Legally carrying a knife?

[KRUSTYMAN]

What is the legal situation regarding knives. I've always carried a gerber multitool and sometimes I varry a penknife. What is the legal length of blade I can carry as an adult? TIA

[B00]

Why do you?

And i think i need glasses, thought that said "gerbil"

[jackthehat]

You don't have a gerbil multi-tool, B00...........?

How very remiss of you. :o)

Krustyman - I think a great deal has to do with the 'why' of you carrying a blade not just the length....

[JonnyBoy12]

I normally carry knives, along with forks whilst eating in a cafe, but not otherwise. Is this permissable by law?

[sir.prize]

KRUSTYMAN I cannot understand the logic, reason or need to carry a knife or a multilool. Can you enlighten me?

[Lily_Lilbert]

http://www.bkcg.co.uk/guide/law.html

Here you go

[KRUSTYMAN]

Because I have to visit various old people as well as my parents and you can usually guarantee they ask me to do odd jos for them - fit a new plug, tighten up door hinges etc. I'm not a handy man and I don't carry a tool box so the multi tool gets quite a lot of work.

[sir.prize]

Hmmmmmmm!

[Buenchico]

There are two separate pieces of legislation which are relevant. One refers to 'offensive weapons', whereas the other refers to 'bladed articles'.

The definition of an offensive weapon is for a court to decide, considering all of the relevant circumstances. (In one case it was ruled that a frozen chicken constituted an offensive weapon!). So a simple drawing pin could be classed as an offensive weapon, if it could be shown that you intended to leave it where someone could sit upon it.

However the legislation relating to bladed articles includes all articles which have a blade or are sharply pointed. The only exception is that folding pocket knives, where the cutting edge of the blade does not exceed three inches, are excluded from that specific piece of legislation.:
http://www.legislatio...and-offensive-weapons

Chris

[KRUSTYMAN]

Hmmmmm...... I guess you don't do much for elderly people?

[ubasses]

Have a friend who was a meat inspector and he had tohave a license to carry the tools of his trade in the boot of his car. He was challenged by police when taking knioves into a butchers he was inspewcting and had to produce the paperwork

[woofgang]

I am a retired Occupational Therapist and I still carry a multi tool and a Swiss Army knife around with me.

[tiggerblue10]

There doesn't seem to be an issue with carrying what you carry Krustyman, however many Sikh men carry a Kirpan with them for religious reasons which I object to, even though its legal.

[scotman]

Chris, thanks for the info about blade length. I have a general purpose pocket knife and a Swiss Army one. Seems I am OK to carry both, but never do.

[carlton23]

I always carry a penknife with me to peel an apple, as I never eat the peel and I find peeling an orange is easy with a penknife. The only thing is it is a flick-knife but only has a 3" blade. I like to sit in Poole Park with my wife and grandchildren and have a picnic in fine weather and enjoy an apple. Would I be breaking the law?

[Andyvon]

Also Carlton -

Is someone breaking the law if they are in public with a set of kitchen knives and cleavers they've just bought from a store and are taking home for their kitchen?

[AlBags]

I frequently carry a gemmy bar ...stanley knife x 2 types .. lump hammer ...
Come and get me. : )

[starone]

Some of the knives in my kitchen drawer, in general use, are really vicious looking. They even frighten me. I suppose they are legal as long as they stay indoors.

[Buenchico]

For Carlton23:
Flick knives are (irrespective of the legislation on 'bladed articles') regarded as 'offensive weapons'. That's why they're listed as 'banned goods', by HMRC, on the list of items prohibited from importation into the country:
http://www.hmrc.gov.u...banned-restricted.htm

Chris