Checked 2026-10-26 · medium confidence
EDC knives with no carry restriction found in Northern Ireland
Section 139 Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies in Northern Ireland with the same wording as England: any blade or point in public is an offence unless you prove good reason or lawful authority, with a non-locking folding pocketknife (edge up to 3 inches) excluded. Flick/gravity knives are banned for sale; private possession bans are still pending.
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 Northern Ireland 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and 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; school and prison rules still apply.
Popular knives that need a reason or are restricted
| Spyderco Ladybug 3 | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Benchmade Bugout | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Benchmade Mini Bugout | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Spyderco Para 3 | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight) | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| CIVIVI Elementum | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I) | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| CRKT Squid (Thumbstud) | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown) | Reason needed Fixed blades are never within the exemption. Carrying one in public needs a good reason (work, religion, national costume are listed). |
| ESEE Izula-II | Reason needed Fixed blades are never within the exemption. Carrying one in public needs a good reason (work, religion, national costume are listed). |
| Buck 110 Folding Hunter | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge) | Reason needed English precedent (Deegan, Harris, Sharma) says a blade that locks is not a 'folding pocketknife'. NI s139 has identical wording, but we found no NI-court decision. Assume a good reason is needed. |
| Leatherman Wave Plus | Reason needed A multitool with a locking blade or an edge over 3 inches is within s139; you need a good reason such as work. |
| Leatherman Skeletool CX | Reason needed A multitool with a locking blade or an edge over 3 inches is within s139; you need a good reason such as work. |
| Leatherman Arc | Reason needed A multitool with a locking blade or an edge over 3 inches is within s139; you need a good reason such as work. |
| Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X | Reason needed A multitool with a locking blade or an edge over 3 inches is within s139; you need a good reason such as 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.
- Victorinox Swiss Card Classic: blade length not published
- Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel: blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published
- Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel: blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published
- Kershaw Leek: blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published
- CRKT Squid Assisted: blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published
- Leatherman Squirt PS4: blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
- Leatherman Micra: blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published
- Gerber Dime: blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published