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What knives can you legally carry in UK?

Author

Emma Horne

Published Mar 23, 2026

What knives can you legally carry in UK?

UK knife law allows you to carry non-locking pocket knives with a blade length up to 3 inches (7.62 cm) without any need for a valid reason. You are allowed to carry a knife which exceeds these guidelines in public, but please remember: you then do need a good reason to carry it.

Is it legal to carry a knife in the woods UK?

Carrying a knife or multitool when hiking is just common sense, and it’s here that UK law really comes to bite us. So, the law (Criminal Justice Act 1988) says that it is an offence to carry any sharply pointed or bladed item in public, except a folding pocketknife. Yep.

Can I legally carry a Swiss Army knife in the UK?

Knives. It’s illegal to: carry a knife in public without good reason – unless it’s a knife with a folding blade 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less, e.g. a Swiss Army knife (a “lock knife” does not come into the category of “folding pocket knife” because it is not immediately foldable at all times)

Can you carry an EDC knife UK?

You can carry a knife with a folding blade with a cutting edge that is 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less that doesn’t lock, eg a Swiss Army knife. …

Is an Opinel knife legal in UK?

Good little knife It’s a little good sharp in fact sharp compared to some of the larger one I have just bought at the same time.

What size knife is legal to carry?

Types of Knives You Can Typically Legally Carry Knives that are usually legal to carry almost anywhere include multi-tool devices, Swiss Army knives, and utility knives, and knives with blades that are shorter than 2.5 inches.

Are Bowie knives illegal in the UK?

Bowie knives, lock knives, flick knives etc are illegal to possess in public but can be possessed in private.

Are flick knives illegal UK?

Banned knives and weapons. It’s illegal to bring into the UK, possess, sell, hire, lend or give someone a banned knife, unless a legal exemption applies. Also known as ‘switchblades’ or ‘automatic knives’.

Can I carry a Leatherman in the UK?

These are great tools to have around the house or garden shed, but many of tools available from Leatherman have locking blades making them illegal to carry in public in the UK. Exceptions include the smaller bladed Micra, Style, Squirt and Juice ranges, plus the EDC Rebar, which doesn’t possess a locking knife blade.

Is a Buck knife legal to carry?

California State Knife Laws Citizens can carry any folding blade knife, but a fixed blade, such as a dagger or dirk, must be open-carry in a sheath at the waist. Automatic knives that exceed 2 inches in length are not permissible in any location open to the public, including in vehicles.

Can I take a knife camping in the UK?

There is no reasonable justification for carrying a combat knife while camping in the UK. The law does not permit carrying any offensive weapon, even for self-defence. It means that you won’t be able to defend yourself in a court of law if caught with a combat knife on your person.

What is the longest knife you can carry?

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  • Knife blades cannot be longer than 5.5 inches.
  • Certain types of knives, such as switchblades, spring-loaded knives, swords, spears, and daggers are also outlawed.

What are the best knives for self defense?

One of the best knives for self defense is the kerambit, a knife with an unusual blade that looks like a claw. The karambit is very efficient as a self defense tool because it is small in size and you can easily carry it in your pocket and offers a very good grip.

What knives are illegal?

Misleading knives are illegal. These include cane knives (and shobi-zues), lipstick knives, belt knives, air gauge knives, and pen knives. All undetectable knives are illegal. These include knives that won’t set off metal detectors. Dirks, daggers, and stilettos are illegal.

What is the best knife you can buy?

Our top picks: Best Overall: MAC MTH-80 Professional Series 8-inch Chef’s Knife with Dimples Best Tough Workhorses: Wüsthof Classic 8-inch Cook’s Knife and J.A. Best for a Good Sharpener: Misono UX10 Gyutou Best Lightweight: Global G-2 Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife Best Value: Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Forged Chef’s Knife

What are the best fixed blade knives?

While high carbon steel blades are known to be stronger and stay sharper longer, the Sentry Knife’s 420HC stainless steel blade is a sturdy full tang and is sharpened to a finer edge thanks to Buck’s Edge 2X technology that sharpens the blade to a more acute angle than its predecessors.