Heads up - Post office not sending sharps after 22nd April

GreyCat

Full Member
Nov 1, 2023
179
176
51
South Wales, UK
I wouldn't know, I've never seen our Evri delivery driver; sometimes the closest our parcel gets to us is in the hedge two miles down the road :(

I think it depends on the area and whether the person is on a regular round, it's always the same EVRI person at same time of day here. Unlike the RM, he actually waits for you to come to the door and hands it over, whereas RM knock and scarper.......

Evri have also invested in return terminals in our local corner shops, the shop staff seem very enthusiastic about them.

I appreciate tho that this will all vary depending on where you are as ultimately its down the the person(s) on the sharp end especially when navigating rural areas.

GC
 

Pattree

Full Member
Jul 19, 2023
2,086
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UK
I live in a supposedly rural village on the edge of a “newtown”.
Our Royal Mail postie is Pete who lives not far away.
There are carriers who know us but they keep changing.

That has nothing to do with the background service provided by “The Post Office.” I’ve been waiting two weeks for a UK delivery! I get my coffee in 2kg packs from Amazon and that arrives within two days of ordering.
 

kard133

Full Member
Mar 20, 2010
786
192
Bath
I received this in an email from GFS knife supply today:

As many of you will no doubt be aware, Royal Mail will soon be banning the shipping of ALL knives, blades, scissors or anything sharp with no exceptions. For a lot of makers this is causing a real issue in how to get your work to your customers. We have been working closely with a number of couriers over the years and we have looked at how you can keep shipping your work within the UK. At the moment if you have a business account with DPD, DHL, Fedex or UPS this will not be a problem as they will move sharps with no major issues, however for other makers this is a major problem within the UK. So, who can we use? Well UPS offer a service which you can use and they will move sharps. The link we have attached below will take you directly through to UPS booking page. You will need to enter all the information and select an over 18 signature required service (This is after you have entered parcel dimensions, delivery address etc). While it is called UPS Small Business you do not need to be registered business to use this service. They will collect the parcel from your address or you can drop it off at a collection location to. This is currently the best, legal way to move all legal sharps within the UK after Royal Mails ban. Any questions please feel free to drop us an email or message and we will do our best to help!

LINK
 

Falstaff

Forager
Feb 12, 2023
180
83
Berkshire
Result! Well done GSF. I suppose if this becomes well known by the chattering masses some killjoy will stamp their beaucratic foot on it.
 

GreyCat

Full Member
Nov 1, 2023
179
176
51
South Wales, UK
So all the craft and cooking retailers will be moving away from RM. I buy from some very small specialised embroidery suppliers and they won't be able to ship things like scissors, awls and laying tools.

Madness.

GC
 
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Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
8,456
8,316
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
I suspect the real problem is that the RM and many of the couriers can't trust their staff to actually do age verification diligently - which I'm all for (the age verification that is). Consequently, rather than be on the end of legal proceedings, they have removed the service. I can understand their predicament though I'm not pleased with the result.
 

GreyCat

Full Member
Nov 1, 2023
179
176
51
South Wales, UK
I suspect the real problem is that the RM and many of the couriers can't trust their staff to actually do age verification diligently - which I'm all for (the age verification that is). Consequently, rather than be on the end of legal proceedings, they have removed the service. I can understand their predicament though I'm not pleased with the result.

I'm sure you're right. Certainly the couriers- whether Amazon Logistics, DPD or UPS all do the the age-verified thing properly, including other 18-rated items such as alcohol. DPD will also carry substances classified as Dangerous Goods (eg bioethanol for stoves)- albeit under the Limited Quantities exemptions- but they do carry them; whereas RM don't.

Typically the couriers record a DoB and also note the form of ID checked, whereas RM do not. But then, those couriers also do tracking better too, whereas RM tracking is.... a bit random.

The only downside with UPS (and other business-orientated couriers) is that on a non-premium service to a domestic recipient, the delivery can take a while. Basically, they delivery all the premium service stuff, then they do the non-premium stuff in the gap before they go around the business customers doing pick-ups. In such cases, the tracking shows estimated deliver time, but then it doesn't arrive (and is rescheduled next day, the tracking is accurate though). Although usually the item arrives a day later in these cases...... whereas on a RM "next day tracked" or "special delivery"- comparible price for small items- things came next day.

Ho hum. I think the way things are gong, if you ragularly use sharp items for a hobby, grounds management, gardening etc, best make sure you have a good inventory of the hand-tools you use, because I cannot see this getting easier in future. Just glad I obtained a few old billhooks for renovation when I did!

GC
 

mikehill

Settler
Nov 25, 2014
979
381
Warrington
I only get post from RM around once every 7-10 days. Been like that for months now due to staff shortages. Only thing arrives quickly is Special Delivery and that’s because a separate van comes out with it. Useless.

I’m almost ashamed to say I used to be a postie !
 

C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
Mod
Oct 6, 2003
7,618
2,676
Bedfordshire
Or, since many are not on Edgematters and the threads can be PITA to locate.



Bladed Items; Sharp Objects and Weapons: from 07 May 2024 Bladed items
UK destinations - see prohibitions, restrictions, and packaging guidelines below.
Prohibited Bladed Items
Hunting/combat/survival type knives, daggers, movie knives (such as Rambo or Crocodile Dundee style knives), replica fighting knives (such as Bowie knives), throwing knives, machetes, swords, fantasy knives, knives with images or words that suggest use for violence, stiletto knives, battle axes, open razors/folding razors and any similar items are prohibited and cannot be sent . Also see Weapons

Restricted Bladed Items
Prohibited Bladed Items cannot be sent. However, other Knives or Blades as defined by s141A Criminal Justice Act 1988 or ‘Bladed Products’ as defined by s41 of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 can be sent, provided certain conditions are met. These include any knife or knife blade, including cutlery knives, bread knives, knives that can be used for hobbies and trades (for instance, utility knives and snap-off cutters, gardening, camping, lock knives, bushcraft and farming tools with a blade or any other trade tool that could commonly be described as a knife), butcher knives (including meat cleavers), felling axes and razor blades.
o These items may only be sent using the Royal Mail Tracked Age Verification service; this service is only available through Royal Mail Click & Drop
o Items must be packaged appropriately so items present no risk to employees, other postal items or recipients.
o Wrap heavy cardboard around sharp edges and points, strong enough to ensure that the contents do not pierce the
outer packaging.
o Wrap each item with cushioning material and place in a suitable outer container such as a padded envelope.
o The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
o The outer packaging must be clearly marked to indicate a bladed item is enclosed and that it must not be handed to
someone aged under 18.
Note: this excludes folding pocket knives where the cutting edge of its blade does not exceed 3 inches (7.62cm) or razor blades permanently enclosed in a cartridge or housing where less than 2mm is exposed which can be sent without using Age verification service.
Please Note: It is the senders’ responsibility to ensure compliance with the law.



Sharp or Pointed Items (formerly Sharp Objects) (excludes: (i) knives prohibited under UK law - see Weapons - and (ii) Bladed items). Includes, but not limited to scissors, mini chopper blades, food processor blades, sewing kits, knitting needles, syringes, chisels, piercing awls, saws, nails, pins, fishing hooks.
UK & International destinations - Allowed in the mail, with packaging guidelines below:
• Package appropriately so items present no risk to employees, other postal items or recipients.
• Wrap heavy cardboard around sharp edges and points, strong enough to ensure that the contents do not pierce the
outer packaging.
• Wrap each item with cushioning material and place in a suitable outer container such as a padded envelope.”
• The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging.
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
2,158
1,098
Devon
Yes, interesting. It seems to show why a total ban could have been easier for them, now a hunting knife is banned but a bushcraft knife isn't - is there a difference?
 

Pattree

Full Member
Jul 19, 2023
2,086
1,123
77
UK
Indeed. Always thought that Bowie was a blade shape rather than a type of knife. My Tina budding knife has a 3cm Bowie blade for exactly the same reason as Colonel Bowie’s knife. One cuts into bison hide the other into the bark of a rose seedling. Bowie is specifically banned.

As always, without being deliberately provocative I shall carry on until I’m stopped.
 

C_Claycomb

Moderator staff
Mod
Oct 6, 2003
7,618
2,676
Bedfordshire
Yes, interesting. It seems to show why a total ban could have been easier for them, now a hunting knife is banned but a bushcraft knife isn't - is there a difference?
The problem is that the bladed arms merchants have been calling some pretty nasty lumps of steel “hunting knives” that would be more accurately called “impractical infantile gamer fantasy blades”.
 

Dan00001

Nomad
Nov 13, 2023
292
309
35
Wales
Collins Dictionary's definition of Hunting Knife:

hunting knifein British English​


NOUN
a knife used for flaying and cutting up game and sometimes for killing it


hunting knifein American English​


NOUN
a large, sharp knife, usually with a handle shaped to fit a firm grip and a blade with a slight curve toward the tip, that is used to skin and cut up game, or sometimes to dispatch it


It seems they've covered themselves to decide what they consider to be prohibited or unprohibited.
 

Tony

White bear (Admin)
Admin
Apr 16, 2003
24,315
1
2,032
54
Wales
www.bushcraftuk.com
So, am I reading that right that sub 3" folders can be sent without age verification, and thus over the counter? That's another big change...
 

Pattree

Full Member
Jul 19, 2023
2,086
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UK
That’s how I read it which surprised me.
Further, it makes me think of this whole regulation as more bum plating than an h&s update.
 
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