Searching for a UK legal rescue tool

[IzzyJG99]

I'll add my two cents...

If you find a slip joint rescue knife which fills all your needs except the glass breaker? Buy a cheapo glass breaker equipped cheapo tool. Take off the metal point glass breaker. Heat it up and melt it into the plastic/polymer of the rescue knife. Or you can use an epoxy to glue it on.

[SharpScott]

Dunno if the excuse would work that I am doctor, and as such, if I saw someone in an emergency situation, I may need to remove clothing to administer CPR, which is why I carry such a thing...

I wouldn't bet on it. Carry "just in case" isn't really deemed as the "good reason", work does constitute a good reason, but generally it has to be with other work tools or carried at the same time. So if you had your other equip and it was carried for work purposes you'd be OK. It has to be more of an aimed reason, so "I'm on my way to a job ...." or "I'm on call and I regularly have to cut off clothing/seatbelts/other" will probably be ok. Ultimately you have to persuade the LEO and if that fails a magistrate that you have your "good reason".

As it's a little grey unless you're at work I'd go for the sec.139 exemption, so a non-locking, pocket folding knife with a blade of <3 inch. Technically a seatbelt cutter requires "good reason" as it's a fixed blade and doesn't fold. I'm yet to hear of a case or see anything from the CPS (Public prosecutor) on such matters, but all it takes is a test case. That test case could be you.

Scott.

[Raukodur]

 

Thanks for the advice Scott.

So anything available very similar to the boker rescom, but that doesn't lock?

[SharpScott]

The Spyderco UK Penknife Rescue C94GSOR2 or Spyderco UK FRN with a drop-point fully serrated blade may appeal to you.

Another option that you could do is to get a Spyderco Assist or Rescue (Lockback) and file the locking notch to make it a slipjoint. It's a good option and maybe a consideration. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, you could probably find someone to have ago at it for you.

Although as I said, rescue hooks are technically illegal, I'm a little grey about it. I'm pretty sure you're not likely to get into any bother unless you've managed to do something silly with it. You'd be OK the majority of the time, and although not within the strict letter of the law, I cannot see a member of the medical profession getting into trouble over a rescue tool. I wouldn't worry about it. Carry a Israeli bandage with it and it'll looks fine to anyone being critical. It's kind of like someone being pulled up for carrying those child friendly scissors. Technically not within the letter of the law, but realistically, on the ground, not likely to attract attention.

It's up to you really. It depends how comfortable with being in a certain "grey" area you are. I really can't help you with that one, only offer suggestions to what you think.

Of course, you could go the custom route and have someone knock you up something very special and have an excuse for that to happen 

If you need anything else, feel free to shoot me a PM or whatever.

Scott

[Raukodur]

Again, thanks for the information. The thing about the boker rescom is that while it does what it is meant to do extremely well from the reviews I have read, it is so specialised, that it is hard to call the thing a knife. Its cutting edge is an inch, it has a rounded tip, and large overhang, so even if you wanted to, it seems it would be difficult to stab or slash someone with it.

If it didn't have its locking feature it would be perfect for the UK, but given the above, I would feel fairly confident carrying it even as is.

And try as I might, I cannot find an alternative that doesn't look more like a classical knife, and so cause more problems.

[SharpScott]

Fair enough 

I have no experience or knowledge with the Boker SubCom lines, so I can't really offer any advice over mod options, however I'm sure it would be more than possible to adjust it to non-locking abilities.

Either way, I hope you get the right gear you need 

Scott.