Thread: Is it legal to carry a Leatherman?

Hey guys,
Long time no posts. I've still been at it, I was just having a break from the forums I'm on as they started eating up quite a lot of time!

I've got a question for you. Is it legal to carry a Leatherman over here? I figure someone on here knows exactly what the law is (or where I can find that info).

I carry a Leatherman Blast and use it daily, whether it be to tweak something on the truck or to switch out hard drives in the servers at work.

I can understand the police not liking people randomly walking around with knives, but has the nanny-state bullshit got so bad in this country that I can't carry a multi tool? Someone said something about this the other day which is why I'm asking.

Thanks.

Although not a Leatherman, I've been carrying my Swiss army knife around with me for the past 9 years without raising an eyebrow and use it for similar purposes as you do. The police would in my opinion, be really grasping to attempt to charge me with carrying an offensive weapon.

Bit different down here, but its not uncommon to see guys wearing sheath knives on their belt in town, especially farmers, I've done it a few times myself. Generally no one looks twice at you. If you have a genuine reason for carrying it I would hope that most p.o's would ignore you and not make a deal out of it.

Was wondering where you got to

I do not know the laws but have herd if you have a legitimate reason for carrying one there is no issue, a farmer a hunter etc etc , I have knives sometimes 2 machete's in my truck most of the time, I farm sheep and hunt, I cut toi toi off my driveshaft weekly , lernt that lesson after ripping a driveshaft out and turning my hilux into a front wheel drive ute

If you were on the piss down town I think you would cause yourself bother, but if you use it for work carry on , and also its not just a blade yours is a multi tool

Just dont conceal it, or try and hide it.

I would suggest that you PM Savage1 and ask him his opinion.

While working for a security company for several years doing alarm response etc,I used to carry a leatherman blast with me every shift .. came to be a very handy tool to have with me ...I never had an issue with a police officer and actually had a couple say would be a great multi tool for themselves .
I always carried it in its pouch which was attached to my belt ,which was clearly visible

Originally Posted by moonhunt

I do not know the laws but have herd if you have a legitimate reason for carrying one there is no issue

That's sort of the kicker though isn't it. I could argue I use it for work but I don't think people should have to. Everyone should have a multi tool of some description. I use mine every day.

Originally Posted by Rushy

I would suggest that you PM Savage1 and ask him his opinion.

Hey Rushy.
Will do. Thanks.

My understanding is that its completely fine.
Until you get into a fight. Then it becomes an "offensive weapon" - the same way steelcap work boots do.

I think there used to be a test of whether the blade was over a certain length (4 inches?) but it looks like now if you have any type of knife on you in a public place, you have to have a reasonable excuse:

Crimes Act 1961, s 202A: "Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years... who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, has with him in any public place any knife or offensive weapon or disabling substance...".

Carrying a pocket knife or leatherman for odd-jobs would surely be reasonable, but wearing a sheath knife into a bank on Main St maybe not?

Originally Posted by David

I think there used to be a test of whether the blade was over a certain length (4 inches?) but it looks like now if you have any type of knife on you in a public place, you have to have a reasonable excuse:

Crimes Act 1961, s 202A: "Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years... who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, has with him in any public place any knife or offensive weapon or disabling substance...".

Carrying a pocket knife or leatherman for odd-jobs would surely be reasonable, but wearing a sheath knife into a bank on Main St maybe not?

Yep, so carrying a knife out on the turps in town or to a football game (ie Europe) is likely to give the plod an interest in you.

I have a 4 inch knife on my key ring, had various ones on there over the years, a useful tool. Im cutting open boxes, packages etc.
A copper would have to be a bit of a tool himself to try and charge someone for it. A kiddy cop or a power mad one maybe. Most coppers in NZ are generally quite sensible.

Unlike alot of the current american cops who are spending too much time shooting dogs and tazoring kids. or more recently forcing a man to under go a colonscopy, xrays, manual cavity searches, and enemas then send him the bill, all because he apparently clenched his bottocks.

Whatever the 'tool' or 'weapon' is, if it stays in its sheath, it probably won't attract special police attention. If in public, you pull it out...look out. Much like a penis really
Likewise, if you are in a fight and don't attempt to use it as a weapon, you'll likely get preferential treatment and a level of respect by the officers taking your statement, but if you unsheathed it and attempted to use it, you're getting arrested and charged with possession as a minimum.
Basically, whatever your excuse/reason for carrying one, remove it before going out socialising in a drinking environment or be labelled a bloody idiot

Originally Posted by Hunt4life

Whatever the 'tool' or 'weapon' is, if it stays in its sheath, it probably won't attract special police attention. If in public, you pull it out...look out. Much like a penis really

Lol as.