It is sometimes very difficult to get a clear and accurate picture of exactly what is and what is not legal regarding knives and their use. Presented here is a guide to the most commonly asked questions complete with references to the relevant legislation.


Q: Do you have to be over 16 to buy a knife?
Since 2006 (violent Crime Reduction Act 2006) the legal age has been raised to 18. It is not just knives that are covered by this age restriction but also axes and any other article which have a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person. There are exemptions for certain bladed items as detailed below.

Exemptions to this age restriction are:
- a folding pocket-knife if the cutting edge of its blade does not exceed 7.62 centimetres (3”).
- razor blades permanently enclosed in a cartridge or housing where less than 2 millimetres of any blade is exposed beyond the plane which intersects the highest point of the surfaces preceding and following such blades.

It is worth noting that although it is not unlawful to sell someone under 18 a non-locking folding knife with a blade of 3” or less, or razor blades as described above, many retail outlets may still refuse to sell these items to under 18’s as part of their own company policy. Although it is lawful to purchase these items if under 18, retailers are not obligated to sell them.


Q: Do I need a licence to buy or own knives or swords?
No. There is no licensing regime in the UK and no need to register ownership of any bladed item.

Q: Are lock knives legal to buy?
Locking knives are perfectly legal buy, sell, import or give as a present. It is totally within the law to own and use a lock knife on private property so long as you have the property owners permission to do so. If you wish to carry or use a lock knife while in a public place then you have to have ‘just cause’ or a reasonable reason to do so.

If you were to have a lock knife on you in a public place without ‘Lawful authority’ or a valid reason this would be an offence. It should be noted that your car is not deemed private property.


Q: Can I carry a lock knife in a public place if I have a good reason?
Yes. Although there are no definitive lists detailing ‘acceptable reasons’ or circumstances where it is permissible to carry or use a lock knife or any other knife in a public place, there is guidance and certain circumstances detailed in section 139 (subsections 4&5) of The Criminal justice Act 1988. These are:


(4) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place.
(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) above, it shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had the article with him—
for use at work;
for religious reasons; or
as part of any national costume.


Q: What is the definition of a lock knife?
A lock knife is a folding knife which has a mechanism or device which locks the blade into position when opened and the blade cannot be closed without that mechanism being released.


Q; Is it legal for my child’s teacher to search them at school?
Yes. School staff in England have the power to search any pupil they suspect of carrying a knife or any other weapon without consent. Schools can also screen pupils at random, without suspicion, using a screening arch or an electronic 'wand'. Schools are not required by the law to inform a parent or seek their permission before performing a search. If a pupil refuses to be searched or screened, the school can refuse to have the pupil on the premises. If this happens, it is seen as an ‘unauthorised absence’.

Q: Are combat knives illegal to buy or own?

No. The Knives act 1997 made it illegal to advertise or market a particular knife as suitable for combat use, but it is not illegal to own or buy one.


Q: Are fixed blade knives or ‘Sheath Knives’ illegal to buy or own?
No. The only knives that are illegal to own or buy are detailed on the Offensive Weapons Order (see below)


Q: I’ve seen flick knives for sale on a US web site. Can I buy one if they are legal to sell there?
No. It is an offence to import any type of knife prohibited within the UK (see ‘Offensive Weapons Order below) Upon import the knife would be seized by HMRC (Customs) and you will receive a notification of seizure letter. You may also be liable for prosecution.


- Offensive Weapons Order:

It is an offence in Great Britain to sell, offer for sale, or to import any of the following, which are listed on the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 as amended -

(a)

a knuckleduster, that is, a band of metal or other hard material worn on one or more fingers, and designed to cause injury, and any weapon incorporating a knuckleduster;

(b)

a swordstick, that is, a hollow walking-stick or cane containing a blade which may be used as a sword;

(c)

the weapon sometimes known as a "handclaw" , being a band of metal or other hard material from which a number of sharp spikes protrude, and worn around the hand;

(d)

the weapon sometimes known as a "belt buckle knife" , being a buckle which incorporates or conceals a knife;

(e)

the weapon sometimes known as a "push dagger" , being a knife the handle of which fits within a clenched fist and the blade of which protrudes from between two fingers;

(f)

the weapon sometimes known as a "hollow kubotan" , being a cylindrical container containing a number of sharp spikes;

(g)

the weapon sometimes known as a "footclaw" , being a bar of metal or other hard material from which a number of sharp spikes protrude, and worn strapped to the foot;

(h)

the weapon sometimes known as a "shuriken" , "shaken" or "death star" , being a hard non-flexible plate having three or more sharp radiating points and designed to be thrown;

(i)

the weapon sometimes known as a "balisong" or "butterfly knife" , being a blade enclosed by its handle, which is designed to split down the middle, without the operation of a spring or other mechanical means, to reveal the blade;

(j)

the weapon sometimes known as a "telescopic truncheon" , being a truncheon which extends automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to its handle;

(k)

the weapon sometimes known as a "blowpipe" or "blow gun" , being a hollow tube out of which hard pellets or darts are shot by the use of breath;

(l)

the weapon sometimes known as a "kusari gama" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a sickle;

(m)

the weapon sometimes known as a "kyoketsu shoge" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a hooked knife;

(n)

the weapon sometimes known as a "manrikigusari" or "kusari" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at each end to a hard weight or hand grip;

(o)

a disguised knife,that is any knife which has a concealed blade or concealed sharp point and is designed to appear to be an everyday object of a kind commonly carried on the person or in a handbag, briefcase, or other handluggage (such as a comb, brush, writing instrument, cigarette lighter, key, lipstick or telephone).

(p)

a stealth knife, that is a knife or spike, which has a blade, or sharp point, made from a material that is not readily detectable by apparatus used for detecting metal and which is not designed for domestic use or for use in the processing, preparation or consumption of food or as a toy;

(q)

a straight, side-handled or friction-lock truncheon (sometimes known as a baton).


(SI 1988/2019 amended by SI 2002/1668 and SI 2004/1271)

Q: Can I legally have a fixed blade or ‘sheath’ knife with me in a public place if I have a good reason?

Yes. As with lock knives, if you have a legitimate need to have a fixed blade knife on you then it is legal to carry / use in a public place. See the above question ‘So I can carry a lock knife in a public place if I have a good reason?’

Q: Are there any other good reasons?
Yes. What constitutes a good reason is determined by common sense and judgment as well as the police and the courts. As mentioned above, there is no definitive list or acceptable reasons defined in law. If you think you have a good reason but the questioning officer disagrees, you may be liable for arrest and the matter referred to the courts.


Q: Is carrying a knife for self defence a good reason?
No. Never in any circumstances should a knife be carried for self defence - this is illegal.

Q: Do you need a valid reason to carry any kind of knife in a public place?

As detailed under , a less is legal to carry without the need for any good reason or lawful authority. It needs to be noted that although pocket knives of this type are exempt from the need for lawful authority to carry, you can still be charged with possession of an offensive weapon if it is used as such.

Q: Can a practicing Sikh carry a traditional ‘kirpan’ knife in a public place?

Yes. Religious reasons are defined as a defence under


Q: Can a Scotsman carry a Skein Dubh knife in his sock as part of a Traditional Highland dress?

Yes. Again, National Dress is also defined as a defence under


Q: Is it illegal to buy or own a sword?

No. Swords are legal to own. As with knives, their possession in a public place needs to be justified with a valid reason. There have been recent restrictions on the sale of some type of swords imposed, further details of this can be see here. Purchase of a restricted sword by someone not eligible to do so under the stated exemptions would be an offence.



Links to relevant legislation.

Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959

Criminal Justice Act 1988

Offensive Weapons Act 1996

Knives Act 1997

Violent Crime Reduction Act (Pdf)



This guide is subject to our Term of use.

Further thought on Knives and the Law.

When dealing with knives and the law it should be remembered that the most important factors are common sense and circumstance.

It is legal to carry a non-locking knife with a cutting edge of less than 3” and such blades are commonly found on keyrings, multi-tools and a myriad other everyday items - but if you decide to whittle a piece of wood with your knife while sat on the bus or clean your nails with a knife while sat on a park bench then you will very likely invite some attention from the Police.

Although a knife is an everyday tool, it must be remembered that thought must be given to the circumstances, the people around you and job that needs doing. Always be courteous to those around you and remember that, although you carry your knife as a tool, others may have different perceptions and we should be respectful (but not apologetic) of that.

It is also worth bearing in mind that places often perceived as public places such as bus or train stations are in fact private property and further restrictions or policies relating to knives may apply.

Mike Lee
2008

UK Law - FAQ