Ropecutter blade

[Switch]

Does anyone know if a serrated or semi-serrated blade would effect the legality of my EDC?
I'm an engineer and i carry a lock-knife in my tool kit for use at work. The blade is under 3 inches (just) and i have a legitimate reason for carrying it but i was unsure whether it would be viewed as illegal as the blade is semi-serrated.
I work on lifts and need a ropecutter of some description in case of an emergency situation where a safety harness or rope needs to be cut.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

[David Morgan]

Serated edges don't effect legallity. I'm not sure, somebody more knowlegable than me will have to confirm this, but I suspect that you needn't limit yourself to a 3" blade if you keep the knife in you tool kit and only have it on your person when you are actually on site; after all, I'm sure that a mobile caterer can transport a 9" chef's knife from job to job, and vets must carry fixed blade scalpels in their bags as they go about their business, neither of which are legal EDCs. Can Ross or Danzo confirm or deny?

[Ross]

Absolutely, no worries at all with this Switch. If you can demonstrate a work related requirement to carry a knife - so be it. Serrated or Plain Edge - doesnt matter. I would suggest - as you probably already know, that a serrated edge will cut a taut rope better than a plain edge but it has no bearing on the knives legality. You can carry longer than a 3" blade if you can demonstrate a need for it.

Just don't take it into the pub after!

[David Morgan]

Thanks for confirming that Ross. Switch, you might want to consider a seat-belt knife. If you don't know what that is, it's a slightly curved blade with a serrated edge on the inside of the curve, and a thick, blunt, rounded tip. It's used by firefighters and paramedics to cut people out of cars if their seatbelts are stuck, the idea being it can safely be slipped under the belt without risk of cutting the victim. If you are working in cramped and confined conditions it could be a safer option. I have a Victorinox Firefighter which has a secondary seatbelt blade (non-locking) in addition to a just-over-3" locking straight blade. There are also the large fixed versions actually used by firefighters.

[Chux]

In the course of one of my jobs I use a Spydie Merlin (and occasionally a Harpy) which should be particularly good for cutting rope, it certainly worked well on baling straps. Not really sheeple friendly though :(

[Switch]

Thanks for the replies people.
You've basically confirmed what i already thought but I wanted the opinions of a few like-minded and better educated people before i continued to use my knife at work.

Like most people on this site I want to be able to collect and use knives without breaking the law.