Research suggests round-edged knives might reduce knife crime. Tests show reduced cutting ability, and potential to save lives.
A study tested rounded knives on clothing, specifically using cotton and denim fabrics. Even after 1,200 stabs, the knives didn’t cut. Conversely, sharp knives easily cut through the materials.
Leisa Nichols-Drew studied blade shape and clothing damage back in 2020. Rounded knives may be a safer choice, potentially lessening injuries and saving lives.
Clothing acts as a barrier. If clothing gets cut, injury risk increases at home or during violent incidents, she explained.
Kitchen knives have sharp edges by design. However, trauma often comes from sharp force, according to Nichols-Drew, who works with violence reduction units.
She said the results are “promising.” Validation is in progress and will be submitted for publication soon, followed by peer review.
She studied knife crime responses abroad, investigating approaches in Australia and Canada. This helped inform the UK response to violence.
More manufacturers now produce round knives, which are safer than typical kitchen knives. The production numbers are higher than five years ago.
The latest tests used layered fabrics placed on ballistic gels. This simulated a human body quite realistically.
The Safer Knives Group is pushing for safer knives. They advocate replacing pointed tips found in kitchens, striving for these changes.
The research came from multiple universities, with De Montfort leading and others helping. The lead researcher says saving lives is the goal.
The Home Office announced anti-knife crime plans. These include retailers reporting suspicious sales to police and increased jail time for selling weapons to children.
Yvette Cooper considered banning pointed knives, though this action was not part of the announcement. Idris Elba said not all blades need points.
Statistics show kitchen knives are often used. They were involved in 42% of homicides involving sharp objects, according to data from 2023-2024.
Nichols-Drew’s research backs Elba’s idea. She works with experts advocating safer knives. Round-ended knives can still work well.
She believes these knives can prevent trauma and injury, ultimately lowering serious woundings and deaths. Therefore, she wants everyone to consider these things.
She compares it to seat belts in cars and envisions round-edged knives becoming “the norm.” These knives have potential in multiple settings.
These settings include schools, care homes, and prisons. Protecting people in these places is vital to her.
Nichols-Drew works with the Safer Knives Group. MP Andy Slaughter, chair of the Justice Select Committee, is also a group member.
The group says other measures are vital to cutting knife crime in half, a stated government goal. Banning certain knives is just one component.
The Safer Knives Group suggests phasing out pointed knives to make safer knives typical. This could also help with self-harm prevention.
They propose extra costs for pointed knives and advise services to grind down blades. This could be done at supermarkets or police stations.
Knife crime is a very complex problem needing multifaceted solutions. The Safer Knives Group says these actions align with government goals.
They claim safer knives can save lives without restricting normal knife use. Making their use typical is realistic now.