Overview of Knife Laws UK

Knife laws in the UK are strict and are designed to protect the public. It is illegal to carry most knives in public without good reason. The law covers folding knives, lock knives, pocket knives, and more.

Key Legal Points:

• It is illegal to carry a knife in public without a valid reason unless it has a folding blade of 3 inches (7.62 cm) or less.
• Lock knives are not considered folding knives and are illegal to carry in public.
• Certain knives like butterfly knives, flick knives, and zombie knives are completely banned.
• You must be 18 or older to buy a knife.

Legal Knife Length in UK

The maximum legal length of a folding blade you can carry without a reason is 3 inches (7.62 cm).

Popular Knife Types & the Law

• Pocket Knife UK Law: Legal if folding blade is ≤ 3 inches.
• Lock Knife UK Law: Illegal to carry in public without a valid reason.
• Swiss Army Knife UK Law: Legal if it meets folding blade criteria.
• Butterfly Knife UK Law: Banned in UK (offensive weapon).
• Balisong Knife UK Law: Banned.
• Flick Knife Law UK: Banned.
• EDC Knife UK Law: Legal if folding and blade ≤ 3 inches.
• Fixed Blade Knife Law UK: Needs a valid reason (e.g., camping, work).
• Kirpan Knife UK Law: Legal when carried for religious reasons (e.g., Sikhs).

FAQs on UK Knife Law

References & Official Sources

• UK Gov – Buying and Carrying Knives
• Criminal Justice Act 1988, Section 139
• Offensive Weapons Act 2019