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The subject of knife crime been given high profile media coverage, causing genuine, law abiding knife enthusiasts to be looked on disapprovingly. Journalists are reporting that knife crime is out of control and that the law needs to be tightened up. On closer inspection, the UK already has very strict, not to say Draconian laws, regarding knives.
In recent years UK law has been tightened up, making it against the law to sell knives to anyone below 18 years old. As a responsible online retailer Handy Niknaks carries out an age verification check when any knife is purchased online. Further documentary proof of age may be required before sending knives, such as a photocopy of a driving license, passport or other proof of age, sent be e-mail attachment. There is an audit trail of age confirmation recorded for each sale. In addition, all knives are sent out by Recorded Delivery, which means an adult signature is required at the point of delivery.
As an online retailer of knives, it is important to have a basic knowledge of legal issues. There exists a great deal of misunderstanding of UK law relating to knives. UK law restricts the posession of knives in public places. Knives are only allowed in public where there is a good reason for having the knife.
A suitable reason to have a knife in public would be where the knife is needed as a tool of the trade. For example, an electrician actively working on a job would probably not be breaking the law by using a lock knife. Similarly a chef on his way to work in a kitchen would legally be able to carry a set of kitchen knives.
The only knife allowed to be carried in public in the UK without a specific reason is a non-locking pen knife with a blade no longer than 3 inches. The full interpretation of UK law is highly complicated, and depends on individual circumstances. As there are severe penalties in place for breaking the law on knives, all readers are encouraged to fully familiarise themselves with the law and not to rely wholly on this general information article. Further information can be found online on the UK Government Website, www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Typesofcrime/DG_181675
Lock knives are treated the same way as fixed blade knives in the eyes of the law in the UK. The length of the blade is irrelevent when considering carrying a lock knife in public. It should be remembered that most models of Leatherman Multi Tools include blades which lock. The smaller, Leatherman Squirt has a non-locking blade. The Leatherman Squirt is available with folding Scissors (Squirt S4) or folding pliers (Squirt P4). SOG Multi Tools have several full size models which have non-locking blades. There is also a large range of traditional pocket knives which have non-locking blades.
Legal restrictions apply to public use of knives and not to situations such as camping, hunting or fishing trips on private land or private collections of knives
Several indicators point to a growing market for high quality functional knives, but just who are the customers spending £50 or even more than £100 on a folding-blade knife. There are 3 main groups of knife enthusiast, who will happily part with up to £100 for a knife consisting of highly engineered moving parts, polished to a mirror finish with a razor sharp point.
The main customer group is the the brand conscious, middle class, outdoors type. With a high disposable income, a high pressure occupation, who places a high priority on recreational activities. These activities include, camping, hiking, rock climbing, angling, kayaking etc. A significant budget is allocated for high quality accessories and pieces of kit, such as a dependable Spyderco Knife. Now, slowly moving out of the niche sector, Spyderco Knives are stocked by major camping equipment retailers in the UK.
The 2nd largest group includes police / fire / rescue / parmaedic and military personnel, who may have a lower disposable income. Many of these personnel may carry a Rescue-Knife as part of their essential kit. Life-boat crew members require a specific tool which is lightweight and highly rust resistant. This may be required to cut through tangled ropes or fishing nets. Spyderco's Atlantic Salt Knife with its blunt tipped, non-rust, H1 steel Blade and high performance serrated edge is the tool of choice.
Another customer group is the collector / enthusiast, an indefinable and ever growing number in the UK, some of whom have morphed out of the other 2 groups, after buying first one, then another and another slightly more expensive knife. Why collect stamps when you can collect something useful like knives...
A Selection of Knives Which are Legal To Carry In Public In UK
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