I Bought a Pocket Knife. Is it safe? Is it Legal?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- I bought this knife myself and give you my view as to its safety and whether I consider it legal as an every day carry UK legal folding pocket knife.
THE KNIFE - amzn.to/3o0vsjw (affiliate)
For Questions: / blackbeltsecrets
Direct contact: / blackbeltbarrister
Disclaimer: Neither this nor any other video, may be taken as legal advice. I accept no liability whatever for any reliance placed upon it, as there is no contract between us and I am not instructed by you.
💌 Become a channel member to access stripes and perks!
/ @blackbeltbarrister
MY CAMERA GEAR
🎥 Big Camera amzn.to/3yFFcFf
🎥 Small Camera amzn.to/2RB7ez9
🎙 RODE VIDEOMic Pro+ amzn.to/2QCJURi
Gobe ND Filter amzn.to/2R3eEuA
Neewer Ring Light amzn.to/3aOkLtT
Switch Pod amzn.to/3sZb8yA
JOBY Tripod amzn.to/3dXJYDT
External Media Drive amzn.to/3uxNDOQ And if you like my house and decor:
MY CHAIR:
amzn.to/3mYpPBB
Lamp 1 - amzn.to/3ntbEnm
Lamp 2 - amzn.to/3dXfUZi 🎓 Brilliant contract law book:
amzn.to/2PHC2O1 🎓 Excellent book with an overview of criminal law:
amzn.to/3gTPEAV 🎓 Learn more about trespass and tort law:
amzn.to/32N6TLS
(Affiliate link)
LAW FAQS
• Common Law
CONSUMER LAW PLAYLIST:
• Consumer Law
TREE LAW PLAYLIST:
• Tree Law Miniseries
ROAD TRAFFIC LAW PLAYLIST:
• Road Traffic Law
FAMILY LAW PLAYLIST:
• Family Law
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
I'm a Barrister of England and Wales.
Videos for educational guidance only, Always seek advice before taking action. Videos on my channel are not legal advice and should not be taken as such. I accept no liability for any reliance placed upon the content of these videos or references, therein.
#blackbeltbarrister #knifelaw #everydaycarry
Description contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Description may contain affiliate or sponsored links, for which we may receive commissions or payment.
In the books, Hannibal Lecter uses a Spyderco knife, so if it's good enough for him...
At my primary school in about 1969, I was sharpening a pencil with my pen knife and the teacher noted the effort I was putting into it. He tested it, declared it blunt and reminded us all that a blunt knife is a dangerous knife, so I had a playtime detention with a whetstone. The teacher then tested the knife, declared it sharp and handed it back.
We used to have a culture where everyone carried a knife as a tool, not a weapon. I wonder why that changed.
The answer would be very diverse.
Mass immigration requires a heavy handed state. Oddly, this one has decided to make it illegal to say so. This is why I moved to the USA.
I’ve always carried a pocket knife as a boy and an adult , because they come in handy , all these restrictions when 99% of people who do get stabbed it’s generally a kitchen knife .
Kitchen knife, are you sure?
@@phil2544 Yes he’s correct. The large majority of knife crime is kitchen knives and “sharp objects” like screwdrivers. And the knife laws have done precisely nothing to reduce knife crime because (who could have guessed it) criminals don’t care what the law says.
A lot of these policies should be data driven and the police should, and they do in other areas, be a lot more open to communication and discussion.
@@phil2544 no respect for gangsters pulling out a 3” blade 😂
@ok I think it would. Kitchen knives are dirt cheap. You can buy a kitchen knife for a couple of quid in Wilko's. I can't imagine that many stabbings taking place with a titanium handled high end locking knife that you'll have to throw away and is easily identifiable.
British self defence law = You have the right to get robbed. Anything you have on your person may be taken from you. Anything you do to defend yourself will be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand your rights as I have written them?
Yup , Most of the UK laws regarding defending yourself are 99% in favour of the attacker not the defender .... Or so it would appear.
It's only about intention. I walk my dog and often carry a hiking staff as it helps me navigate slippery ground. To make this more effective if has a pointed steel ferule on the bottom. I have no intention to use it should someone try to steal my dog, of course, however...
@@Hoops-Senior unfortunately even that in UK law would be considered an offensive weapon especially if you ever did use it on somebody. Unless the person had something equal to or worse than your sharpened staff you would end up getting screwed. You can't use a knife on somebody unless they have a knife and are trying to use it on you, and if you shot somebody who had a knife or hit them with your car or something you would get charged because UK courts would see that as unnecessary force. Its pathetic really.
This county is a joke
😂😂😂 200% you smashed it!!!
Always carried a Swiss Army Knife my whole life including as a child. I also remember as a 5yr old child you could get pocket knives out of bubblegum machines.
By father gave me my first pocket knife when I was ten; it was a similar situation with my friends, and if they were a scout or even a cub, then they likely had a 'sheath knife'. I have never stabbed/cut anyone because I was taught not to. I haven't even cut myself, ever. And I will be 64 in March. Over the years, my pocket knife has been useful countless times - as has the long bootlace I have also carried at all times (normally wrapped around the knife). The bootlace because my dad also told me that carrying a knife and a piece of string covers you for most situations, and he was right. The bootlace once allowed me to break into my own car after I had locked myself out at some ungodly hour at a motorway service station. Did you know that in some Scandinavian countries kindergardeners are taught not only how to safely use knifes, but axes, matches and other normal household items. In this country parents would be crucified for allowing a five-year-old anywhere near a knife. The laws in this country (UK) surrounding knives as weapons are stupid. Everything is a weapon if you intend to use it as such.
I used to carry a knife a lot mostly for doing installations and opening boxes. That was before the UK went nuts against lock knifes. To be fair as useful as a knife is a torch beats it. Not doing installations anymore but still have the habit of carrying a torch. Slip joint knifes are OK but they are also dangerous to use on any serious work.
@@psibug565 I carry both, yes the knife is a slipjoint, but it has a this feature called a half stop which allows you to get your fingers clear were it to fold partially. That's the nonsense of banning locking blades, an excellent safety feature is denied to us by people who've probably only ever held a table knife and have no understanding of real people's lives.
Me too, always carry a no locking blade, victorinox
That's not true, you want to fuck off with that weirdo child endangerment bullshit, mate if you think someones been unfairly prosecuted, run that shit through the media, see what the court of public opinion thinks, unless of course they're scared knowing they'd be called worse than shit by everyone.
This applies to 98% of police interactions. If you can run 400m in less than 120 seconds then everything is legal in the UK.
@Harry Donovan Police fitness test.
@Harry Donovan You wont be caught :)
love it
@@Interdiction ... depends how quickly they can deploy tazer
"TAZER TAZER TA...(sigh).....hes buggered off "
@@TiberiusWallace that a lot fail and yet are still allowed to work
My spyderco, urban comes with me every where every day .
My byrd , tern is my every day work knife .
Both awesome and legal. I've stopped carrying my lockers unless I'm at home
Glad you thought it UK carry safe as I own one for that reason.
The knurled section before the blade is very intelligent. Great little bit of kit by the looks of it.
I was careless with this knife once and it did unfortunately close under force, displacing my index finger somewhat in the grip but I only received a small nick. So I think that in practice it is an effective safety feature.
Super sleek design. I adore the spider on it. The first knife I ever owned had a spider on it, too.
Sal Glesser (owner of Spyderco) designed this with the input of UK knife users of a now defunct forum. It was specifically specified to be legal here with a couple of lawyers inputting as well (also knife users / collectors). I’m still kicking myself for not getting one form the very first production run.
I have one of he very early ones, but not 1st edition :( no Spyderco logo on the scales, smooth finger choi,, SV330. RIP BB
@@coulthard35 A friend at the archery club does have one, every time it comes out, I get taunted! 😭 Indeed RIP BB, all my Spyderco’s came from trades on there.
they still took my UKPK from me then returned it saying he had made a mistake, no shit sherlock.
there's a uk based seller called hennie haynes that specifically has a uk legal carry section with a very varies spread of designs, may be worth taking a look there at some of the designs they put in that category.
Just bought an MKM Edge titanium from them for that reason :)
There are some knifes on there that aren’t uk legal eg the leatherman bond
I don’t know how often and what you would use a knife for but as an electrician I can assure you that the non locking of this knife is useless, I don’t hold my knife in the position where the knurled sections would prevent the blade from possibly folding on my hand. I have carried and used a Leatherman for more years than I care to remember, I use it every day and I resent being considered a potential killer for carrying it.What kind of society have we become when we are all classed as potential criminals? All tools have the potential to cause harm,what next,only rubber hammers allowed?
Funny you should say that.
A chap killed his brother with a rubber mallet, wrapped him in curtains from the attic and half buried him down a lane of a nearby Hamlet where the body was found by a dog walker. I think in the 90s(?)
He claimed he was trying to hit his brother on the legs, not trying to kill him.
Quite how he mistook his brothers head for his legs has never been explained.
People are strange, eh?
You can carry and use any knife you want bar illegal ones like automatic or assisted openers as long as you have “good reason”. Your job as an electrician needing a particular type of knife is “good reason”. However, if carried and used outside the work situation, it becomes technically illegal.
A screwdriver in the chest can be just as deadly as a knife
@@hamstermunchies5558 The law covers pointed objects too. This particular video is just about the education of knife law in the UK, not about weaponising everyday items.
@@Supernice65 Yep. It is not hard to grasp the basic principle.
I live in the US and even though locking blades are legal where I live, I love carrying a nice slip joint and the UKPK is one of my favorites. It's so light, super slicey, and when used following proper knife safety it is a very safe knife. I don't carry for self defense purposes so that's not an issue for me. It's perfect for all normal light duty pocket knife applications while being inoffensive enough that only the most fearful folks would be concerned if you were to use it in a normal socially acceptable place. The default blade steel holds an edge reasonably well but there are upgraded sprint runs if you want one with a higher end steel like S110v. I highly recommend it even in places where you could legally carry whatever you want.
I am also in the US, Wyoming. People wearing 7” hunting blades on their belts is normal. ( and guns too some of the time.)
Sure, @@TheWorldRealist, you can do that here as well, but in the cities it is frowned upon. Concealed you can carry anything up to 3.5" and for most of what I deal with, that's enough. I do have a larger fixed blade in the door of my Jeep in case I break down while off the beaten path or for when I'm out camping but honestly, I don't need a blade longer than 3.5" even in a survival scenario.
I've got 2 versions of this knife,, I carry one almost every day,, absolutely superb,, the S110v version, is the one to go for imho..
I have a few knives, locking, sheath and none locking. Picked up over the years as I like them. They’re all kept, used in the house with the exception of my victorinox explorer which I carry sometimes when I’m out and about. Come in handy more than people think.
I´m not sure If it is the case in the UK but in Spain the cops can and often will take away your knife even if its completely legal for you to carry that blade, just because they have the power to do so legally judging the situation subjectively.
Thats the reason why for an EDC I always have the requirement for it to be cheap, because even if I don´t love it that way, you never know when that knife can be taken from you with no reason
every officer I've ever asked while not carrying (dare not while carrying) has told me when asking about uk knife law that they'd confiscate even a swiss army knife regardless of who it is unless they had a very good reason for it, that's why I generally as you say go cheap, or carry in a manner the average pat down would miss for the sake of saving hassle, after all I'm perfectly within the law to carry it.
That was very informative thank you sir
Great video! Very informative, thank you!
Question: You say a legal carry knife needs to be foldable at all times. I have a Svord Peasant knife that is a friction folder (where the tang of the knife folds into the handle and is held in place by you hand). Does this still count as foldable, or does your hand count as a locking mechanism?
I'd assume it would still count as foldable seeing as you naturally move your hand to fold it but could an over zealous person still argue it locks as it can't fold when it's being held?
I made this point on my channel recently too. The Spiderco UK pocket knife was called the Little Byrd when I bought mine. 2 3/4” mine is from blade tip until it reaches the handle so no ambiguity. It keeps a good edge and is sturdy enough for light batting too. The steel is hard enough to throw decent sparks from a ferro rod so useful for light Bushcraft purposes and sharp enough for most anything else that a person would need to do.
I bought my own too. No sponsorship.
Battoning not batting 🙄
Just to avoid confusion, BBB's knife is a specific model called the UK Pocket Knife (UKPK). Spyderco also make other UK-EDC-legal knives under their own name and under their more economical Byrd brand - and it seems you have one of those other models.
@@jamietaylor5570 thank you that would make sense. I had assumed they had done a rebranding exercise for the uk market.
@@jamietaylor5570 Specifically, the UKPK Lightweight - FRN handle, CTS-BD01 steel. So yes, BBB, it *is* very light. The original UKPK is slightly heavier, has G10 scales and CPM-S30V blade, and is screwed rather than riveted together. Both will take a very sharp edge, which last ages. The S30V is a bitch to sharpen, mind you.
It was designed from the start as a UK-legal knife, with a lot of input from UK users (including police). One of them lived in my pocket for 15 years, used for everything from food prep to opening cement sacks - never had it close on my fingers.
My one criticism would be that it looks rather “pointy”, and tends to elicit questions of the, “Is that thing legal?” variety.
Edit: The “Spyderhole” facilitates one-hand opening - you use your thumb, not your finger. Hold the knife with your fingers against the ball of your thumb, place your thumb over the hole as if you were trying to make a thumbprint through the hole, and rotate the hole around the blade pivot.
@@captainbeaky I have the s30v version, it’s really nice.
Thanks for clarifying. Got the same Spyderco knife years ago as my first knife because of its UK legal aspect. Good to get a professional opinion of its legality.
Please see my very bad experience with this very item.
@@stephenbaxter3369 no video on your channel, how can I see your bad experience?
@@stephenbaxter3369 I have heard of someone else in London having a similar experience with the same knife to be honest, the part where the cop at the station didn't want to actually return the knife to the owner despite being told that it were legal by a chief from a station in another part of the city. It is truly shocking that these individuals are going against the law, not returning property to it's rightful owner etc.
@@steveclark.. Thanks for sharing that another Police Force has made exactly the same mistake. But this is my point that we have to accept that the Police can and do make mistakes not just in this area of the law but in several others too. It's a sign of good leadership when, at an early stage, a Chief Constable stands up and admits that one of his officers has made a mistake. Policing has to be about preventing crime and actually continually reducing the number of infringements. Too often forces seek to maximise the no of arrests made and that is just counter productive to the smooth running of society.
@@stephenbaxter3369 My father in law spent his whole working life in the force, he retired and moved to the Isle of Wight, he's been dead close to 20 years now, I'm sure that he wouldn't recongise how that organisation runs nowadays. Now don't get me wrong, going by what he told me over the years, things weren't perfect back then either but it seems like a lot of aspects have slipped even further, knowledge of the actual laws is one of them. 😞
Very informative. Thank you. 😊👍
I carried the partially serrated edge version of that Spyderco in the U.K. in my work backpack for five years after I realised that my 1985 Leatherman wasn’t legal to carry. It now lives in my car’s glovebox now that I live in France and don’t have to deal with opening international shipments the instant I arrived at the office 2-3 times a week.
@BlackBeltBarrister Does this apply to carrying a blade where it is readily accessible in a pocket or similar, is there any difference if the knife is inside a closed rucksack briefcase or tool bag? If it was further contained inside a case with a small lock or combination does this make any difference? Thanks
I don't need a knife, I have a very intense stare.
Good, useful and helpful video. Thanks.
Great and informative video. I have had one of these knives for some time. The one handed opening should be using your thumb. Doesnt hold its edge all that well but wouldn't do with out it. My brother had the later verion of this knife (different pattern but marketed as uk legal) confiscated by the railway police who dont appear to know their own laws and he had to go through a lot of hoops to get it back. Its a pity when in the wrong the dont go out of their way to return the goods with an apology. Thanks taking the time to produce the content that you have done, I have listended to lots of your videos.
I’ve carried various pocket knifes for about 65 years. My present knife is a Case, 80 mm overall size, with a 56mm blade length. Quite small, but it does have lock. I use it daily.
Great video, as always; a minor point, which I'm sure you'll clarify - you said the blade length was "Precisely three inches...", but it looked ever so slightly (optical illusion?) over 3" in the video you showed. It just occurred to me that a 'picky' cop might try and use this as an excuse to arrest you. BTW where in the UK can you NOT carry a multitool pocketknife e.g. a Victorinox?
Thank You.
Very good review. Question though. Does the blade lenght apply to cutting edge of the blade or the whole metal / blade? Asking as I have seen both interpretations
As a joiner I don't see the point, of having a pocket knife like that. A multi tool with a knife yes, I carry one with me at work and another when I'am on my motorbike. very handy.
Possibly by chance, you have selected one of the very best UK legal pocket knives of all time! It has an iconic status with UK knife collectors. Sir, I would be VERY interested on your views on double detent, non locking flipper knives. (Boker plus Wasabi, CRKT Symmetry, etc) On these, you apply pressure to a section of the blade which swings out to the open position but without the use of springs. Could this in any way be considered as a "flick knife"? If you see my video on the Boker plus Wasabi, you will see it in action.
I have tried to import a number of such flipper knives and it seems that UK Border Force now class these as flick knives, so all were confiscated and I received a number of visits from the police, No charges were brought against me, but it was a very upsetting experience. I am 70 years old, have collected knives for most of my adult life, and have never been in trouble with the police not even a speeding ticket.
I carry a crkt symmetry as part of my edc and have been stopped twice, both times I was allowed to go on my way with no issues at all. Think it depends which officer you get and how they perceive thing’s really.
This was an amazing post. I knew you all had restrictive laws, but you reality shortly it out well. I'm surprised they let it have a point one the end.
I wonder (I don’t) if the government will ever consider sensible laws surrounding this matter…..such as those who have never proved themselves to be untrustworthy aren’t treated the same as 5 year olds (literally in the case of carrying legal knives) and those that have proved themselves untrustworthy (relevant criminal records) are prohibited from carrying knives at all. A 60 year old man, who has responsibly used/carried a knife for decades, is considered to be just as untrustworthy as 15 year old gang member. Targeted laws would surely have the same effect at reducing violent knife crime as the ridiculous, poorly worded blanket laws now, applied……laws which seem to be more and more restrictive with each occasion the police/cps/courts desire to convict a specific individual.
You can get in a car at 17 fill it with petrol & blast down the road mount the kerb & waste loads of people but you can't carry that toothpick of a blade, stupid.
We need proper education in our schools first from a young age, my Father taught me knives are tools to help you do a job they are not weapons.
Just got one of these for my uk edc carry it will be sure to go everywhere I tend to go being uk legal. Although I do sometimes worrie about the over keen police officer but in many years I’ve never had a problem so I’m sure it won’t be an issue
A question.
Are there any limits to the number of legal knives you can carry in the UK?
I ask because my EDC includes a Böker XS, which like the Spyderco UKPK is a slipjoint folder of just under 3 inches in length, a carabiner for my keys with a fold out non-locking scalpel blade, which is obvious and not disguised in any way, and a non-locking multi tool with a saw blade, main blade and small blade all of under 3 inches.
I find having a selection of tools at my disposal means I can usually use the correct tool for any given task and so complete it quicker and more efficiently.
Thank you so much, may I ask if you could have a look at the leatherman Bond,.Blade under 3in, non locking, immediately folding, marketed as Uk Legal, but the Knife blade may be partially obstructed in some positions,there is a lot of controversy in the EDC community regarding this tool
I came to the comments to ask the same thing. I recently bought a bond and would really like to get your view on it BBB.
I second that, you make a very good point... 👍
Im a Spyderco Fan Boy (collector) with 100++ Spyderco knifes in my collection, and alongside the Delica the UKPK is my favorite modell.
Daniel, This is the very knife that I purchased over 5 years ago believing it to be safe to carry on my person. Unfortunately that turned out not to be the case and Police Scotland decided that they would regard it as not being legal to carry and I ended up in court. Working with my solicitor I was able to demonstrate to him that this was a bona fide purchase from a UK supplier and, just as you demonstrated, the knife meets the UK legislation. My Solicitor met with the prosecutor and was able to convince her to drop the charge. But that was not the end of the matter as Police Scotland then refused to return the knife to me and this left me no alternative than to take the Chief Constable to the Sheriff Court to secure its return. Perhaps you can see why I now recommend not purchasing this Spyderco knife or similar but instead opt for a Slice ceramic bladed product and/or the medium size Victorinox Swiss Army knife.
The only thing keeping Scots free citizens (against their will) has been the English.
When Scots escape freedom to NZ and Canada they vote to become serfs.
Braveheart is an inversion of the truth.
I'm half Scottish and half Irish
Hi Stephen. Did you ever get it back? Also, just curious as to what the Procurator Fiscal or Police Scotland were hanging their hat on in terms of what make that particular knife illegal? Reason being, I carry it too, in Scotland. Thanks
@@iainmurphy7244 The Chief Constable conceded the case and I requested that the knife be destroyed. I repeat my advice that the Swiss Army medium knife with non-locking blade and the Slice ceramic bladed knife are much better options that are unlikely to be mis-categorised by Police Scotland.
I don't understand why you aren't recommending this excellent knife.
As you discovered it is perfectly legal EDC knife.
The problem was the police and prosecutors, not the knife.
The same thing may have happened to you with other knives.
The knife is legal, its a great knife.
@@dannypaterson888 interesting comment.
I would have found that very confusing a few years ago, but after seeing how Sturgeon has been so authoritarian, from covid measures to policing speech and thought, then I see what you mean.
Spyderco? Solid choice. I have a couple in my edc rotation. The Endura and the Resilience. Great blades for the money.
Where do you measure the blade from ?. The legislation states that the cutting edge must not exceed 3 inches but some pocket knives cutting edges can measure longer than the direct distance from the handle to the tip. A blade can measure 3" from handle to tip in a straight line but the cutting edge can measure 3.2". So where do you measure the blade from ?
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the Lansky world legal folding knife as it’s on the cheaper end of the market
Hahaha great review 👏
Spyderco are a top tier EDC knives,
Hope they see this and send you the full range of their UK legal knives for review,
Any you don't feel you need would be gratefully recieved 😉
Again,another very easy to understand video making clear the basics of the laws as they stand at time of posting,
🙏
I have 2 of the UKPK knives and love them, however I get some odd looks even from friends with the spyderco yet no one bats an eyelid when my victorinox penknife comes out, I guess swiss army knives are such a well established and known product no one is worried seeing one come out of a pocket.
The bladed black belt barrister sounds dangerous 🤣
🤣
I have a little red rotary pen knife by victorinox, I use it for allsorts, opening screws to prying things open, even cleaning foam pads off my rc cars.
I never keep it in my pocket though, its always in my rucksack
Always thought it a strange law. A knife that can be locked and therefore not possible to fold on you during use and potentially cause injury, that's illegal. A more risky one that merely needs you to push the wrong way for it to fold in and cut you, that's a legal penknife. It's a strange country.
The law's not about the safety of the knife-wielder.
@@jean-yvesmead3972 But it should include it. The law is there at least in part, to protect members of society. If one is going to make something illegal it should be logical. After all if this law doesn't protect the user, it sure doesn't protect anyone else.
From what I remember there was a case where the Judge stated that a lock knife once opened was a fixed blade and therefore not a pocket knife irrespective of its size ... I think it was the Harris V DPP in 1992 , and then in 1998 the ' Regina - V Desmond Deegan' Judgement upheld the Harris Ruling .
I'm sure the Black Belt Barrister will correct any think I've misremembered 🙂
@@WideCuriosity but members of society also have a duty, I would say, to protect themselves. And others.
If you can't properly operate a knife don't use it.
You can carry tools (including big sharp things) if you have good reason and are going to or coming from that job. So don't chop a tree down with a non-locking folder.
Following your example I'd ask what next...make it illegal to drink any alcohol or eat bacon due to the links to cancer?
There needs to be balance in the world.
@@thebrowns5337 No one doubts a need to protect oneself. But one can still use an item and get injured. That's why there are compulsory guards on machinery. Your comparison simply doesn't hold.
Please can you clarify for us - which specific part of the legislation requires the blade length to be under 3 inches? CJA 1998, S139 3) refers clearly to the cutting edge, not blade length. They are different. And there are plenty of ‘U.K. friendly’ knives with a cutting edge slightly under 3in, and a blade slightly over - and I’d expect a barrister to defend me if I was arrested under those circumstances.
The ukpk just errs on the side of caution by keeping both under 3 in.
there is case law on this which BBB has referred to. What I'd like to know is whether CJA S139 paragraph (4) "It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place." allows for me to carry a nine inch filleting knife in my bag if I'm going catch-and-eat fishing?
I often wonder where the law stands on fixed blades with justification. As an example, bushcraft. Lots of people seem to be out in the woods with fixed blades over three inches. I carry a knife like this at work. As a tree surgeon, I find many uses for it, but most of all, I just like to have the use of a good knife at all times.
Is there an element of individual case judgment with knife carry ? I'd not carry it to town or the pub, but should I be in trouble when at work, or, on my way to or from work ?
Could you do a video on the leatherman bond? Great video here thank you
its not the length of the blade... but the cutting edge of the blade....
Good afternoon. Anorher enjoyable video, thank you. However, on the question of lock knives, I am an upper limb amputee of .. let's just say decades. I cannot open a folding knife as quite often the spring is overly strong plus arthritis has limited my dexterity somewhat. I have a lock knife which is easy for me to open and close as gravity does the work.
I was led to belive that for someone in my postion it is legal to own said knife. I should add that it never leaves my premises.
Indeed, years ago I was told it would be legal for me to own a flick knife although I have never partaken of this option. Do you have any guidance on this with regard to current law?
In your home, it is legal to own unless you try to use it as a weapon.
Does the three inches include the portion below the plastic?
Is that the length of the entire blade piece?...or, just the length of the cutting edge?
I'm under the impression that the blade is the cutting edge only and not any gimping or finger choil. So that blade would be well under 3" please correct me if I'm wrong. Currently using Boker plus xs drop point. It's a little more substantial than the ukpk from spyderco.
Check out another video on the channel where how the blade is measured is shown. It isn’t just the cutting edge.
What do you reckon if a knife worked in reverse of typical operation. For example if the knife could fold freely by default and is only locked for the duration that hand grip position or pressure is applied.
The exception to these 2 rules are folding pocketknives that:
have a cutting edge no longer than 3 inches
are not lock knives (they do not have a button, spring or catch that you have to use to fold the knife)
Practical example example could be.
Handle scales that can be compressed to block the blade from folding.
A button or lever positioned where the hand grips during use.
All folding knives need to be held in such a way during folding to avoid the blade and in that instance the knife will have no lock that requires disengagement.
I have a multi tool which has a blade on it but that locks along with the other bits ( screw driver, wire stripper, scissors file, hook they all lock in place ), if I am at work and I am outside, can I be charged evan though it's a utility tool.
Thank you for making these videos, I’m finding them both entertaining and informative! One comment on the safety of this Spyderco is that it has a number of ways it can be held (depending on the task the knife is being used for). You held it “choked up” as the Americans would say, where your finger straddles the bolster of the knife blade which does prevent it closing. However, if you moved your hand back so that you just held the handle, it could close and cut your fingers. So I guess the answer to “Is it safe?” is it depends on the grip used.
The UKPK has a half stop. So it would require a fair amount of force to close completely on your fingers. But, as with all slip joint knives, you still have to be careful.
Yep,
The most dangerous part of a knife is the person using it, 👍
the UKPK is not designed to "be held further back", the use of the Jimped choil is intrinsic to safe use of the Knife
@@danewood2309 Agreed.
Meanwhile in America there are very few rules on knives and we can legally carry a gun in public.
I always wondered about the safety choil on those types of knives. I have a very similar style of knife myself which I EDC. Sometimes I'm a bit nervous that when it's deployed it could be argued that its a fixed blade knife. (Bear with me). Because you hold it at the base of the blade rather than the folding portion of the handle, the part of the knife you're holding doesn't fold. I'd imagine the purpose of s139(2) was to allow knives that couldn't be used in a violent stabbing action, for fear that they would close. So having the safety choil that allows it to be used in the manner of a fixed blade knife defeats the purpose of the act. So I'm a bit worried that it might be seen as effectively a fixed blade knife that folds into a sheath. I'm probably paranoid, but that doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
Come on businesses out there, how about sponsoring some of his videos 'cause there's lots of intelligent people watching!
Perhaps Sex toys aimed at the old man and woman?
I have a Spyderco Urban like yours. I also have a Spyderco Urban Ltd edition. I use both daily.
I love my spyderco U.K. Pk , it’s a great carry knife .. and get for daily tasks
I have one of these knifes and it amazing. I love mine ♥️
I live in the UK and I’ve got one of those, had it for a few years. Great little knife, it is sitting on my desk in front of me now,,, where it lives ….
I have taken this out with me in the past, but in all honesty it is a bit aggressive looking for the general public, (especially once you become practiced in flicking out the blade really fast) !
I have a Leatherman multi tool which includes a tiny blade that makes a much less threatening EDC.
I know what you mean. I usually opt for something more utilitarian looking if Im going to be around people. Out in the countryside though, something bigger and safer is nice.
a multitool is probably better EDC anyway.
@ian and liam
Yes, this little guy’s got pliers, screwdrivers and scissors etc. that all actually work. TBH, the bottle opener has seen some service too!
@@liamholcroft7212 Yes, but there are legal issues as most multi tools have locking blades or a blade which can be sandwiched between the handles, which might (or might not) be considered a lock.
@@Ian.. well to be fair that just depends on the type of multitool you have. And my comment was in response to OP by the way.
Apparently pulling a small cable tie around the finger hole tight and snipping off the end makes for a thumb stud opener type.
Never tried it myself though
Boker make a great sub 3 inch non locking blade I use for EDC
Excellent videos. What about Opinel knives. They have a ring that can be used to lock, but is not automatically applied.
I carry one as part of my cycle touring kit. It’s used for camping and as my knife for eating/food prep along with a titanium spork.
If it locks, you'll need a "good reason"!
@@BlackBeltBarrister I had a customs official at Dover try to confiscate it a few years ago when I was getting a ferry to go to France. I was travelling on a loaded touring bicycle. I was stopped and asked if I had a knife. I was honest and said yes and got it out of my pannier. He said it locked and would confiscate it. I was pretty miffed as I have had this knife for about 20 years and its travelled with me on long cycle tours as far as from the UK to Capetown, its got sentimental value as well as practical. I quickly got up the legislation on my ipad and confirmed I had a good reason, for wild camping (cutting branches, paracord etc.), and using it for food prep and as a knife to my spork which I showed him. I explained how long I had the knife and that it was a safety device. I also pointed to a camper van that I suggested may have carving knives or steak knives. He then went on to say the camper van would not be taking the knife on deck, to which I replied, neither was I, I only got it out of my pannier to show him as he’d requested! I continued with the good reason and explained that because of that and the sentimental value, I would challenge the decision legally if he took the knife and requested his details and asked for the process of challenging the decision or should I call for legal advice? He eventually returned it saying “this time you can have it back!”. He had a clear container showing all the knives that he and his colleagues had confiscated to which I asked how many of those actually had a good reason and were confiscated unlawfully,? The official didn’t actually know the legal position that well until I showed them to him on my ipad. In future I am more likely to be less truthful and leave the knife in amongst spares and other tools at the very bottom of my pannier when boarding a ferry.
I still use the knife now when walking and taking a camping stove, but would not carry unless camping, walking or cycle touring. I feel the law on this is not fit for purpose. I don’t see it being practically enforced and am not convinced that it makes much of a difference to knife crime with practical knives like the opinel ones being included similarly to ones that are clearly intended to do harm. I understand restricting butterfly knives and switchblades etc. But they aren’t difficult to get hold of if you were so inclined. You can easily kill someone with a 3” blade if that is your intention and you know where to put it. :-)
I have a Lansky Madrock " World Legal" , great at work for packing straps and tape / cardboard , but I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying it in public , even though it is under 3" with a slip joint .
they`ll take it they havent a clue "bin a knife and save a life " and all that bollocks.
It's quite an aggressive-looking knife and joe public don' like that sort of thing!
Hopefully noone will try repeating this with their own knives to see if it passes the 'does it stop me chopping my finger off' test.
Is it not also stated in law that it shouldn't have a mechanism to enable one hand opening?
I never leave home without a pocket knife, I much prefer the Sog Terminus, not a big fan of spyderco but I've got a few in my collection.
i read the law and it says blade length; but the hilt of the blade is not the blade? if you include measuring the hilt why stop there why not measure the metal end to end?
BB - your earlier video referenced Charles Brooker v Director of Public Prosecutions 2005 EWHC1132 as a case affecting the length of a folding blade measurement (edge v whole blade) but the detail of this case references a butter knife, not a folding blade?
Not sure I see your point/question?
They also make them in different steels.
Personally, I wouldn’t carry a folding pocket knife with a blade that measures exactly 3”. I’d be worried that if stopped by the police they could claim that it’s just over 3” or not under 3”. I think there would be a better chance of not falling foul of the law by ensuring the length of the blade is ‘under’ 3” by grinding it down to say 2.95”. I’d also be worried about where I’m carrying a so called UK legal knife, carrying any kind of knife in some public venues in the uk could land you in trouble.
Hi l carry a swiss army knife pretty much all the time, and forget about it until I need it. Are there places I can't legally carry it?
I've often wondered, how exactly should the blade measured to determine its legality? Tip to pivot? Or the full curvature of the blade?
I thought it was just the length of the sharp side?
I believe that Daniel measure it correctly.
@@stephenmckeown6688 I used to think that too, but it turns out that what constitutes the blade is basically the "visible bit with the cutting edge on it". So even if you had a knife with a 3" blade, but it was only ground and sharpened for 1.5" of it, the law still considers the blade to be the full 3"
@@TheMadTatter my knife is Sharpe the full length which is 3inch however the back blunt end seems to be 3.2 or something. Google pic of lansky world legal.
Is it the entire blade that is measured or just the cutting edge?
Whole thing
The blade length, is that measured for all exposed blade or just on the sharp blades part which is just a bit shorter?
The law states that the measurement relates to the sharpened portion of the blade, but there has been a case where a judge ruled that the entire blade length should be taken into account.
The whole thing.
The Spyderco UKPK is a really nice option, great steels, great overall quality and fantastic aftercare and service from the manufacturer.
Importantly for a slip joint, as you pointed out, is that it has a really nice finger choil which makes it nice and sturdy feeling for general use. Is it something I'd go batoning wood with? No (although it probably would do the job) is it something thats perfect for opening boxes, chopping up cardboard, trimming small tree and bush branches and a multitude of other day-to-day uses, absolutely.
As for the hole, treat it as a thumb stud and you'll find the one handed opening much more intuitive.
As a side note, I'd love to see Blackbelt Barrister sponsored by Spyderco! Something about a person so esteemed in the UK legal system being sponsored by one of the world's top knife makers feels really satisfying for some reason!
Great video.....I wonder if you could comment on the legality of opinel knives ...they are popular in the UK..seen them in garden centers and camping shops ....they have a ring that can lock them manually....but it's not locked by default .....ha ha ...in fact I didn't even know it was a lock mechanism for the first 10 years of owning opinels knives !
It's definitely not UK legal. Opinel Make a non locking version specifically for the Uk market.
The locking ones are not legal but you can can remove the locking ring yourself with a screwdriver/pliers or whatever you have to hand. I belive the No. 6 is under 3" though not sure on the No.7.
Most models have a locking ring, so they lock. Up to number 5, they have no locking ring and the blade is under 3" so they are OK. Numbers 6 could be made legal-carry by removing the locking ring since they have blades under 3". Number 7 onwards have blades over 3".
The thing with opinels is they don't have a button, and they are immediately foldable, until you manually rotate the coller and some are indeed less than 3 inches.
I mean, if you use a cable tie on a Swiss army knife to keep the blade open, is that then a lock knife?
@@scotsman7626 but they can lock and therefore are not always immediately foldable.
What about a friction folder design?
I have the Liong Mah 5
Do you need a reasonable reason to carry a UK legal blade or can you just state that you carry it because you want to?
Depends if it complies with the restrictions mentioned in the video.
If it does, then you don't need a reason to carry it.
You don't need a reason at all, just don't do anything dumb, like testing it's sharpness on your arm hair while sitting in a crowded bus, or act in a threatening manner with it.
isnt the question the jagged edge? the milled section on the back and front where your fingers go?
A good buy, Spyderco is a very good knife brand. I have a few myself. A Spyderco Bug, a UKPK (yours) and a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (not UK legal, but i do not live in the UK).
I love the Spyderco Harpy, without the serrations. It's the choice of Hannibal Lecter, you know.👍
the paramilitary 2 is uk legal, just not legal to have in public without good reason.
Also... am I wrong I thinking its the actual cutting edge that needs to be under three inch not the entire blade(hinge to tip) 🤔
Is it legal to own a locking knife if you don’t intend to carry it out? I used to do a lot of electrical work and my ‘flick’ knife was invaluable, I don’t have one now but would it be legal to own one of these as long as it was not taken out. I suppose what I am asking is the difference in law between ‘carrying’ and ‘owning’ such a knife?
My I ask for a slight clarification please;
Does the 'Blade Length' definition mean the whole blade including the stock, finger choil, etc. or just the cutting edge?
Thank for your time in this matter, your channel is a great source of information & I do enjoy watching it, 😎👍👍
According to the gov website......just the cutting edge, not the whole blade
Thanks! The whole thing is what counts. Lord Justice Laws.
@@BlackBeltBarrister so it's cutting edge then.
@@callumcrouch the full length, whether sharp or not.
@@BlackBeltBarrister When I read the text of the law it seemed clearly written that it was not the full blade that counts and it is only the "cutting edge" of the blade
I read the text from the Criminal Justice Act 1988, section 139 (3):
"This section applies to a folding pocketknife if the cutting edge of its blade exceeds 3 inches."
Is there another law to take account of when it comes to blade length, where the non-cutting part of the blade is included in the length? I'm fairly new to pocket knives so wanted to double check. Thanks.
I bought that knife myself a year or so ago as I really had nothing I could carry on a day to day basis that didn’t have a lock. The knurled parts of the blade are essentially part of the grip so the actual usable blade length is under three inches. Doubt the law would agree on that. It’s a beautifully made pocket knife and so light you forget it is there.
Went camping the weekend after I wrote this and lost my knife. Didn’t fancy blowing another £80 so have gone for the Byrd Tern. It’s Spyderco’s more budget friendly line and is very similar to the UKPK and is again made for the UK market for around the £42 mark.
The law about 3 inches refers to the cutting edge, not the length of the blade. Sal Glesser and the UKPK Design Team made sure the UKPK couldn’t be interpreted as over 3 inches by making the blade a tad under. The cutting edge of it is well within the law. Good choice sir, I’ve had one for years, it’s a brilliant design.
I still have no idea about my lansky world legal?? Could you look at that knife and let me know if its OK to carry? I use it everyday but I'm concerned
I've known friends with knives mechanically identical to this that it was claimed their knife was (real steel luna specifically) and got confiscated, could you please make a video regarding how the process should go if stopped carrying such an article in the event the police decide they want to confiscate it without charge and seemingly without cause? personally I've asked police out and about when I'm not carrying and many have outright said that even a swiss army knife they'd confiscate regardless of situation without a specific reason (plus one police officer told me he carries a locking blade off duty on the argument he might need the seatbelt cutter on the knife but as a trained first aider he said that same reasoning wouldn't be enough for me to carry one......... , even one time when I was still a cadet (air cadets you stay until you turn 20 so I was over 18 at the time) in my cadet uniform an officer told me they'd confiscate such articles regardless of context which my understanding is that the "officer's discretion" part of the law does not or at least should not extend to the officer just blanket deciding that all knives without what they'd deem a good reason need confiscating (especially if they have no plans to charge you or perhaps even give you any form of paperwork to appeal and recover your legal tool) and would think they still have to have at least a gut feeling or similar that the individual in question is somehow nefarious, but many officers seem to just see a knife and take it, no charges levelled against you, just take your lawful property on their merry way.
@@redscreentrombone4685 precisely the argument I would make, also why in places I'm expecting to be more likely to encounter a random stop and search I tend to carry in a less obvious manner.
@@Shadow_Hawk_Streaming there is no such thing as a random stop and search ! that would illegal this is not north korea yet
Can you do a video on what places are restricted
I just discovered than when I returned home to the UK, ensuring that none of my knives were in my luggage, that my Gerber Truss multi tool is also illegal as all the tools lock as a safety feature. This is going too far.
I carry a 4" lock knife that I use for my work so always on my belt, the way I look at it is if I am a loud to carry a shotgun and a pocket full of shells I can't see there argument for having an offensive weapon. To be fair because I have It all day I have forgot when going to the shop.
I get the blade length thing, sort of, some US states have that also, but what's with the locking mechanism thing? Who wants to use a blade thar can fold back on your fingers during usage? Been gone 40 years, not sure I'd recognize the UK anymore or be able to re-asimilate.
That's my daily carry. I have a few sets of custom scales for mine from carbon fiber to solid brass