Couperman Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I have just bought a knife with a folding blade for general allotment type activities such as pruning, cutting cabbages and slicing and dicing slugs and the like. Whilst I don't fit the stereotype of your average hoody-street-gangstermuffin and as such unlikely to be stopped and searched on the way to the plot I was wondering what the current stance of the law is. I did a bit of googling and the knife laws seem a bit odd to me. Can anyone shed a bit of light on the subject?, I don't want to be a criminal. The man in the fishing tackle shop where I bought it says it is legal. It seems to me the deadly slug slasher in question might be illegal as it has a locking blade and to be honest the blade is a little over 3". I am not worried in particular as I think the Azada I cart back and forth to the plot would be considered much more deadly. Ta. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 If it's a lock knife the blade doesn't have to be more than 3" long and it is a bladed article -so technically potentially illegal. there are a number of defences - religious grounds, national costume, work reasons, lawful authority or reasonable excuse - the last one would be your argument if ever you were caught by the old bill... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 The special exception which exists in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (s139) for folding knives (pocket knives) is another "common sense" measure accepting that some small knives are carried for general utility; however, even a folding pocket knife of less than 3" (76 mm) may still be considered an offensive weapon if carried or used for that purpose. It is a common belief that a folding knife must be non-locking for this provision to apply, but the wording of the Criminal Justice Act does not mention locking and the matter becomes a question as to the definition of "folding pocket knife". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Worrying! Best start carrying a bag of slugs home for the chooks Kev. Then if you are stopped, you can give a slug slashing demo as proof of intent .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 bag of slugs I hate slugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I work in the courts and can honestly say that I have never yet had someone charged in the circumstances that you mention. This bit of guidance on the CPS website may reassure you... Defence The defendant is entitled to be acquitted if he shows on the balance of probabilities that he had "lawful authority or reasonable excuse" for having the weapon (Archbold 24-119). Where details of a defence are given in interview or in a defence statement, the CPS should consider whether evidence is available to rebut the defence and should liaise with the police if additional enquiries or evidence are necessary. Having said that, it may be an idea to make sure that it is not in your car other than when you are on your way to or from fishing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Are you sure its a locking blade, if its locking it will be released by a button etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 bag of slugs I hate slugs. Me too! I could no more carry a bag of slugs than hold one in the raw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted September 14, 2008 Author Share Posted September 14, 2008 Are you sure its a locking blade, if its locking it will be released by a button etc It's definately a lock knife. It has a sprung steel catch that locks the blade in place. It also has a thumb doobri so you can open it one handed in a macho flick knife kind of way. It isn't assisted like a flick knife though. It has a 8cm blade of which 7.6cm has an anti slug capability. I think the wellies and garden tools excuse should suffice if I get lifted on my next Slugicide rampage. I will have to make sure I don't forget and take it down the pub. I was not unduly concerned as I have never been stopped and searched by a bobby in my life (well only once but I don't think she was a real bobby as she had a plastic truncheon and wasn't wearing a regular uniform, or much at all really ) I was curious more than anything. I used to carry a penknife when I was a kid for the purpose of creating wonderful sculptures from twigs and for other Ray Mears type fun stuff. These sculptures usually took on a sharp pointy spike shape so I was probably breaking the law then by carrying a knife without having a good excuse and for creating dangerous sticks with it. Thanks for the info everyone, I can carry on murdering slugs with a clear conscience now Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Enjoy your Slugicide Kev (wish I had the guts for it ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 It's a relief to know that I am unlikely to be arrested for carrying my keyring (which goes everywhere with me) and has a mini swiss army knife on it. As for slugs. I was walking down the garden yesterday and suddenly my foot was wet. On inspection, I had stood on a slug and the wetness was its squished innards all over my foot. Needless to say I had a hasty trip to the water butt to wash it off. yukyukyukyukyuk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I hate slugs too, and all this rain has brought them out in droves. Unfortunately, my girls won't touch them, so I am looking forward to having the next lot of holidaying hens to stay in the hope that they will get rid of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 ...anti slug capability.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Have you ever cut a slug in half? An unforgettable experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 A work colleague just asked if anyone had a pair of tweezers to get a splinter out. I have one in my Swiss army knife, but of course I no longer carry that around with me. (she's now digging into her finger with a safety pin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 OH had his mini Swiss army knife (in stylish boys black colour) confiscated by an airline when we were going on holiday once. The blade in that was so blunt it wouldnt have sliced a mangy cucumber in half but they took it anyway. OH also said that he has been manning these new 'knife arches' erected at tube stations and if anyone is found with a knife about their person, (regardless of their faith, reason etc) they would be arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. However, unless Couperman's allotment requires a tube ride to get to, this would not be relevant to him. As for slugs, - EWWWWW. Nasty, slimy, trail-leaving, new bulb and shoot eating creatures that need a wee sprinkle of cheap table salt sprinkled over them as soon as located. (especially the ones sporting that 'orange skirt' look, I detest those ones especially). Then listen to the fizz as they curl..... Kimmy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I have a small leatherman (under 3 inches) which I use all the time, and Mom is always worried that I will get stopped. I used to work every weekend at a Childrens Farm (used to - they are messing me around ), so I used it there; I used it when I went lambing, mainly for cutting strings on bales; I make and paint scenery and I also do a lot of backstage theatre work, which always needs a knife/pliers/screwdrivers etc. So I think thats an ok excuse, the thing is I somethimes have to catch the train to the theatre, and it's a bit risky. When we do theatre tech stuff at school I have to go and give it to the teacher, get it back to do our jobs, take it back, and then get it back at the end of the day. Couldn't get caught with a knife at school! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Have you ever cut a slug in half? An unforgettable experience. It certainly is, especially if done with teeth and the other half is still visible in your sarny I think anything can be considered an offensive weapon if brandished in an offensive, threatening manner. I don't think it needs to be a 'knife', 'gun', 'axe' kind of weapon. A startled hamster in the end of a old fishnet stocking could be considered an offensive weapon if whirled around fast enough whilst singing an Osmonds classic. This however is difficult to achieve because even if you can find a hamster that has a natural ability to withstand the g-forces in question and you can persuade him to enter the fishnet stocking, you will not find one that will sing an Osmonds song, they just don't have the teeth for it. I'm scaring myself now Getting back into the straight jacket before nurse comes back is proving difficult. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 You nutter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 You nutter! Who me? It's the champix honest It's tough typing with ones nose by the wat Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 You're a complete nutterbuck Kev, and lovely for keeping us all so amused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 You're a complete nutterbuck Kev, and lovely for keeping us all so amused! Thanks Clare, I have to stay sane somehow, I achieve this by virtue of my insanity. I hope you are back to full fitness by the way. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 You're a complete nutterbuck Kev, and lovely for keeping us all so amused! Thanks Clare, I have to stay sane somehow, I achieve this by virtue of my insanity. I hope you are back to full fitness by the way. Kev. Thanks for your concern Kev, back to fighting fit and wielding that chainsaw again Laughter is just what we need with the economy as it is and the nights drawing in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
