Sword Cane / Swagger Stick?

RobT · 24th February 2024, 02:27 PM

Hi All,

I was reading the comments by some of the European members about sword canes being illegal in their respective countries. Here in the US, it is ok to own sword canes as long as the owners don't carry them in public (concealed weapon carry). I have been around for a while and I can only recall one incident in my life when somebody was stabbed with a sword cane. Actually, it was a sword umbrella (a la John Steed) wielded by a teenage boy. Given the lack of incidents in the US, it is pretty easy to see why the authorities are pretty relaxed about sword (or umbrella) cane ownership. I wonder what experiences in the European countries have led to their bans. Or is it just a case of "you can't have that because I say so and I'm the mommy, that's why".
In a similar fashion, switchblade knives have been illegal throughout the US since the fifties but when I went to Spain in the seventies, they were readily available. I gather that is no longer the case in Europe but in the US, switchblades are now being sold legally in some states and nobody seems to be too upset about it while in some other states, any knife that can be opened with one hand (including balisongs, and thumbers) can't be sold (I'm not sure if this ban includes knives without a backspring).
It would really be nice if people empowered to make laws were required to provide well documented data to support the need for laws that infringe on personal freedom. Those laws should also be evaluated for their effectiveness and unintended consequences. Maybe, if the people making laws had their work scrutinized by jaundiced review, we would get less but more effective laws.

Sincerely,
RobT

Norman McCormick · 25th February 2024, 02:33 PM

Hi,
It is not illegal in the U.K. to own a sword stick providing it is an antique. This normally means more than 100yrs old but I would suspect to stay within the spirit of the law Victorian or earlier would be the only ones acceptable. It must not be taken outside as then it would be classed as a concealed weapon. Supposed to be an automatic 5 yrs in the 'pokey' for carrying an illegal blade in public but I don't know how rigorously this term is enforced but I would suspect there would be a definite custodial element if caught. There are quite a number of Victorian sword sticks/canes in local auctions up and down the country and I have never heard of a problem buying or selling one at auction.
Regards,
Norman.

kronckew · 25th February 2024, 04:57 PM

My swagger dagger stick

It's covered in leather, has a socket for the blade, no button needed, Sharp single edged 34 cm. x1.25 cm. blade, 5cm false edge (not sharp), 7cm. ricasso,13 cm. grip inc. the bolster, wicked little devil. 53CM. overall. 2cm. thick. weight 245 gm. One small rust spot now gone, and a little shoe polish covered all the scrape marks in the leather.

24th February 2024, 02:27 PM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 536	Laws Don't Need Factual Support Hi All, I was reading the comments by some of the European members about sword canes being illegal in their respective countries. Here in the US, it is ok to own sword canes as long as the owners don't carry them in public (concealed weapon carry). I have been around for a while and I can only recall one incident in my life when somebody was stabbed with a sword cane. Actually, it was a sword umbrella (a la John Steed) wielded by a teenage boy. Given the lack of incidents in the US, it is pretty easy to see why the authorities are pretty relaxed about sword (or umbrella) cane ownership. I wonder what experiences in the European countries have led to their bans. Or is it just a case of "you can't have that because I say so and I'm the mommy, that's why". In a similar fashion, switchblade knives have been illegal throughout the US since the fifties but when I went to Spain in the seventies, they were readily available. I gather that is no longer the case in Europe but in the US, switchblades are now being sold legally in some states and nobody seems to be too upset about it while in some other states, any knife that can be opened with one hand (including balisongs, and thumbers) can't be sold (I'm not sure if this ban includes knives without a backspring). It would really be nice if people empowered to make laws were required to provide well documented data to support the need for laws that infringe on personal freedom. Those laws should also be evaluated for their effectiveness and unintended consequences. Maybe, if the people making laws had their work scrutinized by jaundiced review, we would get less but more effective laws. Sincerely, RobT

25th February 2024, 04:57 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	My swagger dagger stick It's covered in leather, has a socket for the blade, no button needed, Sharp single edged 34 cm. x1.25 cm. blade, 5cm false edge (not sharp), 7cm. ricasso,13 cm. grip inc. the bolster, wicked little devil. 53CM. overall. 2cm. thick. weight 245 gm. One small rust spot now gone, and a little shoe polish covered all the scrape marks in the leather. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 25th February 2024 at 05:14 PM.

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25th February 2024, 02:33 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,613	Hi, It is not illegal in the U.K. to own a sword stick providing it is an antique. This normally means more than 100yrs old but I would suspect to stay within the spirit of the law Victorian or earlier would be the only ones acceptable. It must not be taken outside as then it would be classed as a concealed weapon. Supposed to be an automatic 5 yrs in the 'pokey' for carrying an illegal blade in public but I don't know how rigorously this term is enforced but I would suspect there would be a definite custodial element if caught. There are quite a number of Victorian sword sticks/canes in local auctions up and down the country and I have never heard of a problem buying or selling one at auction. Regards, Norman.