non locking knives, a rant!

[Deeps]

I'm not encouraging anyone to carry knives as a daily task, but I'm a little confused what the issue is here - is it a legal thing that no-on wants to break the law, or is it a case of 'i don't want risk carrying a technically illegal knife in case i get stopped and searched?

Because on the assumption you're going about your usual business -

-not trying to walk into a court/school/police station/get into a plane

-are dressed in normal clothing (not like swat team member)

-Are behaving yourself in a decent and quiet manner

Why would you be searched?

I carried a knife (CRKT big dog) as an EDC for years when i worked as a farm hand, it was always clipped to the inside of my pocket (leg or hip) i went all over with it as i was always busy, so supermarkets, trade yards, other farms and local pubs and I was never stopped or searched once, in fact not once did anyone notice it was even there.

Now i live in a city i don't have an EDC knife on my person as i don't use one on a daily basis, but i have them in my emergency camping gear in the car and easy access other places. and again, don't really worry about being pulled over and the car getting searched because i don't do anything to actually get pulled


Am i missing something?

I'm much like yourself, I don't attract attention to get searched although I was searched going into a football ground once and the guy didn't find it in my trouser pocket, probably because he wasn't expecting me to have it and it was a pretty general pat of pockets. I think what you might be missing (or we're over worrying about) is the 'what if' factor, maybe a copper is having a bad day (for example) and even though you've not done anything wrong you end up on the wrong side of a caution or whatever because your reason for having a small knife in your pocket isn't a good enough justification for carrying it.

[Yorkshire Andy]

I'm much like yourself, I don't attract attention to get searched although I was searched going into a football ground once and the guy didn't find it in my trouser pocket, probably because he wasn't expecting me to have it and it was a pretty general pat of pockets. I think what you might be missing (or we're over worrying about) is the 'what if' factor, maybe a copper is having a bad day (for example) and even though you've not done anything wrong you end up on the wrong side of a caution or whatever because your reason for having a small knife in your pocket isn't a good enough justification for carrying it.

I got pulled for a vehicle check about a year ago one of the first questions I got asked if I had anything sharp on me I held out my car keys and said there's a knife on there he opened it closed it and gave me them straight back saying not to worry about it ( none locking spiderco bug ,)

[Deeps]

I'm much like yourself, I don't attract attention to get searched although I was searched going into a football ground once and the guy didn't find it in my trouser pocket, probably because he wasn't expecting me to have it and it was a pretty general pat of pockets. I think what you might be missing (or we're over worrying about) is the 'what if' factor, maybe a copper is having a bad day (for example) and even though you've not done anything wrong you end up on the wrong side of a caution or whatever because your reason for having a small knife in your pocket isn't a good enough justification for carrying it.

I got pulled for a vehicle check about a year ago one of the first questions I got asked if I had anything sharp on me I held out my car keys and said there's a knife on there he opened it closed it and gave me them straight back saying not to worry about it ( none locking spiderco bug ,)

You missed a trick Andy, you should have gone with "only my wits". Probably wouldn't have won you a new friend in the local constabulary right enough.

[Yorkshire Andy]

In the end we left shaking hands having been satisfied there was nothing in towards (my car matched the description of one of interest... Err well it was small and silver when he asked me what colour it is he thought I was been clever saying its white.... Well that's what the v5 says and its got something white in the sales brochure Mrs andy pounced and told the officer it is Fog coloured which is probably more accurate....

Think it helped he recognised me from me flagging him down months before for a suspect drink driver that nearly had Me on a zebra crossing.... he came back half an hour later to thank me...... He couldn't say what the outcome was but "your information was very good"

[Deeps]

In the end we left shaking hands having been satisfied there was nothing in towards (my car matched the description of one of interest... Err well it was small and silver when he asked me what colour it is he thought I was been clever saying its white.... Well that's what the v5 says and its got something white in the sales brochure Mrs andy pounced and told the officer it is Fog coloured which is probably more accurate....

Think it helped he recognised me from me flagging him down months before for a suspect drink driver that nearly had Me on a zebra crossing.... he came back half an hour later to thank me...... He couldn't say what the outcome was but "your information was very good"

Popular mythology suggests that they're fond of a hand shake.

Glad it went well for you mate.

[tanstaafl]

Managed to somehow miss this post , but just my 2 penny worth....




1) I cant remember the exact details but the "Locking" knife bit of the law was never passed by parliament, a clever prosecutor argued in court a few years back that a lock knife when locked was in fact a fixed blade , the judge agreed and that was that (lots more actually, check out the British Blades (BB)for the full story)........

2) As said any knife can be carried with reason , but that reason can be an hard one, also as discussed on BB... ie carpenter at work is ok , pops into pub for a swift half on the way home , also probably ok, stays til midnight and staggers out , probably not ok............

3) A sub 3" non locking knife can be carried with no reason whatsoever (not schools courts etc) , and legally you can say "because I can" , tho I prefer "intent to whittle"

4) Lots of non lockers out there that are really good in regards to not folding on your fingers.....check out BB

5) A warning, some knives already mentioned ( the svord peasant could be construed as a fixed blade with rotating handle ) are subject to some discussion, these even include non locking Leatherman etc as the handle when folded out is also locked by your hand gripping the handle......( I dont agree but as said it is open to discussion and has been on BB )

6) A warning , that I think you all know , never ever say "self defence" about any item, let alone a knife as it then becomes a "offensive weapon" and that is bad news..........

7) And even the 3" is open to debate , on the way it is measured ie. from the handle , from the start of the sharpened part or even round the circumference...............

[whenfires]

Managed to somehow miss this post , but just my 2 penny worth....




1) I cant remember the exact details but the "Locking" knife bit of the law was never passed by parliament, a clever prosecutor argued in court a few years back that a lock knife when locked was in fact a fixed blade , the judge agreed and that was that (lots more actually, check out the British Blades (BB)for the full story)........

2) As said any knife can be carried with reason , but that reason can be an hard one, also as discussed on BB... ie carpenter at work is ok , pops into pub for a swift half on the way home , also probably ok, stays til midnight and staggers out , probably not ok............

3) A sub 3" non locking knife can be carried with no reason whatsoever (not schools courts etc) , and legally you can say "because I can" , tho I prefer "intent to whittle"

4) Lots of non lockers out there that are really good in regards to not folding on your fingers.....check out BB

5) A warning, some knives already mentioned ( the svord peasant could be construed as a fixed blade with rotating handle ) are subject to some discussion, these even include non locking Leatherman etc as the handle when folded out is also locked by your hand gripping the handle......( I dont agree but as said it is open to discussion and has been on BB )

6) A warning , that I think you all know , never ever say "self defence" about any item, let alone a knife as it then becomes a "offensive weapon" and that is bad news..........

7) And even the 3" is open to debate , on the way it is measured ie. from the handle , from the start of the sharpened part or even round the circumference...............

Thanks for that, it's a useful summary. I will have to have a look at the BB forum.

[munchh]

I have various under 3" pocket knives, i always make a leather slip for them to go in, i make them tight so they cannot be thought of as "quick" to get out, my latest is a stockman style with 3 blades, i made a neck pouch for it, it stays under my shirt.
I just think if when you put it in your pocket, you have any doubts about needing it that day, just leave it at home.

[metatron]

I've got a bunch of UK legal blades, but to be fair I'll carry whatever I feel like, as I have use for one handed opening blades that lock within my work in IT. If the police really want to go after me, a guy who has never committed a crime and pays his taxes and give me issues, then they only have themselves to blame when they are spending tens of thousands giving me a short stint inside her majesties prison service, and then the thousands they will need to spend on benefits when I just don't feel like working or have a bad attitude towards employers.

I'm never going to change my behaviour, as it would be against my principles to give into an unjust and unevenly enforced law. Now if there were some type of law like using a tool in a threatening way, I'd understand that.

The Scots (Sgian-dubh) and the Sikhs (Kirpan) can carry a fixed blade. I wonder if I as an English man rocked a 5.11 tactical duty kilt, if I could legally carry a fixed blade.

[junmist]

ok I need a fluttering eyelash icon As a woman I have never been asked if I carry any type of knife even though I carry a couple, one is a swiss army a fixed blade in the car and on the odd occasion a large kitchen knife( don't ask)