what's the difference between a multitool and a caravan/ motorhome full of FIXED blades I.E. bread, chopping knifes etc. The world is full of knobs worth balloons at boat ports now.
Yes i was stopped at Plymouth Aug 2023, asked if i had any knives or multitools, had to dig it out of the bottom of my pannier he looked at it handed it back and said leave it in your locked pannier through out the sail, was also asked at Poole in 2018 if i was carrying any knives told him i had a multitool, he wasn't interested. so if you do carry lock them in your pannier and not carry them on your person.
This is a timely discussion, I’m in France having travelled by car on a ferry. No questions were asked but I have a Swiss Army knife that I mainly carry for it’s corkscrew. That knife was gifted to me in 1981 and I’d be very sad if it were confiscated. I have been bit concerned, so for the return trip I’ll stash it with the wheel nut spanner and Jack in the boot. Overkill but better safe than sorry!
I specifically emailed DFDS about this , agreed, they are not customs but their terms and conditions also exclude carrying knives on board, I was told that as long as my Leatherman was kept under the bike seat it was no problem. As in many areas it's often down to one persons interpretation of the rules.
It's seems that customs who are questioning the multi tool are confused. As far as I can see the law in the UK states it is illegal to carry blades over 3 in and or lock knifes in public unless you have a legitimate reason for having such a knife. The law provides a number of exceptions to this prohibition for use at work (e.g. a chef’s knife or a workman’s tools), as part of a national or religious costume (e.g. the kirpan or sgian dubh) and the catch-all “good reason or lawful authority” which is there to provide constabulary and judicial discretion where there is no criminal intent and an arrest or charge would not serve the public interest. If the multi tool is worn on your belt it could be argued it was in public view without a justifiable reason. However as part of tool kit that is packed away, therfore not in public view should not be illeg and its use as a tool is legitimate. So I think any customs who remove them from your panniers are are probably wrong in law but they have you by the short & curlies as you just want to get on the boat not arguing with customs 😢
An excellent and comprehensive statement mate. The only thing I would add is that some ports have their own security search teams (Channel Tunnel) as well as Customs, Police etc, and some are more 'eager' than others. Also in some cases it may fall into the Terms of Travel at that location. In any case, if the multitool is safely away in your panniers and it is there for camping use or tools for motorcycle repair, I would argue it has a legitimate purpose. Lets face it, if they adopted the 'Fixed blade' criteria rigidly then every single camper van and caravan with a cutlery drawer would get turned over! 🙂
As the blade locks its not allowed to be carried as a pocket knife without good reason...as part of a tool kit on a bike I would deem that to be a good reason.!! But keep it on the bike , not on a ferry ..😅
I had my multi tool confiscated at Plymouth. They asked if I had a knife so I showed the tool as I thought nothing to hide it’s a tool! The reason given was the blade was over 4” and locked in the out position. I asked to see the supervisor who said he would keep it for me and I could pick it up on return, which I did, otherwise I’d have lost over £100 to replace. The advice he gave unofficially was hide / lock it away in the bike somewhere so it stays in the cargo decks not with you on board.
As it happened, I got stopped by customs last year going Plymouth to Santander. I said I had a multi tool, and they looked at it and said your good to go 😂 hope I'm OK this year 🤞
Not Customs, I think but either Border Control or ferry security. I have been asked, said yes, and been told "leave it in your pannier", which I think means it was ferry security.
Went to Spain via Plymouth in early May this year. There were literally hundreds of bikes boarding the ferry. They got together around 30 bikes at a time at security and shouted "Is anyone carrying a multitool". No came the reply. The guy smiled and just let everyone on.
I went through Plymouth 2 weeks ago. The customs guy asked if I had a penknife or other blade. I said yes I had a multitool under the seat and he said as long as it remained there whilst on board that was fine.
In England and Wales It is illegal (without lawful authority or reasonable excuse) to possess a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place. Unless it is a folding pocket knife with a blade Less than 3 inches long 7.62cm. The blade must not lock into place. Similar rules apply in most of Europe.
I have no experience of this, but I have carried SAKs and a multi-tool in ‘hold luggage’ on an aeroplane. I would have thought that if a multi-tool is visibly part of a tool kit (ie, kept with your spanners etc) then it’s ‘obviously’ part of a tool kit. If the tool comes apart it might be worth taking the cutting blade out and replacing it with another tool (or a spacer) to keep the M/T functional. My Gerber allows the saw blade to be removed/replaced, but not the knife blade. Thanks for an interesting question! Les
Okay having just come back from Northern Spain. On the outward journey I was asked at UK customs if I had any ‘Knives or Sharp implements’? I said no as I didn’t, apart from a Multitool which at the time and in all honesty, I didn’t think it qualified. But curious I did some research. This is new security measure as a result of the knife and Machete attack here in the UK and Europe. It’s for security on the trains & Ferries. In Spain of course you can buy hunting knives 12 inches long! So, although it’s still would be subject to confiscation if found, put the multitool with your tools for the journey accross the boarders. One could argue it’s a tool and the chances of it being search for there are slim.
Hello, Love this channel, it is illegal to carry any knife regardless of length in a public place, it can also include,screwdrivers,multitools and can openers People have been arrested for carrying locking saws in public place, don't ask me why mind.
Incorrect ! It is illegal to carry an offensive weapon. A knife is a tool and as long as it is carried as such it is not illegal. Carry a multi-tool with your other bike tools locked in a locked container on the bike and any reasonable court would not consider this as an offensive weapon.
@@Robinbamv it is illegal to carry in a public anything sharp capable of being locked in position. It is true if is not easily accessible it would be Considered a defence to that.
The law is simple in the UK, you can carry a knife if you have a "good reason". If you have a folding pocket knife with a blade less than three inches long, that does not lock or have serrated edges or slogans of harm on it and you are not carrying it to cause harm or threaten harm, you do not need to demonstrate a good reason. This all applies in public places; if you are not in a public place the rules may still prohibit the possession of a knife (ferries, aeroplanes, night clubs etc)
I was carrying a leather man multi tool in my top box which was searched. They found the tool and explained that as the blade locked, it couldn't go on the ferry. It was put in a plastic bag and I was given a reference number to quote on my return to the UK. It was returned to me via courier at a cost of £37. The border official was apologetic!! I don't think they really wanted to 'find' it.
Multi tools are legal in public as long as they don’t have a blade that locks , or a blade over 3 inches long . Most Leatherman tools have locking blades . They don’t like anyone carrying any knife on their person ,or that’s easy to hand , in case they are tempted to use it as a weapon in any possible altercation . Obvious it’s a common sense thing ,if you are going into a bar club ,on an airliner or ferry ,you don’t carry any type of knife on your person , you leave it in your bikes tool pouch or bottom of top box or panniers . If a camper or angler ,you keep any knife ,deep in your ruck sack or tackle box ,not in your pocket & instantly available .
The answer is in Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Any locking blade is a prohibited item, as is a folding blade longer than 3 inches. That is subject to a lawful excuse/good reason defence so I would always carry one with my tools. It will not stop them trying to seize it but the last time I asked a customs officer if he had ever heard of Section 139 he just stared at me blankly 🙄 ….
The regulations for aircraft & ships are the same when it comes to knives, both can be carried in hold luggage but can’t be carried on-the person. So if you have a multi tool it should stat locked in your luggage on the bike as just like on an aircraft you don’t have access to this during the journey, if I remember correctly this is covered by the Aviation & Maritime security act.
You can have these at home legal in EU countries. Many countries have security zones in which these tools will be considered a weapon and confiscated as illegal. Some countries also have a law saying that a knife blade length of 7cm or thereover, a lockable blade or a spring assisted blade are illegal. Usually, when you have a legal purpose with a multitool, no customs or police will take it from you (scout, sailors, camping, motorcycling, craftsman etc.), however, it is YOU that have to convince the authority about this. In some countries you may even risk prison. Europe is a much safer area to travel than the US because you won't as many maniacs carrying guns and such. Because of law.
My original Leatherman PST has a non-locking blade which is less than 3 inches so no problem. I believe that their Bond model (?) is the modern equivalent?
Dumb but yes Brittany terminal are randomly selecting bikes and ask if you have a knife or multitool. I showed them the KLM cutlery I 'borrowed' from a recent flight, the butter knife was deemed okay. A win/win - security had done their job (which they know doesn't make much sense - as the more irate like to inform them) and my Gerber multitool was kept secreted elsewhere.
In my experience, those of a liberal bent view a knife as a weapon. Those of a conservative bent view a knife as a tool. Now ask yourself, "how many times have I used a knife as a tool vs how many times have I used a knife as a weapon?"
@@RideSpain you have to write to HMRC or Border force. You must get a receipt for the items and ask for it to be returned. This does not apply to items held for investigation or the proceeds.of crime act.
EU laws states quite clearly that any art of '"pocket knife" with a locking blade or opening system (eg flick knife) or over 3" / 76mm is not allowed to be carried. Multi tools sadly fall under this law.
it's just a knife policy forced on law abiding people. Bade length(to where it goes in the handle) and if it locks are a factor. it is not exactly a great law as even one of these can do serious harm. Part of this is due a decline in a shifting mindset of the inner city, and how some who are coming in unfiltered have no problem finishing a minor disagreement by turning to a knife. as usual the kind and law abiding suffer. A decent thoughtful police officer though would not have a problem with it.
Haia, yes, I was stopped at Plymouth and asked if I had any drugs, blades or a multitool. I had a multitool (not a Leatherman) in my toolkit, which they asked to see... They looked at it and handed it back, presumably because the blade is within the 3 inches and doesn't lock.
The world was a better place when l was young....although we did have the fifties Cold War and the treat of nuclear annihilation !!...that aside, it was still a better time to grow up... A time before political correctness and being regimented about...l have a 'Leatherman' multi tool that I've owned for thirty years...I'd be 'sick as a pig' if some Jobsworthy nicked it.....
Plymouth 2023, customs now called UK Border Force stopped and searched every bike and we had to empty all our pockets into a tray on the table it was the first time ever as you said i also have been doing it for over 30yrs.
Seems to be an issue just at customs. I'm a Brit living and riding in Portugal for the last 10 years and wear a Leatherman on a belt every day. Yes, any locking blade is a no, no but "reasonable excuse" comes into play....So it then becomes an "effort -vs- reward" thing... Do you really want/need a bladed item for a 10 day razz around Europe anymore than you would around Blighty, or should you just carry correct tools?.....If you do, remove the blade from your multi-tool and stow them separately. Neither "separate" item is illegal then...(blade length considered).....
what's the difference between a multitool and a caravan/ motorhome full of FIXED blades I.E. bread, chopping knifes etc. The world is full of knobs worth balloons at boat ports now.
Locked blades are illegal in many countries including the UK. (Cross Channel ferries don't allow knives at all.)
Yes i was stopped at Plymouth Aug 2023, asked if i had any knives or multitools, had to dig it out of the bottom of my pannier he looked at it handed it back and said leave it in your locked pannier through out the sail, was also asked at Poole in 2018 if i was carrying any knives told him i had a multitool, he wasn't interested. so if you do carry lock them in your pannier and not carry them on your person.
Just because someone sells something doesn't make it legal to use or own. The problem is the locking of the blade (and also the length of it too)
Correct. Amazon is full of illegal stuff
This is a timely discussion, I’m in France having travelled by car on a ferry. No questions were asked but I have a Swiss Army knife that I mainly carry for it’s corkscrew. That knife was gifted to me in 1981 and I’d be very sad if it were confiscated. I have been bit concerned, so for the return trip I’ll stash it with the wheel nut spanner and Jack in the boot. Overkill but better safe than sorry!
I specifically emailed DFDS about this , agreed, they are not customs but their terms and conditions also exclude carrying knives on board, I was told that as long as my Leatherman was kept under the bike seat it was no problem. As in many areas it's often down to one persons interpretation of the rules.
I have carried multi tool before, and stopped by customs.. Indeed searched by customs in Portsmouth...
It's seems that customs who are questioning the multi tool are confused. As far as I can see the law in the UK states it is illegal to carry blades over 3 in and or lock knifes in public unless you have a legitimate reason for having such a knife. The law provides a number of exceptions to this prohibition for use at work (e.g. a chef’s knife or a workman’s tools), as part of a national or religious costume (e.g. the kirpan or sgian dubh) and the catch-all “good reason or lawful authority” which is there to provide constabulary and judicial discretion where there is no criminal intent and an arrest or charge would not serve the public interest.
If the multi tool is worn on your belt it could be argued it was in public view without a justifiable reason. However as part of tool kit that is packed away, therfore not in public view should not be illeg and its use as a tool is legitimate. So I think any customs who remove them from your panniers are are probably wrong in law but they have you by the short & curlies as you just want to get on the boat not arguing with customs 😢
I like that answer! They may be wrong and felxing their muscles, but you are correct, the motorcyclist just wants to board the ferry in peace.
An excellent and comprehensive statement mate. The only thing I would add is that some ports have their own security search teams (Channel Tunnel) as well as Customs, Police etc, and some are more 'eager' than others. Also in some cases it may fall into the Terms of Travel at that location. In any case, if the multitool is safely away in your panniers and it is there for camping use or tools for motorcycle repair, I would argue it has a legitimate purpose. Lets face it, if they adopted the 'Fixed blade' criteria rigidly then every single camper van and caravan with a cutlery drawer would get turned over! 🙂
I purchased a multitool of amazon spain last month. Yes it has locking blades and I carry it in Pannier.
As the blade locks its not allowed to be carried as a pocket knife without good reason...as part of a tool kit on a bike I would deem that to be a good reason.!!
But keep it on the bike , not on a ferry ..😅
I had my multi tool confiscated at Plymouth. They asked if I had a knife so I showed the tool as I thought nothing to hide it’s a tool! The reason given was the blade was over 4” and locked in the out position. I asked to see the supervisor who said he would keep it for me and I could pick it up on return, which I did, otherwise I’d have lost over £100 to replace. The advice he gave unofficially was hide / lock it away in the bike somewhere so it stays in the cargo decks not with you on board.
As it happened, I got stopped by customs last year going Plymouth to Santander. I said I had a multi tool, and they looked at it and said your good to go 😂 hope I'm OK this year 🤞
Not Customs, I think but either Border Control or ferry security. I have been asked, said yes, and been told "leave it in your pannier", which I think means it was ferry security.
Went to Spain via Plymouth in early May this year. There were literally hundreds of bikes boarding the ferry. They got together around 30 bikes at a time at security and shouted "Is anyone carrying a multitool". No came the reply. The guy smiled and just let everyone on.
Excellent! 👍
I went through Plymouth 2 weeks ago. The customs guy asked if I had a penknife or other blade. I said yes I had a multitool under the seat and he said as long as it remained there whilst on board that was fine.
In England and Wales It is illegal (without lawful authority or reasonable excuse) to possess a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place. Unless it is a folding pocket knife with a blade Less than 3 inches long 7.62cm. The blade must not lock into place. Similar rules apply in most of Europe.
I have no experience of this, but I have carried SAKs and a multi-tool in ‘hold luggage’ on an aeroplane. I would have thought that if a multi-tool is visibly part of a tool kit (ie, kept with your spanners etc) then it’s ‘obviously’ part of a tool kit. If the tool comes apart it might be worth taking the cutting blade out and replacing it with another tool (or a spacer) to keep the M/T functional. My Gerber allows the saw blade to be removed/replaced, but not the knife blade. Thanks for an interesting question! Les
Okay having just come back from Northern Spain. On the outward journey I was asked at UK customs if I had any ‘Knives or Sharp implements’? I said no as I didn’t, apart from a Multitool which at the time and in all honesty, I didn’t think it qualified. But curious I did some research. This is new security measure as a result of the knife and Machete attack here in the UK and Europe. It’s for security on the trains & Ferries. In Spain of course you can buy hunting knives 12 inches long! So, although it’s still would be subject to confiscation if found, put the multitool with your tools for the journey accross the boarders. One could argue it’s a tool and the chances of it being search for there are slim.
Nextool has recently introduced the Sailer mini multitool. It has no locking blade. God bless the 2nd Amendment.
Hello,
Love this channel, it is illegal to carry any knife regardless of length in a public place, it can also include,screwdrivers,multitools and can openers
People have been arrested for carrying locking saws in public place, don't ask me why mind.
Incorrect ! It is illegal to carry an offensive weapon. A knife is a tool and as long as it is carried as such it is not illegal. Carry a multi-tool with your other bike tools locked in a locked container on the bike and any reasonable court would not consider this as an offensive weapon.
@@Robinbamv it is illegal to carry in a public anything sharp capable of being locked in position. It is true if is not easily accessible it would be
Considered a defence to that.
The law is simple in the UK, you can carry a knife if you have a "good reason". If you have a folding pocket knife with a blade less than three inches long, that does not lock or have serrated edges or slogans of harm on it and you are not carrying it to cause harm or threaten harm, you do not need to demonstrate a good reason. This all applies in public places; if you are not in a public place the rules may still prohibit the possession of a knife (ferries, aeroplanes, night clubs etc)
I was carrying a leather man multi tool in my top box which was searched. They found the tool and explained that as the blade locked, it couldn't go on the ferry. It was put in a plastic bag and I was given a reference number to quote on my return to the UK. It was returned to me via courier at a cost of £37. The border official was apologetic!! I don't think they really wanted to 'find' it.
Multi tools are legal in public as long as they don’t have a blade that locks , or a blade over 3 inches long . Most Leatherman tools have locking blades . They don’t like anyone carrying any knife on their person ,or that’s easy to hand , in case they are tempted to use it as a weapon in any possible altercation . Obvious it’s a common sense thing ,if you are going into a bar club ,on an airliner or ferry ,you don’t carry any type of knife on your person , you leave it in your bikes tool pouch or bottom of top box or panniers . If a camper or angler ,you keep any knife ,deep in your ruck sack or tackle box ,not in your pocket & instantly available .
I suggest you leave it in a locked tool compartment while crossing borders and when getting close to Redlight districts and city centers.
The answer is in Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Any locking blade is a prohibited item, as is a folding blade longer than 3 inches. That is subject to a lawful excuse/good reason defence so I would always carry one with my tools. It will not stop them trying to seize it but the last time I asked a customs officer if he had ever heard of Section 139 he just stared at me blankly 🙄 ….
The regulations for aircraft & ships are the same when it comes to knives, both can be carried in hold luggage but can’t be carried on-the person. So if you have a multi tool it should stat locked in your luggage on the bike as just like on an aircraft you don’t have access to this during the journey, if I remember correctly this is covered by the Aviation & Maritime security act.
You can have these at home legal in EU countries.
Many countries have security zones in which these tools will be considered a weapon and confiscated as illegal.
Some countries also have a law saying that a knife blade length of 7cm or thereover, a lockable blade or a spring assisted blade are illegal.
Usually, when you have a legal purpose with a multitool, no customs or police will take it from you (scout, sailors, camping, motorcycling, craftsman etc.), however, it is YOU that have to convince the authority about this.
In some countries you may even risk prison.
Europe is a much safer area to travel than the US because you won't as many maniacs carrying guns and such.
Because of law.
My original Leatherman PST has a non-locking blade which is less than 3 inches so no problem. I believe that their Bond model (?) is the modern equivalent?
Dumb but yes Brittany terminal are randomly selecting bikes and ask if you have a knife or multitool. I showed them the KLM cutlery I 'borrowed' from a recent flight, the butter knife was deemed okay. A win/win - security had done their job (which they know doesn't make much sense - as the more irate like to inform them) and my Gerber multitool was kept secreted elsewhere.
In my experience, those of a liberal bent view a knife as a weapon. Those of a conservative bent view a knife as a tool. Now ask yourself, "how many times have I used a knife as a tool vs how many times have I used a knife as a weapon?"
I can't answer, but I'm led to believe that the blade length might be a factor.
Ironically blade length is irrelevant the blade can be an inch b
Sorry pressed that by mistake a 1inch blade that locks is illegal
Question is what happens to the 'confiscated' items ..???
I understand you can “buy” it back!!
@@RideSpain you have to write to HMRC or Border force. You must get a receipt for the items and ask for it to be returned.
This does not apply to items held for investigation or the proceeds.of crime act.
EU laws states quite clearly that any art of '"pocket knife" with a locking blade or opening system (eg flick knife) or over 3" / 76mm is not allowed to be carried. Multi tools sadly fall under this law.
I have a Leatherman Bond multitool that doesn’t have a locking blade for exactly this reason.
it's just a knife policy forced on law abiding people. Bade length(to where it goes in the handle) and if it locks are a factor. it is not exactly a great law as even one of these can do serious harm. Part of this is due a decline in a shifting mindset of the inner city, and how some who are coming in unfiltered have no problem finishing a minor disagreement by turning to a knife. as usual the kind and law abiding suffer. A decent thoughtful police officer though would not have a problem with it.
Haia, yes, I was stopped at Plymouth and asked if I had any drugs, blades or a multitool. I had a multitool (not a Leatherman) in my toolkit, which they asked to see... They looked at it and handed it back, presumably because the blade is within the 3 inches and doesn't lock.
Sorry missed the important word, locking out
I do mention that! At 0.55 .
Yes, locking is the problem it's all part of the offence weapons act 2019.
Carry mine in me boot.
The world was a better place when l was young....although we did have the fifties Cold War and the treat of nuclear annihilation !!...that aside, it was still a better time to grow up... A time before political correctness and being regimented about...l have a 'Leatherman' multi tool that I've owned for thirty years...I'd be 'sick as a pig' if some Jobsworthy nicked it.....
I believe if they do confiscate it you have the option to “buy” it back!
never heard of this before and if true, its totally pathetic.
I had not come across it either! that is why I was prompted to ask the question.
Plymouth 2023, customs now called UK Border Force stopped and searched every bike and we had to empty all our pockets into a tray on the table it was the first time ever as you said i also have been doing it for over 30yrs.
Seems to be an issue just at customs. I'm a Brit living and riding in Portugal for the last 10 years and wear a Leatherman on a belt every day. Yes, any locking blade is a no, no but "reasonable excuse" comes into play....So it then becomes an "effort -vs- reward" thing... Do you really want/need a bladed item for a 10 day razz around Europe anymore than you would around Blighty, or should you just carry correct tools?.....If you do, remove the blade from your multi-tool and stow them separately. Neither "separate" item is illegal then...(blade length considered).....