Knife definitions

Is an easyopening knife such as the Buck

Sprint with the little spur on the blade considered to be a flick knife?

In my opinion, this type of knife (which is sometimes called a flipper) does not satisfy the definition of a lock knife. In order for the knife to open, there has to be constant finger pressure on the spur. If pressure ceases, then the blade stops opening; there is no spring or other device to make the blade open fully. The new definition of a flick knife in Section 1 of the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 uses the words “opens automatically”.

Automatic is not defined in law but the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary provides a useful definition: “Self-acting; esp (of a machine, device etc) working of itself with little or no direct human actuation”.

These words import the concept of something happening which once it starts cannot be stopped, such as spring tension propelling the blade open.

There is nothing automatic about the opening of a ‘flipper’ knife blade, so I am certain that these knives are not caught by the new flickknife definition. BH

Flipper knives require constant pressure to open