When I returned to the UK in May of last year, I found the transition to be quite jarring in terms of legally permissible EDC knives. In Canada I quite happily carried anything I damn well pleased, as the legislation is so vague (knives are legal, weapons are not – the cop gets to decide which is which) that I didn’t feel constrained in any tangible fashion.
The UK however, is a different kettle of fish. The laws here are quite defined with what is considered legal to carry in pragmatic terms (folding, no lock, and sub 3-inch blade). Even though the law technically allows you to carry most knives as long as you have a “valid reason,” the reality is that no reason will ever be valid enough for the police to give you a free pass, so we Brits tend to ere on the side of caution and stick to the 100% legal EDC options.
Before I get into the nitty gritty, I would like to point out that this is concerning knives you can carry in public.
On private land or property you can carry anything you damn well please, excluding banned weapons like automatic knives and push daggers amongst others, so bare that in mind.
A Bit About UK Legal Knives
The British legal system has historically been full of populist rhetoric and thus our laws are as clear as soup. We even have legislation against so called “zombie knives” which is to say; knives that are offensive in nature as per their imagery. Which is as ridiculous as it sounds.
With such a broken system, companies like Spyderco, Boker, and Lanksy amongst many others have seized on the opportunity to produce something exclusively for this restrictive market, and whilst I personally find the laws utterly stupid, I have come to appreciate a nice sub 3 inch slipjoint.
With the huge range of options available to us these days, it’s honestly fine to be a knife aficionado and still be within the letter of the law (although some companies like Lanksy reallllly push the boundaries as you can see in this review of their World Legal knife).
But enough talk. You can learn more about UK knife laws right here. The point of this one is to get down to the recommendations, so here we go.
Best UK Friendly Folders: Quality Knives You Can Legally Carry in the UK
1. Spyderco UKPK
I know, I know. It’s such a standard, default suggestion, but realistically, this is truly a incredible EDC regardless of where you live. This knife was designed to fit within the parameters of the law (and it does), but Spyderco did much, much more than that. They took a simple set of requirements and created a lightweight, dependable folding light saber. This is a tool that will cut, cut, and cut. If you are lucky enough to own the titanium version – do not let it go, as in my opinion, it’s a straight up classic.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Spyderco UKPK
2. Case Swayback Gent
One of my favourite knives, period. The feel, performance, and comfort of this pattern is remarkable. If I could own only one knife for a year, I think this would be my choice. It can go everywhere without drawing any negative attention. I think this is a must-have future classic.
Read our review of the Case Sway Back Gent
3. Douk-Douk
Inexpensive, steeped in history, and a great, thin EDC with a superbly strong spring. Probably one of my favourite knives regardless of where I live. I am always impressed by its simple design which results in one of the most dependable folders you can buy.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Douk-Douk
4. Higonokami
I personally love the Higonokami despite is questionable ergonomics and safety. The handles, much like the handles on the Douk-Douk, are stamped into shape. Unlike the Douk-Douk, however, it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy, and the teensy rat tail makes it an inferior friction folder compared to the Svord Peasant (#9 on this list) as far as safety is concerned.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
5. Spyderco Roadie
I bought the Roadie soon after buying the Spyderco Pingo and being thoroughly unimpressed. The Roadie is probably one of the most discreet knives I own without getting into the ridiculous keychain options. In a lot of ways, it’s the sort of knife that looks like it can’t do much, but after carrying it for a couple of months, you realize how much it can really handle. Believe it or not, I can actually get a full 4 finger grip on the scales. Crazy.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Spyderco Roadie
6. Boker Tech Tool
If you want a folding EDC that looks like a “normal” knife with zero gimmicks, and yet is still within the legal parameters, I think this is one of the best options. Fantastic fit and finish with great materials (those scales are lovely) with the only exception being the stereotypically weak Boker clip screws. I stripped mine on the first day. Besides that, the Boker Tech Tool is basically the perfect utilitarian slip joint folder in my opinion. As a sidenote, I only own the bare-bone model – the one without all the tools attached to it.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Boker Tech Tool
7. Enzo PK70
The Enzo PK70 is a UK-legal folding bushcrafter. Gotta love having a sub 3 inch folder with a scandi grind and no lock. Taking into account premium materials, I think the price is pretty affordable, and its wood processing performance is fantastic when you take into account that yes, it still is a small folding knife. Gotta give credit where credit is due; not many companies would gamble and create something for such a small niche demographic, but I am very happy they did.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
8. Swiss Army Knife
Can’t really talk about UK legal knives without giving a nod to the Victorinox Swiss Army knives. I recommend them all (generally speaking) as the quality relative to price is out of this world. I personally love the Victorinox Alox Pioneer, but your mileage (and taste) may vary. Elise absolutely hates the way all Victorinox Swiss Army Knives look, so whilst they are undoubtedly the world’s most popular knives, it’s fair to say they have detractors, too. With that said, I have yet to hear someone complain about the build or performance of them, and after over a hundred years of mass manufacturing, that’s an impressive feat.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
9. Svord Peasant
Probably the ugliest knife in my collection by a significant margin. Aesthetics aside, I think the Svord Peasant is a superb performer. The friction folder is very safe due to the elongated tang, and the scales are ridiculously comfortable. I own the plastic version, and I suggest you get that one too. It’s cheaper and more comfortable in my opinion. The blade itself is made of carbon steel that is a joy to sharpen, and despite its rustic appearance, I think its performance, especially on wood, is incredible.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Svord Peasant
10. Fox Dragotac Slim Friction Folder FRN
Hasn’t landed in my mailbox yet, but I am throwing it on here because I instinctively know that it’s a winner. Bastinelli is one of the most interesting designers of this generation, and this collaboration with Fox Knives is a match made in heaven. That blade looks like it could cut atoms. The sterile FRN scales help keep costs down. Its a winner, I’m calling it.
11. CRKT Journeyer
A controversial suggestion, but in my opinion it’s a great knife as long as you understand that as far as slip joints go, it’s not particularly rigid in terms of lockup. No backspring, but rather a sharp detent ball. In practice, this makes the Journeyer trivial to open and close, but you do lose that “safe” feeling you get from the Spyderco UKPK or the Douk-Douk. A lot of people seem to have a problem with this as per their reviews, but I don’t particularly see the issue. Obviously, you have to know what you’re getting when you are buying it, and objectively, if you are going to use this for rough work, you should use the optional torx key locking mechanism.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Other Options: Not-Quite-Recommended UK Friendly Folders to Look Into
1. Lanksy World Legal
If you want to own a UK friendly knife that is legal based purely on technical merit, then this is it. It’s the sort of design that is created to really push the boundaries of what is permissible, and while it fits the definition of a UK legal EDC, I do imagine that the police may want to have a word with you should you ever use it in public. Its aggressive styling is so extreme that it makes a regular oversized knife like the Benchmade Adamas seem submissive by comparison. I do like owning it, as it’s an interesting concept, but I honestly didn’t EDC it after I reviewed it.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Lansky World Legal
2. Quartermaster Barney McGrew Flagged Friction Folder
Yeah, it’s an oddball design and availability is limited, but if you want a friction folder with premium materials “just because,” as well as a seriously unique design, then this is it. I have mixed feelings about this one, as the pivot features ball bearings, which I don’t think is particularly good for a friction folder. I found myself having to really crank down on the pivot. The blade and grip design is also very “tactical” in nature, and whilst it performs just fine for regular EDC tasks, it is a bit weird to handle.
Read our review of the Quartermaster Barney McGrew Flagged
3. Shadow Cutlery Daburu
This is a brand I have never heard of and I bought the Daburu “just to see.” Never been so happy with a gamble. The dual blade set up is unconventional, but in my mind is well implemented with a very pointy needle-like option for detail work, as well as a sturdier Wharncliffe blade. The interesting thing is both the steel used (1070 carbon steel), and the fact that the handles are legit bone. In a lot of ways, if someone told me this was an artisan knife from Japan, I would believe them. It certainly doesn’t feel nor perform like an inexpensive Chinese blade.
More UK Legal Knives?
On the hunt for other UK-legal knives? Check out all our reviews of UK-friendly folders on this site. We’ll be adding a lot more to this section of the blog in the years to come since we’re now officially on British soil and are here to stay. Obviously, we’ll also be adding non-UK legal knives as well (they can’t stop us from carrying what we want on private property!), but definitely will be buffing up the UK-legal section.
Want to figure out if some of the knives you already have are UK-friendly? Check out my write up on UK knife law here for the specifics of what make knives UK-legal EDCs.
What are your favourite UK Friendly Folders?
Are there any other knives you would put on this list as excellent UK-legal EDC folders?
If you live in the UK yourself, what do you find yourself carrying most often? Do you have different knives that you carry at home versus out and about?
Drop a comment down below!
Try a Loewen Messer
Never heard of ’em, will check them out, thanks!
To be honest, unless it is a “gentleman’s” knife with wooden scales or a Victorinox, most police officers will find it dodgy. I don’t think for a minute that The Lansky would be let go. I suspect it would be confiscated immediately. Of course, you have to ask yourself why the police are searching you in the first place. What are you doing to get stopped and searched? As always, looking respectable is key. And if you do get stopped, always be respectful. Do not talk about your “rights”. Be prepared to give up your knife rather than getting brought back to the station.
No matter how tough or cool or right you think you are, it doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to dealing with the police.
So in other words. Be a good little sheep and allow our elected leaders to continue to further erode what few rights we have. No thanks. Society needs to grow a pair of balls and take back their civil rights. Or the day will come when a Swiss Army knife is declared a deadly illegal weapon.
I a big but gentle guy in my fifties and I would never dream of attacking anybody with a knife.A long time ago a French aunt sent me an opinal knife hardly what I consider a rambo job.Now I know some people are going to say I’m naive when I relay my account. I caught the train via London on the way to the Lake District to meet some friends at a camp site.As I had a bit of spare time and was cycling passed the British Museum I thought I’d pop in and educate myself about history.My learning turned out instead to be about the dispropotionate UK knife law .I removed my panniers from my bike and went in to the entrance tent and was asked if I had a knife so being honest said yes.I removed it from deep within my bag and handed it over and was told they were keeping it . I said you’ll give back when I come out and he said ” No its a locking knife and its illegal”.I said I planning use it on a camp site but that made no odds!I complained so I was taken to the supervisor and was told off and made to fill in and I must admit I was a bit scared .I thought now they got my details I could face serious trouble but I not heard anything since.These weren’t police officers ,they were security staff but there was no descretion shown.
It has grated with me ever since and it worries me about the erosion of freedom in this country.I agree with the article ,the law is a knee jerk reaction ,populist and not well thought out.I believe those who carry knives for malign intent will continue to do so and the law potentionally criminalises citizens who use knives for innocent purposes.It needs a more intelligent approach and the properly funded interventions with those involved in these criminal activities and not catch all,headline grabbing laws.
Real Steel Luna – I have one on back order. Can’t wait, even though I can’t reverse the clip (I’m a leftie).
I appreciate that UK laws are restrictive but you should see the sheer volume of offensive weapon style knives that are seized daily in UK cities. By limiting knives by the standard non locking 3.5″ rule it grants police the power to remove a lot of deadly weapons from the streets.
I know that it is perfectly possible to argue against this, but it really is the most practical way for law enforcement to deal with knife crime. With the confines of the rules, discretion is exercised. A knife is only as dangerous as the person who is carrying it after all.
It is also worth carrying in mind that arguably, UK law prohibits EDC in so far as you must have a good reason to carry any knife of any style. There are numerous cases of arrests and a few prosecutions of people who were carrying “EDC compliant” knives who were unable to justify their need to be carrying them. One example of this that sticks in my mind was of a veteran locksmith who was arrested albeit let off with a warning for carrying an “EDC compliant” Victorinox pen knife, under the justification that he used it to open boxes and packaging. This was not deemed a suitable excuse as he should have been carrying it in his toolbox according to the duty officer at the police station. A court, should it go that far, is likely to take the same view.
In reality, if you are a law abiding citizen and are carrying a 3.5″ blade that is non locking you have little to fear but I think it is wrong to market knives as UK legal under these circumstances. There is no such thing as UK EDC compliant.
Finally, you being frustrated about knife law is a small price to pay in return for a small bit of peace of mind for an inner city family who might have children who are vulnerable to knife crime. People die as a result of the criminal misuse of “legal” or illegal knives, regularly.
Howdie Dan, right off the bat I should point out that I don’t need a clear reason to carry an EDC (sub 3″, non-locking) knife. That said, I agree that the police may not agree with my interpretation of the law and thats why we have a separation of powers between the cops and the courts. And as a sidenote, the courts will take the view of legal precedent.
reference: https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
and in specific;
“it is illegal to:-
-carry a knife in public without good reason, unless it has a folding blade with a cutting edge 3 inches long or less”
I don’t buy the whole “if we ban x then y won’t happen”. Its simplifying a complex issue. If banning things worked then we would just ban drugs and violence and we would live in a utopia- the reality is that people who want to do harm, will find a way.
The Swiss have easy access to firearms and do not commit much firearm crime. The Americans have the same access and yet inverse correlation when it comes to crime statistics. Clearly, its about the culture and socio-economic aspect of the demographic in question, not the fact that some things are banned whilst others are not. If you look at knife crime, its historically committed with over the counter kitchen knives, stanley knives and screw drivers. So to say that banning “autos” is somehow relevant, I just don’t see it.
Aren’t healthy Swiss males of service age all stand-by members of a national defence force? Not that I know the first thing reliably about that country, but that aspect of gun justification has been quoted in the past. IOW, they’re all gun-trained – and, being Switzerland, it’ll be done with precision and absolute correctness.
Whereas the ridiculous USA half-wittedly believes that any non-certifiied lunatic can own any arsenal of assault weapons he pleases if he can pay for it, and NRA is perhaps the widest paying lobbyist in Washington. As a country, they’re utterly mental. Hence the thousands of gun deaths annually.
Horses of entirely different colours despite the naked figures.
Sounds as though you don’t know the first thing reliably about the USA, other than what your limey mates have told you. Speaking of ridiculous, “the NRA is perhaps the widest paying lobbyist in Washington “- if you meant to say “highest paying”, then no, no- not even remotely comparable to the slush money circulating in the name of business interests. Being of UK descent myself, I am incredibly thankful to my ancestors for having left that scurvy little island behind with all of its wannabe tyrants and judgy better-than-you subjects.
“I appreciate that UK laws are restrictive but you should see the sheer volume of offensive weapon style knives that are seized daily in UK cities.”
So that shows the laws don’t really work then
The people who want them for bad intent, can get them anyway, and the stabbings keep increasing.
As an offshore worker with a big toolbag, i routinely carry all kinds of tools i could hurt someone with. One of the nastier ones is a 12″ flat crowbar thing.
Have you tried the Boker XS? Lovely feel in the hand and tough enough for most jobs, only downside is it sits high in the pocket due to position of the clip.
Not yet, I do look forward to testing it out though- I have always enjoyed Chad Los Banos designs, very distinctive.
Aloha my friend!
Funny seeing you here?!? I was rather shocked not to see my Boker Plus XS in here somewhere! It was my first slippy primarily designed for ALL my mates in the UK! I think it was two years ago, it was voted the 2nd best slippy in the UK per Heinnie. I was very proud about that :).
Anyway, I hope you and the Mrs have been well sir and I’ll see you later! Cheers!
Be safe,
Chad
CLB Design
Its my blog Chad ;) you will see me around in all posts! As for why I didn’t add the XS- the reason is simple, I don’t own it and I feel uncomfortable promoting a product that I have never handled.
I am sure its a kickass knife though, I recently checked out your tiny neck knife and I can’t wait to get my hands on one.
Nothing but love mate.
Cheers Mr. Grant! I’m trying to get a clip change sir, as the XS does ride kinda high!
Thank you for suggesting my XS design!
Be safe,
Chad
CLB Design
Buen articulo, te queria recomendar las navajas de Taramudi, son de Asturias, España y cumplen con la ley britanica, son artesanas en su mayoria economicas y de mucha calidad.