Knife laws

**Saff** · 10-12-2009, 16:45

Hi,

I was wondering... are there any knife laws in South Africa restricting what you're allowing to carry on your person? E.g. laws regarding fixed and locking blades, blade length etc.

Thanks!
Chris

**Lone Ranger** · 10-12-2009, 16:48

just keep it concealed

**shooter** · 10-12-2009, 20:27

I think public gatherings, political meeting\srallies are also a no-go for such weapons.

**SWATG** · 11-12-2009, 07:07

Have at least one, two is better, know how to use it, and keep it wet as Geoff would say in a fight, currently as I understand anyone can buy and carry a knife, the dangerous weapons act has been quiet for a while, unless I was asleep and something happened!

**prepare2win** · 18-12-2009, 17:05

as far as I know, from experience and talking to SAPS/Metro friends of mine, context is everything. If you look like you are up to no good, in a dodgy place, with a knife, best case will probably be that it gets confiscated. Who knows what the procedure is if some LEO "confiscates" your R500 knife... if you get too cocky they might ramp up the charges.

**Saff** · 18-12-2009, 17:19

Thanks for the responses guys, much appreciated!

**HoggerNaut** · 21-12-2009, 07:42

There is no place that I enter without.

**gunlore** · 25-12-2009, 17:07

If it is confiscated then you must be charged with posession of a dangerous weapon.There is an old law that is still on the statutes that says the blade cannot be longer than the width of the palm of a hand.It does not say whos hand so it is open to interpretation.As long as you are not blatantly flashing it about and making a nuisance of yourself , then there is no case.In your vehicle and home you can have a 40 inch blade and there is nothing they can do as it is your private property.Many years ago when I was a cop I confiscated a baseball bat from a guy who was using it to assault people walking on the pavement minding their own buisness. we caught him but nobody would make a case , so i took the bat away anyway. he made a case against me and I had to give the bat back.

**Cerberus** · 18-04-2011, 13:57

Originally Posted by gunlore

There is an old law that is still on the statutes that says the blade cannot be longer than the width of the palm of a hand.

Sorry to bring this post from the grave - BUT...

I have been under the same impression about blade length - but can anyone confirm or deny if this has changed?
How do you think it might be interprated if you have to use the knife, for legal and reasonable SD purposes but off of your private property, and it is longer than anyone in the vicinity's palm?

Finding someone with a bigger palm not being an option

**prepare2win** · 18-04-2011, 14:29

http://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/show...-SA-knife-laws

short version- Dangerous weapons act says Knife blade must be under 10cm long,and my interpretation of it is single edged, due to daggers being listed as a no-no. google came back at me that the difference between a knife and a dagger is single vs double edged.