AGE RESTRICTIONS AND UK KNIFE LAW
Knife Age Restrictions & Order Checks
By placing an order with us for any bladed products the customer verifies they are over 18 years of age and are aware of all laws regarding the possession and carrying of the products they are purchasing. Otimos shall not be held liable for any infraction of laws by the purchaser.
We will follow up with customers if they are flagged during our digital checks to ensure they are over 18.
If you are flagged, we will contact you by telephone in the first instance so please ensure you have supplied a valid phone number when you order.
All orders containing bladed products are shipped via Royal Mails age verification service and will require a valid ID on delivery/Collection. There is an extra £3.99 shipping charge on ALL orders containing one of these items.
The Knife Law In The UK
It is illegal to:
● sell a knife of any kind with a blade of 3 inches or longer to anyone under 18 years old (16 to 18 year olds in Scotland can buy cutlery and kitchen knives)
● carry a knife in public without good reason – unless it’s a knife with a folding blade 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less, eg a Swiss Army knife
● carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife.
● use any knife in a threatening way (even a legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife).
Good reasons for carrying a knife
Examples of good reasons to carry a knife in public can include:
● taking knives you use at work to and from work for example as a farmer or estate manager.
● carrying knives you use for recreational purposes, such as angler, sailor or any other reasonable grounds for expecting to need a knife whilst pursuing a lawful activity.
● taking knives to a gallery or museum to be exhibited.
● the knife is going to be used for theatre, film, television, historical reenactment or religious purposes, eg the kirpan some Sikhs carry.
Lock knives (knives with blades that can be locked when unfolded) are not folding knives, and are illegal to carry in public without good reason.
Children are permitted to use knives appropriately (such as a safety knife when sailing) under adult supervision.
A court will decide if you’ve got a good reason to carry a knife if you’re charged with carrying it illegally.
The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife without good reason is 4 years in prison and a fine of £5,000.