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Are Bowie knives illegal in the UK?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 22, 2026

In summary – the law on carrying knives in England, Scotland and Wales. It is ILLEGAL to have any sharply pointed or bladed instrument in a public place without good reason or lawful authority. Estate land to which the public have access is a public place even if it is privately owned.

What knives are illegal in the UK?

Banned Knives in the UK

  • Butterfly knives/Balisongs. These knives have a hidden blade inside a handle which splits in the middle.
  • Disguised Knives. ...
  • Push daggers.
  • Flick knives/Switchblades/Automatic knives. ...
  • Gravity knives.
  • Zombie knives. ...
  • Stealth knives. ...
  • Swords.

Is Bowie knives illegal?

Can I carry a Bowie knife in California? People can openly carry a Bowie knife in California, but they cannot conceal carry a Bowie knife. Concealed carry of a Bowie knife is wobbler, which means it can be a misdemeanor or a felony.

Is it legal to own a Rambo knife UK?

The sale of serrated knives, known as zombie knives or Rambo knives, is banned under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. From July 14 2021, it became an offence to possess a such a knife, even in private.

Can I own a katana in the UK?

UK blade law specifically forbids all katanas. Unless “it was made before 1954, or was made at any time using traditional methods”. So if it was made using a modern production line, it's illegal in the UK.

24 related questions found

Are penknives legal in UK?

So the big question: Are pen knives legal? Are kids allowed pen knives? The answers: yes, and yes. The UK law states that you can carry a knife under 3 inches if it has a folding blade without a locking mechanism, and can be carried by those under 18.

What is the most illegal knife?

A ballistic knife is essentially a blade attached to a hollow handle that fits inside of another outer hollow handle, which contains a coil spring.

What kinds of knives are illegal?

Knives that are illegal to possess in California include:

  • Cane knives.
  • Air gauge knives.
  • Lipstick knives.
  • Bet buckle knives.
  • Writing pen knives.
  • Switchblades with a blade longer than 2”
  • Ballistic knives.

Are lock knives illegal?

A lock knife is not a folding pocket knife and therefore it is an offence to carry around such a knife regardless of the length of the blade, if you do not have good reason. A lock knife has blades that can be locked and refolded only by pressing a button.

Is Swiss Army Knife illegal UK?

Are there any legal provisions regarding Swiss Army Knives? Please note that it is an offence under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 to carry a knife with a blade of more than 3 inches/7.62 cm long in public and can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment unless there is a lawful reason for doing so.

Are serrated knives illegal in war?

A bayonet or combat knife is not prohibited. It is prohibited to modify bayonets and knives, for example with a saw blade or barb. This prohibition stems from the ban on using weapons, projectiles or substances which may cause unnecessary suffering.

Can I own a sword in the UK?

UK Law does not require you to have a license to purchase or own a sword. All of the weaponry on our site is legal within the UK. If you are ordering from overseas it is best to check with your local law enforcement office before placing your order.

Is it illegal to own a samurai sword UK?

Legislation against selling, making, hiring or importing samurai swords in England and Wales has come into force. Those breaking the law face six months in jail and a £5,000 fine. Carrying a sword in public is already illegal.

Are gravity knives legal UK?

UK Knife Laws

All locking knives are banned, including those in multitools (RIP Victorinox SwissChamp). There's also a host of banned knives and weapons in the books, such as butterfly knives, flick knives, gravity knives, disguised knives, zombie knives (even those that fall under the regular regulations!), and more.

Are curved swords legal in UK?

Changes to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 are expected later this year, and will mean items such as curved swords, with a blade larger than 50cm, and flip knives will no longer be legal to have in the home.

Why are push daggers illegal?

A push dagger is not a good tool for cutting rope, batoning wood, opening packages, or slicing tape. In some eyes, the only reason you would carry one is "as a weapon," which makes them illegal to carry.

What size knife is legal to carry?

The Act states that any person in India will not be allowed to carry a knife which more the 9” long metal blade and 2” wide in size and such knife should be fancy in the way to be threatened by the public at large.

What is the sentence for carrying a knife in the UK?

The maximum sentence for carrying a knife illegally is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. If you injure someone or use a knife to commit a crime, the penalties could increase.

Are pop out knives illegal?

The majority of states allow legal ownership of switchblades, but a few do not. Many have prohibitions on the sale of them, and most have laws against carrying them concealed. But some states such as Vermont and Utah have no restrictions on them.

What is a wasp knife?

The WASP Injection Knife is designed to inject high-pressure gas into a wound cavity through a hole in the blade, rather than using gas to propel the blade forward. This is said to expand and freeze the wound, inflicting more damage to the target.

What is the knife called that shoots straight out?

For the uninformed, OTF knives are a type of switchblade – that is, an automatic knife which deploys the blade 'automatically' on pressing a button or switch. Specifically, the OTF knife is a switchblade where the blade simply comes 'out the front'.

What size pen knife is legal in the UK?

Basic laws on knives

bring into the UK, sell, hire, lend or give someone a banned knife or weapon. carry any knife in public without good reason, unless it has a manual folding blade less than 3 inches long. sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18, unless it has a manual folding blade less than 3 inches long.

Can you take a knife Camping UK?

There is no reasonable justification for carrying a combat knife while camping in the UK. The law does not permit carrying any offensive weapon, even for self-defence. It means that you won't be able to defend yourself in a court of law if caught with a combat knife on your person.

Can a 12 year old have a pocket knife?

Generally speaking, 10 is a good age to introduce them to their first blade. You must ensure that your child comprehends the gravity of the responsibility you have given them. Furthermore, proper knife handling instruction must be given and retained.

Are Kunai illegal in the UK?

PC Sharon Duggan, from the Amesbury Area Community Policing Team, said: “The law in the UK means it is illegal to carry a knife or offensive weapon in a public place, except a folding pocket knife that has a blade less than three inches, without a reasonable excuse.