I have been stopped a couple of times outbound at Dover, called into the security check area and asked about knives. I lied. I camp on my bike trips and a knife is essential, as is my excellent Leatherman Wave. I noted that the security guys ignored all the campervans and caravans passing by, all of which having kitchens with drawers full of knives... Never had a problem using the Chunnel however, or returning from France.
I get asked lots at dover, portsmouth and harwich when on motorbike and cycles. I just say I have a leatherman multitool. Always been OK - I never call it a knife.
I've modified my Leatherman with stainless shims under the locking tabs so that they no longer engage with the blade slots; the blades no longer lock (and it would be easy enough to un-modify if needed). Multitool still works tolerably well.
The reason my multitool was confiscated on the way out of the UK was that the blade locked which is the problem even if the the blade is short (less than 3 inches). The multitool was part of a Motohansa compact tool kit, sold in the UK by a number of suppliers, for example. I replaced it with a cheap multitool which has short blade which doesn't lock.
I appreciate that overall they have our safety at heart, but do you think we are quite close to borderline OTT now? I just had a Google on "knitting needles" through customs, and apparently passing through is not guaranteed anymore. (I'm not a closet jumper knitter by the way)
Let’s be realistic, how many decent people have you ever heard of being stopped and searched and then charged with possession of a smallish pocket knife, just over the legal limit/ with a locking mechanism? I am willing to bet the answer is zero for 99.999% of the population if not 100%.
Outside of controlled border crossings, no one will get any grief for having a knife in a tool roll under the bike seat. This is not the same as carrying a concealed weapon on your person. If it were, you would be pulled for screwdrivers and the like. For those concerned about the border crossing gauntlet, leave your nice knives at home. Buy some cheap shite on the other side and throw it away as you go home. I've got a 16 quid gerber in my tool roll which covers all my needs and is cheap as chips to replace if it ever needs to be dumped.
Exactly what I'm planning now. The Benchmade will be resigned to touring inside Scandinavia / perhaps the continent, but not when planning on crossing Jobsworth Shengen borders.
My bemusement at the situation is with confiscation at the point of departure, especially when going on a ferry that will have knives readily available in the various eateries on board. If you’re travelling to Spain, or France, where there has always been a much more adult attitude to knife ownership, use and sales, why is such enforcement thought to be necessary, especially when the same zeal isn’t evident on return to UK? Is it simply that an easy way to boost ‘taking knives off the streets’ figures is being mined energetically, rather than actually doing something more productive about knife crime?
Probably right, it looks good to have al these knives "off the streets" and a bin full of evidence to prove it. Unless they think Motorcyclists are a more dangerous group and more likely to cause trouble and therefore should be "targeted" in some way. Anyway new knife arrived and all legal now. Only problem - reluctant to get it all dirty and scratched by actually using it
This thread has worried me that I'm going to get caught with the knife I mentioned earlier in the thread. But for my use a stronger, thicker blade is far more suitable than the relatively narrow, thin blades in traditional penknives or multitools. All the research I've done says these are legal: https://www.gerber-store.co.uk/gerb...MI5qW44JeqjQMVVZ1QBh23ZyIfEAQYASABEgJR2PD_BwE They are advertised as EDC in the UK by several places so I've ordered one. Mind you I do really like the idea of a Leatherman Dune so might order one of those too .
I followed that link. I also think to have a blade only knife, but I don't think I will need such a chunky blade as that Gerber - just something to handle some foodstuffs - peel oranges, cut some cheese. So got this basic knife today, which should handle the food and keep the multitool free from messy food items. All set
Looks like mine. I’ve had one like it since I was a young boy. My Grandad gave me my first one. I eventually snapped the blade after about 40 years of use. Quality kit.
Wow, that is a lot of history in one pocket knife. I hope the current ones are as well made as your old one. I don't see why not really. This thread has been very educational. I thought we were just not allowed to carry any kind of knife anymore - including little pen knives. Great that there is still some sense in the world and we can carry these things without fear of going to prison ! There is someone on You Tube who buys old second hand Swiss Army knives and cleans them up and restores them. They turn out fine after a little bit of care. Like you said, beneath it all they are a quality item They are great, sure to end up with a few more of them !
As a young boy (in the 70's) I used to get swiss army knives all the time as xmas pressies from uncles and friends of the family, as I got older that turned to pen sets...?!? I wish I still had some of those knives. I remember one that had a gazillion tools including a magnifying glass and a bastard saw!! Totally amazing for a wee lad!!
I bet you were pleased with them - great present for a boy - a treasure. I know what you mean about that saw blade - on my travels, in my late teens and early twenties, that came in very useful.
