Guest Scuba1 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 I have just read that the law on knives is a bit hunter unfriendly here in the UK. I love my Puma White hunter and have had it for over 30 years, but the blokes in those funny coloured cars would not take to kindly to me walking around with a 5 inch fixed bade knife on my belt even though the sheath is secured with a button to stop the knife from being pulled out. So as long as I am in the UK I will have to use something else to gut and skin my quarry and whittle sticks, cut the odd branch that's in the way, hazel rods for squirrel snares, you the kind of thing. So my question is, what exactly is am I allowed to strap to my belt without getting into trouble with the law and what is in your opinion a good all round hunting / bush craft kind of knife. I like to be able to use the knife with one hand, so it would have to be either fixed blade ( my favourite ) or with a thumb pin to open it and then lock in the open position, unless there is a stupid law against useful knifes as a whole here as well. ATB Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SEAN3513 7 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 posted this in the other topic aswell mike........basically your fine if you have "just cause" the law relates to the carring of a knife where ever or whatever you are doing ( not specifically hunting , fishing etc.) The Criminal Justice Act (1988) says that you may carry a knife with a blade length of 3.0" or less so long as it is capable of folding. That means no fixed blade knives. But, think about it - 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 innanimate tool. But I NEED a Bigger 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 had a genuine reason for carrying the knife. You may carry a larger cutting tool if it is associated with your work (for instance a chef may carry a 9.0" butchers knife roll to and from work), or if it is associated with your sport, (for instance a fisherman may carry a 6.0" fillet knife, or a hunter may carry a 6.0" fixed blade hunting knife). Don't forget it's there though. If you stop off in Tesco's for a can of beans on your way home take the knife off of your belt and lock it in your glove box, or your local Bobby will be unimpressed at your excuses. When transporting a knife by car keep it locked away in the glove box or securely stored in the boot of the vehicle. Do not slip it into the door side-pocket, under your seat or in a centre console, this is a dangerous practice, and if stopped by the Police this gives the impression of keeping the knife close to hand. Don't Give The Police A Hard Time ... Ensure that you comply fully with the law. The Police take breaches of knife law very seriously, you really don't want to be caught on the wrong side, it's just not worth it. link below for 1997 knives act http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/ukpga_19970021_en_1 hope this helps mate cheers sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
greatwhitehunter 47 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 ive just bought a fixed blade survival knife from the welsh gamefair, im going to use that, they are going to have to pry it out of my cold dead hands if they think they are going to confescate it off me in a field somewhere haha:laugh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Michael, contact snoopdog, he can catch, gut, skin, carry and cook all with a length of rope................................... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jessdale 416 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 just use your common sense where knives are concerned.They are ok in the field not in the supermarket.The law,in my eyes,cannot be tight enough concerning knives in the street.Far too much scum walking the streets with knives. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fin and fur 2 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 The law regarding the carrying of Knifes in the UK is not as draconian as it may at first appear Whilst the law states that it is illegal to carry sharp objects such as Knifes there are a few principal exemptions. The first as already stated, relates to cutting length of the blade, with a knife which is of a folding design and has a cutting edge of less than 3" being exempt, you will require no good reason in law to carry such a knife if stopped and questioned by the police. This is what a cutler would refer to as UK legal carry, however it is also important to bear in mind that this knife must in no way whatsoever have a lockable blade, so i guess that if you wish to carry such a knife in the UK without having good reason you will be restricted to a non locking penknife or a swiss army type. There are also exemptions for reasons or Religous ceremony and National dress. However the exemption that is most important to anyone who hunts etc is as already mentioned possesing a knife with good reason. If you can justify carrying a Knife for skinning or gutting game or fish, or as part of your work such as a Gamekeeper or Landscape gardener then you can show reasonable cause for carrying such a Knife, however it is important to bear in mind several things. It is no good keeping the Knife in your car for example and only taking it out when you need it, if you went hunting on the sunday and were stopped and searched on the monday on your way to work you would have no good reason for carrying a knife and would doubtless be arrested, so please do not forget to remove the knife from your car when you get home from a hunting/fishing trip or you will be asking for trouble. I carry several sharps, machetes etc, to bank clearance sessions for several of the fishing clubs of which i am a member and always remove them from the car as soon as i get home, i cannot stress the importance of this more as forgetting to remove your knife from the car is no excuse in law. The issue of carrying a Knife of which meets the aforementioned UK legal carry criteria, when going to a football game, nightclub or pub etc is also straightforward, DONT BOTHER. there are instances in law where something can be viewed as an offensive weapon without actually being classified as such. For example a cricket bat or golf club are not offensive weapons, but try gaining entry to a football stadium carrying either, you just will not be admitted. Basically if you can give a good reason for carrying a Knife then you should be ok, please be civil to the police when stopped and bear in mind that they will be stopping many people who carry knifes for less than legitamate reasons so please be patient with them. A while back the BASC carried a page on their excellent website giving instances of how the law relating to Knife carrying would be relevant to anyone engaged in countryside activities and for a full and comprehensive explanation of the same they may very well be worth a look Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 just use your common sense where knives are concerned.They are ok in the field not in the supermarket.The law,in my eyes,cannot be tight enough concerning knives in the street.Far too much scum walking the streets with knives. Is EDRD in the post yet? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Boy 0 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 (edited) . Edited July 4, 2009 by Wild Boy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mushroom 14,273 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 gotta say i've not come across a genuine reason for taking my six inched blade clubbing yet. maybe it's just me being unreasonable thinking there aint a use in a club/pub/footi match but hey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jessdale 416 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 just use your common sense where knives are concerned.They are ok in the field not in the supermarket.The law,in my eyes,cannot be tight enough concerning knives in the street.Far too much scum walking the streets with knives. Is EDRD in the post yet? YES ,BUT NOT YOURS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Scuba1 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 I suppose that I will have to change my habits as I usually have a knife with me whenever I am out in the country, taking the dog out, just going for a walk etc. Thank you for your replies Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 just use your common sense where knives are concerned.They are ok in the field not in the supermarket.The law,in my eyes,cannot be tight enough concerning knives in the street.Far too much scum walking the streets with knives. Is EDRD in the post yet? YES ,BUT NOT YOURS Bully Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest STORM CHASER Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Simple. Leave the knife at home when your night clubbing and take it with you when shooting of ferreting, its not hard to see what the law is their for really. Well said ...mate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 What if some big boys steal my chips on the way home from the club? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Scuba1 Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 What if some big boys steal my chips on the way home from the club? Thats their problem if the come just armed with a knife to a gun fight. :) ATB Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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