The subject of knife crime has become a public issue with recent gang-related stabbings in London. Genuine, law abiding knife sellers and end users are now looked on disapprovingly. Journalists are reporting that knife crime is out of control and that the law needs to be tightened up. On closer inspection, the UK already has very strict, not to say Draconian laws, regarding knives.
As an online retailer of knives, it is important to have a basic knowledge of legal issues. There exists a great deal of misunderstanding of UK law relating to knives. Basically, the only knife allowed to be carried in public in the UK is a non-locking pen knife with a blade no longer than 3 inches. The only exceptions are where the knife is needed as a tool of the trade or part of a traditional costume. The Spyderco UK Penknife is a high quality cutting tool which retails at around £80 and is also legal to carry in the UK.
There are several checks in place at Handy Niknaks to make sure that under 18's are not purchasing knives. Before completing checkout, an age confirmation tick-box must be selected. The main age confirmation method is achieved by credit card payment, which pretty much identifies the customer as an adult. Compared to selling in a face to face situation there are probably more checks in place when selling online. There is also a physical paper chain of age confirmation, not present in cash sales transactions.
But who are the customers spending £40 or even more than £100 on a folding-blade knife. There are 3 main groups of knife enthusiast, who will happily part with up to £100 for a knife consisting of highly engineered moving parts, polished to a mirror finish with a razor sharp point.
There is the the brand conscious, middle class, outdoors type (including the author). With a high disposable income, a high pressure occupation, who places a high priority on recreational activities. These activities include, camping, hiking, rock climbing, angling, kayaking etc. A significant budget is allocated for high quality accessories and pieces of kit, such as a dependable Spyderco Knife. Now, slowly moving out of the niche sector Spyderco Knives are stocked by major camping equipment retailers in the UK.
The 2nd largest group includes police / fire / rescue / parmaedic and military personnel, who may have a lower disposable income. Many of these personnel may carry a Rescue-Knife as part of their essential kit. Life-boat crew members require a specific tool which is lightweight and highly rust resistant. This may be required to cut through tangled ropes or fishing nets. Spyderco's Atlantic Salt Knife with its blunt tipped, H1 steel Blade and high performance serrated edge is the tool of choice.
Another customer group is the collector / enthusiast, an indefinable and ever growing number in the UK, some of whom have morphed out of the other 2 groups, after buying first one, then another and another slightly more expensive knife...