How we check

What a verdict means

A verdict answers one narrow question: does the main law in this place single out this kind of knife for carrying on foot in a public place?

• No specific restriction foundThe main statute we read does not single out this kind of knife for carrying on foot in a public place. We never write “legal” or “OK”, because that would say more than we know.
• Good reason neededCarrying is an offence unless you have a lawful or good reason, or a reasonable excuse. The burden is on the person carrying.
• RestrictedAllowed only under conditions, such as a permit, an age, particular places or particular transport.
• ProhibitedCarrying, owning or importing is banned outright.
• UnclearThe law or the case law is ambiguous, or the answer turns on a measurement the maker does not publish. We say which.

How a verdict is made

1. We read the primary source. The statute or the official guidance of the government, the police or the regulator. Retailer pages and blogs only cross check, and we note where they disagree with the law.
2. We write the law as an ordered list of rules. Each rule describes a knife by its type, lock, way of opening and lengths, and gives a verdict with a plain English reason and a link. The first rule that fits decides.
3. We take specifications from the maker. We have not handled these products. If a number matters to the law and the maker does not publish it, we do not estimate it. A length rule is answered only if even the full blade length falls on one side of the line. Otherwise the result is unclear.
4. The code does the rest. One engine runs every knife through every place. A correction to one rule updates every page that depends on it, and tests check the boundaries, such as 76.2 mm against 76.3 mm.

What a verdict leaves out

• Local bylaws, weapon free zones, public transport, stations, schools, workplaces, courts, events, licensed premises and private property.
• Carrying in a vehicle, at night, or in a way that looks like a weapon.
• Buying, selling, age limits and importing, which we describe on each place page but do not run through the engine.
• What a police officer, prosecutor or judge decides on the day. Intent and behaviour matter.

Confidence

Each place carries a confidence level. High means official text and consistent guidance. Medium means official text with some points that rest on guidance or commentary. Low means thin or conflicting sources. Each place page lists what we could not confirm.

Independence

Some links may become affiliate links. They never change a verdict or what we say about a product, and each page says when links are paid. See the disclosure. We do not accept payment for placement.

Corrections

Email a correction with a source. We check it, fix it and record it in the change log. The full rules are in the open dataset, so anyone can check our work.

Today the data covers 34 places and 34 products with a blade.