Traval to U.K. & poss. to Europe

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cdf
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Traval to U.K. & poss. to Europe

#1

Post by cdf »

Could anyone give me a nutshell sit. rep. on legal considerations . What would be good to carry, without too mutch Sheeple agro. ?
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chux
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#2

Post by chux »

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If you expect to be searched for any reason you need a good excuse if you are carrying anything other than a 3" or less slipjoint in the UK. Locking folders are currently considered to be fixed blades and so are off limits unless you are fishing (when you can have upto a 6" fillet knife) or doing bushcraft (when you can have a 4" fixed blade). If you are doing anything silly with a knife of any sort it won't go down well with LEOs, equally if you are not doing anything silly they are unlikely to search you.

Lots of the population are sheeple and many believe that any knife is illegal to carry. Best bets for avoiding problems if you use it near people are to stick to the legal limits (or preferably lower) and try to use something 'famous' eg a SAK or possibly a Leatherman. I think there is a bit of controversy with Leathermans atm because (on the non-locking models) the blades can be 'locked' by closing the handles.

Swiss cards are a bit of a weird area. By the letter of the law they are illegal because 1) they are fixed blades and 2) they are 'concealed'. However they rarely worry anyone and LEOs are unlikely to give you a hard time over them.

Balisongs and autos are always absolutely forbidden. Aside from the locking consideration, don't risk any Speedsafe devices.

If asked NEVER say anything you are carrying is for self defence; your feet won't touch the ground. Also never try and get technical or cocky with cops as they won't appreciate it, they do have discretion on matters and if you give them a hard time they may return the favour.

In general Europe is more lenient with most knife carry laws. unfortunately I don't know the specifics. You may want to check out the legal area on Britishblades.com.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

"Better gear than good sense a traveller cannot carry."

Edit: On the non knife front it is not permissable to carry anything for self defence. This includes CS, pepperspray, tasers, kubotans (most people won't know what they are anyway), brass knuckles etc.

Edited by - chux on 2/27/2004 6:22:15 PM
connor
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#3

Post by connor »

@cdf

It's funny that you don't let the UK belong to Europe - which is fine, since many britains seem to think that, too. :-D

Europe means about 3 dozen countries, and each has its own laws regarding knives. Quite different ones, I fear. Which countries do you intend to visit? Maybe I can tell you more then.

Unfortunately for you the UK has about the most restrictive laws, you may only carry very short slipjoint knives (2.5" if I remember correctly).

-Connor


'I ought never to act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law.'
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chux
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#4

Post by chux »

Not quite as little as 2.5" yet, we're not sure how courts will interpret the 3" limit. It could be the length of the blade or the length of the cutting edge. To be safe people tend towards the former. Serrations will only confuse the issue, and they may be considered aggressive.

"Better gear than good sense a traveller cannot carry."

Edited for spelling

Edited by - chux on 2/27/2004 7:10:13 PM
cdf
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#5

Post by cdf »

TKS CHUX From what you tll me a 3" in my tackle bag (locking) ,or while in Scotland
or Snowdonia won,t trip any circut breakers ? I gather that carry rather than simple possession is the issue . ( & you guys call yourselves civilised . ) I hope our paths cross sometime . TKS Bro.
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chux
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#6

Post by chux »

Be careful with what you bring over. I have heard stories of people going travelling (no specific origin or destination) that have had nice knives in their hold luggage that mysteriously vanished between check-in and arrival.
My plan when going to the States was to take nothing remotely pointy with me and try and pick something good up after arrival. I don't think that'll be the way for you to go though as our prices are a bit higher than yours (eg in a shop a 440V CE Native cost me the equivalent of about $150, thank goodness for NGK <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> ). Despite the 'illegality' of lock knives they can be easily bought in many places, a beater can be picked up for around £5 ($8).
Which areas are you going to?

"Better gear than good sense a traveller cannot carry."

Edit: Yes it is carry that is the problem, especially in public. Within certain restrictions it is possible to have balis and autos as long as they are never carried outside the home. On the same level no one minds if you have a machete that is used for gardening and stays safely in your property (okay, some people will mind, fortunately just the vocal minority who want to ban everything)

Edited by - chux on 2/28/2004 1:32:42 AM
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silverback
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#7

Post by silverback »

Hi cdf,
in Germany the knife laws just got more complicated.
In case you want to visit:
-no balisong
-no gravity knife
-no push dagger
-some autos are legal, some not, won't go into detail there. (except if you insist to know)
Just take any folder you like, maybe not your biggest one, and you'll be fine.<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Hope this helps!

Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week. -George Bernard Shaw
danzomekahiro
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#8

Post by danzomekahiro »

Hi folks

As the resident lawyer over on www.britishblades.com I would advise that you leave behind all autos and balisongs; you will go to prison if you are caught with them.

Keep an EDC to under three inches and if possible a slipjoint.If you do carry a lock knife (as I do, a Native)then as a visitor you would probably be able to argue that the knife was for 'holiday stuff' and hence OK within the UK law provision for having a 'good reason' for carrying a lock knife.

If you have fixed blades then keep them for the great outdoors; fishing, hiking etc There is NO limit on blade length, despite some misleading posts on this forum. You do need to be able to justify what you are carrying. I have swapped Kukri stories with a cop in the Welsh Mountains. In Town he would have arrested me immediately.

Danzo

Edited by - danzomekahiro on 2/28/2004 7:04:35 PM
Mr. Bombastic
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#9

Post by Mr. Bombastic »

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:<hr height=1 noshade>I have swapped Kukri stories with a cop in the Welsh Mountains. In Town he would have arrested me immediately. <hr height=1 noshade></BLOCKQUOTE></font><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2>

Because of the Restraining Order? :D
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chux
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#10

Post by chux »

Really no official blade length on knives for the great outdoors - woohoo! Off to get myself a BK&T Brute for bushcraft. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Wonder where I picked up those length restrictions?

"Better gear than good sense a traveller cannot carry."
danzomekahiro
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#11

Post by danzomekahiro »

Bomba, you promised not to mention that! Chux, I think it is a common misconception based on police guidelines from some years ago. The Criminal Justice Act 1988 provides a defence of 'good reason', so if you are on a legitimate outdoor activity that requires a knife (camping, fishing, hunting, climbing etc) you are OK. You can also carry a knife if you require it for work or as part of national costume or for religious reasons. So Scottish Sikh butchers on a camping trip are fine!

Danzo
cdf
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#12

Post by cdf »

TKS you guys for the great input. Danzo & chux I,ve run across some of your posts on British blades.com . You guys are excedingly well informed ,( I was also very impressed with Ross and too many others to mention . I like your pass around forums , I wish we had that in Canada .

I also liked your forum on other gadgets , I,m glad to find other Sure Fire addicts out there .
danzomekahiro
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#13

Post by danzomekahiro »

Cdf, I know some of our passarounds have gone to France and elsewhere in Europe so just ask the organiser of any particular passaround if they are OK including you in Canada.
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