7 Essential Tips for Legally Buying and Carrying Knives in the UK

Thinking about buying a knife for work, camping, or your personal collection? While it’s perfectly legal to own and carry certain types of knives in the UK, there are strict rules in place — and getting it wrong can land you in serious trouble.

Whether you’re a hobbyist, outdoors enthusiast, or just curious, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about UK knife laws. Let’s break it down into 7 key tips to ensure you stay safe and on the right side of the law.

Understanding Knife Laws in the UK

Before diving into the tips, it’s important to know that the UK has some of the strictest knife laws in the world. The goal of these rules is to keep weapons off the streets and protect the public. But that doesn’t mean you can’t own a knife — you just need to understand when and where it’s legal.

Tip 1: Choose the Right Type of Knife

Not all knives are treated equally under UK law. Some are okay to own and carry, while others are completely banned. So what’s allowed?

Knives You Can Carry Without a Reason:

• Folding pocket knives with a blade less than 3 inches (7.62 cm)

You don’t need a special reason to carry these. Think of a Swiss Army knife — handy, compact, and legal in most situations.

Knives That Require a Good Reason:

• Knives with fixed blades, regardless of size
• Folding knives with blades longer than 3 inches

To carry these legally, you’ll need a valid reason — such as using it for work (like building or gardening), part of religious practice (like a Sikh kirpan), or for a theatre performance or film shoot.

Banned Knives (You Can’t Own, Sell, or Carry):

• Butterfly knives (balisongs)
• Disguised knives (e.g. knives hidden in pens or lipstick tubes)
• Flick knives (automatic opening)
• Swords over 50 cm in length (unless they’re antique or used in fencing)

Warning: Owning or carrying a banned knife could lead to a prison sentence.

Tip 2: Know When You Can Carry a Knife

Even if you have a legal knife, carrying it in public is a different story. The law is all about your intent and the situation you’re in. Ask yourself:

“Do I have a good reason to carry this knife right now?”

You might be okay if you’re:

• A chef heading to work
• A tradesperson on-site with tools
• Camping or fishing where a knife is part of your gear

However, simply saying “It’s for protection” is not a valid reason.

Tip 3: Only Buy from Legitimate Shops or Sellers

In today’s world, you might be tempted to buy a knife online without checking where it’s from. But be careful — importing a banned knife, even unknowingly, is a crime.

Buy from trusted shops that follow UK laws. These sellers know what’s legal and won’t stock banned items. Amazon, reputable outdoor gear stores, and dedicated knife retailers that follow UK guidelines are a safe bet.

Tip 4: You Must Be 18 or Over to Buy a Knife

This one’s straightforward — you must be at least 18 years old to buy any kind of knife in the UK, including kitchen knives.

Retailers are required to check the age of anyone buying a knife. That applies both in-store and online. If you’re buying online, expect to provide verification, like a copy of your ID.

Tip 5: Always Carry Responsibly

Even when you’re allowed to carry a knife, you need to do it responsibly. That means:

• Keep it out of sight. Don’t walk around with it openly displayed — that can cause alarm and lead to police intervention.
• Transport it securely. If you’re driving to work or an event with your knife, make sure it’s stored safely — not in your pocket or glove compartment, but in a bag or toolbox.

Think of it like carrying any other potentially dangerous tool. You wouldn’t wave around a hammer in public — the same goes for knives.

Tip 6: Don’t Take Knives into Public Buildings, Schools, or Events

This cannot be stressed enough — never bring a knife into a school, pub, sports stadium, concert, or government building. Even if you have a folding knife under 3 inches, the rules often get even stricter in certain locations.

Let’s say you’re heading into a court building or airport — security might stop you and confiscate the knife, and you could even face charges.

Tip 7: Understand the Consequences

Still not sure if a knife is legal or illegal to own or carry? The safest answer is: don’t take any risks.

If you’re caught with an illegal knife or carrying a legal one without a strong reason, you could face:

• Up to 4 years in prison
• A fine
• A criminal record that could affect job opportunities or travel plans

Simply put — a small mistake can have life-changing consequences.

Quick Recap: What Knife Laws Allow (And Don’t)

Let’s do a lightning review of what’s okay and what’s not when it comes to knives in the UK:

• OK to own: Non-locking pocket knives under 3 inches
• Need a good reason: Fixed blades, locking knives, longer blades
• Completely banned: Flick knives, disguised blades, butterfly knives

Remember, the laws are about context and intent. If you have no justifiable reason to carry a knife — don’t carry one at all.

A Final Word: When in Doubt, Ask

Knife laws in the UK can be a maze to navigate, and they’re often changing. If you’re a collector, craftsman, outdoorsman, or chef, you might rely on your blades — but that doesn’t exempt you from the law.

Stay updated, check reputable sources, and ask questions when you’re unsure. Even better, refer directly to the UK government’s official guidance.

Need More Details?

You can read the full rules about buying and carrying knives directly from the government’s website:

https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

Stay sharp. Stay safe. Stay legal.