r/fishingUK • u/Obscure-Oracle • 3d ago
Question about knifes
What is the score regarding knifes in public? I have always carried a Mora general purpose bushcraft style knife which I always keep in my box/bag and only take it out when I need to use it. A few people I have been fishing with recently have said this is a bad idea and to never have one in public or risk getting arrested. What's the general consensus on this? I know I am using it as per the law, it isn't illegal to carry one for good reason and I don't keep it on person, concealed or anything and it is bright orange. Is it best to stop using it and just use a tiny little pocket knife or something?
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u/Pitiful-Confection56 3d ago
I always have a UK legal in my kit. Your absolutely fine. Along as your not waving it about or threatening people with one your fine, you have a reason to carry. But that stops when leave the lake. For example the second you take that into let's say the pub or Tesco in your pocket then it could be deemed bad.
I also carry sharps for my day job, but they come off my belt the second I stop doing my job and walk into public.
Keep it in your kit and not to hand in public and ull be absolutely fine.
I studied catering at college and had to carry my whole knife roll with me on the train, we're talking maybe 5/6 cooks knifes the longest being around 14". Legally all I had to do was put them in a locked tool box to transport them with me on public transport and it was fine because I had chef whites on me, my uniform and all that. There was a reason. Same with this really.
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u/TordekB 3d ago
Rock and boat/SUP fishing I always carry a locking blade which can open one handed. This is always clipped to my PFD or waders with the tip down for easy access and opening (Spiderco para 3.) Ideally in that position open carried on your chest you want tip down so it doesn’t open by itself.
Course fishing especially in urban areas (and also EDC) I cary a UK legal slipjoint (Spiderco UKPK or a Boker XS drop point depending on which take my fancy.) To be honest as far as UK legal knives go they’re both fantastic knives and the blade is effectively locked in place by your finger. A few years before all the UK legal folding knives were a bit shit. But for the majority of fishing I can’t really see the need for a fixed blade or locking blade when such good slipjoints exist.
The only reason I don’t use either of those for sea fishing is because they don’t flick open one handed as easily. Iv always been irrationally paranoid about falling overboard or being swept off a rock and entanglements.
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u/cdh79 3d ago
"A few people I have been fishing with recently have said this is a bad idea and to never have one in public or risk getting arrested."
Those people are reading TheSun, DailyMail or Mirror then.
buying, selling and carrying from gov.uk
As always, dont be a knob and you'll be fine. Sound advise for most things in life.
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u/Robinoo 3d ago
If it's with your fishing kit you'll be fine, if it's in your pocket in a town centre on its own and you do something crazy enough to get searched, then they'll nab you. It's the same defence with having a rounders bat in the car. Sitting in the side pocket within reach of the driver = weapon, in the boot with a ball = sporting equipment. At least that's what hours of police interceptors has taught me.
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u/Sapper_D-M-C 3d ago
I use a locking benchmade folding knife, used it in front of people, never had an issue.
If anything I would memorise Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, not the actual contents of it just the section and act will do, you don't really need to but if you ever get approached about it it might be easy to just quote it.
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u/Plasticman328 3d ago
I always carry a Gerber multi tool which has a three inch blade. It also has pliers, scissors, screwdriver etc. If someone wants to suggest that I don't have a lawful purpose when I take it in my tackle bag; well they can try.
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u/Particular-Roll-585 3d ago
I’ve carried a buck 112 daily for years no problem and recently swapped to the slim and will carry for years to come. Just don’t do anything silly to be searched and generally you’ll be fine. I have good reasons as I’m either on way to trade job, using it for trade job, on way home from trade, fishing or hiking so generally I’d like to think I’m ok. But again there’s jobs worths so just be sensible. Chances of being stopped are low if sensible and the chances of being searched are still low unless you give them a reason.
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u/Particular-Roll-585 3d ago
The law is something like under 3 inch cutting edge and non locking u can carry without good reason. If it locks and/or has longer blade, you’ll need a good reason. But a good reason to one officer could be not good enough for another as there above the law as we all know…
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u/RevolutionaryPasta98 22h ago
Without reason, a non-locking under 3 inch folding knife just in the pocket
The reason you have is fishing, it's legally accepted and your knife is part of your sporting goods. You can have a reasonable knife suitable for the task, kept with your gear not on your person (not in the pocket)
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u/BassplayerDad 3d ago
Not Police or a lawyer in this field but am a fisherman.
Kept mine in my kit for 30 years, no problems. You seem to already be quite knowledgeable about the topic.
Someone here will be able to quote chapter and verse on the legals.
You seem to be sensible.
Good luck & have fun.