I guess a lot of it is where you are and the law's reaction with the local situations they experince.
I'm in the UK and I carried a Sebenza or Mnandi everyday for maybe ten or fifteen years, and a Buck before that for years too. And since then, I nearly always have a locking Spyderco or a Mora Eldris on me. But the knives I carry are not really the point as I have never been searched by police or asked why I was carrying a knife so I can't say what their reaction would have been.
If I am somewhere busy, recently I've started to only carry my UKPK or a James Barber ERA slipjoint - because I see times have changed and I don't want the fuss of being questioned or maybe even arrested. To be honest, I think if you were in the right situation with the right person, I don't think the difference between a UKPK and a Metropolitan would make much of a difference, in a good way or a bad way. They'd just see a knife and go from there...
Mark
I heard of cops in the UK getting a ruler out to measure the blade length, and with the UKPK being a scant 2mm under the legal max, take one wonky ruler or some officer's poor eyesight and its a trip to the cells. Whereas a Met' knife being closer to 2.5" there's a safer margin for error, I think, although like you say, it depends on the cop.
I can justify carrying some lockers during outdoor pursuits, camping ect, and would argue the case for them applicable to their use, but generally UKPK anywhere and everywhere else - apart from travel hubs and the likelihood of pop-up knife arches.
That's an interesting question and I'd also be curious to hear others experiences.
Based on what I know, if you are stopped (even in some parts of the US), it's more about the belief about what your intentions are with the knife and if you have a legitimate reason to carry it. If the stated reason for having it is self-defense then it's treated as a weapon and you're in trouble.
I find myself in the UK often as I have family there and whenever I go I end up taking my Huntsman SAK (because I feel like it's the least intimidating knife I have in my collection) and each time I am surprised by what it can handle and it usually stays sharp for the week or so that I am there.
Fun fact: as I was just starting to get into knives and I had gone on a camping trip, I travelled to the UK from a major US airport. In my hand luggage bag (unbeknownst to me) was a cheap folding and locking pocket knife. Leaving the US was surprisingly no problem but when I came back they found it in the airport in London and confiscated it (after a good questioning). I was dumbfounded when they dug it out of my bag because I sincerely didn't realize that it was in my bag left over from the camping trip. Now whenever I go away I meticulously go through my bags before packing.
I wonder if a serrated UKPK would be more likely to get flagged by the police than the same knife in PE version. Meaning, would they consider SE more "threatening-looking" than PE. For example: a UKPK Salt.
That's an interesting question and I'd also be curious to hear others experiences.
Based on what I know, if you are stopped (even in some parts of the US), it's more about the belief about what your intentions are with the knife and if you have a legitimate reason to carry it. If the stated reason for having it is self-defense then it's treated as a weapon and you're in trouble.
I find myself in the UK often as I have family there and whenever I go I end up taking my Huntsman SAK (because I feel like it's the least intimidating knife I have in my collection) and each time I am surprised by what it can handle and it usually stays sharp for the week or so that I am there.
Fun fact: as I was just starting to get into knives and I had gone on a camping trip, I travelled to the UK from a major US airport. In my hand luggage bag (unbeknownst to me) was a cheap folding and locking pocket knife. Leaving the US was surprisingly no problem but when I came back they found it in the airport in London and confiscated it (after a good questioning). I was dumbfounded when they dug it out of my bag because I sincerely didn't realize that it was in my bag left over from the camping trip. Now whenever I go away I meticulously go through my bags before packing.
I thought about carrying a small Victorinox knife in problem locations when I travel but those plastic slippy looking handles make me shudder, whereas Spydies have such a great grip. It'd be jarring to change brands. Not my thing at all. I like to feel I have the kit on me I want, I feel undressed without it and a decent (legal for circumstances) knife is a must. I use them all day long and I'm not sure how people manage without carrying one. I suppose they alter their lifestyle to not need one. Although I often see people trying to open things with their teeth or rip boxes open with their hands. Knife needed day to day imo. I just don't want to go 'Papillon' due to over enthusiastic young coppers, because I prefer to use a knife rather than my teeth on things.
Last edited by SpydieCollector on Thu Aug 28, 2025 2:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
I wonder if a serrated UKPK would be more likely to get flagged by the police than the same knife in PE version. Meaning, would they consider SE more "threatening-looking" than PE. For example: a UKPK Salt.
Jim
It's shame the law can't just be the law. Serrations shouldn't ever be a factor when judging the legality of a knife in England. There's nothing I'm aware of, that says you cant have them, providing the blade is under 3" and non locking. But I'm sure you'e right, a serrated UKPK would almost certainly be viewed with even more suspicion than a standard UKPK if it was found during a stop and search.
Although to be fair, a UKPK with serrations is a pretty intense looking blade, despite it being UK legal.
SPYDERCO UK PENKNIFE SALT FRN LC200N: (Heinnie Haynes website photo)
I have the UKPK measuring 80mm from the tip to the lowest corner of the finger choil (That’s clearly over 3”), and 75mm from the tip to the highest center curve of the scales.
So I guess it depends on the copper you get. I personally wouldn’t want to test it in court.
Perhaps Keep something uncontroversially shorter than 3” if you need to carry in a city.
Even having to have this conversation is troubling, your current legal restrictions are already absurd.
It's also worrying that even when we follow the law in the UK regarding what is legal carry, it's still entirely possible to get arrested if the officer in question believes his knowledge of what is and what isn't legal is correct, even if he's wrong
I have the UKPK measuring 80mm from the tip to the lowest corner of the finger choil (That’s clearly over 3”), and 75mm from the tip to the highest center curve of the scales.
So I guess it depends on the copper you get. I personally wouldn’t want to test it in court.
Perhaps Keep something uncontroversially shorter than 3” if you need to carry in a city.
There's definitely some wiggle room for an officer to arrest by measuring from the choil. It might not stick in court, but the measurement is there
Those Metropolitans look mighty pretty right now
I'll end up with more kit than Batman at this rate. One set of knife choices for camping, One set of knife choices for EDC, One set of knife choices for travel hubs, rinse repeat.
I wonder if a serrated UKPK would be more likely to get flagged by the police than the same knife in PE version. Meaning, would they consider SE more "threatening-looking" than PE. For example: a UKPK Salt.
Jim
It's shame the law can't just be the law. Serrations shouldn't ever be a factor when judging the legality of a knife in England. There's nothing I'm aware of, that says you cant have them, providing the blade is under 3" and non locking. But I'm sure you'e right, a serrated UKPK would almost certainly be viewed with even more suspicion than a standard UKPK if it was found during a stop and search.
Although to be fair, a UKPK with serrations is a pretty intense looking blade, despite it being UK legal.
SPYDERCO UK PENKNIFE SALT FRN LC200N: (Heinnie Haynes website photo)
Personally, I find the SE UKPK Salt (which is the only UKPK I own) to be extremely useful; it's one of my most-used knives around the house. But yeah, I wondered about that. If it's technically legal, it shouldn't make a difference. But there are people here in the States who think that serrations make a knife more "menacing-looking."
Personally, I find the SE UKPK Salt (which is the only UKPK I own) to be extremely useful; it's one of my most-used knives around the house. But yeah, I wondered about that. If it's technically legal, it shouldn't make a difference. But there are people here in the States who think that serrations make a knife more "menacing-looking."
Jim
I prefer serrations. I like how they cut, I mean if you're going to cut something its generally a destructive act so why make it harder with a flat edge. As much as I like the UKPK if I had complete freedom ....
Favourite blades in order from top to bottom: Endura 4, Taz Salt, UKPK:
I guess if I was going to upgrade past the Endura 4, it'd be a serrated Pacific Salt.
I have the UKPK measuring 80mm from the tip to the lowest corner of the finger choil (That’s clearly over 3”), and 75mm from the tip to the highest center curve of the scales.
So I guess it depends on the copper you get. I personally wouldn’t want to test it in court.
Perhaps Keep something uncontroversially shorter than 3” if you need to carry in a city.
There's definitely some wiggle room for an officer to arrest by measuring from the choil. It might not stick in court, but the measurement is there
Those Metropolitans look mighty pretty right now
I'll end up with more kit than Batman at this rate. One set of knife choices for camping, One set of knife choices for EDC, One set of knife choices for travel hubs, rinse repeat.
The Metropolitans look alright but for some reason Spyderco have opted to use the most brittle steel they can find and do away with the finger choil jimping. Deal-breaking details for me unfortunately, especially when a Magnacut UKPK can be had for only £20 more.
I have the UKPK measuring 80mm from the tip to the lowest corner of the finger choil (That’s clearly over 3”), and 75mm from the tip to the highest center curve of the scales.
So I guess it depends on the copper you get. I personally wouldn’t want to test it in court.
Perhaps Keep something uncontroversially shorter than 3” if you need to carry in a city.
There's definitely some wiggle room for an officer to arrest by measuring from the choil. It might not stick in court, but the measurement is there
Those Metropolitans look mighty pretty right now
I'll end up with more kit than Batman at this rate. One set of knife choices for camping, One set of knife choices for EDC, One set of knife choices for travel hubs, rinse repeat.
The Metropolitans look alright but for some reason Spyderco have opted to use the most brittle steel they can find and do away with the finger choil jimping. Deal-breaking details for me unfortunately, especially when a Magnacut UKPK can be had for only £20 more.
Same reasons. It’s unlikely I’ll get into the Mets either. I’m sticking with my Byrd Terns when I need a small blade.
Is there any shred of hope that pro knife MPs in Parliament can reverse this?
I doubt it. The gov' wants all blades off the street. There's been too many stabbings in the cities by teenagers killing each other. So the rest of us lose the ability to carry useful tools for needed jobs.
When all knives are outlawed, only the outlaws will have knives.
Knives are essential tools. I use knives for various tasks multiple times each day, none of which involve using them as weapons. The real problem isn't the knives themselves, but the underlying societal problems that fuel the knife crimes.
Is there any shred of hope that pro knife MPs in Parliament can reverse this?
No chance - that would require giving liberties back to the indigenous population. The treacherous slime that is our government is only interested in taking such things away from us.
Is there any shred of hope that pro knife MPs in Parliament can reverse this?
I doubt it. The gov' wants all blades off the street. There's been too many stabbings in the cities by teenagers killing each other. So the rest of us lose the ability to carry useful tools for needed jobs.
Have you tried giving them guns instead? Police hardly pay any attention at all to knives in the states.
Is there any shred of hope that pro knife MPs in Parliament can reverse this?
I doubt it. The gov' wants all blades off the street. There's been too many stabbings in the cities by teenagers killing each other. So the rest of us lose the ability to carry useful tools for needed jobs.
Have you tried giving them guns instead? Police hardly pay any attention at all to knives in the states.
I try not to think about the violent crime going on the cities. It's rife. You need kit like a Navy Seal just to go into town to buy some shopping.
Pacsafe backpacks to stop the pickpockets and bag snatchers, zips on all pockets, head on a swivel. No weapons allowed whatsoever, but I'm light on my feet and if I see trouble I take the advice of a wise old Karate Master in the famous cult film the Karate Kid. As Mr Miyagi said "No be there!"
Although some people can lawfully get away with a swift boot to an aggressor..
They can ban the knives and guns, but they cant ban your hands and feet
When I travel in restrictive countries I always do the same thing: carry the cheapest knife I can. Police can confiscate all the $10 Walmart knives they want and — topic for another thread — they get the job done just fine.
For an every day thing though you might find a linerless Spydie with a tiny blade is below the metal detector threshold.
