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Checked 2026-10-27 · medium confidence

EDC knives with no carry restriction found in England & Wales

Carrying any blade or sharp point in public is an offence unless you prove good reason or lawful authority. The only exception is a non-locking folding pocketknife whose cutting edge is 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less. Locking folders, fixed blades and larger knives need a good reason. Automatic, gravity and butterfly knives are banned.

This is a filter, not a ranking. We have not tested these knives, and “no restriction found” is not a promise that carrying is legal. Transport rules, local bans and events still apply. Read the full England & Wales page first.

10 that the law does not single out

  • Victorinox Cadet (Alox)

    blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • Victorinox Classic SD

    blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • Victorinox Climber

    blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)

    blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • Victorinox Huntsman

    blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper

    blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • Spyderco Roadie

    44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • Victorinox Spartan

    blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • Spyderco Squeak

    44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

  • W.R. Case & Sons Trapper

    76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)

    A non-locking folding pocketknife with a cutting edge of 3 inches (76.2 mm) or less is outside s139. No specific restriction found for carrying it in public, but it must never be used or shown threateningly and school/prison rules still apply.

Popular knives that need a reason or are restricted

Spyderco Ladybug 3Reason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Benchmade BugoutReason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Benchmade Mini BugoutReason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Spyderco Para 3Reason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)Reason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

CIVIVI ElementumReason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)Reason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)Reason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)Reason needed

Fixed blades are never within the folding-pocketknife exemption. Carrying one in public needs a good reason or lawful authority (work, religion, national costume are listed examples).

ESEE Izula-IIReason needed

Fixed blades are never within the folding-pocketknife exemption. Carrying one in public needs a good reason or lawful authority (work, religion, national costume are listed examples).

Buck 110 Folding HunterReason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)Reason needed

A folder whose blade locks open is a 'lock knife': courts require the blade to be immediately foldable at all times by simple pressure, so locking folders fall inside s139 at any blade length. You need a good reason.

Leatherman Wave PlusReason needed

A multitool with a locking blade, or a blade edge over 3 inches, is outside the exemption. Police policy treats locking multitools as lock knives. You need a good reason (e.g. work).

Leatherman Skeletool CXReason needed

A multitool with a locking blade, or a blade edge over 3 inches, is outside the exemption. Police policy treats locking multitools as lock knives. You need a good reason (e.g. work).

Leatherman ArcReason needed

A multitool with a locking blade, or a blade edge over 3 inches, is outside the exemption. Police policy treats locking multitools as lock knives. You need a good reason (e.g. work).

Victorinox SwissTool Spirit XReason needed

A multitool with a locking blade, or a blade edge over 3 inches, is outside the exemption. Police policy treats locking multitools as lock knives. You need a good reason (e.g. work).

Could not be settled from published specs

The answer turns on a length the maker does not publish, or on a point the law leaves open.