Request submitted to BBFC

Original Complaint: We are a blacksmithing school - we don't make weapons, we make utensils including Japanese kitchen knives and traditional shaving razors. We also teach sculpture, woodwork and leatherwork. Automated systems tend to block our site because they lack the nuance required to understand that cutlery makers aren't making weapons. We're blacksmiths, not weapon manufacturers. Please unblock our site. ISP Response: Review comments: This does not seem to match BBFC guidelines for blocking.

BBFC response

    Hello,

Thanks for your referral.

The BBFC looked at https://tharwavalleyforge.com/ on 02/03/21.

The site advertises the services and products of a bladesmith, cutler and
smithing school. It offers knives for sale in a culinary context, and
razors for men's grooming. None of their products are marketed as
weapons. Though there are infrequent instances of weaponry referred to and
depicted on the site, this is in the context of the bladesmithing heritage
and is unrelated, in all but the broadest terms, to the company's
products. Based on my sampling of the site, there was no material that the
BBFC would classify 18 or refuse to classify. We therefore do not recommend
that the site be restricted behind adult filters.

Please note that it remains possible that blocks may be required due to the
manner in which the age-restricted products are being sold; that is not
something the BBFC can adjudicate on.

We will inform Vodafone - as well as the other mobile network operators -
of this adjudication immediately; usually, it takes about 24 for the
network to update their filters.

Best,

Jonny

Current status

ISP	Last Checked	Status
EE	22 August, 2021 at 19:40	OK
O2	22 August, 2021 at 19:40	OK
Three	22 August, 2021 at 19:40	OK
Vodafone	22 August, 2021 at 19:40	OK