knife laws

[jay120970]

anybody know if the new proposed knife laws in the uk are going to affect us bushcrafters

[leon-b]

not sure but i hope they wont

[ilan]

I dont think it will make it any easier The trouble is the onus is on you to prove justification . And it the current climate why do you need a sheath knife for a bit of wood carving and cutting a bit of string when a folding blade will do .( Plays devils advocate and runs ) Of course you need it to prepare food but then it should be with the kitchen untensils .

[bambodoggy]

The way I understood it the laws won't change that much but the ability to impose higher sentances might...

There's a really good thread with great info from Martyn and others about this sort of thing here:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community...ad.php?t=13160

Cheers,

Bam.

[Wayne]

does anyone have a link tgo the new knife law proposal. I heard on the radio that katanas are going to be banned.

Is this correct?

has anyone got evidence of a person killed with a katana in the uk last year?

[C_Claycomb]

Have you seen the thread on BB?
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...ad.php?t=21969

[jay120970]

thanks for the replys guys
i think there are a few of us here who are waiting to see what comes of all this
ill still carry mine in my rucksack but like one guy said you can cut string with a folder
but i like the (in public places) bit there intent on keeping in the law wich i think just
might cover us as long as we can justyfy it while getting through a town
just dont pass though london dressed like rambo i think is the anwser what do you reckon

[locum76]

who really needs a 10 inch sheath knife in a pub/ disco/ shop etc...

if you're heading out to the bush and you have a relevent knife with yer kit i'm sure the feds would let you go about your business as long you weren't pointing it at people.

and they're not going to look for you in the woods are they? they'd never be able to waddle beyond the car park.

and besides, one man only really needs one knife anyway.

[jay120970]

well anybody interested in a falkniven S1 with kydex cover well am thinking about it and just getting a good folder as i rarely get time to wonder anymore what are the black jack folders like military issue items anybody got any good ones

[Spacemonkey]

Better read this then: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publicati...27110255/02566
It seems that in Scotland it is definitely on the cards for a licensing system for 'non domestic knives' which they class as anything not designed for the prep of food in the house. See also here: http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/weaponsconsultation/

When will these power crazed numpties realise that the vast majority of knife 'crime' is committed with what they class as domestic knives from the drawer anyway?

[Goose]

Better read this then: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publicati...27110255/02566
It seems that in Scotland it is definitely on the cards for a licensing system for 'non domestic knives' which they class as anything not designed for the prep of food in the house. See also here: http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/weaponsconsultation/

When will these power crazed numpties realise that the vast majority of knife 'crime' is committed with what they class as domestic knives from the drawer anyway?

I think the license is for selling knives rather than owning/using, which I have mixed feelings about.

[Spacemonkey]

Maybe, but i htink i read in there that there is the possibility of licensed users too, for all non domestic knives.

Please tell me that this is all a bad dream and I'm going to wake up soon?

[Goose]

I think it mentions licensing the purchase of swords rather than knives.
This definition worries me though;

What kind of knives are we talking about?
8. The vast majority of people use knives in the home responsibly and safely every day and we have no wish to place further restrictions on the sale of knives with a legitimate domestic use.

9. Instead, we believe that proposals to restrict the sale of knives should focus on those knives with no clear domestic purpose.

10. Our proposed definition of a "non-domestic" knife is:

"a knife which has a blade or sharp point, and which is not designed only for domestic use, or only for use in the processing, preparation or consumption of food."

Where does that leave us as bushcrafters? It is not domestic use, and not for use only for food prep. I know "they" aren't intending to target us, but if the law is worded in this way it will mean we are breaking the law if we take our knives into the woods, as worded at the moment covers this already, and making it "more"illegal isn't going to achieve their aims.

According to section 139, subsections 4&5 of the 1988 Criminal justice Act....
(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.

[jay120970]

good point am totaly mixed up now gonna just carry on as before i think

[Marts]

According to section 139, subsections 4&5 of the 1988 Criminal justice Act....
(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

There's the answer then. Bushcraft use is good reason and you can prove it. Defence in place.

[Ogri the trog]

I normally steer well clear of these politically centred discussions but if Goose's quote of
"a knife which has a blade or sharp point, and which is not designed only for domestic use, or only for use in the processing, preparation or consumption of food."
...includes the preparation of freshly taken wild meat and the lighting of a fire on which to cook it.... then I can justify that as a legitimate reason, but will the boys in blue?

Ogri the trog

[jay120970]

now do or would they class places like dartmoor as a public place as its open to anyone or is it wildness ??? what do you all think

[Goose]

now do or would they class places like dartmoor as a public place as its open to anyone or is it wildness ??? what do you all think

Anywhere that is open to the public, whether an entrance fee or not is a public place. Even your car is a public place!
As it stands if you are bushcrafting/ camping you can argue you have a legitimate reason for carrying your fixed blade/lock knife.

[Ditch Monkey]

Having studied law I carry my knife about with me most of the time, then again most of the time I'm doing something bushcrafty. The thing is if you do get stopped and searched, and if you have been you need to ask yourself why, then provided you do actually have reason to be carrying a knife you will be fine. This is not a law aimed at people going out into the country to engage in a bit of bushcraft it is a law aimed against knife crime. No judge would apply a literal interpretation of the law when to do so would go against the spirit of the law. Judges are very sensible people.

If any one tells you diferent - stab them

[moko]

I'm with DM on this. The point is, it's not a knife, its a tool. If you get stopped and searched own up and tell the old bill the way it is. If it gets messy you might end up in front of a judge but if you are calm, dont get cocky and explain, you will not only up give bushcraft a good name, but will walk away a free man.
I generally (unless I'm out in the sticks) leave my knife in my pack. We live in parAnoid times and there no point getting public and beek all excited about nothing.

[Ditch Monkey]

Imagine the situation; you are caught running down the high street at 11:30 on a Friday night screaming blue murder and swinging an axe above your head. It is unlikely here that pointing out that it is a gransfors and singing a couple of verses of ging gang gooley are going to get you off; it's all about context.

[Marts]

Imagine the situation; you are caught running down the high street at 11:30 on a Friday night screaming blue murder and swinging an axe above your head. It is unlikely here that pointing out that it is a gransfors and singing a couple of verses of ging gang gooley are going to get you off; it's all about context.

Ahh... that was you I saw the other night DM

[Nigel Harper]

i know why there are laws about this i mean there are bad people out there. its scary. i found this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/arti...787451,00.html

but i don't want to lose my knifes. i got a frosts clipper and a big opinel. i think they are both illegal unless you have good excuse.

i think the laws in this country are best in the world and i hope they will still make it fair for good people.; but there are a lot of bad poeple arround especially where i live so we do need the laws.

[waylander]

I am an archer and it is a necessity that I carry a fixed blade or locking blade knife while shooting, for the removal of arrows from target stands and the like (if I used a folder I'd shred my fingers). But according to the archery magazine we recieve any knife longer than 3 inches or that locks open or is fixed open is illegal and can be confiscated etc etc. Does that mean that if i use a non locking folder and cut a finger off I can sue the government? I know its a bit of teh bushcraft subject but both archers and bushcrafters have a reason for carrying knives so why shoudl we be punished for what the lower forms of life do.

[sam_acw]

No judge would apply a literal interpretation of the law when to do so would go against the spirit of the law. Judges are very sensible people.

If any one tells you diferent - stab them
That's the funniest thing I've read all week!