Knives and the Law

Safe Knife Use Guide
&
UK Knife Law



Please note that this page is supplied for your information only. We are offering factual information & advice, so please follow the links or seek official legal advice.





The following information is used courtesy of British Knife Collectors Guild (BKCG)
You can visit their website HERE




SPC Marketing
promote responsible Knife use. We do NOT sell knives to anyone under 16.
Due to legal reasons, we cannot accept orders for knives by cheque.

If the knife is a gift for someone, please consider the responsibility of that person. Minors should not be given these knives as gifts.

PLEASE USE YOUR KNIFE SAFELY & RESPONSIBLY





What Does UK Law Say ?

The Criminal Justice Act gives you the right to carry a knife with a blade length of 3.0" or less as long as it is capable of folding. That means no fixed blade knives.

But use your common sense - a knife has no place at a football match, in a pub, nightclub or school and becomes an offensive weapon in these circumstances in just the same way as a screwdriver, or any other in-animate tool.

The following items are banned from sale within the UK (although if you already own one you may keep it, but not use it outside of your own property)
  • Switchblades, automatics or 'flick-knives'
  • gravity knives
  • balisongs or 'butterfly knives'
  • push daggers
  • belt buckle knives
  • sword canes
  • knuckle-duster knives
You may not buy any knife designed to look like something else, for instance a knife which appears to be a pen, (and it doesn't matter whether the pen works or not, it's still a concealed weapon).




What If I Want A Larger Knife ?

If you wish to carry a larger knife then you must have 'reasonable cause'. That means that you must be able to prove that you have a genuine reason for carrying the knife, for instance a chef may carry a 9.0" butchers knife roll to and from work, a fisherman may carry a 6.0" fillet knife, or a hunter may carry a 4.0" fixed blade hunting knife.

Don't forget it's there though. Remember to remove it and store it somewhere safe before entering a public place.




Co-operate with the Law

Ensure that you comply fully with the law. The Police take breaches of knife law very seriously - don't be caught on the wrong side, it's just not worth it.




The UK Knife Law & Legislation

The Dangerous Weapons Act (1959)

Prevents the use and sale of switchblades and automatic knives within Great Britain due to the violent and prevalent use by "Teddy Boys".

The Criminal Justice Act (1988)

Probably the most contraversial piece of legislation to go through Parliament. Extends into all areas of modern life, although with regard to our subject matter, the Act outlaws the sale of certain knife categories. Amongst those included are belt buckle knives, push daggers, and other "so called" martial arts weapons.

Click here to view the act




The Offensive Weapons Act (1996)

Restricts the sales of certain types of knife to persons under the age of 16.

Click here to view the act




The Knives Act (1997)

The most recent law to affect knives in Great Britain effectively banned the sale of any knife suitable for combat. Although in theory this could mean literally ANY knife, the spirit of the law is there to protect us all. It's left "grey" enough to exercise a little self control for those clearly seeking a collectable path, yet shuts down any avenue for violent use.

It's worth pointing out that in ten years of involvement in the cutlery industry, nobody has paid £200 for a Buck Military Model 1 and used it for an illigetimate purpose.

Why would you? The majority of violent incidences involving knives feature domestic cutlery (primarily kitchen knives), or craft knives like the "Stanley" knife.

Click here to view the act


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