They don't have a way of locking the blade in an open position, only a "safety" so the can't fall open. The only lock is the way the handle folds so your hand is in essence the lock
Knife law change?
- Thread starter Quixoticgeek
- Start date
They don't have a way of locking the blade in an open position, only a "safety" so the can't fall open. The only lock is the way the handle folds so your hand is in essence the lock
There are a few different types I know of:
They all have edges under 3" but as far as I can see they are either fixed blades or locking folders. My opinion is that they all should require good reason. That said, most coppers couldn't care less unless you're waving it about in a drunken rage threatening to slice someone up!
Airport security can be a different matter, even though you will find the rules say you can take as hand luggage a knife with a blade up to 6cm. The signs at baggage check in suggest that all knives are banned from being carried as hand luggage. Unfortunately many airport security staff appear to be poorly trained and believe this is law.
I have carried an old model Leatherman Kick multitool with a 2" (ish) non-locking blade (with the blade "inside" the body of the tool) as hand luggage through security at quite a few UK airports. I tend to inform the baggage check in staff I have it in my laptop bag. On a few occasions they have claimed I cannot carry it onboard and I have pulled up the site linked to above. Most have accepted that this is the legal position and allowed me to carry it in most cases. Where not it has gone in to my hold luggage.
Some airlines have their own conditions of use which prohibit the carry of ANY bladed/sharp item as hold luggage, let alone hand luggage (yes, I am looking at you Easyjet!). That is their right (as stupid and overly cautious as it may be) and these days I avoid them where I can. If I can't avoid them the Leatherman goes straight in to my hold luggage.
That said, I have never been stopped from carrying my Leatherman Squirt on my keyring.
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Interesting! Got a link? I wouldn't mind one of those for my wallet (if I can squeeze it in with the duct tape, CPR mask, Fresnel lens and get lucky condom!)
Thanks Mick. I had a look at the link and I have one. It's what I called a "flat pack" in the post above. They're a handy little tool but the risk is you need to unfold them to get back to the card form. The definition of a locking knife refers to a "mechanism" (IIRC) which needs to be used allow the blade to fold and that when the blade is in the usable position it must be immediately foldable. My worry is that many coppers would see this as a form of locking knife and would either offer you the chance to hand it over for disposal or (as one police acquaintance of mine said) make an arrest for every knife found and let the CPS sort it out. I leave mine in my rucksack lid pocket with the first aid kit as a backup.
Didn't see that link sorry for the repeat. To stay on the safe side I usually only carry my little spyderco grasshopper mini. Simple fact is though most of the time if you aren't doing anything wrong the police will air on the side of common sense. So long as you have a reason to have one they're in my experience normally ok with it
I just took a look at these credit card knives and they look pretty cool and very handy but.. I would class the mechanism as a locking one
Wouldn't be much point in having one for the amount of carry it would get being a locker.
Very cool design though.
This was the first video i come across https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IWSPHiuyok
Wouldn't be much point in having one for the amount of carry it would get being a locker.
Very cool design though.
This was the first video i come across https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IWSPHiuyok
I just took a look at these credit card knives and they look pretty cool and very handy but.. I would class the mechanism as a locking one
Wouldn't be much point in having one for the amount of carry it would get being a locker.
Very cool design though.
This was the first video i come across https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IWSPHiuyok
The older ones don't have that external lock that's where my personal confusion arose
UK law might allow it but you might want to check the laws at your destination airports also.
The article does say blade, and discression by the judge, I wonder what happens if your caught twice thrice or more with a small screwdriver that you forgot, forgetting is not a good enough reason!
You can't argue with a warning, like a caution. The police dish them out without trial and straight onto the police computer. Then the next time you are a repeat offender, you have been warned,prior record "he's got form Gavna", and you will get railroaded with a criminal justice system with no course for reply, one that is controlled by the accusers.
Had a quick look again at the videos and it looks pretty much like a lock to me in both. The handle acts as a lock in both cases. Like a Butterfly knife or a gravity knife.
Always thought the definition was that you had to engage a mechanism to release the blade for it to be a lock knife, be it a liner lock, frame lock etc.
Where as a slip joint needs nothing another than pressure on the blade.
Happy to be wrong.
I have to admit that was my understanding too hence why butterfly knives would be named specifically as opposed to be a non locking folder.
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A screwdriver is not a bladed article under s.139.
You don't have to accept a police caution, you can refuse and have your day in court.
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