Calling a torsion stick knife a „shredded knife“ is a strange new wrinkle. But it fits the new definition „opens automatically by pressing the hand attached to a button, spring or other device in or on the handle of the knife“ Why could I lose? Well, the legal definition of „Flick Knife“ only changed recently, on July 14, 2021, to be exact, see for example www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/offensive-weapons-knives-bladed-an. Locking knives (knives with blades that can be locked when unfolded) are not folding knives and cannot be worn in public. Before we dive into the law of spring knives, let`s clarify how the law relates to spring knives so that there is no confusion. Here is a list for other names of this type of knife: If pinball knives are considered „flip knives“, then all these knives would now be illegal to own, not just transport, let alone sold by Amazon UK. Knife Warehouse is a responsible knife dealer. We`ve put together a brief overview of our legal information, rules and regulations surrounding the sale and possession of knives to help you understand our process and what you can and cannot do. I said I was surprised because I thought there should be a pre-action protocol for both sides to understand the other`s position – for example, I don`t understand why the knife is considered a „fire knife“ – the „leaf knife“ has been banned in the UK for decades, but knives like the one I ordered are now widely used in the UK. The sale of certain knives is totally prohibited: in Scotland, 16-18 year olds are allowed to buy cutlery and kitchen knives. Previously, a flip knife was „any knife with a blade that opens automatically by pressing the hand attached to a button, spring, or other device in or on the handle of the knife.“ Because of this, it is safer and easier for you to avoid arguments when carrying a spring knife in a public place. Similarly, it will probably be best if you avoid carrying this type of knife unless you have a very legitimate reason to do so.
Most recently, the law on spring-assisted knives in the United Kingdom has been amended or at least plans to be amended. Because this change is so new, some people aren`t entirely sure of the law`s position for these particular knives. The main difference between these two knives is the way they are opened. The spring knife can only be opened when the blade is pressed with a little force. However, a supported opening knife requires you to open the blade manually by pressing a pinball lever or other type of bolt. It is this manual force that distinguishes the law. The gravity meter covers everything that can be opened by gravity. This ranges from German paratrooper knives in the link below to a Spyderco Para 2 or most axle locks where the locking mechanism releases the blade when pressed so it can fall. With knife stools, the question often arises: „Can I own X or Z knives?“ Basically, we only sell knives that you are allowed to own in the UK. Therefore, the purchase of any of the knives on our website is allowed.
Whether you are allowed to carry the knife in public is another story. UK knife law allows you to carry non-lockable pocket knives with a blade length of up to 3 inches (7.62 cm) for no good reason. Although this law has not really moved with respect to spring knives, the Criminal Justice Act in 1988 allowed a knife with a cutting edge of no more than 3 inches to be carried in a public place. This made it easier for you to carry a pocket knife with you, as many pocket knives fit this description. It was also this law that made it a little more legal to carry a spring-loaded knife as long as its cutting edge remained in line with the guidelines. Due to the conditions listed above, we like to call these knives UK friendly instead of UK Legal. Knives that are for sale on our website and are not suitable for the UK are acceptable as long as you keep them at home or on your own property. It`s crazy that they regulate knives. It`s not like you can rob a bank with a knife. I can see places where people are afraid of guns. I`m in the US and I have a dozen car knives and I almost always have one in my pocket My advice to you (not ironic/cynical) take your loss and move on. Even in the U.S., there have been complaints about spring-assisted openings, and the results have never been the same and difficult to predict.
The problem is that persecutors and judges are lawyers, and they are good with words, but not always with practical things. Sometimes they use words/terms that are not applicable to the topic they are discussing. British lawmakers are even more „concerned“ about public safety. Even if you eat an apple in a public place with a knife that is not very obvious, a table knife can get you in trouble. Summary: The institution that has your knife doesn`t want you to have it.