Hi folks, Bit of a weird question perhaps, but I'm planning a long tour later this summer. From southern Norway up to Nordkapp, then south and round through the continent to the chunnel and then on up to Scotland. Planning a mix of camping, airbnb, hotels etc etc as we feel fit for so will have a rake of camping gear, and so on to the question: As knife regs in Blightly have become so strict, does anyone know / have experience of liklihood of confiscation of camping knives at the border crossing?? I have heard rumours of such... I have a pretty good Benchmade, which I do not want to risk losing so contemplating a cheapo for this trip and then getting another if confiscated. Wondering how border patrol might treat this / bikers different to camper van / caravan folks??
I've confessed to having a Leatherman tool in my luggage before when questioned on the subject boarding the ferry. Short but very sharp blade. Was told to leave it I my luggage on the car deck. Never been asked on the chunnel though. No longer take my Opinel knife for fear of loosing it to the border force.
On 2 separate occasions, I have been stopped by the UK Customs on the way out of the UK by ferry and have been asked if I was carrying a blade. Like Bumpkin, I carry a Leatherman, https://uk.leatherman.com/collections/multi-tools/products/skeletool, but I “forgot” in the moment and was fortunate when they didn’t look too deeply into my tool kit. I have definitely seen 1 rider (not in our party) have a blade confiscated but it looked more like a hunting blade. Not seen a Benchmade before but the one in your link is classified as a lock knife in the UK (because it operated with a release button) which is illegal to carry in public without a good reason. IMO, you’d be safer with a Leatherman. Andy
Good question, but the law is open to interpretation I believe. 'Good reason' can be part of a toolkit no? (I always have a knife on me when travelling, but never declare. Only once had it taken off me...at Denver airport security outbound) I agree with Andy, an official would be having a bad day if they were to take a leatherman tool off you...especially if it was with other tools.
The blades on most Leatherman models lock into place therefore are subject to exactly the same UK legislation as the Benchmade........ The Bond is the only Leatherman model I can recall without a blade lock and is an UK EDC model
Ask these lads for some tips on moving about with bladed articles. https://youtube.com/shorts/AJbl2fpzerQ?si=a0Ww3ew8h0t86z0k
Curiosity peaked An AI response states my Skeletool, whilst legal to buy in the UK, is illegal to carry in a public place without justification. Every day is a school day. Andy
I thought it was fairly clear what can and cannot be carried or brought into the UK. I have a lot of knives and are very careful about what I take out of the house, including multi-tools. Highest level, you can carry a non-locking blade < 3" long as long as you have a reason for doing so. Anything locking? That's a no-no. https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
You need to buy a cheap, less than three inch non locking pen knife. That's if you have to carry a knife. Searches regularly take place at English ferry ports and it always seems that motorcyclists are the target audience. Welcome to England, land of the free'ish. Upt.
Much will depend on the eagerness of Customs & Borders officials. https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives The blade has to have a <3” cutting edge. I was on a trip to Spain, boarding the Plymouth/Santander ferry and Customs were asking all riders if they had any camping knives, or multi tools with blades, they then had a field day confiscating almost everything the overly honest travellers produced. (There were no rumours that Brittany Ferries had switched to exclusively finger food as obviously there were no knives on board in the canteens and restaurants!) A great job was therefore done keeping us all safe as we left Blighty! I’d have understood if this happened on our way back into UK, but on the way out??
End of March 2025 I went through UK customs on my bike. Asked about knives, I revealed a Leatherman that I had in my bike luggage. Senior customs guy called over to have a look. It has a locking blade among its tools. Senior customs guy checked all this, I said it is part of my bike tools, which it is. Screw drivers, pliers, mechanical orientated stuff. Senior customs guy was fine with it. We confirmed it would stay in the bike luggage on the car deck and not be hand luggage onboard. That was it.
Bushcraft or fishing can be considered a legitimate reason to have a knife in excess of 3” in the UK. Avoid lock knives of any type. The way you carry it would also go to support the intended use. For example, in a tool wrap together with hand axe, saw, Paracord etc.
I have a very nice Swiss army lock knife, four inch (I think) blade. It’s really useful but just stays in my tool chest now. I have a Swiss Army knife with folding 3 inch blade that lives in my pocket. Indispensable item. But I loath the levels of knife crime and would not complain if they banned me carrying this if it helps keep kids safe.
@steveb123 had his Leatherman confiscated on the Brittany ferry when he owned up to it. I don’t ever mention it and bury it in with my tool kit inside a roll bag or pannier.
Usually have an Opinel or Swiss army knife in the car. Tbh, its the rope, duct tape, shovel and tarpaulin that draws interest…
There is merit in your post EJ It likely wouldn't though make a blind bit of difference, the folk that are a little stabby won't be stopped just because there is a knife ban.
Only a shallow grave though with a shovel you really should be carrying a spade for digging a proper hole, the deeper the better.
Stop thinking/allowing the illegal rules of british fascist government to diswade you from your right too a bladed item for a purpose you have for it. If I was going camping in a car into europe I'd carry a 11" bread knife for sure!
