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== See also == {{wiktionary}}
 
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{{short description|Ornate weapon inspired from zombie movies and TV shows.}}
{{short description|Ornate weapon inspired from zombie movies and TV shows.}}
[[File:Zombie Knife.svg|thumb|300x300px|Illustration of a zombie knife]]
[[File:Zombie Knife.svg|thumb|300x300px|Illustration of a zombie knife]]
A '''zombie knife''' (also known as a '''zombie killer knife''' or '''zombie slayer knife''') is a type of ornate [[knife]] or bladed weapon inspired by [[Zombie film|zombie films]] and TV series. These knives can range in size and shape but are commonly defined as having a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words (whether on the blade or handle) that suggest that it is to be used for the purpose of violence.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/803/contents/made|website=www.legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> Despite being designed for collectors and [[Survivalism|survivalists]], the appearance of zombie knives led to their increasing usage in criminality. In 2016, parts of the [[United Kingdom]] made the sale of such knives illegal but with exceptions. In January 2024, the UK Government made the selling of zombie knives illegal without exceptions.
A '''zombie knife''' (also known as a '''zombie killer knife''' or '''zombie slayer knife''') is a type of ornate [[knife]] or bladed weapon inspired by [[Zombie film|zombie films]] and TV series. These knives can range in size and shape, but are legally defined in the UK as having a cutting edge, a [[serrated]] edge and images or words (whether on the blade or handle) that suggest that it is to be used for the purpose of violence.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/803/contents/made|website=www.legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> Despite being designed for collectors and [[Survivalism|survivalists]], the appearance of zombie knives led to their increasing usage in criminality. In 2016, parts of the [[United Kingdom]] made the sale of such knives illegal but with exceptions. In September 2024, the UK Government made the selling of zombie knives illegal without exceptions.


== History ==
== History ==
The first series of zombie-themed knives was released in 2011 by American knife company [[Ka-Bar|KA-BAR]] after a company official joked about "the need for knives capable of killing a zombie when firearms aren't available".<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 January 2011|title=Ka-Bar rolls out new 'Zombie Killer' knife line|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2011/01/19/ka-bar-rolls-out-new-zombie-killer-knife-line/|access-date=21 July 2021|website=Military Times}}</ref> The original set of six knives named; Kharon, Acheron, Famine, War, Pestilence and Death featured distinct neon-green handles and a bio-hazard symbol.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McDougall|first=Len|title=The Edgemaster's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing, Using, and Maintaining Fixed-Blade and Folding Knives|publisher=[[Skyhorse Publishing]]|year=2018|isbn=978-1510727694}}</ref> Commenting on the company's Zombie Knife line, CEO John Stitt stated that, when exhibited at trade show [[SHOT Show|SHOT 2011]], "everybody laughed at us"; however, "the next year everything was green, everything was zombies!"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vinoski|first=Jim|date=24 September 2020|title=KA-BAR Knives Honors Its Iconic History While Looking To The Future|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2020/09/24/ka-bar-knives-honors-its-iconic-history-while-looking-to-the-future/|access-date=21 July 2021|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> Soon other manufacturers such as [[Gerber Legendary Blades|Gerber]] joined the craze by releasing their own [[zombie apocalypse]] inspired products.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shackleford|first=Steve|date=28 August 2012|title=Knives of the Living Dead|work=[[Blade (magazine)|Blade]]|url=https://blademag.com/knife-collecting/knives-of-the-living-dead|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>
The first series of zombie-themed knives was released in 2011 by American knife company [[Ka-Bar|KA-BAR]] after a company official joked about "the need for knives capable of killing a zombie when firearms aren't available".<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 January 2011|title=Ka-Bar rolls out new 'Zombie Killer' knife line|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2011/01/19/ka-bar-rolls-out-new-zombie-killer-knife-line/|access-date=21 July 2021|website=Military Times}}</ref> The original set of six knives named: Kharon, Acheron, Famine, War, Pestilence and Death featured distinct neon-green handles and a bio-hazard symbol.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McDougall|first=Len|title=The Edgemaster's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing, Using, and Maintaining Fixed-Blade and Folding Knives|publisher=[[Skyhorse Publishing]]|year=2018|isbn=978-1510727694}}</ref> Commenting on the company's Zombie Knife line, CEO John Stitt stated that, when exhibited at trade show [[SHOT Show|SHOT 2011]], "everybody laughed at us"; however, "the next year everything was green, everything was zombies!"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vinoski|first=Jim|date=24 September 2020|title=KA-BAR Knives Honors Its Iconic History While Looking To The Future|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2020/09/24/ka-bar-knives-honors-its-iconic-history-while-looking-to-the-future/|access-date=21 July 2021|website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> Soon other manufacturers such as [[Gerber Legendary Blades|Gerber]] joined the craze by releasing their own [[zombie apocalypse]] inspired products.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shackleford|first=Steve|date=28 August 2012|title=Knives of the Living Dead|work=[[Blade (magazine)|Blade]]|url=https://blademag.com/knife-collecting/knives-of-the-living-dead|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>


===Prohibition in the United Kingdom===
===Prohibition in the United Kingdom===
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The ban took effect from 18 August 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zombie knives banned in England and Wales |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/zombie-knives-banned-in-england-and-wales|website=GOV.UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 August 2016|title='Zombie knives' ban to come into force|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37080682|work=BBC News}}</ref> The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 further prohibited possession of weapons listed in the order, including zombie knives, even in private.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/17/part/4/enacted | title=Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – Part 4 – Possession etc of certain offensive weapons |id=2019 c. 17 | website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives}}</ref> Possession is a [[summary offence]] with a penalty of up to six months' imprisonment.<!--51 weeks, but E&W mags' powers to sentence longer than 6 months was reversed in May 2023--> In Northern Ireland it is an [[Hybrid offence|either way offence]] with a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment, or 12 months if tried summarily.
The ban took effect from 18 August 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zombie knives banned in England and Wales |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/zombie-knives-banned-in-england-and-wales|website=GOV.UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 August 2016|title='Zombie knives' ban to come into force|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37080682|work=BBC News}}</ref> The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 further prohibited possession of weapons listed in the order, including zombie knives, even in private.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/17/part/4/enacted | title=Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – Part 4 – Possession etc of certain offensive weapons |id=2019 c. 17 | website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives}}</ref> Possession is a [[summary offence]] with a penalty of up to six months' imprisonment.<!--51 weeks, but E&W mags' powers to sentence longer than 6 months was reversed in May 2023--> In Northern Ireland it is an [[Hybrid offence|either way offence]] with a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment, or 12 months if tried summarily.

In 2024, the Offensive Weapons Act was further amended, prohibiting the possession of weapons which did not have images or words depicting violence on the blade or handle, effectively closing a legal loophole.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-26 |title=Zombie knife amnesty and compensation scheme starts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd05kz9xxlko |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> An amnesty and compensation scheme<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=Compensation scheme for 'zombie' knives and machetes |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/compensation-scheme-for-zombie-knives-and-machetes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923005820/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/compensation-scheme-for-zombie-knives-and-machetes |archive-date=2024-09-23 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> was introduced to encourage the collection of the prohibited weapons.


The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) (Scotland) Order 2022 makes similar provision to the 2016 order in Scotland, and also established a three month period in which the knives could be surrendered to the police in exchange for compensation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/surrender-compensation-scheme-scotland-certain-offensive-weapons-guidance-surrender-claiming-compensation/ | title=Surrender and compensation scheme in Scotland for certain offensive weapons: guidance | author-link=Keith Brown (Scottish politician) |first=Keith |last=Brown<!--as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans--> | date=1 July 2022 | publisher=[[Scottish Government]]}}</ref> The ban on possession was then brought into force in Scotland in March 2023.<ref>{{cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1988 |chapter=33 |section=141 |act=Criminal Justice Act 1988 |access-date=31 August 2023}}<!--Notes at the bottom give commencement information for section 141(1A) --></ref>
The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) (Scotland) Order 2022 makes similar provision to the 2016 order in Scotland, and also established a three month period in which the knives could be surrendered to the police in exchange for compensation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/surrender-compensation-scheme-scotland-certain-offensive-weapons-guidance-surrender-claiming-compensation/ | title=Surrender and compensation scheme in Scotland for certain offensive weapons: guidance | author-link=Keith Brown (Scottish politician) |first=Keith |last=Brown<!--as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans--> | date=1 July 2022 | publisher=[[Scottish Government]]}}</ref> The ban on possession was then brought into force in Scotland in March 2023.<ref>{{cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1988 |chapter=33 |section=141 |act=Criminal Justice Act 1988 |access-date=31 August 2023}}<!--Notes at the bottom give commencement information for section 141(1A) --></ref>

== See also ==
{{wiktionary}}


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Knives]]
[[Category:Knives]]
[[Category:Zombies in popular culture]]

Latest revision as of 19:55, 19 November 2024

Illustration of a zombie knife

A zombie knife (also known as a zombie killer knife or zombie slayer knife) is a type of ornate knife or bladed weapon inspired by zombie films and TV series. These knives can range in size and shape, but are legally defined in the UK as having a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words (whether on the blade or handle) that suggest that it is to be used for the purpose of violence.[1] Despite being designed for collectors and survivalists, the appearance of zombie knives led to their increasing usage in criminality. In 2016, parts of the United Kingdom made the sale of such knives illegal but with exceptions. In September 2024, the UK Government made the selling of zombie knives illegal without exceptions.

History

[edit]

The first series of zombie-themed knives was released in 2011 by American knife company KA-BAR after a company official joked about "the need for knives capable of killing a zombie when firearms aren't available".[2] The original set of six knives named: Kharon, Acheron, Famine, War, Pestilence and Death featured distinct neon-green handles and a bio-hazard symbol.[3] Commenting on the company's Zombie Knife line, CEO John Stitt stated that, when exhibited at trade show SHOT 2011, "everybody laughed at us"; however, "the next year everything was green, everything was zombies!"[4] Soon other manufacturers such as Gerber joined the craze by releasing their own zombie apocalypse inspired products.[5]

Prohibition in the United Kingdom

[edit]

In 2015, after years of falling numbers, knife crime in London increased by 18% while the number of people murdered yearly increased by 26. Responding to the figures, the Metropolitan Police outlined the sale of zombie knives on the dark web as a contributing factor.

In 2016, an amendment to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988 added the following to the list of weapons whose importation, manufacture, sale or hire is banned:

the weapon sometimes known as a "zombie knife", "zombie killer knife" or "zombie slayer knife", being a blade with—

  1. a cutting edge;
  2. a serrated edge; and
  3. images or words (whether on the blade or handle) that suggest that it is to be used for the purpose of violence.[6]

The ban took effect from 18 August 2016.[7][8] The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 further prohibited possession of weapons listed in the order, including zombie knives, even in private.[9] Possession is a summary offence with a penalty of up to six months' imprisonment. In Northern Ireland it is an either way offence with a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment, or 12 months if tried summarily.

In 2024, the Offensive Weapons Act was further amended, prohibiting the possession of weapons which did not have images or words depicting violence on the blade or handle, effectively closing a legal loophole.[10] An amnesty and compensation scheme[11] was introduced to encourage the collection of the prohibited weapons.

The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) (Scotland) Order 2022 makes similar provision to the 2016 order in Scotland, and also established a three month period in which the knives could be surrendered to the police in exchange for compensation.[12] The ban on possession was then brought into force in Scotland in March 2023.[13]

See also

[edit]
Look up zombie knife in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016". www.legislation.gov.uk.
  2. ^ "Ka-Bar rolls out new 'Zombie Killer' knife line". Military Times. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  3. ^ McDougall, Len (2018). The Edgemaster's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing, Using, and Maintaining Fixed-Blade and Folding Knives. Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1510727694.
  4. ^ Vinoski, Jim (24 September 2020). "KA-BAR Knives Honors Its Iconic History While Looking To The Future". Forbes. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  5. ^ Shackleford, Steve (28 August 2012). "Knives of the Living Dead". Blade. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  6. ^ "The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2016", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 21 July 2016, SI 2016/803
  7. ^ "Zombie knives banned in England and Wales". GOV.UK.
  8. ^ "'Zombie knives' ban to come into force". BBC News. 15 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – Part 4 – Possession etc of certain offensive weapons". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. 2019 c. 17.
  10. ^ "Zombie knife amnesty and compensation scheme starts". BBC News. 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  11. ^ "Compensation scheme for 'zombie' knives and machetes". GOV.UK. 2024-08-23. Archived from the original on 2024-09-23. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  12. ^ Brown, Keith (1 July 2022). "Surrender and compensation scheme in Scotland for certain offensive weapons: guidance". Scottish Government.
  13. ^ "Criminal Justice Act 1988: Section 141", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1988 c. 33 (s. 141), retrieved 31 August 2023
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