BTW, the Lansky World Legal is a knife I would love to try opening one-handed. If anyone got one, can you please confirm whether or not it would be possible?
I also can open it one handed...
Or a buddy!I think that the swiss have got their knife laws right on the nail.You wont get a second glance from the police or the public for carrying a SAK/Multitool with no locking blades, and you need a reasonable reason to carry anything like a fixed blade over a certain size, or assisted opening knifes(switchblades, balisongs, etc), or one handed opening knives.The best part is that people that are missing a limb or have a medical condition preventing them from using a normal SAK are legally allowed to carry such knives. Notice: I only read this on the net and have not been to Switzerland. I cannot guarantee this info in any shape as being correct from a legal standpoint!
That would be nice capt, except that it is unlikely that it wouls happen, thanks to the public, goverenment, media, etc.The most I think we can hope for is unrestricted SAK carry, and maybe some of the smaller folders and fixed blades.Everything else would need a "reasonable reason" to carry.As long as knife stabbings and suchlike bad publicity, the public will not allow free carry, even if most of this bad press comes from people wielding kitchen knives.
This thread reminds me of George Orwell's 1984, where you can't have a razor blade.
Quote from: firiki on May 22, 2015, 12:27:59 PMThis thread reminds me of George Orwell's 1984, where you can't have a razor blade.The important observation of 1984 is by making vague laws, the regime made people self-police themselves to a very strict standard, since it was hard to know whether your broke the law. Sounds familiar?
Ofcourse, not all nations have the same legal beginnings or principles. for example US legal system is different to the mainland European legal system, which is different to the UK system, because of differing beginnings, ideas, scope etc.
Modern legislation tend to be more vague, allowing flexibility. (compare some laws from 50, 60 years ago to some modern Laws). The old laws were a lot more descriptive and offered very little flexibility.There is, however, a general legal principle that since the government comes from a position of authority when enforcing the Laws in case of vagueness, the discretion allowed should be in the interest of the person "ruled" meaning that the whole government should be "nice" and understanding. So if you are not endangering other people the government should not try to make a safe tool appear dangerous, just so that you get punished. The grey zone should be used in the interest of the person, not so as to punish the person. Ofcourse, not all nations have the same legal beginnings or principles. for example US legal system is different to the mainland European legal system, which is different to the UK system, because of differing beginnings, ideas, scope etc.
Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on May 20, 2015, 10:31:01 PMOr a buddy!I think that the swiss have got their knife laws right on the nail.You wont get a second glance from the police or the public for carrying a SAK/Multitool with no locking blades, and you need a reasonable reason to carry anything like a fixed blade over a certain size, or assisted opening knifes(switchblades, balisongs, etc), or one handed opening knives.The best part is that people that are missing a limb or have a medical condition preventing them from using a normal SAK are legally allowed to carry such knives. Notice: I only read this on the net and have not been to Switzerland. I cannot guarantee this info in any shape as being correct from a legal standpoint!I would have to respectfully disagree. People should be able to carry any knife they please without restriction. Why should I not be able to carry a locking folding knife? What is considered a reasonable reason? A reasonable reason in my opinion is because I wan't to and some high paid government official should not be able to decide if that is acceptable to him/her.
In theory a legal challenge could be pursued on that principle, or an EU court ruling could be sought, which ofcourse, if it agrees with the Danish court may screw things up for all of us in Europe ...It all depends on the legal system of Denmark, of which I know very little about..
I mostly agree with you, on that one. Unless you need it for work, hunt or similar, I don't see any reason to carry a fixed blade or a folder with a blade that's over 5 inches long. All this time I've been EDC'ing knives, the Danish maximum of 2.75" has been more than enough for my needs, both at home and at work.If it were up to me, I'd say that OHO locking blades, with a maximum length of 3" should be legal - and then of course increase the efforts on making sure that people don't bring knives with them, when they're going drinking/partying.Either that, or something along the lines of what they have in the UK - if I remember correctly, a folder in the UK can be either OHO or locking, but not both. Don't know about the length of the blade though, but I think it's just about the 2.75-3" mark?
Quote from: Freaver on May 22, 2015, 08:28:12 PMI mostly agree with you, on that one. Unless you need it for work, hunt or similar, I don't see any reason to carry a fixed blade or a folder with a blade that's over 5 inches long. All this time I've been EDC'ing knives, the Danish maximum of 2.75" has been more than enough for my needs, both at home and at work.If it were up to me, I'd say that OHO locking blades, with a maximum length of 3" should be legal - and then of course increase the efforts on making sure that people don't bring knives with them, when they're going drinking/partying.Either that, or something along the lines of what they have in the UK - if I remember correctly, a folder in the UK can be either OHO or locking, but not both. Don't know about the length of the blade though, but I think it's just about the 2.75-3" mark? Just because a 2.75" blade has been more than enough for YOU why does that mean everyone else should be limited to that as well? Just because you do not see any reason to have a larger blade does not mean someone else has a legitimate reason or simply a desire to carry a larger knife. The real problem I have with it is why should anyone be able to tell you what you can and cannot carry? "Oh it's for the safety of the people", blah, blah, blah. The criminals are going to get/have whatever blades they wan't and it was mentioned that the criminals are not using pocket knives in their crimes anyways. Its kitchen knives that are the main blade of choice. I know my opinions on these things might not be the most popular, but these laws are only hurting law abiding citizens and further enforcing the governments power to control the law abiding citizens while doing nothing to stop the criminals. Same story different country. It happens all over the world. I am sure our different views have to do with many things including personal opinions as well as being raised in two very different countries. I am in no way saying I am right and you are wrong. These are just my opinions and what I think on the matter. Please do not think I am directing this towards you personally because I am definitely not. I know its hard to determine this over the internet and when reading we always put our own impression on the writing and i'm sure it sounds like I am directing this at you. On the lighter side of things are you still not smoking? I quit 12 days ago and am not looking back.
This is going no where fast as usual and will just end up being a back and forth of personal opinions that will go no where. I respect everyone's views and opinions equally and will leave it at that.
So, the police just made a statement, to try and help clear things up... So far they've tested 6 different knives and found only 2 to be legal. Those two, would be a Leatherman Super Tool and a corkscrew with a foil-cutter. They still believe that a SAK Pickniker is OHO, together with a Bahco KBSU-01, an EKA-knife and a Buck-knife.The 3 last ones I can understand, but I really can't see how they can rule a SAK as being illegal....
Quote from: Freaver on May 27, 2015, 07:19:20 AMSo, the police just made a statement, to try and help clear things up... So far they've tested 6 different knives and found only 2 to be legal. Those two, would be a Leatherman Super Tool and a corkscrew with a foil-cutter. They still believe that a SAK Pickniker is OHO, together with a Bahco KBSU-01, an EKA-knife and a Buck-knife.The 3 last ones I can understand, but I really can't see how they can rule a SAK as being illegal....What a bummer. I just do not understand how they can make/pass laws regarding things like this with such vague guidelines. I could open a Supertools blade one handed much easier than a SAK blade. It makes no sense to me and just seems like the people making such a important decision are just sitting around a table playing with knives saying "Hey, Bob. Can you open this one handed?" "Well yes I can, but barely.""What about this one?""Nope." "Alright, this one is legal, that one is not. Is that good with everyone?""Sure, as long as we get to go to lunch soon."
How often do the police search people over there?As it is written, I still think the Irish Law is harder on knives, but seems like you could EDC a SAK without getting into trouble as long as you follow sensible precations and look like a good citizen. The police rarely seem to search people here. Anyway, I still leave the SAK at home when I go out, much less hassle and worry. Defeats the purpose of a SAK though. (I always have the tweezers, though. )