UK law restricts the possession of knives in a public place. Carrying a fixed blade knife or lock knife in public in the UK requires a good reason. Lock knives are treated the same way as fixed blade knives in the eyes of the law in the UK. 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. Because of the legal restriction on carrying lock knives in the UK, they are not suitable for 'Every day carry' and no lock knives are included in this list.

As a general guide, the only knife allowed to be carried in public in the UK, without any reason is a non locking blade pen knife with a blade of less than 3 inches. The full interpretation of UK law is highly complicated, and other restrictions may apply depending 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

There are many non locking knives on the market, with blades just short of three inches, which afford maximum blade real estate for UK legal carry. A selection of UK Legal Carry Knives is available here. New innovations in slip joint design have improved the safety of folding knives. Designs such as the Spyderco notch joint and Terzuola ball joint detents have produced slipjoint knives which are as close as possible to lock knives but still remain legal to carry in public in the UK.

	1 - Spyderco UK Penknife FRN Lightweight Leaf Blade C94PBK- The lower price, made in USA Spyderco UK penknife has thumb opening hole, side changeable pocket clip and adjustable pivot pin. Unlike the original UK Penknife the half length back spring provides very low degree of tension. The advantage of this is it much easier to open and close the knife. It is recommended to place the index finger in the finger choil when using the knife, to prevent the blade accidentally closing.
	2 - Spyderco UK Penknife FRN Lightweight Leaf Blade C94PMR - Maroon, blue and grey handle colours give a less threatening appearance and help to prevent alarm when using the knife in a public place.
	3 - Byrd Tern Knife Byrd BY23GP- Spyderco's more affordable answer to the discontinued G10 UK Penknife. The 2.8 inch long, 2.5 mm thick blade is more than adequate for any general purpose utility use. Attractive features include one handed opening thumb hole, reversible pocket clip, flat grind blade, thumb ramp and finger choil jimping, and lightweight G10 handle.
	4 - Spyderco Bob Terzuola Knife C131 - A well designed, high end production folding knife with carbon fibre handle scales and S30V steel blade. The generous thumb ramp with non slip jimping is matched with a secure finger choil formed by the extended blade tang. The modified Wharncliffe blade is 2.5 mm thick, S30V steel. Dual ball bearing detents are built into the nested steel handle liners. This holds the blade firmly in 3 different positions, these are, fully open against the back-stop pin, halfway closed, and fully closed. Smooth opening and closing is aided by phosphor-bronze pivot washers. One handed opening using the thumb hole, with side-changeable pocket clip.
	5 - Spyderco Squeak Knife C154PBK- The 2 Inch long N690Co steel blade is 3 mm thick and full flat grind. The lightweight FRN handle is fitted with a reversible wire pocket clip. Made in Italy in collaboration with Fox Knives
	6 - Spyderco Grasshopper Knife C138- This low price production knife has a 2.3 inch blade with thumb opening hole and solid stainless steel handle.
	7 - Spyderco Honey Bee Knife C137- The smaller version of the Grasshopper knife has a 1.6 inch blade with thumb opening hole, the lanyard hole makes it ideal for use on a keyring or neck chain.
	8 - Case Knives Sodbuster Junior Knife Chrome Vanadium Blade- A mid price, traditional style production folder. The chrome vandium steel version of the Sodbuster Junior knife has better edge holding abilities than stainless steel, but is less resistant to corrosion. This is not a problem when the knife is in regular use and only occurs if the knife is left in storage for some time. The sheer strength of the back spring here is the safety mechanism against accidental closure.
	9 - Case Knives Sodbuster Junior Knife Stainless Blade - Stainless steel blade with black synthetic handle scales, the minimal hollow grind gives an excellent cutting edge.
	10 - Victorinox Knives Pioneer Knife Alox Handle - The aluminium handle Pioneer knife is a lightweight but tough package with a strong blade spring.