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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hand a meat cleaver in at the police station?

59 replies

PyongyangKipperbang · 03/12/2024 19:18

I know this sounds daft, but I cant think of anything else safe to do with it!

It came with a set of fancy knives I bought some years ago, frankly it scared the crap out of me and with (then) young kids in the house I hid it away. Found it recently in its case and I want rid of it. Its not something I would ever use.

Thing is, normally I would charity shop stuff like that but obviously cant, same with freecycle etc. I cant just chuck it away, not safe. And I dont feel happy putting it in the metal recycling at the tip as people have to sort through that stuff and it is like a razor blade.

Any other ideas?!

OP posts:
LockForMultiball · 04/12/2024 02:32

Teenagers aren't going round stabbing each other with meat cleavers. It's a tool that can be dangerous if used incorrectly or wielded as a weapon, but so is my cast-iron mincer. (So are a lot of the knives used in stabbings, but I can at least understand feeling concerned about disposing of knives of the type that might be more likely to be diverted to crime.) Selling it or giving it to a charity shop might be difficult, so just do whatever else you'd do with a kitchen tool you don't need. I'm pretty sure I could kill someone with my mincer if I needed to, but I wouldn't have any issue binning/recycling it or (preferably) giving it to a friend. Same with a meat cleaver. It's not going to leap out of the recycling and cleave someone.

Monty27 · 04/12/2024 02:06

Surely there must be somewhere to get them sharpened? I have a drawer full of blunt knives and they weren't cheap. Well, Sabatier at the very least.

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 04/12/2024 01:23

Thanks all for the information.

For pure convenience sake, the local police station is closer than the tip or the hospital. So that will be my second option.

First option.....i work in a food led pub with chefs. Why did I not think of that?!

I suspect that they will say no as it isnt standard kitchen issue but one of the chefs may want it for home use so I will ask them first.

Thank you all for your tips, really appreciated!

OP posts:
MrsClatterbuck · 03/12/2024 22:40

Reading with interest. Dh bought a boning knife years ago don't know why as he never used it. Hate it with a passion. It's hidden at the back of the cupboard and it unfortunately moved house with us. Have thought about the knife amnesty but have never made enquiries but while enquire at my local recycling centre.

tsmainsqueeze · 03/12/2024 22:32

I took a huge decorative sword to a police station when my boys were little it was my husbands and i did not want it in my house with kids, then years later some shotgun cartridges found after my dad passed.
Both times accepted gratefully by helpful police officers.

CrazyAndSagittarius · 03/12/2024 22:29

You are overthinking this. Ideally give it away to someone you know or to a local college or restaurant (if it's good quality) if they want it. Or put it in the bin or take it to the tip wrapped up in paper and/or cardboard as you would broken glass.

maverickfox · 03/12/2024 22:24

My council has knife bins dotted around the area. They are listed on the council website.

twohotwaterbottles · 03/12/2024 22:22

Yes please just hand it in at your local police station for safe disposal

stargazerlil · 03/12/2024 21:55

Give it to the local butcher.

SpeculativeHoumous · 03/12/2024 21:29

mitogoshigg · 03/12/2024 21:22

@SpeculativeHoumous

People take knives on buses legitimately all the time - how do you think catering college students get there??? They must be either in a sealed box thus new or in a zipped up bag and you need proof of why you are carrying them eg id. It's normal for chefs to carry knives with them

What proof would I take to show I was taking them to the dump?

SpeculativeHoumous · 03/12/2024 21:23

Rhinomania · 03/12/2024 21:11

How would they know? Presumably if you’d bought a knife it would be in a shopping bag, rather than you brandishing it when you’re buying a ticket.

Show quote history

Good point. I don't know I just asked and they said no.

HoppityBun · 03/12/2024 21:22

Some police stations have an amnesty collection point outside the station.

mitogoshigg · 03/12/2024 21:22

@SpeculativeHoumous

People take knives on buses legitimately all the time - how do you think catering college students get there??? They must be either in a sealed box thus new or in a zipped up bag and you need proof of why you are carrying them eg id. It's normal for chefs to carry knives with them

Rhinomania · 03/12/2024 21:11

SpeculativeHoumous · 03/12/2024 21:04

They don't let you take knives on the local bus

Show quote history

How would they know? Presumably if you’d bought a knife it would be in a shopping bag, rather than you brandishing it when you’re buying a ticket.

canyouletthedogoutplease · 03/12/2024 21:10

Rhinomania · 03/12/2024 19:39

We contacted the police when we we throwing out our old kitchen knives and they couldn’t care less. Just advised that we wrap them in newspaper and tape and put them in the domestic bin.

I found a knife in a bush when picking up a dog poop, which didn't look at all kitcheny, it was horrible. I phoned the police non emergency line and they told me to put it in the bin.

Noodlesnotstrudels · 03/12/2024 21:08

Theres a knife amnesty bin at our local hospital. You could also check yours to see if there is the same and just drop it in?

SpeculativeHoumous · 03/12/2024 21:04

PonyPatter44 · 03/12/2024 20:33

If you don't want it, I'll have it. Seriously.

Failing that, wrap it up in newspaper and tape, and chuck it in the knife amnesty bin at your local police station. I don't even know what to say about the person who wouldn't take it on the bus - if you just bought it at john lewis in the city centre, are you saying that you couldn't take it home on the bus?.

They don't let you take knives on the local bus

RaininSummer · 03/12/2024 21:03

Seems waste. Is there a catering college who might take it?

PonyPatter44 · 03/12/2024 20:33

If you don't want it, I'll have it. Seriously.

Failing that, wrap it up in newspaper and tape, and chuck it in the knife amnesty bin at your local police station. I don't even know what to say about the person who wouldn't take it on the bus - if you just bought it at john lewis in the city centre, are you saying that you couldn't take it home on the bus?.

MiddleClassWomanOfACertainAge · 03/12/2024 20:30

And I dont feel happy putting it in the metal recycling at the tip as people have to sort through that stuff and it is like a razor blade.

Nobody is going to be sorting through the contents with their bare hands!

NeedSomeComfy · 03/12/2024 20:10

LittleRedRidingHoody · 03/12/2024 20:09

Because you cook a lot, or because someone has wronged you? 😂 👀

If it's the later, the recent bin bag thread recommends one for a body!

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😂😂Possibly both!

LittleRedRidingHoody · 03/12/2024 20:09

NeedSomeComfy · 03/12/2024 20:06

I'll have it!

Because you cook a lot, or because someone has wronged you? 😂 👀

If it's the later, the recent bin bag thread recommends one for a body!

NeedSomeComfy · 03/12/2024 20:06

I'll have it!

SquirmOfEels · 03/12/2024 20:04

Check you council website to see if you can take them to your local tip.

If no joy, drop by or ring your local nick to ask what they recommend (I wouldn't just wander down with it).

Dancingfairydreams · 03/12/2024 19:57

We were in a similar situation a while back. We contacted some majority shops via phone, most refused to accept them but then we found one who would take them & advised they have a locked cabinet with knifes / other sharp kitchen equipment, which they only sell following the same rules as a supermarket ie age restrictions etc. We took a look & felt satisfied they were doing everything they could to prevent anyone getting access to them. So may be worth calling around?