Question about whether button based switch blade knife is legal in Ireland

segosego89

Hi there,

I was hoping to purchasing button based switch blade knife like the one shown in this timestamped video here: https://youtu.be/v7jhbz_Jwos?t=116


However I'm not sure whether this kind of knife is legal in Ireland? I've seen videos on Youtube of people from the US using them for various things like opening cardboard boxes etc.

Any helpful info on the legality of these knifes would be appreciated!

Kind regards

OU812

You planning on opening many cardboard boxes with it?

Of course they’re illegal.

sheesh

it is listed as an offensive weapon. in legislation. You can only carry a knife around with you if you have good reason as in you are a carpenter, chef. going fishing. I assume like in the uk you are allowed a switchblade if you are one handed and need it to open letters!

How badly do you want a switchblade?:D

chris20

I work in customs and can say they are illegal

segosego89

sheesh wrote: »

it is listed as an offensive weapon. in legislation. You can only carry a knife around with you if you have good reason as in you are a carpenter, chef. going fishing. I assume like in the uk you are allowed a switchblade if you are one handed and need it to open letters!

How badly do you want a switchblade?:D

Not very badly. I was just curious is all.

I use an exacto knife to open boxes and other things. They are very handy but I wish there was a version that had a button which made the blade pop in and out like the one shown in the video. I just wanted one for home use.

Cass

They're not illegal.


BUT

They ARE illegal, as i've been correctly reminded off below. So there is feck all point discussing the legalities of having one in your possession.

J.R.

chris20 wrote: »

I work in customs and can say they are illegal

If customs found one in a parcel destined for an address in Ireland would it be seized?

chris20

J.R. wrote: »

If customs found one in a parcel destined for an address in Ireland would it be seized?

If we found on like that one it would be seized yes

Cass

Under what law and for what reason?

The pigeon man

Cass wrote: »

Under what law and for what reason?

SI 66/1991. Section 12 of the firearms and offensive weapons act 1990

Cass

Thanks for that.

I remember something about Katanas being banned but I couldn't find the legislation and with 65 SIs i cannot remember them all.

I'll have to amend my post above about them not being illegal so.

The funny part is while i was searching to see if i was wrong, because something in my head said i was i found a few posts as far back as 7 years ago, and this post, thanked by you, which says the exact same thing. :rolleyes:

I think i getting some-timers.

The pigeon man

Cass wrote: »

Thanks for that.

I remember something about Katanas being banned but I couldn't find the legislation and with 65 SIs i cannot remember them all.

I'll have to amend my post above about them not being illegal so.

The funny part is while i was searching to see if i was wrong, because something in my head said i was i found a few posts as far back as 7 years ago, and this post, thanked by you, which says the exact same thing. :rolleyes:

I think i getting some-timers.

So many statutory instruments they're impossible to keep track of.

After reading the SI I think anyone who had any of these weapons before 1991 may still retain them as the only the sale, manufacture, importation and loan of these items are prohibitive.

Would be interested to hear other interpretations of this?