Swiss Knife

[bob561941]

Can you be charged if you are searched and found to be carrying a swiss knife ?

[EDDIE51]

A small knife with a closed blade is ok. There are limits to the size of blade that can be carried without good reason. The blade must be folded into the knife body not out.

[Old_Geezer]

Precisely.
When the law came out I was incensed that they seemed to be banning pen/pocket knives. Not only was it part of being a lad when I was younger, I usually have one in my pocket these days as they often prove useful. Then I discovered it was only the large, clearly carried for public nuisance/disorder/violence reasons that were being banned, so not such an issue.

That said it probably means you have to sharpen your own kitchen knives these days as how or you to get them to the hardware shop otherwise :-)


[jno]

this is a knife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01NHcTM5IA4

[Frank97]

https://www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife

[dannyk13]

When the offensive weapons law came out it referred to carrying any item manufactured for causing injury to the person or any item carried at the time for causing such injury.

[Old_Geezer]

Kitchen knives are not manufactured for causing injury.

Looking at the rules from the link, they seem weird. Never owned a lock knife but knowing the danger of a pen knife trying to close itself as it is being used, I'd suggest that a lock was a safety feature, not something to define a banned item !

[woofgang]

I agree, OG, one of my swiss army knives has a locking blade as a safety feature.

[woofgang]

Croc Dundee.....one of my heroes!

[vulcan42]

Interesting, a knife with a blade that can be locked when unfolded is not a folding knife.

[EDDIE51]

i work in pro kitchens it is normal for a chef to carry his/her own knives around from job to job.They have to be in a case or a 'knife roll' (canvas pack), but working as a chef is accepted as a reason to carry knives that an ordinary person would not be allowed. Chefs most valued possessions are their knives as without them they could not earn a living.

[Peter Pedant]

and here is a more stupid thread on knives:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Question1278467.html

The law has significantly changed since my fave
Offensive Weapons Act 1936

carrying knives to be sharpened
and butchers carrying their stuff (in the boot not under the seat) too and fro were covered and clearly lawful

I am not sure if there is still the clear division between obviously unlawful - chair leg studded with nails

and could be lawful - butcher carrying stock in trade (the knives not human carcases) or swiss army knife on a nature trek.

I would worry about carrying a swiss army knife to a football match.

[tonywiltshire]

It is wise to have a reason for carrying a knife but if it has a folding blade of 3” (7.62cm) or less and you are over 18 years of age you should be OK.