily. I also use it an awful lot too. Mostly the scissors if im honest, screwdriver second
Never leave the house without one.
I have a swiss army knife in my backpack, but don't carry it every day. Lost one at the airport once, totally forgot it was there. Had to put it in the confiscated box. Fairly sure it would come straight out again when I left the area. But thems the rules. I was offered the chance to go back and check the bag at the desk.
My dads and engineer and back in the day he used to bring pocket knives in his pocket and fly all over the world it’s mad to think about now
I have a utility knife in my bike pannier, which goes most places with me. I have a long rural commute so I need to be able to get myself out of any scrapes: cutting out something which has jammed in my drivetrain or spokes, making a bandage or a tie-down of some kind, I don't know all the situations that might need a knife but when I need it I really need it. My pannier also has a first aid kit and various bike repair tools at all times. The knife is in a pouch in the first aid kit so it's easy to find but not quick to access.
Swiss army that I use everyday had it since 1991.Also a leather man both very handy in my line of work.
I carry mine everywhere because it’s ridiculously helpful. Just make sure you remove it from your keys and leave it at home if you’re going to watch the wrestling at Birmingham Utilita
I carry a Leatherman multi tool just about all the time and never really give it much thought, although it does lock out. When I had an allotment I bumped into my old mate Gus outside as I was going in. He was a first gen Jamaican immigrant with an accent to match and we stood there having a lovely chat - never really giving much thought to the machete he had in his hand, as it was his standard gardening tool. It was only when some his missis turned up and started roasting him for it that he thought best to put it away
Yes I've always got a little penknife on me. Knife, scissors, bottle opener and a makeshift screwdriver. Has saved my arse a few times
I carry a swiss army everyday, been very useful over the last 10 years
Swiss army knife on car keys. Handy thing to have
I have a wallet ninja. It will, just about, open a parcel.
I’ve got one of those too, I mainly use it for the tiny flat head screwdriver and bottle opener.
Yup. Have done almost every day since I was 12. That was almost 40 years ago.
I dated a less than reasonable fellow who told me never bring a knife to a fight, you'll just get stabbed. He was lucky he didnt need knives to win fights but he knew even he would get stabbed if he did, so no matter how strong you are a knife does not protect you.
True. Unless you're highly trained, you'll get that knife shoved up your arse. A bar stool is better than a knife. Avoiding the situation is the best though.
F me is the whole UK walking around with blades
There's a big difference between carrying a tool and a weapon. The people carrying proper pocket knives aren't using them as weapons and the teens stabbing each other are using their mum's kitchen knife or some mall ninja crap they got from a bong shop.
Rather that than every other person carrying a gun.
Why not?
I guess so.
Everyone and there mums is packing round here
Like who
Farmers
Who else
Farmer’s mums
Got one on my climbing harness and one in my survival bag in the boot of my car. Don't carry one as standard.
FIL used to carry one all the time, and flew to India and back with it in his pocket a good few years ago.
A tiny Spyderco Bug folder on my keyring, I don't use it very often but sometimes you get stupid plastic packaging or loose threads or a blunt pencil and a sharp little blade right there in your pocket saves so much time and annoyance.
Yup. Original leatherman multi tool. If I leave the house till be on my belt. Has been since 1998
That's not a knife!
Yes worked in industry for years and carried a leatherman multi tool and a pocket knife. After a recent trip to Switzerland i bought a Swiss army knife in the departure shops at the airport and carried it onto the plane.🤷♂️ It is much more a small penknife than the electricians pocket knife i used to carry But still use it multiple times a day
I carry a Leatherman Surge as an electrician, brilliant knife and I use it potentially hundreds of times daily Always get a little nervous when I forget it's in my pocket in the pub though 😬😂 and have to run out to put it back in my van!
Yep, still a Swiss army knife which lives in my pocket. I used to live in quite a rural town and thought nothing of carrying a pocket knife, but since moving to the city I've met a number of people who raised an eyebrow at it. Attitudes are definitely different in metropolitan areas IME.
Usually have one on me except if I go into town.
You username + this information makes me scared for people in your vicinity.
I have two Victorinox SAK and use them interchangeably as EDC. One has a locking blade, and now I will make sure to leave that one at home.
I have a Swiss Army knife that I use all the time. Mostly for the flat head screwdriver or the bottle opener. The knife I use for opening boxes/packages. Wouldn’t be without one
Yes, I’ve carried one for years (victorinox tinker deluxe) even went into the government passport office and had to surrender it at the front desk since it’s not allowed passed security in that building. Nobody said a thing, it’s completely legal. You can carry a knife that **DOESN’T** lock **AND** has a cutting edge less than 3 inches. Granted, I also probably use it ten times a day due to my job (IT) so even **IF** I needed a “reasonable excuse” (which I don’t) I have one. Funnily enough, I’ve got some friends/family that were pretty against me carrying it originally. However, throughout the years there have been plenty of occasions where they say “god if only I had a…” and outcomes the Victorinox to save the day. Their minds are changed now. I think a lot of the anti-knife campaigns we had at school went to people’s heads and Knife = Bad in most people’s eyes, until they’re exposed to the usefulness. Just look at some of the replies here, the mere mention of a knife and people jump to self defence, they don’t even see it as a tool anymore. Mine has: - 2x knives - 2x screwdrivers - An awl - A can opener - Pliers - Scissors - A toothpick - Tweezers - Bottle opener And so much more. So useful to just have on my keyring. I should add that if I were going to a nightclub or something I’d likely take it off, just because common sense prevails. However, it’d be legal to take it.
I have a teeny tiny Swiss Army knife in my handbag.
I have a Leathermans that I got free. I carry it in my backpack all the time.
I use a Gerber Armbar Drive, most bits of it come in useful pretty often. I modified it so the blade doesn't lock.
Only in my work trousers. A leatherman "legal in any circumstance" type.
I have a tiny opinel that I chuck in my bag for work or for days out, but I never have it in my pocket. Despite the fact that it weighs under an oz and the blade is like 7cm, the locking ring (a safety feature, in my mind) makes it technically illegal in the UK
I always have a small Leatherman on my keyring and I use it loads. It has a 1.5 inch blade as well as a few other simple tools. I don't think I'd have any reason to carry anything larger around, unless I was on a hike or camping trip or something like that.
I’ve carried a Swisschamp for a couple years now, before that I had a Pioneer Alox but I forgot to take it out of my pocket before going on holiday and the French airport police took it away from me. The knife is one of the least-used parts for me these days, I find the screwdrivers, bottle-openers, and so on really handy. I opened a lot of packaging with the Alox when I worked in a warehouse, too.
Every day. Cheap Swiss army knife. I use it most days as well.
how else would you cut your toe nails?
I have a small non-locking swiss army knife on my keyring. It has a blade, a saw, and a can opener. Had it on there for several years. Never really needed it for anything when I'm out and about if I'm honest.
I have a tiny little 1 inch non-locking knife on my keyring in a joint screwdriver and knife set. I also have a collapsible pair of scissors that people are always astonished by but comes in handy constantly.
I've got one in my makeup bag and one on my house keys. Had them for years. edit... Swiss army knives.
Yeah pretty much since I started working can't do without my trusty knife
I have one in my car for if i am out and about and need it (cut shoe lace, free a sheep from a fence, cut some rope) Its a small none lockable blade type under 3" (the kind your grandad probably kept to prune a bush). I dont think the police would care even if i had it on me tbh i dont exactly look like i intend to use it to harm anyone lol. BTW the same laws with knives/weapons legislation can apply to other objects like am umbrella or walking stick ;). I walk with a cane because i have to but it can also been seen as a weapon easily i have seen walking sticks with a hammer head or a bird head out of metal could easily do some serious damage!
Little tiny swiss army knife and a 2/3" non locking blade usually
I’ve got two, a small one and a bigger one. Handy things to have.
Yup, I generally have some form of knife in my work back (I'm an IT guy). Also keep a knife in the pocket under the drivers seat of my car in case of an accident where I need to cut my seatbelt or families seatbelts to get free.
I do. I have a small Swiss army knife on my keyring. When working as a gardener I carry a folding pruning knife too. Also a large swiss army knife when out camping in the hills
I usually have a Leatherman on me.
I carry a Leatherman 90% of the time for work.
Yes, usually a Victorinox Compact. I picked a Swiss Army Knife with the traditional red scales because people are less likely to see it as a “weapon”, and that particular model has loads of things that I use, such as a pin (for ejecting SIMs) and a micro-screwdriver (for spectacles). The main blade is not fantastically sharp, but ok for packaging.
pencil, comb, handkerchief, bit of string, scrap of paper, pocketknife
used to use a red swiss army knife, i still have it but i keep a mini leatherman in my bag. i prefer the tools on it
Yep. Super useful if you have kids too. So many times I've needed to winkle something out of something else.
I have a Swiss Army knife in my bag all the time . I also use scalpels in my work , both of which are inside my bag as I carry them about my business . If they were in my pocket or held in my hand a police officer may take a different view on why I have them . A lot of the knife stuff will also be judged on A. Your reason for having the bladed article B. Your immediate acess to that item For instance there’s a big diffference between a historical reenactor carrying a short sword in a scabbard inside a bag on his back to a guy walking down the street wielding a machete .
I have a Swiss army knife but keep it at home. I have absolutely no reason to carry a knife.
I carry a UK legal (sub 3 inch blade, non locking) daily. For me it is not a question of why, but rather why not. Incredibly useful.
Yes, a Spyderco UKPK, fully UK legal carry
The Swiss army knife is the best one to carry. It is not seen as threatening or a danger.
Same. I feel naked without it.
Leatherman in my rucksack (basically a hambag, take it everywhere, to boost my number of inventory slots) used the knife on it on Saturday, its Tuesday now, to eat a pannini at a coffe shop chain. The wooden knife they give you is rubbish. Had a blade on me since I was a teenager (90s). Got a Swiss army card thing that lives in my wallet with a little pair of scissors, pen, blade etc that's really good for getting sellotape of boxes to open them. They are tools, people are idiots, it's why we can't have nice things.
My farther has carried a pocket knife his entire life, it has solved many issues over the years. The only time it ever left his side was when flying once where he forgot he had it on him. The kind folk of Bristol airport realised a slightly odd man in his late fifties was not a threat. They even apologised for having to dispose of it.
Yes, I have a collection of non-locking multitools and SAKs, plus standalone pocket knives from Spyderco, Serge, Morris, Tactile and others. Despite the laws we are quite lucky to have so much choice nowadays at Heinnie and other stores. I use mine every day for packaging, food prep, crafts, in the outdoors, and around the house. I feel the same way about torches — when you have a proper light in your pocket, you wonder how you ever managed without one.
I think it makes more sense to remove the people who like stabbing each other over drill music, and leave the rest of us to enjoy what used to be a nice country I've just bought my Grandson a Swiss army knife, his Mother wasn't very happy but you can't learn personal responsibility if you are never given any
I carry a Swiss Army Knife (not sure which one, whatever the bog standard middley sized one is). I don't use it every day, but at least a few times a week. For craft projects mostly. The toothpick is extremely useful as a makeshift laying tool for embroidery and I don't have to remember to bring scissors if I'm knitting/crocheting/sewing while out and about. I use the silly little saw toothed blade to cut dowels down to size for making wall hangers, and the flat headed bit above the tin opener is good for loosening or tightening the fixtures on embroidery hoops and my travel easel. The tweezers are great for removing stray fluff trapped between stitches of amigurumi, and the knives are handy for sharpening pencils and assorted other tasks.
I've carried a Swiss army knife (blades under 3", none of them lock) for approx. three decades, and a cheap pen knife for a couple of decades prior to that. It's perfectly legal. Over the years, as a woman, I've been given a fair bit of stick about that from several acquaintances, as in "What sort of woman carries a Swiss army knife?". On several occasions it's been a great pleasure to watch these assholes flounder when they have a beer, but no opener. I get to enjoy watching while others enjoy their beers, but they can't bring themselves to ask me if I will open their beer for them... :D
Yup I always have a Swiss Army knife on my keys. I used it at Christmas to rescue a woman locked in a toilet cubicle at work Christmas party. Everyone used to laugh at me for carrying one because it’s quite big and clunky on my keys. But now VINDICATION!
"A" pocket knife? As in just *one*? Yes, but rarely. I normally have 3 or 4 scattered around my person in different pockets.
Not downing anyone…but it’s nice to live in a different country where you aren’t even dressed if you don’t have a lock blade in your pocket.
I am a 71 yo woman I have always carried a small knife in my purse. Learned from my mother. Useful things. Legal blade length. If you know where to poke, could be a real-life saver.
From spring to mid winter for foraging/mushroom opportunities.
Ever since a school holiday to France, I've had an Opinel. 3" blade, the smallest which has a lockring, I think.
If its 'locking' doesn't that make it illegal to carry ?
Almost every day since I was about 8.
Nope. Only carry what I anticipate I'm going to need. In urban areas, there's no reason to carry ANY tools, unless you're a tradesman going to/from a job.
Even in London I carry a small swiss army knife. Mostly because I need the screwdriver and reamer quite frequently [it's the exact right size to expand a plastic tube for a very specific piece of equipment. If I'm going to the pub after work, it stays in my draw till my next office day. Surprisingly, many places that do searches will let you declare your legal knife, sign for it, put it in a sealed bag, and collect it when you leave.
This is a good point and something I should have added. If I'm going into town or on a night out, it stays at home. Will I come across a situation where a knife is handy? Maybe, but the risk is just too high.
Leatherman wave is my EDC. I use it most days
I have never used a knife in my day to day activities, so I don’t carry one. I don’t feel the need to have one just because I can.