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Home > List of banned knives
CURRENT LEGISLATION FOR 2012
Recent legislation passed through Parliament hasn't exactly been well publicised. Knife law stretches from as far back as 1959, and most people's knowledge of current legislation is understandably poor. To complicate matters further, it is easy to mis-interpret the wording of legislation. To help prevent this, LMPearl Enterprises presents a comprehensive index of knives banned in the United Kingdom to date ...
| Full Auto Knife
Common Use Names:
Flick Knife, Switchblade, Automatic Knife
Cited:
The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act (1959)
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
Any knife which has a blade which opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife.
Common Misconceptions:
Rolox actions, Speedsafe actions (commonly referred to as semi-automatic knives) are not full-auto knives. Whilst they open in a similar fashion, they do not meet the criteria of the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act (1959), as the device required to be operated to deploy the blade is attached to the blade itself, and therefore is not in nor attached to the handle of the knife.
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EUROPEAN AUTOMATIC STILETTO
KNIFE, TYPICALLY OF GERMAN OR
ITALIAN ORIGIN
TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC
KNIFE, TYPICALLY OF ITALIAN,
SOVIET, OR EASTERN-BLOCK
ORIGIN
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AUTOMATIC OUT-THE-FRONT
(OTF) KNIFE, TYPICALLY OF ITALIAN
OR AMERICAN ORIGIN
MODERN FULL-AUTO AUTOMATIC
KNIFE, TYPICALLY OF GERMAN,
ITALIAN, AMERICAN, OR FAR
EASTERN ORIGIN
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| Gravity Knife
Common Use Names:
Paratrooper Knife
Cited:
The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act (1959)
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
Any knife which has a blade which is released from the handle by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force.
Common Misconceptions:
This workable definition was adapted from the Monroe County, New York, USA statute, which goes further to state "When released, is locked in place by means of a button, spring, lever or other device". Although the stated act does not refer to this point it must be assumed that this is what is inferred.
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LUFTWAFFE PARATROOPER
KNIFE, TYPICALLY OF GERMAN
ORIGIN |
TRADITIONAL GERMAN GRAVITY
KNIFE, TYPICALLY OF GERMAN
ORIGIN
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| Stealth Knife
Common Use Names:
Airport Knife
Cited:
The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2004
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
A knife or spike, which has a blade, or sharp point, made from a material that is not readily detectable by apparatus used for detecting metal and which is not designed for domestic use or for use in the processing, preparation or consumption of food, or as a toy.
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COLD STEEL'S CAT TANTO IS
MADE FROM A SINGLE PIECE
OF HIGH-IMPACT RESISTANT
PLASTIC. IT LOOKS LIKE AN
ORDINARY KNIFE, BUT FEATURES
NO METAL COMPONENTS. |
THIS COLD STEEL SPIKE IS ALSO
MANUFACTURED FROM A HIGH
IMPACT PLASTIC. HOWEVER,
SOME KNIFEMAKERS ALSO USE
OTHER MATERIALS, FOR
INSTANCE CERAMICS. |
| Disguised Knife
Common Use Names:
Hairbrush Dagger, Ink Pen Knife
Cited:
The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 2002
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
Any knife which has a concealed blade or concealed sharp point and is designed to appear to be an everyday object of a kind commonly carried on the person or in a handbag, briefcase, or other hand luggage (such as a comb, brush, writing instrument, cigarette lighter, key, lipstick or telephone.
Common Misconceptions:
Knives commonly referred to as 'credit card' knives are not disguised knives, as although they are similar in shape to a credit card, this is simply to facilitate storage and no attempt is made to design the knife to appear to be a credit card - with or without the benefit of closer inspection.
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THE INK-PEN KNIFE PULLS APART
TO REVEAL A SHARP BLADE.
TYPICALLY OF FAR-EASTERN
ORIGIN, BUT SOLD AROUND THE
WORLD AS NOVELTY ITEMS. |
FROM THE OUTSIDE THIS KNIFE
LOOKS LIKE A LIPSTICK. ROTATE
THE BRASS COLOURED BARREL
TO EXTEND THE BLADE.
TYPICALLY OF FAR-EASTERN
ORIGIN, BUT SOLD AROUND THE
WORLD AS NOVELTY ITEMS. |
| Belt-Buckle Knife
Common Use Names:
None
Cited:
Criminal Justice Act 1988 / Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 2019
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
A buckle which incorporates or conceals a knife.
Common Misconceptions:
None
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THIS BELT BUCKLE KNIFE IS A
SINGLE PIECE BUCKLE. BELT
BUCKLE KNIVES ARE ALMOST
EXCLUSIVELY AMERICAN IN
SOURCE, ALTHOUGH MANY ARE
MANUFACTURED IN THE FAR-EAST.
THEY HAVE A PARTICULAR
AFFILIATION WITH MOTOR-CYCLING
GROUPS IN AMERICA. |
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THIS AMERICAN MADE BELT
BUCKLE INCLUDES A FOLDING
LOCK KNIFE. BELT BUCKLE KNIVES
ARE OFTEN DECORATED.
THIS BELT BUCKLE KNIFE
INCLUDES A THROWING STAR.
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| Push Dagger
Common Use Names:
None
Cited:
Criminal Justice Act 1988 / Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 2019
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
A knife, the handle of which fits within a clenched fist, and the blade of which protrudes from between two fingers.
Common Misconceptions:
Utility knives designed specifically for the purpose of opening boxes or packaging materials, particularly certain types of martial-arts training knives. For instance, the Gil Hibben knife features a handle which fits within a clenched fist, but the blade protrudes from between the thumb and the forefinger; not two fingers.
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THIS COLD STEEL SAFEKEEPER
IS THE TYPICAL PUSH DAGGER
SILHOUETTE. TYPICALLY OF
AMERICAN OR FAR-EASTERN IN
ORIGIN. |
THIS IS AN AMERICAN MADE
MODERN PUSH DAGGER. |
| Balisong
Common Use Names:
Butterfly Knife
Cited:
Criminal Justice Act 1988 / Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 2019
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
A blade enclosed by its handle, which is designed to split down the middle, without the operation of a spring or other mechanical means, to reveal the blade.
Common Misconceptions:
Pentographic knives are not Butterfly Knives, but they do fully meet the description of a Butterfly Knife and one must assume that perhaps inadvertently or not, they are prohibited.
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AMERICAN MADE BALISONG
BUTTERFLY KNIFE, TYPICALLY
OF FAR-EASTERN OR AMERICAN
ORIGIN. |
THIS BALISONG KNIFE IS MADE
IN CHINA, BUT SOLD MAINLY
THROUGH USA RETAIL OUTLETS.
MOST OFTEN AVAILABLE FOR
SALE VIA THE INTERNET. |
| Sword Cane
Common Use Names:
Sword Stick
Cited:
Criminal Justice Act 1988 / Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 2019
Prohibits:
Manufacture, import, sale or hire, or offer of sale or hire, or lending or giving to any other person.
Legal Definition:
A hollow walking-stick or cane containing a blade which may be used as a sword.
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SWORD CANES TYPICALLY FEATURE
ENGRAVED OR DECORATED
HANDLES. MANUFACTURED THE
WORLD OVER, INCLUDING MANY
BRITISH EXAMPLES MADE DURING
THE VICTORIAN ERA. |
MODERN SWORD CANE FEATURES
A CROSS PATTERN BLADE AND
A PLAIN HANDLE. |
THE LAW
YOUR KNIFE AND YOU
Despite what you may have been led to believe, our knife laws are amongst the most sensible in the modern world.
In Great Britain we benefit from laws which promote the sensible use and collecting of knives, yet discourage those who seek to abuse what are, in effect, artistic, well engineered tools. In short, be aware of the following points, although please read the linked articles for more in-depth information.
What You Can't Have ...
The following items are banned from sale within the UK (although if you already own one you may keep it, but not use it outside of your own property) ... Switchblades, automatics or 'flick-knives', gravity knives, balisongs or 'butterfly knives', push daggers, belt buckle knives, sword canes, disguised knives, or knuckle-duster knives.
Late on in 2004, an amendment to the law was introduced which restricts the sale of any knife which is not readily detectable by the normal methods of detection, ie: either x-ray or metal detection, unless it can be proven that the knife's sole purpose is for the preparation of food. These knives are correctly referred to as Airport Knives, but in English law are commonly referred to as Stealth Knives.
In 2006, so-called Disguised Knives were prohibited. You may not buy any knife designed to look like something else, for instance a knife which appears to be a pen, (and it doesn't matter whether the pen works or not, it's still prohibited here).
What You Can Carry ...
The Criminal Justice Act (1988) says that you may carry a knife with a blade length of 3.0" or less so long as it is capable of folding. That means no fixed blade knives. But use your loaf - a knife has no place at a football match, in a pub, nightclub or school and becomes an offensive weapon in these circumstances in just the same way as a screwdriver, or any other innanimate tool.
But I NEED a Bigger Knife ...
If you wish to carry a larger knife then you must have 'reasonable cause'. That means that you must be able to prove that you had a genuine reason for carrying the knife.
You may carry a larger cutting tool if it is associated with your work (for instance a chef may carry a 9.0" butchers knife roll to and from work), or if it is associated with your sport, (for instance a fisherman may carry a 6.0" fillet knife, a hunter may carry a 12.0" fixed blade hunting knife, a camper may carry a 10" camping knife).
Don't forget it's there though. If you stop off in Tesco's for a can of beans on your way home take the knife off of your belt and lock it in your glove box, or your local Bobby will be unimpressed at your excuses. When transporting a knife by car keep it locked away in the glove box or securely stored in the boot of the vehicle. Do not slip it into the door side-pocket, under your seat or in a centre console, this is a dangerous practice, and if stopped by the Police this gives the impression of keeping the knife close to hand.
Don't Give The Police A Hard Time ...
Ensure that you comply fully with the law. The Police take breaches of knife law very seriously, and take our advice, you really don't want to be caught on the wrong side, it's just not worth it.
Please note that this information is supplied for your information only. We are not solicitors nor policemen, so please follow the links for more 'official' information, or speak to a solicitor for legal advice. Please refer to the footnote at the page bottom.
The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act (1959)
Prevents the use and sale of switchblades and automatic knives within Great Britain due to the violent and prevalent use by "Teddy Boys".
The Criminal Justice Act (1988)
Probably the most contraversial piece of legislation to go through Parliament. Extends into all areas of modern life, although with regard to our subject matter, the Act outlaws the sale of certain knife categories. Amongst those included are belt buckle knives, push daggers, and other "so called" martial arts weapons.
Click Here to View The Act
The Offensive Weapons Act (1996)
Restricts the sales of certain types of knife to persons under the age of 16.
Click Here to View The Act
The Knives Act (1997)
The most recent law to affect knives in Great Britain effectively banned the sale of any knife suitable for combat. Although in theory this could mean literally ANY knife, the spirit of the law is there to protect us all. It's left "grey" enough to exercise a little self control for those clearly seeking a collectable path, yet shuts down any avenue for violent use.
Click Here to View The Act
PLEASE NOTE: THIS PAGE IS SUPPLIED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY, AND REPRESENTS ONLY OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW. WE ARE NOT IN ANY WAY LEGALLY TRAINED NOR QUALIFIED IN ANY SUBJECT OF LAW, NOR DO WE CLAIM TO BE. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR USE IN A COURT OF LAW,
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