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Hi I have just ordered myself a couple of assisted knives for my collection from the USA. The one is number 25 of a 1000 and the other is number 147 of 250. Anyway I have been told these knives might get stopped at customs as they will be classed as a flick knife or gravity knife. These knives cost me around £350.00, I didn't hesitate in purchasing them as I was on the understanding that they are legal in the UK and infact you can buy one of the non limited edition models from www.heinnie.com. Please could someone confirm that my understanding on knife law in the UK is correct in the event I need to contact customs. BASICALLY ARE ASSISTED KNIVES LEGAL IN THE UK?
HillBill
13-06-2009, 16:25
Not as far as i am aware. Any knife that can be opened with one hand is illegal i think.
I may be wrong.
Westnorfolk
13-06-2009, 16:30
Hi d13avo
i am not sure, i get confused amongst all the terms, auto/flick/ok with reason/ok for work etc. best place to look/ask is british blades
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39
this is the section on knife edged tools law, some very knowledgeable people there.
Dave
From what i have read the law only bans "flick knives" which are defined as an automatic blade that can be opened with only the press of a button. "Assisted openers" only assist in the mornal way of opening a knife.
The problem is customs. I have read over on BB that they are seizing knives for having a thumb stud :rolleyes: Get over to Birtishblades and have a good read :)
JonathanD
13-06-2009, 17:00
If they open your package then there is a very good chance they will seize it as a gravity or flick knife. The fact that it may have a high price on the package means it will probably get opened. Many one handed openers are being seized as gravity knives due to the pivot pin being loose. The only way to ensure a better chance of having them pass inspection is to get the seller to tighten the pin. An assisted opener is I'm afraid, a very risky thing to import. You need a bit of luck on side with this one.
One handed openers are not illegal, just gravity, automatic and butterfly knives. The fact that Heinnie stocks the assisted openers doesn't mean that they are easy to import however. We are seeing more and more onehanded openers being seized and classed as gravity knives. There is little to no way of overruling customs decision on this matter :(
Numerous threads over on BB about us having knives seized.
BorderReiver
13-06-2009, 18:24
Whilst not illegal, there is a very good chance that the knives will be impounded by HMRC at Mount Pleasance.
There is a chap in charge there who is running his own campaign against knives which are legal to sell in the UK.
Thanks all for your help i'll go and have a look on British Blades. Cheers
Assisted Openers are still legal in the UK, at the minute!...However if your package passes through Mount Pleasant Customs office you can say goodbye to them and they won't be given back.The people there are interpreting the law ( it's a grey area) as they see fit and it is not being challenged..pray it doesn't go through this office..
Big Mark
14-06-2009, 08:34
Assisted Openers are still legal in the UK, at the minute!...However if your package passes through Mount Pleasant Customs office you can say goodbye to them and they won't be given back.The people there are interpreting the law ( it's a grey area) as they see fit and it is not being challenged..pray it doesn't go through this office..
Get them marked as 'Trade Sample - camping tool - value £10'...works 9 times out of 10!
steven andrews
14-06-2009, 14:59
No, don't do that. It is illegal.
Big Mark
14-06-2009, 15:53
No, don't do that. It is illegal.
True! Oops! Sorry! LOL!
Minotaur
14-06-2009, 19:07
Not as far as i am aware. Any knife that can be opened with one hand is illegal i think.
I may be wrong.
Yep, you are wrong.
The problem is that a lot of the new generation of assisted openers, look the same as thumbstud/one handed openers. So all getting lumped together.
Really hope this is not a law change in the works against one handed opening because that means leathermans will be illegal.
But British blades best place to go for bang on info.