Svord users

[Bob W]

I've been like a dog on a rabbit since I got my peasant and I've come across this.


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

Perfect for a neck-knife, tang down, thumb pushes the handle to the left (if you're right handed) and the knife's open, probably nearly as quick as a flick knife if you slacken the tension screws off, which you could, I think, if worn as a neck knife, because it would be in a sheath. Mine's currently carried in my pocket so I like it quite stiff, but when I get the sheath, it's round the neck!

[biker-bri]

It's the first knife I reach for when I go out, I know they have had quality issues but for the price you can't go wrong.
Easy to personalise and maintain - job's a good un
Cheers Bri

[BJ]

I see there is a mini version out now that's UK legal without modifying the blade length.
BJ

[luresalive]

sweet

[Bob W]

I see there is a mini version out now that's UK legal without modifying the blade length.
BJ


I thought it was UK legal anyway, mine's the normal knife and it's a 3" blade, legal in the UK I think??

[biker-bri]

I thought it was UK legal anyway, mine's the normal knife and it's a 3" blade, legal in the UK I think??
that's only legal if you don't get caught with it:), it's either 2 or 2.5 inch and it can still be confiscated if they don't like the look of you.

[Bob W]

https://www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife

3" Bri.

[BJ]

Quote from a recent post on here :- "A couple of things to note. As may have been mentioned it's not a legal EDC in the UK as the cutting edge is a little longer than 3". A lot of people change the tip of the knife to a drop point. I have (less drastically) ground the last little bit nearest the tang into a sloping flat edge that could not be misconstrued as a cutting edge. Doing it this way means if I ever want to reclaim the length I can do." But as Bri correctly says any length can be illegal in the right (or wrong) circumstances. :)
BJ

[biker-bri]

I honestly thought it was smaller :oops: but my main point is item 2 - on the list you have provided a link to, its illegal to carry a "knife" in public without good reason, the law is too open on this point.
"Knives with folding blades, like Swiss Army knives, are not illegal as long as the blade is 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less." combine this point with the one above and your nicked mate
as the say.
A true story and a good example of how the law is SOMETIMES an ass,
Either 1981 or 82 we had a good prolonged period of cold weather, a friend organised a winter walk to include use of ice axe and crampons, loads of fun - snowball fights etc
we even managed to dig a small snow-hole before bad light stopped play.
A fuel stop on the way home brought us into conflict with the law, as the boot of my car was full I had my rucksack on the rear seat with the crampons strapped to the top of
the sack, there was a police car on the forecourt - an officer approached my car IGNORED me filling the tank checked the tyres & tax disc then spotted the rucksack.
I was GOING to be cautioned with carrying an offensive weapon in a public place even tho it was in a locked car! after 10 mins of heated debate several other cars arrived
all with offensive weapons on view, you could say that the temperature rose a few degrees for a while until a a minibus arrived the driver of which had a word with the officer who then looked
a little sheepish and wondered away back to his patrol car, the minibus driver was one of the head instructors from the Plas y brenin national mountain centre who had basically called him a prat
to his face for being too eager to preform his duties even tho he was well within his rights to do so.
The offensive weapon was of course a pair of crampons,( Not once did the officer mention my ice axe which was in full view on the parcel shelf ) and the filling station
was the "now closed " Capel Curig cafe / shop whose main display was of Ice axes and Crampons.
Yes we were fools in my haste to get into the car and get warm I had put my axe on the parcel shelf - if I had braked hard it would have become a missile.

A few years later I was talking to a local garage owner here in Wrexham and told him this story - he smiled then told me he had all his ice climbing equipment
confiscated after being stopped for speeding on the M6, the officer told him he had no good reason to carry the equipment - it was December and he was returning from Scotland!!!

NAMES AND PLACES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INOCENT BUT THIS IS A TRUE STORY
Cheers Bri

[redbranchwarrior]

I honestly thought it was smaller :oops: but my main point is item 2 - on the list you have provided a link to, its illegal to carry a "knife" in public without good reason, the law is too open on this point.

Cheers Bri

The law is clear on this point, you DO NOT need a reason to carry a non-locking knife with a cutting edge of 3" or less. The only time you would be breaking the law is if you 'intended' to use it as an 'offensive weapon' in this case the size is irrelevant. But then if you 'intend' to use anything as an offensive weapon you would fall foul of the same law. I do not dispute that some people may have been arrested/had items confiscated, but if the knife is as described then the police officer has acted unlawfully.

It should be noted that the site quoted from is not an official government legislation site......

[Modvitnir]

Have ordered a mini Peasant for EDC :) Heard good things, can't wait!

Side note on legal knives... it's the cutting edge, not the blade which makes it illegal. Just be sensible out there guys. If I'm going into a town or city, I'll just take my Gerber Dime multi-tool which is small enough to not even be noticed in my pocket. Any kind of knife, even a Victorinox pen knife will get you in the do-do in an urban area if you're not careful. If you have to stop and get petrol, take the blade out of your pocket and just put it out of view and make sure you lock your car up when going to pay.

[redbranchwarrior]

Any kind of knife, even a Victorinox pen knife will get you in the do-do in an urban area if you're not careful. If you have to stop and get petrol, take the blade out of your pocket and just put it out of view and make sure you lock your car up when going to pay.

I say again, it should not get you in trouble, less than 3" non-locking is PERFECTLY LEGAL!

The Svord mini does look lovely, I have been lusting after the Boker Plus Trance 42 for some time as an EDC

[Silverback]

I say again, it should not get you in trouble, less than 3" non-locking is PERFECTLY LEGAL!


Had it from the mouth of a senior copper..possession of any bladed tool in itself isn't illegal its possession in public without good purpose/reason and intent thats the issue. For example a Butcher or Chef taking their knives to and from place of work whilst sheathed and in a secure method of transport would be ok, cleaning your fingernails whilst waiting in the queue in Tesco with a 2" folder is probably going to get you nicked - you may not be charged but probably nicked.

A screwdriver could be classed as an offensive bladed weapon, its the context in which its carried, used and the intent thats the issue - the bobby i was talking to put it much better than me...I may have to see if I can get him to qwrite it down for me and I will post it

Still reckon that Modvitnir is giving sound advice, why attract the unwanted attentions of the Police when you dont need the hassle....or the criminal record for that matter

[biker-bri]

this is the last point I am going to make, the ownness is on YOU to prove non intent which is impossible to do therefore the police cannot be at fault, any knife no-matter its size is deemed to be offensive.
Modvitnir & Sapper have both put it better then I have so they both have my thanks.
remember the ownness is on YOU as the carrier.
Cheers Bri

[redbranchwarrior]

Had it from the mouth of a senior copper..possession of any bladed tool in itself isn't illegal its possession in public without good purpose/reason and intent thats the issue. For example a Butcher or Chef taking their knives to and from place of work whilst sheathed and in a secure method of transport would be ok, cleaning your fingernails whilst waiting in the queue in Tesco with a 2" folder is probably going to get you nicked - you may not be charged but probably nicked.

A screwdriver could be classed as an offensive bladed weapon, its the context in which its carried, used and the intent thats the issue - the bobby i was talking to put it much better than me...I may have to see if I can get him to qwrite it down for me and I will post it

Still reckon that Modvitnir is giving sound advice, why attract the unwanted attentions of the Police when you dont need the hassle....or the criminal record for that matter

I am afraid your senior copper got it wrong then, not surprising as most senior officers don't deal with this type of offence, I'd love to know what he'd be nicking the person in Tesco for.....?

This is from the Home Office website (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/knives-offensive-weapons/carrying-knives-public/)

Can I carry a folding knife in public if the blade does not exceed 7.62 centimetres (3 inches)?

The prohibition of carrying an article with blade or point in a public place (section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988) does not apply to a folding pocket knife if the cutting edge of its blade does not exceed 7.62 centimetres (3 inches).

However, under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, it could still be an offence if the article is being carried with the intention to cause injury.

It should be noted that it has been determined that a lock knife does not come into the category of folding pocket knives (see Blades ? lock knives).

As I said before, 'anything' can be classed as an offensive weapon (bladed or not) if the intent is to use it as such. A screwdriver however is not classed as a pointed or bladed article under s.39 Criminal Justice Act, if it has been modified or sharpened it may be classed as an 'adapted offensive weapon'.

[redbranchwarrior]

this is the last point I am going to make, the ownness is on YOU to prove non intent which is impossible to do therefore the police cannot be at fault, any knife no-matter its size is deemed to be offensive.
Modvitnir & Sapper have both put it better then I have so they both have my thanks.
remember the ownness is on YOU as the carrier.
Cheers Bri

No it is not! There is no offence of carrying a non-locking sub 3' knife in public under s.39 CJA, so the only offence you could be arrested for is possession of an intended offensive weapon. A police officer needs to have 'reasonable grounds to suspect' you have committed a crime, are committing a crime or are about to commit a crime, and must justify the necessity of the arrest (s.24 PACE) before you can be arrested. With this being the case the police officer must establish your intent, this is very very difficult to do, and normally happens through the 'suspect' making a significant statement; "I live in a rough area so i carry it for my own protection". Without this intent the arrest would be unlawful......

There is no onus on you as the carrier to justify possession....i'd love to see the law/pice of legislation that says there is.......?

[Silverback]

I am afraid your senior copper got it wrong then, not surprising as most senior officers don't deal with this type of offence, I'd love to know what he'd be nicking the person in Tesco for.....?


This senior copper does hes a front line bobby....I doubt he'd be nicking the person in my example either as It was just an example written by little old me......as i said and I quote ' he put it much better than me' and the example I made wasnt a direct quote from what he said.

Do you have particular expertise in this area ? Lawyer, Solicitor, or Copper yourself perhaps ? I for one wouldn't want to take that risk thanks sadly I cant get the same level of legal aid as Abu Qatada - last comment on the issue, bowing out of this one right here.

[redbranchwarrior]

This senior copper does hes a front line bobby....I doubt he'd be nicking the person in my example either as It was just an example written by little old me......as i said and I quote ' he put it much better than me' and the example I made wasnt a direct quote from what he said.

Do you have particular expertise in this area ? Lawyer, Solicitor, or Copper yourself perhaps ? I for one wouldn't want to take that risk thanks sadly I cant get the same level of legal aid as Abu Qatada - last comment on the issue, bowing out of this one right here.

Fair one.

I am a copper, i work in one of the busiest boroughs in London with very high rates of knife crime.....i am also studying for a BSc Crime & Criminology so am fairly up to date with legislation.

[Silverback]

I am a copper,.

I work with the Police occasionally, PSU cops and PoLSA's on the whole from different forces...lot of mates are bobbies. The one that gave the advice is a SYP cop but also a shrafter.

As a cop you may want to argue the toss with your colleagues.... me on the other hand as a law abiding civvy I am going to take all reasonable steps available to me to avoid conflict with our local constabulary s39 CJA on my side or not.

[redbranchwarrior]

I don't need to argue the toss with them, I don't know any cops who disagree with me on this.......

[Modvitnir]

Well I would hope I wouldn't need to be carrying a blade in an urban area anyway, so my Gerber Dime works fine if I'm out in town going to a shop etc. 90% of the time I am in my work uniform anyway, so if I happen to be carrying a blade, I at least have a reason for having it in my pocket if I am stopped on the way home. While I appreciate your professional opinion, redbranchwarrior... I just wouldn't want to take the risk of running into a copper who is having a bad day and I'm carrying a blade, legal or otherwise. I love my knives... so I'd rather not have one confiscated. Everyone's entitled to do whatever they like really, but for me, it ain't worth the risk lol

[Modvitnir]

My personal view though is that we should be able to carry whatever we like within reason. But thanks to braindead chavs who think it's "cool" to have a knife for protection etc, we can't. Big round of applause for the council estate "hard men" please! Not.

[Silverback]

Having spoke to my police acquaintance it appears I misunderstood the context in which we were talking about knives and it was in connection with my use of a locking bladed knife over 3" long in a public place whilst in the company of several police officers. It was a strange circumstance which would not be appropriate to discuss the full in and outs on here.

Redbranch is correct in his interpretation of the CJA and associated law but it doesn't change the fact that I would still avoidany situation with the police when in possession of any bladed item legal or otherwise.

[Modvitnir]

but it doesn't change the fact that I would still avoid contact with the police when in possession of any bladed item

My thoughts exactly.

[biker-bri]

As I said the ownness is on you, - carry and be damned or be prudent ? your choice.

[Ehecatl]

Thanks guys - useful thread.

M@

[redbranchwarrior]

As I said the ownness is on you, - carry and be damned or be prudent ? your choice.

How is the onus on the individual when it is not illegal?

[Bob W]

I hear about edc's. I personally don't carry a knife unless I'm fishing, camping or eating.

When I was a youngster there was a sheath knife permanently attached to my belt, all my mates also had one. We played chicken and stretch, threw it into trees, opened bean tins when camping, but never even considered using it for illegal means. It wasn't even covert, we just wore them without any thought of getting into trouble.

[Modvitnir]

Just got my Peasant... worst knife I've EVER bought. Yeah it's cheap.. but it's attrocious. It was a toss up between wood and plastic. Heard the wood was awful, so went for plastic. Bad move. In pics and videos it looks quite robust... it's not at all. I could easily break this thing. The edge is ground so badly too... I've seen cheaper knives with a cleaner edge. The only plus points are that it's kind of sharp and looks kind of cool. I think I'm going to take it apart and make my own handle scales for it. If you're looking for something cheap and borderline disposeable, get yourself an Opinel. Hate to see what their fixed blade knives are like. Epic fail, New Zealand, Epic fail.

[paulthefish2009]

I Have the wood version, my problem with it was the finish but I just stripped it off and oiled it. I also made some infill strips along the back edge,found this has made it far more stiff. Paul

[FishyFolk]

You are lucky to have that 3" loophole over there. In Norway the carry of a blade, anmy blade in public is illegeal, period!

But then there is a nice wide hole in that law. Saying that a knife carried for an honorable purpose may be carried legally. So what is an honorable purpose?
In the woods I carry my Enzo Trapper and a 9" blade Leuku. That is perfectly legal. No problem at all. But on the way to the woods I better not carry them on my belt if I stop for gasoline to be safe. But I see people wearing their Helle knifes in their sheats in shops all the time. But since this is the north and they are wearing hiking clothes nobody will react. But to be safe, I keep the blades in my pack until arrival to the outdoors.

The other honorable purpose is if you need the knife as a tool. I.e carpenters, electricians etc use their Mora knives and wear them. Again, nobody reacts, as long as they are in their work clothes. You hardly ever see a man in hiis work clothes without a Mora on the knife button...

Then there was this amn in Oslo, who used a knife to peel an apple on a bench in front of the court house. He was arrested and the knife confiscated. He refused to pay the fine he got and ended up in court, where he won his case, as fruit peeling was deemed and honorable purpose...

But then, the police do have random knife searches in Oslo, and I doubt he would have gotten away with it if he had not been cought while in the act of peeling his fruit.
So if you come for a Norwegian hiolliday, get your cheap Mora here (A mora 911 will cost you 4£), and as long as you stuff it in your pack while in public you'll be ok.
And in the woods you may openly carry.

[Modvitnir]

Sadly in the UK we have a lot of over sensitive people who see knives as a threat because of the scaremongering and anti-knife propaghanda put out on the news and in the media. People do not see that a knife is a tool. Here in the UK most of the population are weak and live in fear of the outside world. In Norway I guess your traditions are preserved... ours are not because of the soft stay at home and live in a bubble type of people that run the country. Highly ironic me saying that, sat at my computer, I know. You are lucky in Norway. I wish we had your traditions!

[Modvitnir]

Also I am subscribed to your youtube channel! Nice to see many youtubers on here!

[biker-bri]

Bought mine in the spring the Svord Peasant Knife Slim Metal PK, "without scales" cleaned up the blade gave it a lick with my lansky sharpening system, made some scales and used it nigh
on every day since - cuts through 3 mm veg tan tooling leather like its not there, holds its edge really well but it is a bit of a pig if you carry it in your pocket and for £14.00 you cant ask for any thing more - I also have an Opinel which I
lost in the undergrowth that pretends to be my garden, it turned up some time later - rusty deeply pitted and looking very sad for its self so I did the same with that - cleaned' sharpened and oiled I now have two exceptionally sharp
blades that cost me under £30.0.
The only thing that I can say to Modvitnir is that I had read up on Svord before buying mine so I knew of the pitfalls - there are a lot of posts on the British blades forum about how bad they are and how to treat them - then how good the are
once you have sorted them out and in my defence my original post on this thread says "I know they have had quality issues but for the price you can't go wrong"
Cheers Bri

[Modvitnir]

Oh believe me, I knew of the potential pitfalls.. However... I never expected it to be THIS poorly made. Maybe I just have high standards. Purely because I've got knives of a better quality for the same price and less. I am looking forward to using the blade in my own project though.

[biker-bri]

Oh believe me, I knew of the potential pitfalls.. However... I never expected it to be THIS poorly made. Maybe I just have high standards. Purely because I've got knives of a better quality for the same price and less. I am looking forward to using the blade in my own project though.

I suppose that's their one redeeming feature - they are very adaptable.
Cheers Bri