are there any limits as to how many knive you may carry

[old-git]

i was thinking about the fact that i always have a small keyring SAK on my keys at all times , but then sometimes i may also have a normal size SAK in my pocket , just a thought , so are there any limits on amount,,, just one two ,,,,,six ,just kidding but you see what i mean

[WhiteWolf]

Yup

When your belt will no longer hold your trousers up

Andy

[david1]

i was thinking about the fact that i always have a small keyring SAK on my keys at all times , but then sometimes i may also have a normal size SAK in my pocket , just a thought , so are there any limits on amount,,, just one two ,,,,,six ,just kidding but you see what i mean

I almost always carry two one a lock knike and a normal folder. so I think I am in the wrong to start with. :-)

David

[Yog]

Yup

When your belt will no longer hold your trousers up

That's what braces are for

I've often wondered how multiple carry would be recieved, if asked to display my contents.

[Danzo]

This is something which was discussed around the time of the UKPK development, when many people, myself included, said they regularly carried an SAK and a 'better' folder, to which in general read a more tactical, single blade folder.

Put yourself in the position of a police officer doing the search. OK, there's a penknife, well that's OK for penknifey things. Then, oh look, another knife! And another! And here, in the sock, another!



I think that it wouldn't be unreasonable for an officer to draw an adverse conclusion from the multiple knives, especially if you can't point to work or any other good reason for carrying them.

I think best advice is to ask yourself if there is any real likelihood of you being searched. If so restrict any knives to a single legal folder, and at the very most an additional SAK Classic or very small multitool on your keys.

Danzo

[old-git]

yes ,,,,i dont think i will be carrying any in my socks
but i know what you mean , as for the likleyhood of being searched i would say was near zero , i was just interested as to the law point of veiw on this .
and yes i have a classic on my keyring and sometimes a normal SAK in my pocket ..just wanted to know if there were any hard and fast rules on this subject ,
but thanks anyway

[Chux]

That's what braces are for

I've often wondered how multiple carry would be recieved, if asked to display my contents.

um, contents? Where exactly are you keeping them?

[kniv-per]

a knife per pocket...
so, if you have the right cloches with enough pockets, I guess
round 30 EDC would be a good numner ........
kniv-per

[Tantalus]

I think that it wouldn't be unreasonable for an officer to draw an adverse conclusion from the multiple knives, especially if you can't point to work or any other good reason for carrying them.

Sorry Danzo but whatever the policeman thinks, if they are legal knives and you are not breaking any law ..........

Sure it might raise a few eyebrows as to why you feel the need to carry 17 different knives, but as the law doesnt specify how many , I am not sure the police would be able (or allowed) to charge you for anything.

Tant

[Ross]

I disagree Tant, if you were carrying 17 knives, by definition they would not all be in your pocket - they may be tucked in socks, up sleeves etc etc and in that case, you're reasons for carry would need to be carefully explored. This would involve questionning under caution at the very least, and arrest (or detention up here) at the most.

1 can be easily explained, multiple cannot.

[Danzo]

Sorry Danzo but whatever the policeman thinks, if they are legal knives and you are not breaking any law ..........

Sure it might raise a few eyebrows as to why you feel the need to carry 17 different knives, but as the law doesnt specify how many , I am not sure the police would be able (or allowed) to charge you for anything.

Tant

Tant, don't forget that ANYTHING can be construed by a police officer as an offensive weapon however innocuous and normally legal, if the arresting officer believes it is being carried as a weapon. This is quite separate from any laws regulating knives.

Now one legal knife is normally fine, unless it's in a venue like a nightclub or football ground. Maybe two will be fine, particularly if the second is a little one on your keyring, or maybe a multitool. However carrying several knives, even if the knives are individually legal, is a very different proposition.

From the point of view of the arresting officer the question to be asked is:

"Why is this person carrying several knives? Although each knife is ostensibly a legal folder, they have not given me any good reason or explained they need it for work. Indeed, I carry a penknife and multitool when I am at work and I don't require anything more. Therefore I conclude that at least some of these knives are being carried as a possible weapon. I shall arrest the person to pursue this further."



So down you go to the station. The CPS may not take the case further, but the arrest is certainly going to mess up your day, and it's likely the knives could be confiscated until a decision is made.


Danzo

[Ratel10mm]

I've been thinking about this myself recently, especially in light of Guy's experience.
I've taken to EDC'ing my Gerber Legend again as nkp's in the office kept asking to borrow it. However, some NKP's look positively terrified when you take out the (half serrated) blade. So I also carry my Kniessler folder for cutting jobs. Then sometimes I'll have another sharp on me, maybe a passaround, something I've just recieved from the 'net. Now, I don't think I look like a scrote, and I'm not a big drinker, so don't frequent pubs much. And I'm getting too old for nightclubs.
Basically, I've never yet been stopped, and don't expect to be unless as part of one of these metal detector search thingies that seem to be going in everywhere at the moment.
While I do worry about the reaction should I ever be stopped, I just hope & trust that the stopper will understand & agree with my reasoning for having at least my 2 EDC's.
Now, where's that 'fingers crossed' smiley?

[Tantalus]

I do realise it is an odd situation , and did say it might raise a few eyebrows, but I still maintain if a person wishes to carry legal items they should be allowed to do so.

The idea of being questioned under caution for carrying a legal item or items is really making me think perhaps this country is being run by the police not the people. A very worrying thought indeed.

Tant

[Danzo]

I do realise it is an odd situation , and did say it might raise a few eyebrows, but I still maintain if a person wishes to carry legal items they should be allowed to do so.

Of course they should, but there is a necessary balance to be maintained. A crowbar, screwdriver, torch and shoulder bag are all ostensibly legal items. Would you be that keen on them being carried by a known crackhead outside your house at midnight when you are out for the night?

I think I'd prefer them to be able to be construed by the arresting officer as items carried for burglary. It's no difference with multiple legal knives.

Danzo

[stevec]

ahh how many to carry, i have a SAK, normal size and also on my belt a gerber multiplier. i work in a factory based plastic product development job, so i have good reason to have them. as it happens the multi-tool gets used as pliers more than anything.
but, had a discussion with a guy down the pub, he got pulled by the police, excuse me sir, do you have any weapons/sharp items on you?
mate answers, stanly knife in this pocket, stanley knife in this pocket, two stanley knives in the van, a set of chisels, a crow bar, saw, screwdrivers etc.
policeman looks distressed, mate continues, but then i am a builder so what do you expect? must point out that it has his company name and business interests in 10inch high letters on the sides of his van.

to change an oscar wilde quote, to have one knife would seem fine, two would be questionable, three, come with me to the station!!

best regards
steve