Legal or not

[tanstaafl]

Having a bit of a discussion over on the BritishBlades forum


For the last few weeks I have been toying with the idea of carrying a cheap Mora in my works/GHB (5.11 Rush 12) as the odds of getting searched in my job are pretty much zero, and if found its the loss of a £14 knife.

In the end I decided after reading up some that it was not worth the small risk and would stick with my SAK and a Subcom 42 I have just ordered.


Now to the meat of the matter , it dawned on me that my Leatherman was just as illegal due to the fact it is locking (I carry it every day) even tho I use the screwdriver on it most days I suppose it would be said by the police that I dont need it as a screwdriver would do the job.


So I modified the locking mechanism using liquid metal and it worked fine everything locks except the Blade






But it was then mentioned that the blade cannot be closed because of the handle, thus in a grey area, I disagreed as it does not lock.

Opinions welcome

OP on BB http://www.britishblades.com/forums/sho ... ost2160001

[tigs]

first things first your first link don't work!!

the fact the Leatherman is a multi tool and can be used for many things and is 100% uk legal or could not be sold here the police wont class it as a weapon if they search you and its in the pouch it came in, having said that if the police search you and find a screw driver on you they could class it as a weapon or going as equipped ! the fact is if the police search you and they feel like it they can class anything as a weapon if the want too!! I some times use a British army knife on the farm and often forget a drive to the shop still with it on my belt, luckily the local police officer knows me and my job .

[tanstaafl]

Whoops will try to sort the link,


I actually agree with you to me its just a tool but others on BB disagree and too be fair they are far more knowledgeable than me on the subject.

But just to clear up a misconception many have, you can buy and own many things perfectly legally, however they are illegal to carry in a public place ie Lock knives or sheath knives are perfectly legal to buy but illegal to carry unless you have good reason like you do with your Army knife, it is legal when you are using it for work, but not wearing it down the high-street, luckily you have a copper who shows common sense,


Cheers jase


The top one (the blade) has had the notch filled, compare that to the lower notch



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[dazthechippy]

sounds like to me provided you carry it properly (a case or sheath of some kind) and it's at the bottom of a bag/rucksack and can demonstrate a genuine need for having it then that's almost mitigating circumstances you could argue in your favour - although i think even then it's down to individual police officer maturity and discretion...

I ask this as I have newly put a leatherman in a case in my leather work bag - I do a lot of formal trade stands where I have to unpack things and open packaging and am fed up being give a mangled pair of scissors - mostly I'm in London which I walk to or take public transport to - this is where I see the biggest potential to be searched although I drive to a fair few in other parts of the country too - that I see as less of a problem. I do these trade stands in a suit and tie and could not be perceived as going looking for a row with anyone so hope that's my best chance of being OK if searched..

thoughts on the above please????

[jansman]

Really, you are all onto it. If it is work related-no problem. In the wrong context i.e. not at work, any blade that locks AUTOMATICALLY upon opening is illegal. How do I know this?
6 yrs ago I witnessed a very serious assault, and attempted to stop it. I was arrested along with the perpetrator. Now I was still in my work gear and in my pockets were an opinel and SAK. That took some explaining, I can tell you. Anyhow the CPS agreed that my tools were related to work(although I never saw them again) and I was released after 23 hours and became the main witness.

My advice is to make sure you carry in the correct context. Personally, my EDC is a little Rough Rider 'Gentlmans' penknife. No way I want 23 hours in a police cell again!

[jonb]

Very curious topic.

As a tradesman ( plumber ) I, like most other trades carry an array of tools / equipment that could be deemed to be offensive weapons.

I have a Leatherman Charge Titanium that I carry and use each day and have done for years.

In my opinion the Police would challenge a young "gangsta" style person than a respectable ( that means us lot ! ) person carrying said items.

But I have been wrong in the past !

[tanstaafl]

Yep I look pretty respectable (ish) in my works uniform but just wanted to make sure in case I was ever searched.

The strange thing is I have been involved with the police and interviewed under caution 3 times in 15 years in the course of my work, all 3 when a Drugged/Drunk punter has decided to punch the driver and I have restrained them , but on all occasions was not searched despite being questioned over an assault ( Thank gawd for CCTV ), I think the police have to do it this way even tho it is obvious what has happened.


I must admit I still cant understand why a 9 stone ringing wet scrote (as they always are) who can hardly stand up thinks its a good idea to attack a 18 stone weight lifting ex bouncer I never get that stupid even 3 sheets to the wind.

[Moony]

Keep in mind the local plod's attitude might have toughened up a little since 4 stabbings in the city in April / May. It might be a sleepy little rural city, but after featuring on national news due to multiple stabbings, advice to officers / attitudes to carrying knives will probably have shifted somewhat, and personally I won't carry any sort of blade for some time to come.

Each area's police may take a more or less practical approach to the application of the law, this is in reply to the OP's hometown (and mine -hi tanstaafl !)

[tanstaafl]

Keep in mind the local plod's attitude might have toughened up a little since 4 stabbings in the city in April / May. It might be a sleepy little rural city, but after featuring on national news due to multiple stabbings, advice to officers / attitudes to carrying knives will probably have shifted somewhat, and personally I won't carry any sort of blade for some time to come.

Each area's police may take a more or less practical approach to the application of the law, this is in reply to the OP's hometown (and mine -hi tanstaafl !)

Hi back at you, Hereford sleepy, more like comatose

[survivor_steve]

when i was upholstery tacking/repairing furniture i never had a problem with a stanley blade in a sheath on my belt - i had good reasons for its use
while out hunting i have a mora knife in sheath on my belt and never had a problem, even traffic police who live across the road just smile at me - i have good reason for it

if hide building i will have a mora knife/short axe in the car/by myside most likely with a shotgun on the back seat - again i have a use

now if i walked into a bank or supermarket with any of those items im sure the armed response team would say " you dont have a good reason for having that here, you could have left it locked in your car, theres no need for it on show youre nicked "

everyones scenarios are different but wether it be a knife, shotgun, axe, baseball bat... if you have a good reason then your butts covered

all the best steve