Carrrying pocket knives in UK

**fortcollinsjerry** · 27th February 09, 09:25 AM

While reading an article on the UK just now I came across a reference pertaining to a Brit law about carrying a knife in the UK. This apparently does not apply to the skien dubh. Should I leave my 4" bladed pocket knife at home when I come over this summer?

**Kerr the Walker** · 27th February 09, 09:28 AM

Careful with this one.....

But before it gets shut down.....yes, most definitely leave it at home.

**Chas** · 27th February 09, 09:49 AM

Hello All,

Yes and no. 4" is just a tad too long - 'unless you have to use it in the course of your duties'. That is to say that if you are a gardener, you would be expected to carry a pruning knife which could have a blade of 5". But when you go to the club that evening, you are no longer a gardener, you are just a normal individual and it would not be seen as reasonable. That is the criteria - what is seen to be reasonable by the average man in the street. I have carried a Swiss Army Knife for the last 30 years and never had a problem - but then the blade is only 2 1/2" long. If you have a legal reason for carrying a knife it is reasonable, if not it isn't. The government has dithered for a long time over this self same question, but will not make a decision one way or the other - there is no black or white. If the police have any doubt, they will confiscate the knife and give a verbal warning as a minimum. There is too much knife-crime in the UK at present, so the police are on the look-out. My best advice - leave it at home.

Regards

Chas

**Panache** · 27th February 09, 09:56 AM

"When in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution"

A thought that works just as well for pocket knives and knife regulations as it does for online forum threads

Cheers

Jamie

**Jock Scot** · 27th February 09, 11:10 AM

As the others have said "err on the side of caution" and leave your knife at home. There are very good pen knives to be had over here ,why not buy one whilst you are here? Best to keep the knife a pen knife and don't go for a blade of more than 3 inches.

**Phil** · 27th February 09, 12:23 PM

Do you really need to carry a knife? I lost a colleague, stabbed to death on Lothian Road here in Edinburgh about 20 years ago. The perpetrator was found not guilty - he said the knife he carried was to clean his pipe !! and he was only acting in self-defence. Despite the fact his victim had no weapon.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 27th February 09, 02:07 PM

Returning to the topic, but not the impending foray, if you really think you will need some sort of a pocket knife whilst on holiday in the UK, follow Jock's advice and buy one over there. It is just sooo much less hassle. I carry a Swiss Army Knife (it's called the Officer Model) with a 6cm (about 2.5 inches) blade. They sell for something around five quid and are available at most hardware stores (or at least used to be).

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 27th February 09, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Phil

Do you really need to carry a knife?

Yes, because the only time I'll need it is when I don't have it. If you look at my avatar you'll see that I derive great enjoyment from driving older cars. Now, the three most indispensable tools you can carry when out and about with your motorcar are a roll of duct tape, a pocket knife and a cell phone.

I imagine that lots and lots of people need to carry a pocket knife and, although I couldn't be bothered to ask them why, I'm sure they would have a perfectly good reason for carrying one. It's really none of my business, when it comes right down to it, what Joe Bloggs has in his pocket, or even his reasons for having anything at all in his pocket.

I hope that answers your question, and we can return to the subject.

**Panache** · 27th February 09, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

... If you look at my avatar you'll see that I derive great enjoyment from driving older cars. Now, the three most indispensable tools you can carry when out and about with your motorcar are a roll of duct tape, a pocket knife and a cell phone.

My brother-in-law has a TR-3 (he sometimes is even able to drive it) and I really need to share this with him.

Cheers

Jamie