Weapons legislation knives

We do not sell knives to persons under the age of 18!!!

Legislation regarding weapons and knives in the Netherlands is covered by the Weapons and Ammunition Circular. Under Article 2 we find information regarding the legislation for (pocket) knives. This was last updated in this area in 2012.

The legislator has divided weapons into different categories, with different provisions. However, not all knives fall into a category. Knives that do not fall into a category are basically not subject to any provisions. Therefore, first the following:

Knives that do not fall under category 1 or 4 - possession is allowed, carrying too
Even 'assisted opening' knives, where you push the blade out a bit and a spring then does the rest do not fall under category 1 or 4. A knife may be up to 28 cm long (unfolded) and have only 1 cutting edge. In principle, you may carry these knives with you, but they are not allowed, for example, in a catering establishment and soccer stadium, and the local ordinance may also differ from one municipality to another.

To be clear: Dutch law says nothing at all about knives with blade locks, one-handed knives or knives that can be opened quickly. There are countries that do. So do pay attention when you go abroad.

Ahead of the following: We do not sell knives that fall under category 1. Only some knives we sell fall under category 4. All knives not falling under category 1 or 4 you may own, trade and carry. (Unless local ordinances prohibit it, see later on this page.)

Category 1 weapons - totally prohibited
Weapons in this category are, without an exemption, completely prohibited: both their possession and trafficking. This category includes, among others:

Stilettos (jumping knives): knives with side-projecting blades
Drop knives: knives with protruding blades (with or without a spring)
Butterfly knives: knives with a handle consisting of two parts that can be folded around the blade (see note below)
Close-folding knives with a total, unfolded length exceeding 28 cm
Close-folding knives whose blade has more than one cutting edge
Throwing stars
Film knives* and ballistic knives
Blank weapons that externally resemble an object other than a weapon
Arrows and arrowheads, intended to be shot by means of a bow, which are fitted with cutting parts with the apparent intention of causing serious injury thereby.
*Film knives: also called palm knives or fist knives. This is a knife in which the blade is at right angles to the handle. The handle is held in the palm of the hand and the blade extends out between the fingers.

Until 2012, there were some exceptions to these rules when it came to stilettos (jump knives), drop knives and butterfly knives, including when the blade was shorter than 9 cm, for example. However, these exceptions no longer exist.

Category 4 weapons - possession is allowed, carrying in public is not
Knives in this category may be possessed or traded. However, these weapons may not be carried, or publicly held. That is, they must be properly packaged during transport in such a way that they cannot be used for immediate use.

From our range are included in Category 4:

Blank weapons (knives) whose blade has more than one cutting edge, insofar as they do not fall under Category 1.
Explanation:

A folding knife whose blade has more than one cutting edge falls under Category 1 - and is therefore completely prohibited. Note: A serration is hereby considered a cutting edge!

A knife with fixed blade and more than one cutting edge (e.g., sawtooth serrations in the back) falls under Category 4.

Blades, swords, sabers and bayonets.

Objects which, given their nature or circumstances under which they are found, can reasonably be assumed to be intended for no other purpose than to inflict or threaten injury to persons - and which do not fall under any of the other three categories.

NOTE: It is very important that you always properly pack such a weapon.

This last point is an extremely important one to imbibe when carrying a knife as an EDC. Is it sensible and justifiable to carry a knife in the present situation? When in doubt about this, your question is actually answered: it's better to put it away for a while so you don't have it right in front of your hands.

Local ordinances
Note: ordinary knives are also not allowed from time to time

In addition to the national gun law, you also have to take into account local ordinances. A knife that you are normally allowed to carry with you may be prohibited by a local ordinance, such as in entertainment areas or soccer stadiums. Even a screwdriver on the train in The Hague is already considered such a prohibited weapon.

Disposing of your knife?
If your knife is confiscated, you will often be asked to relinquish it. In doing so, note: Waiver means that you cannot get the knife back.

However, it often happens that confiscating a knife is done on grounds that are not justified. For example, because of a lack of clarity about what is and is not allowed. It is also possible that your knife is rightly confiscated because, for example, you are carrying a category 4 knife on the street or transporting it incorrectly, but you still want to keep the knife because it has a certain value.

We then advise you to consider not surrendering. This does not mean that the knife will not be confiscated at that time, but at least you can then take the case to court to ask for your knife back through the courts.

Disclaimer
Although we have compiled the above information with care, no rights can be derived from the information in this article. It is purely for informational purposes, and no guarantees of accuracy and timeliness are given. Always check with a reliable government source as to the current state of affairs, and whether your interpretation of the knife law is correct. Arrowbow.eu is in no way liable for any consequences of the information in this article.