Mine looks like that. It's lasted me since I was about 15, holds an edge better than my Sabatier kitchen knives, is sharp enough to shave with and dull enough not to be too noticeable in the field.
Add to that it's a friction folder with a cutting edge less than 3" which means I can take it anywhere I want without needing to convince a magistrate of my good reason for having it on my person and it really is all good :D
I've got some old files waiting to be annealed once the woodburner is finished and some rosewood scales seasoning ready to go on one of them - really looking forward to that as it goes. _________________ Adam
Thats a good point about the legal aspects of carrying a knife,im not 100% sure but ive been told you can carry a friction folder with a blade of less than 3" and no locking mechanism,so long as you have a reasonable reason for having it with you?
So anyone who carries an Opinel at the moment for example is technically breaking the law because of the locking mechanism.Ive bought a sub 3" friction folder to be on the safe side.
I did a lot of research a short while back on knife carrying legalities. The short of it is this:
Any knife, whether locking, non-locking or fixed blade may be regarded by the law as an offensive weapon if it is either:
a) used as such
b) you admit it is carried for self defence when asked wy you are carrying it
All locking or fixed bladed knives are illegal to carry in a public place without GOOD REASON. "In case I need it" is not deemed to be a good reason. Good reason is something which will convince a magistrate or a police officer you are using it as a tool - examples would be carrying a locking folder to strip wires with and you're an electrician. Carrying a woodlore type knife and you're out in the woods hunting or trapping. Fishing and carrying a 9" filleting knife.
However, once your good reason for carrying the knife has been accomplished it should be put in a place of safety before you do anything else - so going out in the woods with your 12" bowie is fine, calling in at the pub on the way home with it still strapped to your belt is definitely not - take it home first, then go to the pub/tesco/wherever. It's not just knives either, it's anything which could be used as an offensive weapon which has a sharpened edge - e.g axe, lawn edger etc.
It is perfectly LEGAL to carry a non-lockable folding knife which has a CUTTING EDGE of less than three inches/76mm WITHOUT ANY PARTICULAR REASON. Ensure when asked that you DO NOT mention self defence or you'll get nicked on the spot.
A police officer will probably measure from the pivot to the tip - so to be on the safe side ensure the total blade length is sub 3" and you'll be fine.
Not all Opinels are locking knives. Some are legal to carry without any reason, all th locking ones require good reason or are illegal.
Although it's often trashed on knife forums as a bit of rubbish legislation, it's one of the few really well thought out bits of law in the last few decades. It doesn't stop you from carrying a knife, it just requires that you have a genuine and convincing need to do so - a knife which is highly unlikely to be used as a stabbing weapon, eg sub 3" and non-locking is legal to carry anywhere, anytime without requiring a reason.
My local shop that I bought my opinel from said that as long as it was in a game bag or fishing gear it was fine but on your person walking down the street is a major no. And that ANY knife over 3 inch cutting edge was illegal. (might just be scotland though) Mine locks and they didnt mention anything about that. I always have it on me anyway but I also always have the dog and the catapult so... they can both be weapons. My collie can do a hell of a lot more damage than a staff given the chance and well the fish hunter... All potentially dangerous (but they never get the chance)
ATB
Jordan _________________ "You run with the wolves and I'll hunt like a hound!"
You're right about any knife over three inches being illegal, but only if you don't have a good reason for carrying it.
Simply having the knife in a bag as opposed to in your pocket wont cut any ice with plod. If it's in your fishing bag because you're going fishing - your reason is because you're going fishing, that's ok. If it's in your fishing bag but you're wandering around Tesco's with your fishing bag - your reason of "I'm going fishing orificer" is going to get you a) laughed at by plod and b) arrested on the spot.
I'm pretty sure the law in Scotland is the same for the rest of the UK when it comes to knives - although as Scots have a national dress they are permitted to carry a sgian dubh provded they're in full national dress at the time.
The Welsh and Yorkshire national dress of pick, lamp and mining helmet is now largely defunct and I'm not sure qualifies any more since Maggie used the police as a political army in the 80's. _________________ Adam
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