UK advice on knife carry please.

[Tycer]

I will be traveling to Scotland this winter. What kind of knife can I legally carry for everyday use? What do you recommend I carry for self defense? Pepper spray?

[gamekeeper]

UK street legal knives must have a non locking blade of less than 3" and the police can still get upset if you carry one down the pub or to a soccer match, if you are hunting or fishing or sitting in a tent you can have a fixed blade knife of any length but only while engaged in those activities.
Pepper spray as far as I know is illegal, a stout walking stick is OK as long as you remember to limp...
Of course, If you wear full Highland Dress you can carry a Dirk and Sgian Dubh.

Heinnie Haynes has a website full of knives both UK street legal and the sort that I carry...

[Old Ironsights]

Get a stout solid metal barrel ink pen and learn Kubotan Techniques on the Flight.

A AAA mini-mag or Streamlight Stylus LED penlight also works well as a Kubotan.

A pair of ear plugs attached together with an 80# test teflon coated fishing leader is also quite handy to take on airplanes...

[Hobie]

I believe that self-defense is frowned upon over there. I'm only being a bit facetious.

[Nath]

I believe that self-defense is frowned upon over there. I'm only being a bit facetious.

Making a good ready is frowned on Hobie.

The best defence in Britain is to stay out of town! Carry what you like, all the bad guy's do, just don't caught!

Stupid idiotic laws over here, you just won't get it I'm afraid, heck I don't!

Stupid people I guess!

N.

[2571]

Glad to see you have such a positive attitude about your visit. You remind me of a presidential canidate commenting on UK Olympic preps.

[piller]

Game Keeper, can you tell me why the gaelic for the knife you stick in your stockings means dark knife? I understand the spelling is not english.

[gamekeeper]

Game Keeper, can you tell me why the gaelic for the knife you stick in your stockings means dark knife? I understand the spelling is not english.

A lot of Sgian Dubhs are made using black bog oak or other black materials but also they were made with stag antler and bone. I have read that Dubh means "black" but also "hidden" I think hidden is what it refers to as the Sgian Dubh evolved from a hidden dagger that was kept in the sleeve by the arm pit.

[perry owens]

Any device that emits a noxious substance, eg pepper spray, is prohibited, as are stun guns. Carrying a Leatherman-type tool in public can, and has, got people locked up.
My kids, who are LEO's, say that a Surefire type flashlight with a high intensity LED bulb and a castellated bezel would not provoke comment in a search but makes a useful weapon.
Of course, if your would-be assailant is from Glasgow, a can of Special Brew and a deep-fried Mars Bar will distract him long enough for you to make your escape.
Perry Owens

[Tycer]

Thanks guys.
3" non-locking, check.
Great flashlights, check.
No wandering around Glasgow, check.

[junkbug]

A can of beer and a chocolate bar as self defence tools! What a concept.

[1894]

Tycer , please take lot's of pics , I look forward to hearing about your trip .
As far as I know both my birth parents were 100 % Scott .

[MrMurphy]

Your best defense is staying out of England.


That said, a Surefire in my pocket and a cane covered me all over Europe without hassle.

Being trained in using a baton (Monadnock) and using a Surefire daily at work both in hand or on rifle, it never ended up being needed, but I made a few gypsies think twice.



The laws have gotten stupid enough in England I think they need another Civil War to rearrange the government below the monarchy level.

[Tycer]

I'm not a city lover, we'll be in the country except our last night before flying out of Glasgow. Nancy is taking me over so I can visit Rosslyn Chapel and sit in a Scottish Masonic lodge. Looks like most of what we want to see is on the North end of the country.

[Blaine]

Be sure to kiss the Blarney Stone while you're there. Brings good hunting luck.

[Tycer]

Be sure to kiss the Blarney Stone while you're there. Brings good hunting luck.

Three things my wife pointed out. 1) The Blarney Stone gives the gift of gab. 2) Tycer does NOT NEED any more of that "gift"!!! 3) We're not going to Cork.

[gamekeeper]

Hey Tycer, take a look at "Cold Steels" Irish Blackthorn Walking stick, awesome destructive capability....

[2ndovc]

Your best defense is staying out of England.

I've traveled to many places in my near 45 years but the best two weeks I ever had was in London, England!

I had such a great time I can't wait to go back. It seemed to me( just my experiance) that when one of the
locals heard my American accent they went out of their way for me. Just me but I loved England.

I brought home some great antiques. Two of which held up the plane on take off for about an hour.
I'd bought two MG34 MG mag bandoleers a a flea market and had them in my duffel bag tied up with my shoes.
After thought, bet it looked wicked on an x-ray (pre- 2001). Would have never done that after. Still made a profit but what a hassle!

jb

[MrMurphy]

Three years in Italy, two weeks in Germany, a week in Austria, day trips back to both as well as Slovenia, a week each in Ireland, England and France... two weeks in Israel, six months in Qatar.

I stand by my opinion. I liked England, but hated the laws. Somewhat like CA, only worse.

[gamekeeper]

I stand by my opinion. I liked England, but hated the laws. Somewhat like CA, only worse.

I agree and we don't even get California weather!....

[Blaine]

I stand by my opinion. I liked England, but hated the laws. Somewhat like CA, only worse.

I agree and we don't even get California weather!....

Hold your head high....England has survived through the beginning and ending of so many other countries I know Empire is not PC anymore, but you guys ruled the Seven Seas, and a great deal of the world for a very long time.

[bdhold]

and the proof is in the Army Navy CSL catalog

[jazman]

These are pricy, but after swallowing hard I bought one years ago and have enjoyed it ever since. I take it on planes all the time, never get a second glance. I am sure a lot of folks carry a bumbershoot where you are going. It is WAY stout, and an excellent umbrella to boot. Perfect for what you are looking for. Jim

http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/

[Ysabel Kid]

A pair of ear plugs attached together with an 80# test teflon coated fishing leader is also quite handy to take on airplanes...

Scribbling a note to myself now...

[gamekeeper]

These are pricy, but after swallowing hard I bought one years ago and have enjoyed it ever since. I take it on planes all the time, never get a second glance. I am sure a lot of folks carry a bumbershoot where you are going. It is WAY stout, and an excellent umbrella to boot. Perfect for what you are looking for. Jim

http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/

Even if you are not mugged you WILL need an umbrella....

[Old Ironsights]

These are pricy, but after swallowing hard I bought one years ago and have enjoyed it ever since. I take it on planes all the time, never get a second glance. I am sure a lot of folks carry a bumbershoot where you are going. It is WAY stout, and an excellent umbrella to boot. Perfect for what you are looking for. Jim

http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/

Oh, I say! Mr. Steed would love one of those! (Me too...)

[jazman]

These are pricy, but after swallowing hard I bought one years ago and have enjoyed it ever since. I take it on planes all the time, never get a second glance. I am sure a lot of folks carry a bumbershoot where you are going. It is WAY stout, and an excellent umbrella to boot. Perfect for what you are looking for. Jim

http://real-self-defense.com/unbreakable-umbrella/

Oh, I say! Mr. Steed would love one of those! (Me too...)

And one of these days at a picnic I am determined to do the watermelon cutting with it!