New research suggests that round-edged kitchen knives could provide a safer alternative to pointed blades, potentially reducing injuries and saving lives in efforts to tackle knife crime.
A study conducted by forensic scientists at De Montfort University found that rounded blades failed to cut through fabric in 1,200 simulated stabbing motions, whereas two sharp-pointed knives successfully penetrated materials such as cotton T-shirts and denim jeans.
Scientific findings support safer blades
Dr Leisa Nichols-Drew, an associate professor in forensic science leading the study, stated that the research builds on her 2020 findings, which were the first to explore the relationship between blade tip shape and clothing damage.
“The reason being, they act as a barrier,” she told the PA news agency. “People wear their clothing, and if that’s penetrated, then obviously there’s a risk to someone being injured—either accidentally in the home or in a violent incident.”
Dr Nichols-Drew, who collaborates with violence reduction units nationwide and is a member of the national knife crime working group, described the results as “promising.” The study is currently being validated before submission for peer review and publication.
She emphasised that all kitchen knives have sharp cutting edges designed for food preparation, but in criminal cases, sharp-pointed blades contribute to the most severe harm. “Our ultimate goal is to reduce injuries, minimise harm, and save lives,” she added.
Government crackdown on knife crime
The research findings coincide with the Home Office’s announcement of new anti-knife crime measures. Under the new plans, retailers will be required to report bulk or suspicious knife sales to the police, and the maximum prison sentence for selling illegal knives, including zombie knives, to children will be increased to two years.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper previously told The Times that banning pointed kitchen knives was being considered as part of a wider crackdown on knife crime. Actor and campaigner Idris Elba has also advocated for the introduction of round-ended knives, arguing that not all domestic blades need pointed tips.
While the new proposals do not include a ban on pointed kitchen knives, Ms Cooper confirmed that the task force established after the general election is reviewing the issue. “The action we’re setting out now in the new crime and policing bill will clamp down on online knife sales that put lethal weapons into the hands of children,” she said.
Kitchen knives: A leading weapon in knife crime
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics highlight the significant role of kitchen knives in violent crime. Of the 262 homicides involving a sharp instrument in 2023/24, 109 cases (42%) involved a kitchen knife, making them the most frequently used weapon in knife-related homicides.
Dr Nichols-Drew believes her research provides an evidence base for Elba’s campaign, reinforcing the need to phase out pointed-tip kitchen knives as the industry standard. “These round-ended knives still serve their purpose as kitchen tools while reducing the risk of sharp-force trauma,” she explained.
She also highlighted the need for preventative measures, citing her 2018 fellowship in Australia and Canada, where she studied approaches to knife crime. Since her initial research five years ago, an increasing number of manufacturers have begun producing rounded knives as a safer alternative.
Creating real-world testing conditions
To make the latest study as realistic as possible, researchers layered fabrics onto materials such as ballistic gels, simulating the density and resistance of human flesh. The study was conducted in collaboration with experts from the University of Leicester, Northumbria University, and Teesside University.
Dr Nichols-Drew suggested that round-edged knives could be particularly useful in institutional settings such as schools, care homes, prisons, and houses of multiple occupancy. “Safeguarding people in these environments is of paramount importance,” she stated.
The case for safer knives
Dr Nichols-Drew is working alongside a panel of experts, including Andy Slaughter, chair of the Justice Select Committee, as part of a newly formed Safer Knives Group.
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While the group supports the government’s measures to ban zombie knives and regulate online knife sales, they argue that additional steps are necessary to meet the government’s ambition of halving knife crime within a decade.
The Safer Knives Group is advocating for a gradual transition away from pointed-tip kitchen knives, encouraging retailers to stock safer alternatives. Other recommendations include introducing a pricing levy to discourage the purchase of pointed knives and providing services at supermarkets, high-street key cutters, and police stations to grind down sharp knife tips.
In a statement, the group said:
“Knife crime is a complex and multi-faceted issue—there is no single solution. However, these measures represent practical steps that align with the Government’s commitment to halving knife crime and reducing preventable deaths.
Making safer kitchen knives the norm, rather than the exception, is a realistic, evidence-based intervention that will save lives without restricting legitimate knife use.”
As public perception of knife safety evolves, campaigners hope that round-edged kitchen knives will become as commonplace as seat belts and airbags in cars—simple innovations that, over time, have become fundamental to saving lives.
