Knife Age Restrictions and Law

By placing an order with Swiss Store you agree to have your age verified through our third party agents Age Checked and/or Equifax.

Our Age Verification Process

As keen outdoor enthusiasts we are passionate about the items that we sell and about their appropriate and safe use. As such we do not sell bladed products to anybody under the age of 18 and reserve the right to cancel any order at our own discretion.

The bladed products process, in accordance with the law, applies to any fixed or locking blade of any size and any folding knife with a blade of 3 inches or longer. None locking knives with a blade of less than 3 inches (e.g. a classic Swiss Army knife) are not restricted.

At the checkout you will be asked to enter your personal details including name, address and contact details. This information is screened through Age Checked to confirm if you are over the age of 18. If you do not pass this process you will be prompted to enter additional information such as credit card details or driving license number.

We have experienced situations where the right knife or tool has prevented serious injury or worse, however, knives can be dangerous if improperly handled. It is also important to know and comply with the law regarding the carrying and use of knives (Criminal Justice Act 1988 & Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 in England and Wales). 

Basic Laws on Knives

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.

By placing an order with swiss-store.co.uk (part of the Outdoor365 Limited group), the customer verifies that they are over 18 years of age and are aware of all laws regarding the possession or carrying of the products they are ordering. Outdoor365 Limited shall not be held liable for any infraction of laws by the purchaser.