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Bloody customs!

Benner · 221 · 12563

england Offline Benner

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Bloody customs!
on: September 25, 2009, 11:56:35 PM
As some of you may know, I have been waiting for quite a while to receive a package from Gadget Guy that had a few unknown items in it.  Well today I received a letter saying that customs had my parcel and that they had seized one of the items, a Buck Vantage, as it was classified as a gravity knife.  What an absolute load of BS!  >:(  After a phone call to them I asked what happens to my other "legal" items and basically the guy said that if I forfeit the knife they "may" be able to send the stuff on.  Since then however I have been told that it is standard proceedure to destroy the lot.  Yes, they even destroy perfectly legal items.  ::) :twak:

I have written them a letter saying that the knife is not only legal for me to own, but I can also buy it and get it fixed under warranty in the UK but I fear I am wasting my time.  Basically I have left it that if I have to I will give up the knife but I need the other stuff back.  The knife alone is bad enough, but the other items aren't everyday items and I will be beyond gutted if I lose them as well.

Use this as a warning all those in the UK.  Basically, if it looks even semi tactical or if the blade can be opened with inertia alone you will be risking it being lost.

Fingers crossed for me all.

Benner
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us Offline prime77

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #1 on: September 25, 2009, 11:58:53 PM
That really sucks Ben. Best of luck getting your stuff.
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england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #2 on: September 26, 2009, 12:00:31 AM
:(

Speak to Nick. He managed to beat the system recently - maybe he can give you some tips.
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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #3 on: September 26, 2009, 12:03:37 AM
Mate that sucks :(

Hope you get it all sorted out and get the other stuff back :)
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scotland Offline Gareth

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #4 on: September 26, 2009, 12:04:32 AM
:(

Speak to Nick. He managed to beat the system recently - maybe he can give you some tips.

My thoughts exactly.  I hope you can get it sorted. :-\
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england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #5 on: September 26, 2009, 12:08:16 AM
The anger this causes me is hard to contain. If something's not legal - then fine - confiscate it and take action against the people trying to buy them. That's absolutely fine.

But there is absolutely no basis for this at all.

Let's face it, this is going to happen to us all sooner or later.

What about writing to your MP?
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dk Offline AHB

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #6 on: September 26, 2009, 12:08:57 AM
Damn, Benner... :-\
My fingers crossed..  :)


england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #7 on: September 26, 2009, 12:13:13 AM
The anger this causes me is hard to contain. If something's not legal - then fine - confiscate it and take action against the people trying to buy them. That's absolutely fine.

But there is absolutely no basis for this at all.

Let's face it, this is going to happen to us all sooner or later.

What about writing to your MP?

The problem is I have a month to get back to them otherwise the case is closed and I lose the lot.

TBH I have basically given up on the knife (even though I went into great detail in the letter about it being perfectly legal to buy here etc etc) I am just focussing on the other stuff as they are really hard to replace.  I just don't want to lose those which sucks as it goes against everything I believe in, but I have little choice.

Yes, this could happen to any of us and I hope this serves as a warning and will reduce many more of us getting screwed over.
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us Offline Pacu

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #8 on: September 26, 2009, 12:14:53 AM
That does suck because they can basically do what they want.

Best of luck in getting your stuff from them. :salute:
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ca Offline Chako

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #9 on: September 26, 2009, 12:15:53 AM
I would contact a lawyer. If the knife is legal, I am sure a bit of legal weight would get the job done.
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ca Offline jzmtl

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #10 on: September 26, 2009, 12:20:28 AM
Destroyed, riiiight... Looks like the custom guy likes your stuff more than you do.  ::)


england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #11 on: September 26, 2009, 12:20:35 AM
I would contact a lawyer. If the knife is legal, I am sure a bit of legal weight would get the job done.

I am not in the financial situation to do so.  For a £40ish knife it really is not worth the risk of challenging it sadly.  A bit of "weight" may work, but there would only be one way to find out.
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england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #12 on: September 26, 2009, 12:21:13 AM
Yes, this could happen to any of us and I hope this serves as a warning and will reduce many more of us getting screwed over.

Thing is it won't, as they appear to be not following any rules but their own :(

I mean how do you avoid it, when you're doing everything right anyway?

Sh*t - I hope you get your stuff mate, for all of us!

I would contact a lawyer. If the knife is legal, I am sure a bit of legal weight would get the job done.

It might work, but it would cost. My guess would be that it might do the trick and get the stuff released, but then Ben would be left with a bill to pay. Taking customs to court to recover the costs, doesn't sound like something you'd do lightly, and I'd say it woudl pretty much guarantee future problems with packages. I f***ing hate HM Customs. They have far too much power (more than the police or the armed forces) and are acting like bullies.
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ca Offline jzmtl

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #13 on: September 26, 2009, 12:25:02 AM
Looks like you guys are getting royally screwed more and more.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89012&highlight=poster

Nothing against UK but I seriously hope all the crap that's happening there doesn't spread.


england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #14 on: September 26, 2009, 12:25:37 AM
Yes, this could happen to any of us and I hope this serves as a warning and will reduce many more of us getting screwed over.

Thing is it won't, as they appear to be not following any rules but their own :(

I mean how do you avoid it, when you're doing everything right anyway?


Sh*t - I hope you get your stuff mate, for all of us!

I would contact a lawyer. If the knife is legal, I am sure a bit of legal weight would get the job done.

It might work, but it would cost. My guess would be that it might do the trick and get the stuff released, but then Ben would be left with a bill to pay. Taking customs to court to recover the costs, doesn't sound like something you'd do lightly, and I'd say it woudl pretty much guarantee future problems with packages. I f***ing hate HM Customs. They have far too much power (more than the police or the armed forces) and are acting like bullies.

I totally know what you are saying.  My "warning" is just to try and buy locally for such items if you can and not risk the search.  I don't agree with that, far from it, but paying the extra cost may be worth the reduced risk of completely losing it.
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england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #15 on: September 26, 2009, 12:26:16 AM
Looks like you guys are getting royally screwed more and more.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89012&highlight=poster

Nothing against UK but I seriously hope all the crap that's happening there doesn't spread.

I hope it doesn't either.  And yes, it happens a lot.
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Offline Styerman

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #16 on: September 26, 2009, 12:29:44 AM
I feel your pain , I had a Strider GB seized by Canada Customs as a "gravity knife " . We have similar nonsence to what you guys in the UK are going thru , hope you get your kit back . Fingers crossed .

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00 Offline Freudian Frog

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #17 on: September 26, 2009, 12:33:04 AM
Don't think I'll be living in the UK anytime soon. :D
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england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #18 on: September 26, 2009, 12:35:20 AM
Don't think I'll be living in the UK anytime soon. :D

Too bloody right - we wouldn't let you in!

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dk Offline AHB

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #19 on: September 26, 2009, 12:36:32 AM
Is the gravity issue because of the flick at 1.07..?  :think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyW7cRXNMkg


england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #20 on: September 26, 2009, 12:42:51 AM
Christ I hope not. That's exactly like the Leatherman flipper on the knives I'm awaiting from GG  :(
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england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #21 on: September 26, 2009, 12:43:11 AM
No.  Think of holding the knife when closed then flicking your wrist so the blade comes out on it's own.  That's what they are basing it on.
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england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #22 on: September 26, 2009, 12:44:21 AM
Christ I hope not. That's exactly like the Leatherman flipper on the knives I'm awaiting from GG  :(

Nope, nowt wrong with a flipper.  This I believe is because of inertia.  90% of Spydies and other tactical folders can be opened like that though.  ::)
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england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #23 on: September 26, 2009, 12:46:28 AM
No.  Think of holding the knife when closed then flicking your wrist so the blade comes out on it's own.  That's what they are basing it on.

Is that what they said to you? Is it possible that the blade was loose? I think it was Neil who was explaining that he had the blade on a Zilla tool tightened up real tight so that it couldn't be deemed a gravity knife.
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england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #24 on: September 26, 2009, 12:50:14 AM
No.  Think of holding the knife when closed then flicking your wrist so the blade comes out on it's own.  That's what they are basing it on.

Is that what they said to you? Is it possible that the blade was loose? I think it was Neil who was explaining that he had the blade on a Zilla tool tightened up real tight so that it couldn't be deemed a gravity knife.

That isn't what they have said, but that is what a "gravity knife" is and it's what all of the other cases have been.  A loose pivot is probably the case and some do get the sender to tighten them up, but I'm pretty sure eventually they will see past that as well.
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england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #25 on: September 26, 2009, 01:02:16 AM
The reason I ask is that we were discussing last week, whether they might be counting knives that can "Spydie Dropped" as gravity knives.

I don't have any knives that can be opened just by flicking your wrist, they all need a bit of help to get the blade going.
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england Offline Benner

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #26 on: September 26, 2009, 01:03:54 AM
The reason I ask is that we were discussing last week, whether they might be counting knives that can "Spydie Dropped" as gravity knives.

I don't have any knives that can be opened just by flicking your wrist, they all need a bit of help to get the blade going.

I bet you could get your Centofante and your Griptillian to.  With enough effort you can do it with a lot of knives.
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spam Offline Zack

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #27 on: September 26, 2009, 01:06:33 AM
I can flick open my larger Spydies by flicking my wrist, but its not safe as the inertia from the flick makes it hard to hold on the the knife.


england Offline DaveK

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #28 on: September 26, 2009, 01:13:29 AM
Just tried with the Grip - and you have to pull back the lock to do it (in fact, that's exactly what I do when I open it).

Can't do it with the Centofante, although I can get it to open half way by depressing the lock release as I do it,
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spam Offline Zack

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Re: Bloody customs!
Reply #29 on: September 26, 2009, 01:14:43 AM
Just tried with the Grip - and you have to pull back the lock to do it (in fact, that's exactly what I do when I open it).

Can't do it with the Centofante, although I can get it to open half way by depressing the lock release as I do it,

I can flick my starmate and endura, well its more a swing and flick than a flick.


 

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