Importing a knife
Discussion
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...
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...
http://www.ukpoliceonline.co.uk/index.php?/topic/4...
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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?
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?
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
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. 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?
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?Cat
Beaten to the history lesson
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