Importing a knife

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the_lone_wolf

Original Poster:

2,622 posts

185 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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Hi all

Bit of an unusual question but one I think I already know the answer to...

My partner is Croatian, and her father always finds us something unusual from the markets when we come to visit, this time he's found a pair of knives that I'd love to accept as a gift and bring back to the UK but I suspect we can't

They are butterfly knives, brass handles with blades roughly four inches long, they're obviously ceremonial/antique rather than a modern design, and the word "Pakistan" is imprinted on the blades. They are stiff to open, nothing like the free swinging ones you see in the movies, and the locking clip that keeps them shut is used to lock the handles in place when the blade is exposed

Now, I will admit that I'm pretty ignorant of knife law in the UK, but from what I can gather it's not illegal to own a knife such as this in your own home but it is an offence to sell, buy or import one

We're in Croatia now, and will be returning by car. While I understand the chances of getting searched are minimal at best, I'm not into risking it if, as I suspect, I could get into trouble should they be found...

I'll try and get a photo up when I can...

Dave Hedgehog

14,541 posts

203 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
according to this its illegal to import a butterfly knife

http://www.blades-uk.com/faqs.php

LukeSi

5,753 posts

160 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Attach them to the bottom of the engine bay?
Not that I would suggest this as it would be highly illegal.

Mill Wheel

6,149 posts

195 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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http://www.ukpoliceonline.co.uk/index.php?/topic/4...
You will need to register to read the posts, but it should help.

Cat

3,014 posts

268 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
You mention that the knives are possibly antique. If they are over 100 years old their import will not be prohibited.

Cat

the_lone_wolf

Original Poster:

2,622 posts

185 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
Cat said:
You mention that the knives are possibly antique. If they are over 100 years old their import will not be prohibited.

Cat
Yeah, I saw that, they don't look over a century old and there's no date printed I can see so proving age could be problematic?

Cyberprog

2,186 posts

182 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
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the_lone_wolf said:
Yeah, I saw that, they don't look over a century old and there's no date printed I can see so proving age could be problematic?
Stamp one on?

GoneAnon

1,703 posts

151 months

Thursday 4th October 2012
quotequote all
I had a look at the link in the second message - who needs a knife like that and why?

I'm actually quite a libertarian and believe that folk should be allowed to do whatever they like SO LONG as it doesn't affect anyone else, but I can't see what sort of useful purpose knives like these would serve?

bimsb6

8,034 posts

220 months

Friday 5th October 2012
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Cat said:
You mention that the knives are possibly antique. If they are over 100 years old their import will not be prohibited.

Cat
As Pakistan only came into being in 1947 i doubt that is likely.

Edited by bimsb6 on Friday 5th October 09:14

defblade

7,392 posts

212 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
GoneAnon said:
I can't see what sort of useful purpose knives like these would serve?
Butterfly knives have the advantage of being as safe as a standard folding knife while closed (and carried in a pocket, for example), and pretty much as rigid as fixed blade when open (not so strong though as, effectively, they have a very short tang). Also, it's easy to open them one handed when required - for example, in the middle of building a pioneering project, or when hanging from a cliff face.

Sadly, all people requiring a knife that is capable of one-handed opening (God forbid it's actually a fixed blade sheath knife) and/or have a preference for not losing fingers while the knife is being used, are apparently psycopathic maniacs only seconds away from stabbing everyone they can see. I narrowly avoided murdering my entire Scout Troop by using a butterfly knife for all sorts of general stuff through-out my teenage years so it's just as well no-one else is put through that terrible strain these days.


Edit: not sure the Batman thing would be much use though... even in a fight!

Edited by defblade on Friday 5th October 23:06

Oakey

27,523 posts

215 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
GoneAnon said:
I had a look at the link in the second message - who needs a knife like that and why?

I'm actually quite a libertarian and believe that folk should be allowed to do whatever they like SO LONG as it doesn't affect anyone else, but I can't see what sort of useful purpose knives like these would serve?
Look, guns are limited in this country, when the Zombie apocalypse comes you'll be thankful you could at least buy a razor sharp samurai sword.

ruff'n'smov

1,092 posts

148 months

Sunday 7th October 2012
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the_lone_wolf said:
Cat said:
You mention that the knives are possibly antique. If they are over 100 years old their import will not be prohibited.

Cat
Yeah, I saw that, they don't look over a century old and there's no date printed I can see so proving age could be problematic?
If they have Pakistan on them they will be post- 1947.....jeeez too busy doddling .....in History lads ??

biggrinbiggrin Beaten to the history lesson

Cat

3,014 posts

268 months

Monday 8th October 2012
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ruff'n'smov said:
If they have Pakistan on them they will be post- 1947.....jeeez too busy doddling .....in History lads ??
Possibly, but I tried to pay attention in English. wink

Cat