GB2575768A

GB2575768A - Knife

Info

Publication number: GB2575768A
Application number: GB1804711.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Djamel Guechdi Ahmed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-23
Filing date: 2018-03-23
Publication date: 2020-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-23
Also published as: GB2575768B; GB201804711D0

Abstract

A knife 200 having a cutting edge 26, dull edge 28, handle 10, and a blocking portion 30 extending in a thickness or width direction attached at or near the end distal the handle, such as to prevent or reduce the risk of an injury such as a stab wound. The blocking portion may be integral or attachable to the blade 20. Preferably, the blocking portion has a blunt leading edge 32 with thickness and/or width greater than the respective thickness and/or width of the blade at the distal end 22. When integral the blocking portion may be connected to the blade via a connecting portion (40, figure 4a) of lesser width than the blade distal end. The blocking portion may be mountable to a side and/or dull edge near the distal end via adhesive, clamps, screws or bolts, and may have a means for receiving the dull edge such as a bridging portion. A second independent claim details a safety device for a knife where the safety device is an attachable blocking portion extending in a thickness or width direction and attachable at or near a distal end of the blade.

Description

KNIFE

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a knife. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to “safe” knife that reduces the risk of a stabbing injury to a person.

Background to the Invention

Knives currently on the market are accessible to the general public and are, unfortunately, often used to aid vicious acts. Statistics show that kitchen knives are the most common stabbing weapons used in violent crimes in the UK. A Metropolitan police report released in February 2017 indicated that between 2014 and 2016 the number of children carrying knives in London schools rose by almost 50%, while the number of knife offensives in London schools rose by 26%. This data highlights the importance of minimising the risks that domestic knives hold to the public.

Various types of safety features for knives are known, for example, safety grips, removable tip protectors, removable protective blade covers, and retractable protective blade covers. However, none of these are completely effective in preventing the use of a knife in a stabbing crime whilst also retaining the intended function of the knife blade.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a knife comprising a blade having length, a width and a thickness. The blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end; a cutting edge extending between the distal end and the proximal end; and a dull edge extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The knife further comprises a handle attached to the blade at the proximal end, and the knife may comprise a blocking portion at or near the distal end of the blade. The blocking portion may extend from the blade in a thickness and/or width direction of the blade to provide an obstruction to prevent or reduce the risk of a stab wound with the knife.

Advantageously, the blocking portion increases the transverse cross sectional area of the blade at or near the distal end of the blade to prevent or reduce the risk of the distal end of the blade penetrating a material and/or a person. At the same time, the blocking portion may be configured so as not to affect or interfere with the intended cutting function of the knife, e.g. via the cutting edge of the blade.

The blocking portion may be at the distal end of the blade. The blocking portion may further separate the cutting edge and the dull edge at the distal end of the blade, such that the cutting edge and the dull edge do not converge to a point at the distal end of the blade. In this way, the blocking portion may replace the sharp tip of a conventional knife.

The blade may be substantially planar and define a cutting plane. The length, width and thickness of the blade may define a length, width and thickness direction of the blade. The knife may be or comprise a domestic kitchen knife.

The blocking portion may further comprise a blunt leading edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to a cutting plane of the blade. In an embodiment, the radius of curvature of the leading edge in the thickness direction may be substantially greater than 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm.

The leading edge may be or comprise a straight edge. Optionally or preferably, the straight edge may be aligned with the width direction of the blade.

Alternatively, the leading edge may be or comprise a curved edge. The curved edge may be curved in the cutting plane of the blade. Optionally or preferably, the radius of curvature of the curved edge in the width direction may be at least half the width of the blade at the proximal end. This may ensure that the curved leading edge is substantially blunt and reduces the risk of injury to a person with the leading edge of the blocking portion.

The thickness of the blocking portion (i.e. in the thickness direction of the blade) may be substantially greater than the thickness of the blade. Additionally or alternatively, the width of the blocking portion (i.e. in a width direction of the blade) may be greater than the width of the blade at the distal end.

The blocking portion may be or comprise a solid, hollow or tubular body. The blocking portion body may have a circular cross section. Alternatively, the blocking portion body may comprise an elliptical, flattened circular, rectangular or triangular cross section.

The tubular blocking portion body may be a solid filled body. The tubular blocking portion body may have a circular, elliptical, flattened circular, rectangular or triangular cross section. For example, the tubular blocking portion body may be or comprise a cylinder or an elongate cuboid. The cylinder or elongate cuboid may be straight or curved. Alternatively, the tubular blocking portion body may be or comprise an empty or partially empty shell.

Alternatively, the blocking portion body may comprise a spiral, coiled or rolled cross section. In this way, the blocking portion body may be formed by rolling a flat portion of the blocking portion material at the distal end into the predetermined blocking portion body shape.

The leading edge may be or comprise an axial side of the blocking portion body. For example, the leading edge may be or comprise an axial side of the tubular blocking portion body. The thickness or diameter of the blocking portion body may be greater than the thickness of the blade. In an embodiment, the diameter of tubular body may be substantially greater than 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, or 5 mm.

Advantageously, the blocking portion body may provide a substantially large and blunt obstruction to further reduce the risk of a stab wound with the knife. The blocking portion (e.g. the tubular blocking portion body) body may further be useful in food preparation, for example, in flattening or tenderising meats.

The knife may further comprise a connecting portion between the blocking portion and the distal end of the blade. The connecting portion may have a width less than the width of the blade at the distal end. Advantageously, the connecting portion may aid in maintaining the intended cutting function of the knife. For example, the connecting portion may expose a distal end of the cutting edge that can be used, e g. to pierce and cut packaging or the like.

The blocking portion may be integral with the blade. For example, the blocking portion may be formed with the blade (e.g. during or at manufacture). The blocking portion may be an extension of the blade. Alternatively, the blocking portion may be attachable to the distal end of the blade.

In an alternative embodiment, the blocking portion may be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade at or near the distal end. The blocking portion may be configured to be mountable and/or attachable to the blade using one or more of: an adhesive, one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts. The blocking portion may be detachable from the blade. Advantageously, the blocking portion may be retro-fitted to existing knives to improve their safety and be secured to the blade at any position along the blade.

The blocking portion may comprise a receiving means configured to receive the dull edge of the blade. The blocking portion may further comprise one or more blocking portion components configured to locate on one or both sides of the blade and to hold the blocking portion component(s) against the (respective) side(s) of the blade.

The receiving means may be or comprise a bridging portion. The bridging portion may extend over or across the dull edge of the blade. The one or more blocking portion components may extent from the bridging portion and down a respective side of the blade. Where there are two blocking portion components, each blocking portion component may extend from the bridge portion and down a respective side of the blade. The respective side of the blade may be opposite sides of the blade, such that the blade is located between the two blocking portion components. Optionally or preferably, the bridging portion may form a U-shaped member or channel. Alternatively, the bridging portion and the one or more blocking portion components may form a U-shaped member or channel.

The blocking portion may be or comprise a body having the receiving means configured to receive the dull edge of the blade. The body may comprise a pair of spaced apart arm portions arranged either side of the blade. The body may further comprise a bridging portion connecting the arm portions and configured to hold the arm portions against the respective sides of the blade.

Alternatively or additionally, the knife may comprise one or more openings in the blade to facilitate attachment of the blocking portion. For example, the one or more openings may allow a screw or a bolt to pass through the blade from or into the blocking portion.

The blocking portion body may be or comprise a U-shaped member or channel for receiving the dull edge of the blade and locating the blocking portion on one or both sides of the blade. For example, the arm portions and the bridging portion may form the U-shaped member or channel.

The blocking portion may be formed of or comprise a corrosion resistant material. Optionally or preferably, the material may be or comprise one of: stainless steel or aluminium. The blocking portion may be formed of or comprise the same material as the blade.

In an embodiment, the blocking portion may be configured to extend from the dull edge of the blade in one or more directions (e.g. width and/or thickness direction) by a length of at least 1 cm, 2 cm, or 3 cm.

The blocking portion may be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade at a predetermined distance from the distal end of the blade. The predetermined distance may be less than the length of the blade. In an embodiment, the predetermined distance may be any distance less than substantially 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, or 4 cm. The predetermined distance may be approximately half an inch (1.27 cm) or less than half an inch (1.27 cm).

Advantageously, the blocking portion reduces the effective length of the blade to reduce the depth of a potential stab wound and/or prevent deep wounding. This allows a potential stab wound will heal with minimal scarring and infection.

The blocking portion may be attachable, mountable and/or moulded to the blade such that it cannot be detached from the blade. For example, the blocking portion may be integrally formed with the blade (e.g. during or at manufacture), or attached or bonded in such a way as to prevent detachment. This may prevent the use of the knife in a knife crime. The blocking portion may be attachable or mountable to the blade using one or more mechanical fixtures (e.g. screws and/or bolts) that break and/or or deform when fitted such that they cannot be removed.

According to second aspect of the invention, there is provided a safety device for a knife, the knife having a blade with a length, a width, and a thickness. The safety device comprises: a blocking portion configured, in use, to be attachable at or near a distal end of the blade, and to extend from the blade in a thickness and/or width direction of the blade to provide an obstruction to prevent or reduce the risk of a stab wound with the knife.

Advantageously, the safety device may be fitted to any knife. The blocking portion may be configured, in use, to be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade at or near the distal end of the blade.

In use, the blocking portion may be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or a dull edge of the blade at a predetermined distance from a distal end (e.g. the tip) of the blade. The predetermined distance may be less than the length of the blade. For example, in use, the predetermined distance may be any distance less than substantially 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, or 4 cm. For example, the predetermined distance may be approximately half an inch (1.27 cm) or less than half an inch (1.27 cm).

Advantageously, the, in use, the blocking portion reduces the effective length of the blade to reduce the depth of a potential stab wound and/or prevent deep wounding. This allows a potential stab wound will heal with minimal scarring and infection.

In use, the blocking portion may be attachable or mountable to the blade such that it cannot then be detached from the blade. For example, in use, the blocking portion may be or attached or bonded in such a way as to prevent detachment. This may prevent the use of a knife having the safety device in a knife crime. In use, the blocking portion may be attachable or mountable to the blade using one or more mechanical fixtures (e.g. screws and/or bolts) that break and/or deform when fitted such that they cannot be removed.

The blocking portion may be configured, in use, to be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade using one or more of: an adhesive, one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts. The blocking portion may be attachable to the blade at any position along the blade.

Where the blocking portion is be configured, in use, to be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade using one or more of one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts, the bridging portion may be or comprise the one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts. Optionally or preferably, the blocking portion may further be configured, in use, to be detachable from the blade.

The blocking portion may be formed of or comprise a corrosion resistant material. Optionally or preferably, the material may be or comprise one of: stainless steel or aluminium. The blocking portion comprises the same material as the blade.

Advantageously, the safety device increases the transverse cross sectional area of blade of a knife to present an obstacle to prevent the blade penetrating a material or a person beyond the safety device. In this way, the safety device reduces the effective length of the blade compared to the total length of the blade. It will be appreciated that the safety device may be or comprise any arbitrary shape in cross section, so long as it can be attached to the blade of a knife.

In an embodiment, the blocking portion may be configured to extend from the blade in one or more directions (e.g. width and/or thickness direction) by a length of at least 1 cm, 2 cm, or 3 cm. The blocking portion may extend from either or both sides of the blade.

Features which are described in the context of separate aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used together and/or be interchangeable. Similarly, where features are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, these may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Features described in connection with the device may have corresponding features definable with respect to the method(s) and these embodiments are specifically envisaged.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order that the invention can be well understood, embodiments will now be discussed by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an example knife known in the art;

Figure 2 shows an example knife including a safety feature according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3a and 3b show an example knife including a safety feature according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4a and 4b shows an example knife including a safety feature according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows an example knife including a safety feature according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a schematic cross section through the knife of figure 5; and

Figures 7a-7d show further examples of a knife including a safety feature according to embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an example of a conventional kitchen knife 100 known in the art. The knife 100 includes a handle portion 10 for gripping the knife 100 and a blade portion 20 for cutting with. The handle 10 is connected to the blade portion 20 at a proximal end 21. The blade portion 20 of the knife 100 is characterised by a pointed tip 22 at a distal end 22. The blade portion 20 further comprises a cutting edge 26 and a dull or blunt edge 28 opposite the cutting edge 26 that converge at the tip 22. The cutting edge 26 may extend long the entire length of the blade 20 from the tip 22 to the distal end 21. The blade 20 typically comprises a substantially flat or planar piece of metal. The cutting edge 26 may be a lower edge of the blade portion 20 and the dull edge may be an upper edge of the blade portion 20.

It will be appreciated that the presence of the tip 22 makes the knife susceptible to piercing materials such as items of clothing and inflicting a stab wound to a person. Furthermore, the entire length L of the knife 100 may penetrate a material and/or a person, potentially causing serious injury to the person. Embodiments of the present invention set out to eliminate or substantially reduce the risk of deep stab wounds caused by knives.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a knife 200 including a modified tip to reduce the risk of injury to a person according to the present invention. The knife 200 comprises a handle portion 10 and a blade portion 20. The knife 200 further comprises a blocking portion 30 at the distal end 22 of the blade 20. The blocking portion 30 may comprise a substantially blunt leading edge 32 extending between the cutting edge 26 and the dull edge 28.

In this way, the blocking portion 30 effectively replaces the tip 24 of a conventional knife 100, such that the knife 200 does not comprise a sharp or pointed tip 24 at the distal end 22 of the blade 20. This prevents or reduces the risk of the distal end 22 of the knife 200 penetrating a material and/or a person. The blocking portion 30 may be configured such that, in use, it does not affect the intended cutting function of the knife 200 via the cutting edge 26.

The leading edge 32 may be substantially straight. Alternatively, the leading edge 32 may be or comprise a rounded or curved edge (not shown). For example, the leading edge 32 may be or comprise a rounded or curved edge extending in a width direction of the blade portion 20 between the cutting edge 26 and the dull edge 28 (i.e. in the plane of the blade portion 20). Where the leading edge 32 is rounded or curved in the plane of the blade portion 20, the radius of curvature of the leading edge 32 may be substantially greater than half the width W1 of the blade portion 20 at the proximal end 21, or preferably, substantially greater than the width W1 of the blade portion 20 at the proximal end 21.

The width W3 of the leading edge 32 may be substantially greater than the width W2 of the blade portion 20 at the distal end 22, as shown in figure 2. This may further reduce the risk of the distal end 22 of the knife 200 penetrating a material and/or a person. In an alternative embodiment, the width W3 of the leading edge 32 may be substantially equal to the width W2 of the blade 20 at the distal end 22 (not shown).

The blocking portion 30 may be contiguous with the blade portion 20, such that the blade portion 20 and the blocking portion 30 form a smooth continuous join. In other words, the blocking portion 30 may be or comprise an extension of the blade portion

20.

The blocking portion 30 may be formed integrally with the blade portion 20. Alternatively, the blocking portion 30 may be or comprise a modular portion that is attachable to the distal end 22 of the knife 200. For example, the blocking portion 30 may be chemically and/or mechanically bonded to the distal end 22 of the knife 200 (e.g. by an adhesive, welding and/or one or more screws or fixings).

The blocking portion 30 may be or comprise the same material as the blade portion 20.

The leading edge 32 of the blocking portion 30 may be substantially blunt. For example, the radius of curvature of the leading edge 32 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the blade portion 20 may be substantially greater than the thickness of the blade portion 20 (e.g. at the dull edge 28).

Although the blocking portion 30 of knife 200 is shown as being a substantially flat and/or planar element in figure 2, in another embodiment, the blocking portion 30 may be or comprise a substantially three-dimensional element.

Figures 3a and 3b show an example where the blocking portion 30 is or comprises a substantially cylindrical blocking portion 30 extending between the cutting edge 26 and the dull edge 28. The cylindrical element may be arranged such that the leading edge 32 of the blocking portion 30 is or comprises a portion of the rounded side of the cylindrical element (see figure 3b). The diameter of the cylindrical blocking portion 30 may be substantially greater than a thickness of the blade portion 20 (e.g. at the dull edge 28).

Advantageously, the cylindrical blocking portion 30 may increase the transverse cross sectional area of the blocking portion 30 and further reduce the risk of the distal end 22 of the blade portion 20 penetrating a material and/or a person. The cylindrical blocking portion 30 may further be useful in food preparation, for example, in flattening or tenderising meats.

The cylindrical blocking portion 30 may be or comprise a substantially straight cylinder, as shown in figure 3b. The axial direction of the cylindrical blocking portion 30 may be aligned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal (length) direction of the knife 200. Alternatively, the axial direction the cylindrical blocking portion 30 may comprise a curve (not shown).

The cylindrical blocking portion 30 may be or comprise a solid filled element. Alternatively, the cylindrical blocking portion 30 may be or comprise a cylindrical shell. Alternatively, the cylindrical blocking portion 30 may be formed by rolling a flat portion of the blocking portion 30 into a cylinder (not shown).

The knife 200 may further comprise a connecting portion 40 connecting the blocking portion 30 to the blade portion 20, as shown in figures 4a and 4b. The connecting portion 40 is or comprises an extension that separates the cutting edge 26 and/or the dull edge 28 from the blocking portion 30. The width of the connecting portion W4 may be less than or equal to the width W3 of the blocking portion 30 and/or the width W2 of the blade portion at the distal end 22. The connecting portion 40 may expose a distal end 26a of the cutting edge 26 that can be used, e.g. to pierce and cut packaging or the like.

Although the blocking portion 30 is shown in figures 3-4 as having a substantially circular cross section, the blocking portion 30 may comprise a non-circular cross section, such as an elliptical or flattened circular cross section. In a further embodiment, the blocking portion 30 may comprise a square or rectangular cross section.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a blocking portion 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The blocking portion 300 may be configured to be attachable to the blade of a knife 1000, which may be the same as the knife 100 of figure 1, to reduce the length LI of the blade portion 20 that can be potentially used to penetrate a material and/or a person. As shown in figure 5, the blocking portion 300 may be attachable to the dull edge 28 of the blade portion 20 in the vicinity of the distal end 22. Additionally or alternatively, the blocking portion 300 may be attached directly to a side of the blade (not shown).

Advantageously, this arrangement allows the full extent of the cutting edge 26 to be used for its intended cutting purpose whilst retaining the tip 25, which may be used for piercing and cutting, for example, of food or packaging. In this way, the blocking portion 300 may reduce the risk of deep stab wounds inflicted using the knife 10 whilst maintaining functionality of the knife 1000.

The blocking portion 300 may be attachable to the blade 20 of the knife 1000 using any known fixing means. In an embodiment, the blocking portion 300 comprises a body 310 having a U-shaped channel 320 configured to receive the dull edge 28 of the blade portion 20. In this way, the blocking portion 300 may comprise a generally Ushaped cross section for fitting over the blade portion 20 of a knife 1000, as shown in figure 6. Alternatively, the body may comprise a pair of arm portions that each extend down a respective side of the blade portion 20 for holding the blade portion 20 (not shown). The arm portions may be connected via a bridge portion, for example located above the dull edge 28 of the blade portion 20 (not shown).

The blocking portion 300 may be attachable to the blade portion 20 of the knife 1000 at a length LI from the tip 25 by mechanical and/or chemical bonding. The position at which the blocking portion 300 is attached to the blade portion 20 may be adjustable. For example, the blocking portion 300 may be bonded to the blade portion 20 at any position using an adhesive, welding, and/or one or more screws or clamp fixings.

The blocking portion 300 may be permanently attached to the blade portion 20 or be detachable (for example, to exchange one blocking portion 300 for another). For example, the blocking portion 300 may be integrally formed with the blade portion 20 or moulded to the blade portion 20 (e.g. during or at manufacture). Additionally or alternatively, where the blocking portion 300 is not integrally formed with the blade portion 20, the blocking portion 300 may be attachable/mountable to the blade portion 20 using one or more screws, bolts and/or fixtures that deform and/or break when fitted such that they cannot be removed.

The blocking portion 300 is configured to extend away from the blade portion 20 (e.g. the dull edge 28) of the knife 1000 in one or more directions perpendicular to the plane of the blade portion 20, as shown in figure 6. The size of the blocking portion 300 may depend on the size of the knife 1000 it is attached to.

The purpose of the blocking portion 300 is to increase the transverse cross sectional area of blade portion 20, such that the effective length LI of the blade portion 20 is reduced compared to the total length L of the blade portion 20. As such, it will be appreciated that the blocking portion 300 may be or comprise any shape in cross section. For example, in the example shown in figure 5, the blocking portion 300 is shown in the shape of a chicken, which may indicate the intended use of the knife 1000 is for cutting chicken.

Figures 7a-7d show further examples of the blocking portion 300 in various shapes that may, for example, be used to indicate different intended uses of the knife 1000. The above description applies equally to each of these embodiments.

The blocking portion 300 may be retrofitted to existing knives 1000. In an alternative embodiment, the blocking portion 300 may be integral to the knife 1000. For example, the blocking portion 300 may be moulded to the blade portion 20.

The blocking portion 300 may be or comprise a metal or composite material. The material may be corrosion and/or heat resistant. In an embodiment, the blocking portion 300 may be or comprise stainless steel. The blocking portion 300 may be formed of or comprise the same material as the blade portion 20.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein.

Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, the term a or an does not exclude a plurality, and any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A knife, the knife comprising:

a blade having length, a width and a thickness, the blade comprising:

a distal end a proximal end a cutting edge extending between the distal end and the proximal end; and a dull edge extending between the distal end and the proximal end;

a handle attached to the blade at the proximal end; and a blocking portion at or near the distal end of the blade, wherein the blocking portion extends from the blade in a thickness and/or width direction of the blade to provide an obstruction to prevent or reduce the risk of a stab wound with the knife.

2. The knife of claim 1, wherein the blocking portion is at the distal end of the blade and separates the cutting edge and the dull edge at the distal end of the blade, such that the cutting edge and the dull edge do not converge to a point at the distal end of the blade.

3. The knife of claim 2, wherein the blocking portion is or comprises a blunt leading edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to a cutting plane of the blade.

4. The knife of claim 3, wherein the leading edge is or comprises:

a straight edge, and optionally or preferably, wherein the straight edge is aligned substantially with the width direction of the blade; or a curved edge in the cutting plane of the blade, and optionally or preferably, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved edge is at least half the width of the blade at the proximal end.

5. The knife of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the thickness of the blocking portion is greater than the thickness of the blade; and/or, wherein the width of the blocking portion is greater than the width of the blade at the distal end.

6. The knife of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the blocking portion is or comprises a solid, hollow or tubular body; and, optionally or preferably, wherein the leading edge is or comprises an axial side of the blocking portion body.

7. The knife of claim 6, wherein the thickness or diameter of the blocking portion body is greater than the thickness of the blade.

8. The knife of claim 6 or 7, wherein the blocking portion body has a circular, elliptical, rectangular or spiral cross section.

9. The knife of any of claims 2 to 8, further comprising a connecting portion between the blocking portion and the distal end of the blade.

10. The knife of claim 9, wherein the connecting portion has a width less than the width of the blade at the distal end.

11. The knife of any preceding claim, wherein the blocking portion is integral with the blade or is attachable to the distal end of the blade.

12. The knife of claim 1, wherein the blocking portion is mountable on and/or attachable to a side of the blade and/or the dull edge at or near the distal end.

13. The knife of claim 12, wherein the blocking portion comprises:

a receiving means configured to receive the dull edge of the blade; and one or more blocking portion components configured to locate on one or both sides of the blade and to hold the blocking portion component(s) against the (respective) side(s) of the blade.

14. The knife of claim 13, wherein the receiving means is or comprises a bridging portion; and, optionally or preferably, wherein the bridging portion is or forms a Ushaped member or channel.

15. The knife of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the blocking portion is configured to be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade using one or more of: an adhesive, one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts.

16. The knife of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the blocking portion is detachable from the blade.

17. The knife of any preceding claim, wherein the blocking portion is formed of or comprises a corrosion resistant material, and optionally or preferably, wherein the material is or comprises one of: stainless steel or aluminium.

18. The knife of any preceding claim, wherein the blocking portion is or comprises the same material as the blade.

19. A safety device for a knife having a blade with a length, a width, and a thickness, the safety device comprising:

a blocking portion configured, in use, to be attachable at or near a distal end of the blade, and to extend from the blade in a thickness and/or width direction of the blade to provide an obstruction to prevent or reduce the risk of a stab wound with the knife.

20. The safety device of claim 19, wherein the blocking portion is configured, in use, to be mountable on and/or attachable to a side of the blade and/or the dull edge at or near the distal end.

21. The safety device of claim 19 or 20, wherein the blocking portion comprises:

22. The safety device of claim 21, wherein the receiving means is or comprises a bridging portion; and, optionally or preferably, wherein the bridging portion is or forms a U-shaped member or channel.

23. The safety device of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the blocking portion is configured, in use, to be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade using one or more of: an adhesive, one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts;

24. The safety device of 23, wherein, where the blocking portion is configured, in use, to be mountable on and/or attachable to a side and/or the dull edge of the blade using one or more of one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts, the bridging portion is or comprises the one or more clamp fixings, screws and/or bolts; and/or,

10 wherein the blocking portion is further configured, in use, to be detachable from the blade.

25. The safety device of any of claims 19 to 24, wherein the blocking portion is formed of or comprises a corrosion resistant material, and optionally or preferably,

15 wherein the material is or comprises one of: stainless steel or aluminium.