Carrying knives in Europe

[King_Gorilla]

I am going to be in Irland and probably Amsterdam for a vacation this summer.  I have never been to anywhere on that continent.  It is my understanding that it is only legal to carry non-locking slip joint knives in those countries.  However, I really have no understanding on this issue, that is simply what I heard.   

Does anyone know for sure?  I would rather not have that naked feeling of not carrying ANYTHING the entire trip, but I don't want to break any laws either. 

I am very open to suggestions.



 

[fullbreakfast]

I understand that in the Republic of Ireland it is illegal to carry any kind of knife in public, even a folding knife, without being able to show a good reason for having it.

I’m not sure about the Netherlands.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I suggest doing what I do- just buy something when you are there. It can't be illegal if you bought it at the shop a block away from your hotel. 

Plus you have a great keepsake from your trip!

Def

[Crunchie64]

I suggest doing what I do- just buy something when you are there. It can't be illegal if you bought it at the shop a block away from your hotel. 

Plus you have a great keepsake from your trip!

Def

Plenty of shops in the UK sell fixed blade or locking knives that are legal to own, but not legal to carry without good reason.

Unfortunately, it’s carrying it without a reason (such as for work) that’s the problem, not any intent to do bad things with it.

Sticking with something non-locking and sub-three inches, most likely a Victorinox, would probably be safe, but there are still museums, clubs, and touristy places with scanners where it might be an issue.

[pfrsantos]

I suggest doing what I do- just buy something when you are there. It can't be illegal if you bought it at the shop a block away from your hotel. 

Plus you have a great keepsake from your trip!

Def

This. Unless you go full Def and spend more in pointies than you do in airplane tickets.

 

[fullbreakfast]

This. Unless you go full Def and spend more in pointies than you do in airplane tickets.

 

It’s not correct, as Crunchie64 pointed out. Here in the UK I could walk into any department store and perfectly legally buy a razor sharp 12 inch kitchen knife that it would then be absolutely illegal for me to carry in public without a “good reason”. A good reason might be that I am a chef carrying the tools of my trade to or from my place of work, or that I just bought it for my kitchen and am taking it home. There is a big distinction between what you can legally buy and own, and what you can carry on the street.

The same is true in Ireland, except their carry laws are actually stricter.

In practical terms I should think the risk of a tourist in Dublin getting in any trouble for having a SAK in their pocket is vanishingly low. But the OP asked what the legal position is, and the hypothetical tourist would be breaking the law.

[Djiaux]

I don't really know.

Here in spain you can't carry a pocket knife without a good reason. You are supossed to be able to carry a blade smaller than 6 cm but the law is writte so it will be the cop the one deciding if that's legal or not. You may end paying a fine or having to go to court if you don't want to pay (blade would probably be taken by the cop).

That said. I EDC a Swisschamp every day. As long as you don't act silly with you pocket knife and you keep it in your bag.... you should be fine (every country has its own laws, I'm talking spain here).

My advice would be to ask people from those countries and whatever you do to carry a 'civilized' blade (like a Victorinox).

Some more considerations. In some european countries you have to pass through the metal detector arc in order to board a long/middle distance train. If you are planning to do so, you should not carry the pocket knife in you pocket, keep it in your luggage or you may not be allowed to board the train. (And again, I don't know if that's the case for Ireland or the Netherlands).

Safe travels.

[King_Gorilla]

Lot's of good advice.  Thanks.  I think that IF I decide to carry something during the trip, I will probably buy it there.  I'll probably make that decision after talking to some people and after I know my itinerary for the trip. 

Thanks

[Antti Lammi]

Here in Finland its prohibited to carry anykind of knife without really good excuse to carry it, even knife on your backpack can be determined crime if you dont have extremly good reason for it. even screwdriver can be classified to harmful object and can result fines.

[Huntsman]

@KG - If you are taking hold luggage - Just pop a SAK and an MT in your hold luggage.

And don't forget all these laws are about carrying a blade when out and about
Having a blade in your hotel, at your mates house where you are staying, or in your Air B&B is perfectly legal! You might need to fix a broken tap or window latch!
Also I'd say a SAK or MT buried at the bottom of your big suitcase has also got to be OK.

Whilst these laws are unnecessarily restrictive, unnecessary and stringent for folk like us - They are designed to prevent knife crime - and that I guess is all about the accessibility of the knife when you are going about your business and in certain areas and potentially at certain times.
So walking along a deserted Sandymount beach on a sunny weekday afternoon with a SAK in your pocket - you should be OK
Visiting a pub in the Temple Bar at 10:30pm on aa Friday night - Would not be such a good idea

[Valkie]

Recent changes in law and the overexuberance of our nazi, oops police, force is getting quite annoying.

I have a 4X4 which I use regulary to go BUSH.
In the back I have a couple of drawers with sufficient tools to virtually rebuild said vehicle.
I also carry recovery gear and several battery operated tools, chainsaws and such.
But what upset a police ossifer one stop, was the axe I have in the back.
"THATS AN ILLEGAL WEAPON" He screached.
I explained it was for chopping wood for the fire, but this didnt satisfy him.
"Then you dont need to carry it all the time?" He said.
I stated that i dont empty my tool boxes after every trip because thats just stupid.

Any hoo, after about 20 minutes of him showing off to his tiny female mascot cop with him, he decided to let me go.
But I was made to lock the toolbox, (Just in case someone broke into my car, searched the tools, found the axe and went all postal on everyone in the immeduate vicinity).

So I locke my toolbox, locked the car and shook my head.
I wonder whenthey will start searching our homes for "illegal" sharp implements.

Im just glad he didnt notice the chainsaw in the back seat.
He would have gone apoplectic if he started working out scenarios of what could be done with a chainsaw........

[AzteCypher]

[King_Gorilla]

Recent changes in law and the overexuberance of our nazi, oops police, force is getting quite annoying.

I have a 4X4 which I use regulary to go BUSH.
In the back I have a couple of drawers with sufficient tools to virtually rebuild said vehicle.
I also carry recovery gear and several battery operated tools, chainsaws and such.
But what upset a police ossifer one stop, was the axe I have in the back.
"THATS AN ILLEGAL WEAPON" He screached.
I explained it was for chopping wood for the fire, but this didnt satisfy him.
"Then you dont need to carry it all the time?" He said.
I stated that i dont empty my tool boxes after every trip because thats just stupid.

Any hoo, after about 20 minutes of him showing off to his tiny female mascot cop with him, he decided to let me go.
But I was made to lock the toolbox, (Just in case someone broke into my car, searched the tools, found the axe and went all postal on everyone in the immeduate vicinity).

So I locke my toolbox, locked the car and shook my head.
I wonder whenthey will start searching our homes for "illegal" sharp implements.

Very concerning. 

I grew up in California where they have annoying knife laws.  After moving to Nevada, I am free to carry automatic knives and butterfly knives.  When I was a kid it really bothered me that I was not legally allowed to carry certain knives just because of their design or mechanisms.  OBVIOUSLY, by comparison those California knife laws probably seem quaint or even silly. 

I hope things will change for the better and become more tolerant around the world.          

[Valkie]

Very concerning. 

I grew up in California where they have annoying knife laws.  After moving to Nevada, I am free to carry automatic knives and butterfly knives.  When I was a kid it really bothered me that I was not legally allowed to carry certain knives just because of their design or mechanisms.  OBVIOUSLY, by comparison those California knife laws probably seem quaint or even silly. 

I hope things will change for the better and become more tolerant around the world.          

I grew up when, as a boy scout, I had a small pocket knife on my belt everywhere I went.
As I grew up I progressed to better knves finally purching my first wave.
Then the draconian knfe laws hit.
Now carrying anything is looking for trouble.
Its quite sad really.
Instead of punishing people using knives illegally, they made all knives illegal.

Im still yet to ever hear of anyone being stabbed, thtreatend or attacked with a victornox or leatherman tool.
its always large carving knives or machete.

As you say, perhaps one day common sense and justice may prevail, but sadly, probaly not in my time.

[Crunchie64]

I’ve taken a few photos of new things today, and while I was at it, I also shot a blade comparison.

In each photo, one tool is legal for daily carry in the UK without a good reason, one is not.

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

[Huntsman]

^^^ Great idea mate - I think i have worked it out for those two photos    

[Crunchie64]

^^^ Great idea mate - I think i have worked it out for those two photos   

And it makes NO sense, right?

[Vidar]

Here in Finland its prohibited to carry anykind of knife without really good excuse to carry it, even knife on your backpack can be determined crime if you dont have extremly good reason for it. even screwdriver can be classified to harmful object and can result fines.

Finland is there now? Good to know next time I drive by as I usually have a knife in the car. Which reminds me I also read earlier about some Norwegian getting fined for having a knife in the car. I'm still hesitant to not have one.

The original reason was to be able to put any still alive roadkill animal out of its misery. Then I can add cutting the towing rope of two unhappy third-persons who after dragging a car back on the road was still very much attached to each other. (With unknotable knots). And third from personal experience after going properly off the road many years ago: I ended up stuck in the driver seat due to the seat belts and without being able to loosen the clip. It needed a tiny bit of slack to work, and there just wasn't any. The seat had come forward too, stopped against me, and then clicked into a new position. That left me squeezed and stuck until I managed to figure the issue and wriggle free a bit of space after some time. That worked out ok on land, but if this had been in water with time as a factor the story would have been different.

In my mind those should be good cause, but I guess I will just have to find some legal replacement. Seatbelt cutter, saw and sledgehammer?

[King_Gorilla]

I’ve taken a few photos of new things today, and while I was at it, I also shot a blade comparison.

In each photo, one tool is legal for daily carry in the UK without a good reason, one is not.

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]  

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]

Is it because the top black spyderco knife is a liner lock (or maybe a frame lock) while the yellow one might be slip joint? 

[Huntsman]

^^^ I reckon so - Likewise the Leathermans - Locking vs non-locking!

And it makes NO sense, right?

Yes as the blades look pretty much the same - and you would think could cause the same damage if used as a weapon!!

But let's not go there - Forum rules - No politics - And I know we all here see blades as tools not weapons!! 

Although breaking my own rules - It is great that the UK basically allow a regular 91,58 etc SAK to be carried - whereas in Oz no blade can be carried at alll (.....without good reason etc etc)

[Crunchie64]

Not intended to be political, although I see your point.

The UKPK blade is non-locking, but longer than the Ambitious. Just seems a bit daft to me.

Same with the Bond and Rebar. Identical length blades, and nobody’s first choice for knife crime, I wouldn’t have thought.

Years ago I had a Spyderco Co-Pilot, beautiful little knife with a tiny serrated blade. Blows my mind that it’s not legal for EDC, while the UKPK is.

[dks]

Sometimes it is assumed that all the laws in the EU are the same for everything in all countries. This is like saying that all the laws in the US are the same for every state.
There are some top level laws, Treaties and some laws below them (Directives, Regulations...) that are binding to all Members. However, within these, each country and even region can publish legislation to target specific topics, provided it is not less strict that the common legal framework described above.

In general, a small non locking and non OHO knife should be fine. However if you are caught using this as a weapon (e.g. threatening to stab people) then it will be classed as a weapon - same thing will happen if you use a screwdriver or a big stick which are not commonly a problem regarding legality.

Avoid carrying anything on you through airports or in places with scanners detecting metal items.

[Vidar]

Avoid carrying anything on you through airports or in places with scanners detecting metal items.

An asquaintance of mine used to compete in military sports. Being a bit absent minded she would sometimes find herself in weird situations. One such time was when she was trying to travel abroad to some competition and was very dramatically stopped at the airport. Her hand luggage scan clearly showed a good handful of hand grenades. (They were training grenades for throwing without munitions, but look and weigh the same). That was probably the action of the year for the security staff.

I've accidentally brought SAKs in the hand luggage on planes, but comparatively no drama at all. Just a daily event for them, and annoying and or costly for me depending on the airport.