There are very few reasons in 2023 for anybody to carry a pocket knife of any description IMHO.
There are very few reasons in 2023 for anybody to carry a pocket knife of any description IMHO.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
The first one is called freedom.Originally Posted by Chris_in_the_UK
I have one on me every day. And use it at least once 99% of the time during the day.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Of course, but what do you actually use it for?
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
I would feel very odd indeed if I didn't have my pocket knife with me. I have carried a small knife since I was about 5.
Unfortunately for me legally, the reason for carrying it usually follows after the carrying of it. I just don't know what I will use it for on a given day.
It could be opening a parcel, trimming some gaffer tape, rescuing a sheep from brambles, slicing up an unexpected pie in the Three Rooms of Gloom, etc etc ad infinitum.
Yesterday it was vital in removing the contents of a can of Guinness 0-0 after the aluminium opener misbehaved itself.
I doubt that much of the above would cut the mustard (sorry) in a court of law - but I still carry it.
Alec there is a clear case for prosecution under the “ poor taste “ regulations. I dont drink Alcohol yet draw the line at Guinness 00. It is truly an awful tasting beverage. Merry Xmas by the way to you and your good wife.
It is a bit grim, isn't it! But when driving, it's amazing what two cans do.
But - you don't require a reason (Legally) to carry a 3" bladed folder in your pocket in public.
Other countrys laugh at us with our draconian and open to misinterpretation laws.
A trip to Corsica would open your eyes.
A small penknife is not a weapon, feel free to take out your SAK in London when someone with a machete is stealing your Rolex (it wont go well,they might die laughing).
My point was is we have a law and I stick to it that is a sub 3" cutting edge not a sub £3" blade length.
The Police should also obey the law and deliberetly misrepresnting it is wrong.
I used a very small Swiss army knife when I went into hospital last week unexpectedly (its all I had on me) and fixed a cannula on my arm that was coming out.
As I am going in again just before christmas I am taking my Compact with me.
Scissors always useful,tooth pic (which I use),screwdiver for glasses,pen,tweezers etc.
Once I even tightened the screws on a coat hook loose in the shower.
I was having trouble opening things due to lack of strength so it will help.
I dont like to bother the nurses when they are busy if I can do it myself.
Half of it may well be having some control in your life and knowing you have a tool to help.
No one sees a small SAK with red scales as threatening, even so I dont brandish it around,just be discreet.
https://www.kochkochin.com/products/...UaAirQEALw_wcB
I absolutely take your point and agree that it is the cutting edge that is the important factor. Are you aware of any folding pocket knives on the market where the blade extends beyond the cutting edge. I'm envisaging a 6" blade with a 3" cutting edge. Bear in mind that possession of a butter knife with no cutting edge has been held to be an offence.
I'm not convinced that police officers are deliberately misinterpreting the law, they must follow their training which as you say may be faulty. They are accountable and if they don't follow procedure, they are open to sanctions (an illegal search, if involving the use of force is after all an assault).
This. See also if someone they interact with then goes on to commit an offence involving said item. They will be pilloried for not confiscating the item in question.
I’d also disagree that a large number of the public including veterans don’t trust the Police. Especially when a large number of veterans go on to serve in the Police.
For your information the reason a butter knife can be held as an offence is because it fits the definition of a fixed knife. The law is blind and mostly dumb.
However the officer who made the arrest wasn't. I don't have any details but would presume it was used as a reason for the arrest, not the cause for wanting to arrest him, unless the owner was so drunk/drugged that he started to threaten people with a butter knife.
Words have meaning. Cutting edge is a case in point. Yes you can try to be clever with it but in the case you envisaged, a 6" blade is a fixed knife regardless of the length of the cutting edge, and regardless if there is a implement at the end that folds back.
Because the law says 3" cutting edge, makers of EDC knife will build therewith a 3" cutting edge to maximise the useful part of the blade. that means the size of the blade from the axle will usually be 5 to 10 mm longer.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
I did not link to police force websites that had it wrong not wishing to spread misinformation.
Most knifes have a tang that isnt a cutting edge.
When the police do get it wrong the culture is that they can/will not admit it, see any amount of news items.
When I bought an old butter knife from the market I had it wrapped in newspaper and lots of tape to take it home,so yes I am aware.
A small Opinel is only legal to carry if it doesent have a locking ring,you can remove them.
I have bought quite a few old ones that were made before the vibralock came in.
Last edited by bwest76; 14th December 2023 at 14:01.
When I was alive no-one could afford a Swiss Army knife, though when I was 18 I did come by one under dubious circumstances; I still have and carry it occasionally, but it is too bulky and clumsy to have as an ever-present in my pocket. My little Opinel performs that task as it has done since I bought it on a school trip to France in 1964.
A Swiss Army knife/Leathermanesque tool (and I have those also) is a knife, but with other attachments.
Sorry to hear of your passing.
My passing is a matter of intense debate in our house just now, consequent upon my increased intake of farm cider.
There is a distinctive odour about the place.........
Last edited by unclealec; 14th December 2023 at 12:44.
I hope you got better.
This seems to be contradictory in many ways. Many Leatherman multitools lock, and are therefore illegal to carry without good reason. "just in case" (Hello, Ally!) is not a good reason.
Most Leatherman also have at least one blade, even the non locking ones. That makes them a knife.
A SAK is by definition a knife. The "Swiss Army tools" (Victorinox Swisstools) all have locking blades IIINM.
So in most cases, the tool that meets your normal day to day needs is illegal to carry (wgr), whereas a simple penknife is. I agree with Ralphy though that a classic SAK will prove more useful than a simple blade in many cases.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Gerber do a UK legal carry version of one of their tools.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
And so does Leatherman (the micra). But most SAKs (with the exception of the larger, locking ones) are UK legal carry.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
I don't believe that a SAK is classed as illegal (if the blade it contains is less than 3 inches long) for the reason that it qualifes as a folding pocketknife.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
The sub 3” folder and good reason defences don’t guarantee anything unfortunately. People have been successfully nicked for sub 3” cutting edge slip joint where the total blade length was over 3”. One guy even ended up doing time for carrying a brand new Stanley knife still in the packaging (along with a load of other diy stuff) in a shopping bag on his way home from the shop he bought it from. That one made the Law Gazzette a few years ago.
I think you misread my post
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
There are very few reasons why I shouldn’t be allowed to.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Of course, but I did not say people should not be allowed, I said 'very few reasons'.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
It’s not a big leap to go from ‘very few reasons’ to ‘we have decided you’re not allowed to’
All usually driven by the ‘all knives are weapons’ lobby.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
I've always carried a knife of some sorts and over the years i've used it has a tool for all kinds of things, I don't use it often but when I do its been a god send.
An axe or a hammer are also tools which can be classed as an offensive weapon if used with the intent to cause harm.
I am happy to carry a knife hidden in my pocket in public around town, or a small multitool to the pub. But I would not openly carry an axe or hammer in those places, unless it was for work purposes or for good reason.
Every wine waiter has a bladed pocket knife with corkscrew.
Every angler should have a +3-inch gutting knife in the tackle box while at the beach, pier, or riverbank.
Gardeners, tradesmen and farmers will have bladed tools in the pick-up, van, car, tractor.
Good reason is subjective and open to interpretation.
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