'Legal' Bushcraft Knife?

[-Switch-]

technically you just did, any blade which locks without good reason is an offence under the act.

When I'm in public woodland for the day I will take a SAK or modified opinel no6. I know the opinel technically is a lock knife but they are very 'people-friendly' knives and perfect for a stroll through the woods.
I never have any worries about the knife laws because I don't break the knife laws.

There's my good reason for having it - a stroll through the woods.

Picture it: I have just stumbled out of the woods and am walking the 200 yards back to my car. A copper sees me - red faced and splattered to the knees in mud. I have a OG pack with a '58 water bottle in each mesh pocket. Inside the pack is the remains of my lunch, a few half finished spoons, a couple of pringles tins with recently gathered cramp balls and tinder inside them and a few odds and sods like paracord, matches and a small folding opinel.
It's obvious where I've been and it's obvious that the knife I have on me has been used. If it's been used then I must've had a good reason for having it on me.

For a mooch around in the woods I wouldn't take a fixed blade as it isn't warranted but I don't think any copper would question that I didn't have a legitimate reason for carrying a small opinel on me.

 

[widu13]

A lock knife is just that. You may not get nicked but it would get confiscated.

 

[scanker]

A lock knife is just that. You may not get nicked but it would get confiscated.

That's nonsense. Unless you know something I don't. The law is the law. If you've a reason to have a lock knife, you've a reason to have a lock knife. If you haven't, you haven't.

Barn Owl's post above is very sensible and is in agreement with many similar statements I've heard.

Make sure you get a receipt if you ever find someone wants to confiscate something.

 

[LazySod]

Im getting confused now.

Are we now saying that a lock knife can be acceptable if carried with a good reason (ie. On the way to/from a walk in the woods?)

 

[scanker]

Yes. Good reason, is the important bit. However, if you think your good reason might not be a copper's or a judge's idea of a good reason, probably best to stick to a S139 legal blade.

 

[LazySod]

Thanks,

Was wondering how it was possible to strike a firesteel with the back edge of a non-locking folder (unless you use the knife closed of course).

 

[scanker]

The spine of a closed SAK saw works very well with a firesteel, as does the spine on an Opinel. Or use the broken hacksaw blade they come with.......or does that count as a fixed blade?

 

[LazySod]

Hang on!

We're worried about locking knives and yet we've not mentioned axe's or machette's.

 

[scanker]

Well if you've a reason to have an axe or machete with you, it implies that you would have a reason to have a fixed or locking knife too.

 

[LazySod]

Think i should stop worrying about this legal minefield and just get out there.

 

[Stainz]

From across the pond - near Birmingham, Alabama - where our sheriff won his post by promising to reduce the concealed carry pistol license from $20 to $7.50...

Our knife laws here are changing. While at a shooting range a few weeks back, I was told by an off-duty deputy that my transporting a 3.1 inch fixed blade sheathed knife - and several other longer 'bushcraft' knives - in my range bag was 'illegal'! I had brought my latest goodies to 'show' to a friend there. Of course, the revolvers and ammo carried in the bag was fine - as was the loaded .38 in my pocket! The times have changed here, too. Handguns yes, with a CC license, larger pocket knives or fixed blades - no - unless you are actually in the process of 'hunting'!

Stainz

 

[sandbender]

My EDC is a Doug Ritter RSK MK1, which both locks and has a blade length exceeding three inches, so in the UK I'd be running the risk of having my collar felt. I also own the smaller 'mini' version, smaller blade, but which still has a locking blade.

http://www.equipped.org/rsk_mk1.htm

However with a little work with the supplied 'Torx' key, the 'locking mechanism' can be removed and the axis bolt tightened, making the 'mini' a 'legal' EDC for the UK.

Now if I then carried the now 'legal' folder and kept the locking mechanism and torx key in a separate pocket for reassembly when needed would I still risk running afoul of the law?

If not, then I would suggest that UK knifemakers should put their thinking caps on and come up with the perfect folding bushcrafter which can be converted into a 'locking' tool with a little work.

Just a thought

 

[Tony]

Doug Ritter RSK MK1 - Good knife

If you've removed the lock from the knife then it's not a locking knife and you will not get done for it according to the law, however because of interpretation many will want to do you because you're carrying it full stop. I don't think that the Doug Ritter RSK looks as dangerous as the UKPK and I think that goes a long way, most people won't worry about seeing a SAK for instance and it's the image that has a lot of impact.

You're not breaking the law if it's non locking and under 3" doesn't matter how you get there.

Good suggestion on the removable lock...

 

[sandbender]

I don't think that the Doug Ritter RSK looks as dangerous as the UKPK and I think that goes a long way, most people won't worry about seeing a SAK for instance and it's the image that has a lot of impact.

Indeed, I find it ridiculous that a UKPK is legal to carry, whereas a leatherman would be illegal.

 

[squantrill]

Well I didnt know about the rule until I was asked if I was carrying knives at a ferry port entering UK!!

I had on board

My nighthawk!
http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=2921

My Lock knife
http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3124

and my swiss army!!

Man did my bottom clench when I had to answer that question!!

anyhow safley returned complete with knives I was successful in not stabbing anybody!! but must remember rules are differnt regarding knives in UK!!