Info wanted on German knife law

[Top-Gear-24]

In April I'm going to Germany for a few days and I was wondering what tools I should take with me, so anyone here who can give me some info about the current German knife law. 

Used the search function here and found this:

The law in germany is quite vague.
some points are clear. Fixed blades are legal up to 12 cm, one hand opening knifes are illegal, regardless of blade length, assisted opening blades are illegal (except if teh width is more than 1/3 of teh length and blade length below 8 cm afaik). Double edged and butterfly opening knifes are illegal to carry. I´m not sure about the locking thing, but i believe one hand opening alone is enough to make a knife illegal to carry. Owning such knifes is allowed.

You can carry a OHO when you have a "fair reason" as hiking outdoors, fishing, working etc.

Multitools are mostly exempt, but not by the law (a one hand opening blade is a one hand opening blade after all) but by common sense from the police.

I am not sure why you would ban one hand opening knifes, regardless of the length, but allow carrying 12 cm long fixed blades, but i guess knife laws don´t always make sense...

Is this still the current law, or are there any changes I should know about ?

I think I'm going to take these tools with me:

Victorinox Spirit (butterknife) on my belt.
Victorinox Swisschamp in my pocket.
Leatherman ST300 in my camera bag.

I also wanted to take my Wave along, but because it has a one hand opening knife I think I'll best leave it at home, right ?

P.S. Any German members (or others of course) who know some great knife shops in the region of Kröv (where we will be staying), or Bernkastel (which we will surely visit), or else in that region ?  If so, please let me know  .

[Steinar]

Was up-to-date when I was in Germany summer of 2012, at least. (Not much of a surprise given the date it was posted. ) Some people seem to think OHO is totally forbidden, so I would leave those at home since it's not worth ruining a trip over a legal argument.

As with many other countries, the "knife friendliness" in Germany varies wildly with city vs countryside and which part of the federation you're in. Look at what the locals do and adapt, I think that's a reasonable strategy for most things when travelling.

[enki_ck]

I'll post the whole article wheh I get home if no one beats me to it, but you can either carry a one hand opening knife that doesn't lock or a locking two hand opening knife. Article 42a.

[enki_ck]

Messer mit einhändig feststellbarer Klinge (Einhandmesser) oder feststehende Messer mit einer Klingenlänge über 12 cm zu führen.

As I said either OHO or locking up tp 12cm.
http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/__42a.html


So a Spirit is ok, Wave is not.

[lowtech]

Es ist verboten, "Messer mit einhändig feststellbarer Klinge (Einhandmesser) oder feststehende Messer mit einer Klingenlänge über 12 cm zu führen."

Means:

It is not allowed to carry knives who either are one hand opening and locking (regardless of blade length) or who are non folding and have a blade longer than 12 cm.

There are, as pointed out, some exceptions (daggers or other double edged fixed blades are forbidden, regardless of length, for example).

Your selection of ST 300, Spirit and Champ is totally legal and ok.

In general you can say taht a fixed blade (allowed or not) will be more likely frowned upon than a oho lockblade, tactical knifes are less public friendly than say an opinel, so I´d steer clear of fixed blades and act reasonable and you´ll be ok.

Enjoy the trip!

[Top-Gear-24]

Thanks for the answers guys  .

So my Spirit (one of them at least  ), Swisschamp and ST300 will go along with me, with those three I think I have most of my multitool needs covered  .

Thanks for the help  .

[Top-Gear-24]

Just got home from my trip to Germany, sadly enough I haven't bought any knives there (found nothing "special" enough to bring home with me). 

Did see a lot of beautiful scenery and took lots of pics, I'll post some of these here once I've downloaded them all.