Got me an Opinel

[Riven]

Now to alot of people on here this is nothing new but to me it has come as a bit of a surprise. Whilst mooching around our local Decathlon today I spotted a no.7 for the sum of £5.99. Now I have owned a no.5 for nearly 20 years but found it a bit flimsy and so stuck it in my fishing box to just cut line etc. However the no.7 is a much better tool by far and I especially like the locking sleeve, simple but effective. It also came pretty sharp which is more than alot of far more expensive knives I have shelled out for over the years.
So all in all I think I am now another convert. One question, are they UK legal as they lock?
Cheers, Riven.

 

[Jared]

They are legal, just need to have a valid reason for carrying it in a public place.

Also think #7 blade is 8cm long (ie over the 3" limit), which even if it didn't lock would still need a valid reason.

 

[Tommyd345]

The fact that the blade locks means that you need a valid reason if you carry it in public. For example use at work. So yes they are legal but it's a little grey when it comes to carrying around in public!

 

[Adze]

A No. 6 with the locking ring removed is my EDC. They're cracking little knives and very easy to customize the handle to make it a perfect fit for your hand.

 

[woodstock]

They are legal, just need to have a valid reason for carrying it in a public place.

Also think #7 blade is 8cm long (ie over the 3" limit), which even if it didn't lock would still need a valid reason.

I lost my No. 8 while shopping seems the manger handed it in to the police I went round to the station and claimed it back told them that I used it for foraging wild plants and the gave it back so it does work.

 

[bigbear]

Great knives, extraordinary value, like Mora. Makes you think sometimes, as one who has spent a lot more on sharp knives.........

 

[Trotsky]

Some of my workmates have Opinels and I've sharpened them as a favour on occasion, they will take quite a nice edge but, the handle design never appealed to me. As for the ones with the locking ring they are definitely not legal carry in the UK. They do however make versions that are which lack the locking ring. I once stupidly fell foul of UK knife law when I forgot a knife was in a jacket pocket, the blade couldn't have been 1.5" long but, I got cuffed as it had a locking blade and no valid reason other than "I forgot it was in there." I made sure to educate myself on that law as soon as that was all settled, thankfully no charges were brought against me.

 

[Magentus]

You can pop the ring off by closing the blade, twisting the collar to the locked position and then carefully opening the blade. The collar should ping off.

Love the No.7!

 

[njc110381]

Very few knives are illegal to carry as long as you can justify it. Likewise any knife, folding or not could cause you an issue if the copper on the day has an issue with it.

My every day carry is a Swiss card. Fixed blade sheath knife if they want to be pedantic about it.

If stopped just tell them you are on your way to the woods to collect plants. Leaving it in your car may be suggested but at that point it's worth pointing out that your car is considered a public place if you are stopped and carrying, so what difference does it make?