From outdoor survival knives for bushcraft or camping to throwing knives and even handy multi-tools, there are so many potential blades with different applications you can get your hands on. While these knives can be incredibly useful pieces of kit or offer a bit of fun when taking up target practice, they are still weapons and must be treated with care.
For this reason, it’s understandable why some might be nervous about buying knives and remain cautious about staying on the right side of the law. To put your mind at ease, we consider some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to buying different knives in the UK.
Can You Legally Carry a Knife in the UK?
It is illegal to carry most knives in public without what is deemed a ‘good reason’ by the courts. Potential ‘good’ reasons for carrying a knife in public might include:
- - If you are carrying it as part of your work/trade.
- - If you are carrying it as part of your religion.
- - If you are carrying it as part of a national costume.
It should go without saying that using a knife in a threatening way is illegal. Unlawfully carrying a knife can lead to fines and/or a prison sentence.
Can You Carry a Pocket Knife in the UK?
You may carry certain knives in public without the defence of a ‘good reason’. These must be pocket knives that:
- - Have a cutting edge that does not exceed 3 inches/ 7.62cm.
- - Are not lock knives.
What Knives are Legal in the UK?
Just because you cannot carry certain knives in public does not mean you cannot buy them and use them at home or out in the countryside when camping – or we wouldn’t be selling them!
We stock the following, which are legal to buy if you are over the age of 18:
- - Sheath knives
- - Lock knives
- - Throwing knives
- - Hunting knives
- - Swiss Army knives
- - Multi-tools
Provided you aren’t carrying these around in public or using them in a threatening way, you should have no trouble with the law.
What Knives are Illegal in the UK?
While many knives are perfectly fine to buy and use when not in public, there are certain bladed weapons that are illegal to own. Obviously, you won’t find any of these here at Surplus Store, but knowing what these are can help put your mind at ease that what you do own is perfectly legal.
The following knives and blades are banned in the UK and are illegal to own and sell:
- - Butterfly/ balisong knives
- - Belt buckle knives
- - Cyclone/ spiral knives
- - Disguised knives
- - Flick knife/ switchblade
- - Push daggers
- - Stealth knives
- - Swords with a curved blade of 50cm or over
- - Swordsticks
- - Zombie knives
Basic Knife Safety in Public
If you do have a good reason to be carrying a knife in public, you must still be incredibly mindful of what has the potential to be a deadly weapon. No matter what kind of knife you are legally carrying, best practices for carrying/transporting and knife in public include:
- - Not carrying it in a way that could alarm members of the public.
- - Ensuring it is appropriate for the activity it’ll be used for.
- - Ideally not carried directly on your person where you may accidentally transport it to places of unlawful use (i.e. on your belt).
- - Being realistic about whether it is absolutely necessary to carry the knife in public.
Buying & Using Knives in the UK
So, to sum up – if you want to legally carry a knife in public without any special reason, you can only carry non-locking pocket knives with a blade length of up to 3 inches.
If you’re not planning on brandishing your throwing or hunting knives around in public, these are fine to buy (along with any of the other blades mentioned on our approved list above) if you’re over 18!
Check out our extensive range of knives and blades to find the perfect product to suit your needs. If you’re on the lookout for a new survival or bushcraft knife, why not head over to our guide below to help narrow down the search?
