Hidden knife fine - Portugal - likely outcome?
Discussion
I'm off later in the year to Madeira on holiday so will need to watch for this - I usually carry a swiss army knife in my hold baggage so assume I am fine with this again.
I could understand these sort of wallet tools being problem in hand luggage, but to be illegal in general seems bizarre.
Especially as I seem to recall passing a shop in Funchal, Madeira last year which had all manner of nasty looking bladed stuff.
I could understand these sort of wallet tools being problem in hand luggage, but to be illegal in general seems bizarre.
Especially as I seem to recall passing a shop in Funchal, Madeira last year which had all manner of nasty looking bladed stuff.
Maybe it was the act of "hiding" it in my wallet made it a crime? I tried to explain that it wasn't hidden, or disguised, that it was exactly what it appeared to be, but they just insisted is was a hidden weapon. I didnt want to argue myself in to any more trouble so I just rolled over and signed what they wanted me to sign. One summons type document, one personal information, and one confiscation.
The more I think about it the more annoyed I am I didn't push it a bit, but then I'd have missed my flight etc. Pissed off if I've now got a criminal record.
The more I think about it the more annoyed I am I didn't push it a bit, but then I'd have missed my flight etc. Pissed off if I've now got a criminal record.
spookly said:
La Liga said:
'Prohibited weapon' is a phrase used in firearms legislation.
'Offensive weapon' / 'bladed or pointed article' are the ones used for this type of thing.
The 'bladed article' legalisation is very wide and the above tools fit within it: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offensive_weapo...
A folding pocket knife with a cutting edge of 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less is legal.
'Legal' probably isn't the best description as whether it is legal to have a particular blade in your possession is entirely dependant on circumstances.'Offensive weapon' / 'bladed or pointed article' are the ones used for this type of thing.
The 'bladed article' legalisation is very wide and the above tools fit within it: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offensive_weapo...
A folding pocket knife with a cutting edge of 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less is legal.
There are a range of completely banned knives, which cannot be sold or carried. Those could probably described as illegal.
But any other knife could be legal depending on you having a good excuse for having it with you.
Any folding blade which is non-locking and 3inches or less can be freely carried with no restrictions..... although I suspect you could still fall foul of the law with one of these if you had previous form with getting stabby/slashy with someone. A teenager from around these parts was sent down for a while after being caught carrying a 3 inch pen knife, he had previous for stabbing someone and no good excuse for carrying it.
I am talking about a starting point for which that tool fits within and that carrying it in your wallet just because you want to presents some risk of prosecution to the individual.
La Liga said:
f course, and all the defences are contained in the CPS site I linked.
I am talking about a starting point for which that tool fits within and that carrying it in your wallet just because you want to presents some risk of prosecution to the individual.
I agree completely :-)I am talking about a starting point for which that tool fits within and that carrying it in your wallet just because you want to presents some risk of prosecution to the individual.
I wouldn't habitually carry any blade on my person as any unforeseen altercation caused by a third party, not that that ever happens to me, could mean you come under scrutiny for carrying something if the police patted you down. And why would you need to? I keep a small tool box in my car, locked in the boot that is always accessible if I need a blade. A blade as small as a carpet/box cutter can be considered a weapon depending on circumstance.
I had a friend who lived on a smallholding and was always carrying around a fairly large fixed blade. He accidentally took it to NI, got stopped coming back through security on the way into the UK.... they let him go after an hour or two of questions in a small room with no windows.
La Liga said:
'Prohibited weapon' is a phrase used in firearms legislation.
'Offensive weapon' / 'bladed or pointed article' are the ones used for this type of thing.
The 'bladed article' legalisation is very wide and the above tools fit within it: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offensive_weapo...
A folding pocket knife with a cutting edge of 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less is legal.
If I understand that correctly, then ANY blade is potentially prohibited, no minimum size except for a folding knife? That's a broad scope! 'Offensive weapon' / 'bladed or pointed article' are the ones used for this type of thing.
The 'bladed article' legalisation is very wide and the above tools fit within it: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offensive_weapo...
A folding pocket knife with a cutting edge of 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less is legal.
OpulentBob said:
La Liga said:
'Prohibited weapon' is a phrase used in firearms legislation.
'Offensive weapon' / 'bladed or pointed article' are the ones used for this type of thing.
The 'bladed article' legalisation is very wide and the above tools fit within it: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offensive_weapo...
A folding pocket knife with a cutting edge of 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less is legal.
If I understand that correctly, then ANY blade is potentially prohibited, no minimum size except for a folding knife? That's a broad scope! 'Offensive weapon' / 'bladed or pointed article' are the ones used for this type of thing.
The 'bladed article' legalisation is very wide and the above tools fit within it: http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offensive_weapo...
A folding pocket knife with a cutting edge of 7.62 cm (3 inches) or less is legal.
I just don't understand why anyone wants to carry a knife all the time.
I can't think of the last time I needed a knife for a problem in everyday life that was not at home (car, DIY etc).
Is it so difficult, unless you need it for your actual job, to just not take any bladed/stabby things around with you?
I can't think of the last time I needed a knife for a problem in everyday life that was not at home (car, DIY etc).
Is it so difficult, unless you need it for your actual job, to just not take any bladed/stabby things around with you?
Agreed, although as explained earlier this is hardly a knife. It is a square piece of metal with a sharpened (or better described as chamfered) edge along a portion of one side. The "blade" I was stopped with is designed in such a way that it is practically impossible to cause harm with it. It's not stabby or slashy in any way.
ETA also depends what you do for a job. An IT accounts manager (for example) won't have need for one.
ETA also depends what you do for a job. An IT accounts manager (for example) won't have need for one.
spookly said:
I just don't understand why anyone wants to carry a knife all the time.
I can't think of the last time I needed a knife for a problem in everyday life that was not at home (car, DIY etc).
Is it so difficult, unless you need it for your actual job, to just not take any bladed/stabby things around with you?
No reason I can think of in an urban environment, however us rural types couldn't really manage without, personally I tend to have a leatherman on my belt throughout my waking hours. I normally leave it in the car if I go into town and have been stopped by BiB who saw the holder on me, fortunately empty.I can't think of the last time I needed a knife for a problem in everyday life that was not at home (car, DIY etc).
Is it so difficult, unless you need it for your actual job, to just not take any bladed/stabby things around with you?
Jim1556 said:
wack said:
Tell them we're not in the EU any more so they can f
k off
Stupidest thing I've seen today, since reading some idiotically racist comments on facebook like 'Send them back!' k off 
! Did the irony of his post get lost on little old you? 
stitched said:
spookly said:
I just don't understand why anyone wants to carry a knife all the time.
I can't think of the last time I needed a knife for a problem in everyday life that was not at home (car, DIY etc).
Is it so difficult, unless you need it for your actual job, to just not take any bladed/stabby things around with you?
No reason I can think of in an urban environment, however us rural types couldn't really manage without, personally I tend to have a leatherman on my belt throughout my waking hours. I normally leave it in the car if I go into town and have been stopped by BiB who saw the holder on me, fortunately empty.I can't think of the last time I needed a knife for a problem in everyday life that was not at home (car, DIY etc).
Is it so difficult, unless you need it for your actual job, to just not take any bladed/stabby things around with you?
Not remotely a 'prepper' but use the screwdrivers all the time, the nail file semi-frequently and the actual knife blade often enough that it's worth having (albeit the least-used blade on the tool).
I also have a Leatherman for work/sailing that gets a lot of use.
I have no idea why anyone would have a problem with it. It's not an 'offensive' weapon, it's legal by UK standards and in all honesty, if you tried to stab somebody with it, would probably fold on your knuckles.
I even had it in my pocket of my suit when I went for Jury duty the other week. It set of the metal detectors and the Police Officer very politely explained that whilst absolutely legal, it wasn't allowed in the court room. He bagged it up, put my name on it and gave me a tag to collect it with later.
I know I can't take it as hand luggage though I believe the restriction is ludicrous and aside form airports have never had an issue with it. Why would anyone care??
They make it up as they go along half the time at airports.
I travel by plane for work with tools. Previously, due to the daft weight limits regarding hold/cabin baggage I have put some tools in my cabin bag. I made sure there was nothing that could be a genuine problem (eg sharp). So I had Allen keys, spanners, pliers etc in there. At security the old bag grabs the tool roll and says "No tools". As it would have cost me in excess of £300 to replace them I ended up having to go back to the check-in to take them as hold baggage. Totally ridiculous.
In Dubai I had a programming cable in my cabin bag with my laptop. "No cables" this time and it is confiscated. That cost me £50. Luckily I had not taken all my programming cables as they would have been £3000+ to replace (obviously I wouldn't have taken the flight if that had been the case).
The prohibited items boards on display at the airport bus-stops etc in the UK indicate that a 6cm or less blade is OK but I've had my far smaller Victorinox keyring pen-knife confiscated so that is inconsistent too.
Basically, they make it up as they go along and there is nothing you can do about it.
I travel by plane for work with tools. Previously, due to the daft weight limits regarding hold/cabin baggage I have put some tools in my cabin bag. I made sure there was nothing that could be a genuine problem (eg sharp). So I had Allen keys, spanners, pliers etc in there. At security the old bag grabs the tool roll and says "No tools". As it would have cost me in excess of £300 to replace them I ended up having to go back to the check-in to take them as hold baggage. Totally ridiculous.
In Dubai I had a programming cable in my cabin bag with my laptop. "No cables" this time and it is confiscated. That cost me £50. Luckily I had not taken all my programming cables as they would have been £3000+ to replace (obviously I wouldn't have taken the flight if that had been the case).
The prohibited items boards on display at the airport bus-stops etc in the UK indicate that a 6cm or less blade is OK but I've had my far smaller Victorinox keyring pen-knife confiscated so that is inconsistent too.
Basically, they make it up as they go along and there is nothing you can do about it.
I've had a 10mm combi spanner ... confiscated
A Swiss army knife (about 12 tools inc 2 knives) confiscated
But a lockable Stanley knife (used for work, left in side knee pocket of work trousers)
You can take it next time in your hold luggage please sir.
Sorry op no idea what fate awaits you.
A Swiss army knife (about 12 tools inc 2 knives) confiscated
But a lockable Stanley knife (used for work, left in side knee pocket of work trousers)
You can take it next time in your hold luggage please sir.
Sorry op no idea what fate awaits you.
John Rambo is arrested by Sheriff Will Teasle for vagrancy and is patted down...
Rambo's knife is based on the design of Vietnam-era Survival knives that were carried by pilots. The idea was that if your plane went down, you had a small survival kit in the handle. It would include fishing lures, needles, thread, matches, and a small surgical knife. In fact, John Rambo uses his fishing wire and hook to sew up a deep gash in his arm in the film First Blood.
Rambo's knife is based on the design of Vietnam-era Survival knives that were carried by pilots. The idea was that if your plane went down, you had a small survival kit in the handle. It would include fishing lures, needles, thread, matches, and a small surgical knife. In fact, John Rambo uses his fishing wire and hook to sew up a deep gash in his arm in the film First Blood.
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