Where are the Australians?

[buggs]

Planning on traveling to Australia in the late fall of 2026. 

Typically I carry a Leatherman Juice and a Vic Classic with me.  The Juice is usually in my toiletry bag (one always should have a corkscrew nearby) but we intend to do a lot of hiking and it's not really the tool I would take for that. 

The question being: am I ok bringing and wearing on my belt a Leatherman Wave or a Leatherman Skeletool?  I doubt I'd wear it while I'm in Sydney but once we're outside an urban area it would be my preference. 

Appreciate the responses in advance. 

[Huntsman]

Do you mean "Can any Australians help me with knife carrying regulations in Australia?"

I can only speak for sure about NSW - But most Ozzie States are pretty similar.

In NSW it is completely illegal to carry any blade in public - unless you have good reason.

Good reason might be: 'I am a chef on my way to work' or 'I am a fisherman on a fishing trip', or 'I have just bought a kitchen knife in a department store and am taking it home' Make sure it is packaged and you have a receipt or - 'I am a tradesman and I use my MT every day at my work' - You might get away with it if you were on a bush walk (or hiking as you call it!! ) - eg for food prep, making camp etc.

Good reasons would not be: 'In case I need one' or 'For self defense'
And of course the Skele and Wave are bladed models - The fact you might be using the other tools on your MT does not negate the fact that that you are carrying a blade - I read that in Tasmanian laws they explicitly called out multitools with blades as being illegal to carry.

And of course certain prominent public areas you need to be really really careful
I have been to the Sydney Opera House a couple of times recently and they now have metal detectors on entering the building 
You might get away with things more in the country compared to the cities - But there is no guarantee of that and one of our colleagues here (Valkie?) who I think lives in the country - has moaned about being harassed by officers over carrying tools.

SO the message is pretty clear - Don't carry your Wave or Skele and certainly never on your belt!

You might want to risk carrying something in your pocket, like a SAK and if you have good reason.
And you would probably be OK on busk walk/hike. 

And on a completely different but related topic: Aas an avid bushwalker, hiker and climber myself - I would never have a need to  carry a pliers based tool with me on a hike!! For what would I need pliers?    - Maybe at base camp for fiddling around with tents etc - But never on a hike!!

[lister]

Down under, mate.

Sorry, I had to. 

To stay somewhat on topic: really? weren't you supposed to be the that is not a knife, this is a knife crowd? Hollywood lied to me yet again...

[MadPlumbarian]

Down under, mate.

Sorry, I had to. 

To stay somewhat on topic: really? weren't you supposed to be the that is not a knife, this is a knife crowd? Hollywood lied to me yet again...

To go with the topic I had to say “in Australia”? lol,,
JR

[lister]

We are both absolute right abd absolutely useless. 

 

[MadPlumbarian]

We are both absolute right abd absolutely useless. 

 

 
JR

[buggs]

Do you mean "Can any Australians help me with knife carrying regulations in Australia?"

I can only speak for sure about NSW - But most Ozzie States are pretty similar.

In NSW it is completely illegal to carry any blade in public - unless you have good reason.

Good reason might be: 'I am a chef on my way to work' or 'I am a fisherman on a fishing trip', or 'I have just bought a kitchen knife in a department store and am taking it home' Make sure it is packaged and you have a receipt or - 'I am a tradesman and I use my MT every day at my work' - You might get away with it if you were on a bush walk (or hiking as you call it!! ) - eg for food prep, making camp etc.

Good reasons would not be: 'In case I need one' or 'For self defense'
And of course the Skele and Wave are bladed models - The fact you might be using the other tools on your MT does not negate the fact that that you are carrying a blade - I read that in Tasmanian laws they explicitly called out multitools with blades as being illegal to carry.

And of course certain prominent public areas you need to be really really careful
I have been to the Sydney Opera House a couple of times recently and they now have metal detectors on entering the building 
You might get away with things more in the country compared to the cities - But there is no guarantee of that and one of our colleagues here (Valkie?) who I think lives in the country - has moaned about being harassed by officers over carrying tools.

SO the message is pretty clear - Don't carry your Wave or Skele and certainly never on your belt!

You might want to risk carrying something in your pocket, like a SAK and if you have good reason.
And you would probably be OK on busk walk/hike. 

And on a completely different but related topic: Aas an avid bushwalker, hiker and climber myself - I would never have a need to  carry a pliers based tool with me on a hike!! For what would I need pliers?    - Maybe at base camp for fiddling around with tents etc - But never on a hike!!

Much appreciated, and yes, yours was a much more direct way of asking.   

So essentially like the UK, but worse?  Just don't carry. 

Pliers yes, basecamp but I've repaired boots with them - metal lace hook gets caught and straightened a little too much, bent back into place.  Weird and unusual?  Yup.  Removed glass (some people are idiots on trails), etc.  Canadian boy scout - always be prepared. 

I'll take my Juice in my shaving kit and leave it there. 

[Huntsman]

Much appreciated, and yes, yours was a much more direct way of asking.   

Maybe yours garners more attention !!     

So essentially like the UK, but worse?  Just don't carry. 

Sadly Yes - That is the best option - Not saying I always comply - But that is the law.

Re The UK
If you have to have laws  restricting knife carrying/usage (which I guess none of us here would agree with) - But if you do - I think the UK has it right, say compared to Oz - At least you can carry a small non-locking pocket knife - like a SAK.

Good luck on your travels - Let me know when you are in Sydney!!

[Valkie]

Do you mean "Can any Australians help me with knife carrying regulations in Australia?"

I can only speak for sure about NSW - But most Ozzie States are pretty similar.

In NSW it is completely illegal to carry any blade in public - unless you have good reason.

Good reason might be: 'I am a chef on my way to work' or 'I am a fisherman on a fishing trip', or 'I have just bought a kitchen knife in a department store and am taking it home' Make sure it is packaged and you have a receipt or - 'I am a tradesman and I use my MT every day at my work' - You might get away with it if you were on a bush walk (or hiking as you call it!! ) - eg for food prep, making camp etc.

Good reasons would not be: 'In case I need one' or 'For self defense'
And of course the Skele and Wave are bladed models - The fact you might be using the other tools on your MT does not negate the fact that that you are carrying a blade - I read that in Tasmanian laws they explicitly called out multitools with blades as being illegal to carry.

And of course certain prominent public areas you need to be really really careful
I have been to the Sydney Opera House a couple of times recently and they now have metal detectors on entering the building 
You might get away with things more in the country compared to the cities - But there is no guarantee of that and one of our colleagues here (Valkie?) who I think lives in the country - has moaned about being harassed by officers over carrying tools.

SO the message is pretty clear - Don't carry your Wave or Skele and certainly never on your belt!

You might want to risk carrying something in your pocket, like a SAK and if you have good reason.
And you would probably be OK on busk walk/hike. 

And on a completely different but related topic: Aas an avid bushwalker, hiker and climber myself - I would never have a need to  carry a pliers based tool with me on a hike!! For what would I need pliers?    - Maybe at base camp for fiddling around with tents etc - But never on a hike!!

Yes, carrying any bladed tool or knife is illegal.
They are getting more and more draconian every day, probably because in melbourne we have several stabbings a week (only occasionally reported).
I no longer even chance it.
On a recent trip to Sydney, the police at the station were carrying "wands" (metal detectors).
They didnt stop me, but they stopped the person in front of me, just random as he didnt look like anyone who would be carrying anything.

Country towns are nowhere near as bad, and when heading out to Lightening Ridge last year, several people had pocket tools on their belts.
Even in town, and while the police presence there is, at best, rare, when they did come they didntb blink at all the pocket tools (predominantly leatherman).
But in saying that, I was once harassed for having an empty sheath, that they at first though was complete with tool.
It really depends on the stupidity of the ossifer.

As a Marine Rescue member, I wore my leatherman every time I wore the uniform.
Its virtually compolsory as cutting that damn tow rope if the towed boat is sinking is a now or never requirement.
And even when in public I have nebver been challenged while in uniform.
As a tradesman, I also carried various tools on my belt, quite visible, while wearing my Hi Vis gear.
But I always make sure they are left in the car when entering any public places.

So, is it OK to carry in australia?
Make yourself obvious......your gone
Carry huge knives in public.....you will be arrested
Argue, be impolite or rude....your gone.

Be sensible, carry the knife in your pack on the way to a walk and explain your need if stopped, you should be ok with a multitool.
99 times out of 100, the cops will let you off with a little warning.
But there is always that ONE IDIOT that feels his uniform is a licence to harass and intimidate, just nod and say "yes sir", "no sir" and sate his ego.

Its a real shame when a country as big as Australia has such close minded rules.

And dont even think about guns, even thinking about them gets you a one way trip to hell.

[buggs]

Yes, carrying any bladed tool or knife is illegal.
They are getting more and more draconian every day, probably because in melbourne we have several stabbings a week (only occasionally reported).
I no longer even chance it.
On a recent trip to Sydney, the police at the station were carrying "wands" (metal detectors).
They didnt stop me, but they stopped the person in front of me, just random as he didnt look like anyone who would be carrying anything.

Country towns are nowhere near as bad, and when heading out to Lightening Ridge last year, several people had pocket tools on their belts.
Even in town, and while the police presence there is, at best, rare, when they did come they didntb blink at all the pocket tools (predominantly leatherman).
But in saying that, I was once harassed for having an empty sheath, that they at first though was complete with tool.
It really depends on the stupidity of the ossifer.

As a Marine Rescue member, I wore my leatherman every time I wore the uniform.
Its virtually compolsory as cutting that damn tow rope if the towed boat is sinking is a now or never requirement.
And even when in public I have nebver been challenged while in uniform.
As a tradesman, I also carried various tools on my belt, quite visible, while wearing my Hi Vis gear.
But I always make sure they are left in the car when entering any public places.

So, is it OK to carry in australia?
Make yourself obvious......your gone
Carry huge knives in public.....you will be arrested
Argue, be impolite or rude....your gone.

Be sensible, carry the knife in your pack on the way to a walk and explain your need if stopped, you should be ok with a multitool.
99 times out of 100, the cops will let you off with a little warning.
But there is always that ONE IDIOT that feels his uniform is a licence to harass and intimidate, just nod and say "yes sir", "no sir" and sate his ego.

Its a real shame when a country as big as Australia has such close minded rules.

And dont even think about guns, even thinking about them gets you a one way trip to hell.

Appreciate the comment, thank you. 

I've never been one to challenge officers. 

As for the planned trip I'll simply take my usual travel tool - a Leatherman Juice as it has ample tools and a wine opener (although I suppose those are becoming outdated relative to when I grew up).  I'll leave it in my shaving kit should there be a need at wherever our accommodations may be. 

Late to comment this but when I traveled through Australia in 1988 I had a huge scuba knife with me (yes, I did dive and yes, I did wear it while diving) in my backpack.  Different times but I did use a few times, even loaning it to a couple of Germans traveling at the same time.  We met up at Yulara and they asked if I had a knife to butter their bread.  Only had the dive knife at the time, six inch blade.  Quite an entertaining response.  Dive knives now are much more practical and useful, as evidence by the Spyderco's in my avatar. 

Random question: would a leatherman without a blade be acceptable or would the response be the same?  I think in the UK some folks are carrying Rebars or the like without the blade and they've been fine.  Might be a different solution.  Or would that just not be worth the headache either?  I'm guessing the latter and my original plan of leaving the Juice in the shaving kit is the best approach. 

[pietervn]

Random question: would a leatherman without a blade be acceptable or would the response be the same?

I don't think you will have a problem with a bladeless Leatherman. I work for the railways and carry a Leatherman on my belt daily whilst in uniform. I have never had any issues with the cops having it on me. If you behave and not draw attention to yourself you will be fine. I'd suggest carry your multi in a backpack if you can. As for bladeless, I removed the blade on a PST and added a saw.

Cheers, Pete

[Valkie]

I don't think you will have a problem with a bladeless Leatherman. I work for the railways and carry a Leatherman on my belt daily whilst in uniform. I have never had any issues with the cops having it on me. If you behave and not draw attention to yourself you will be fine. I'd suggest carry your multi in a backpack if you can. As for bladeless, I removed the blade on a PST and added a saw.

Cheers, Pete

Sensible solution, but not on an aircraft in Australia
I had a small multitool, nothing but pliers, and two screwdrivers.
They were going to confiscate it as it was "A POTENTIAL WEAPON"
This thing was about 1 inch long folded ND 2 INCHES FULLY DEPLOYED.

I have also seen people harassed at airports for nail clippers and nail files.

The weird thing is that in business class, you get metal cutlery.
But don't expect logic in Australia.

Our police are generally Ok, but there are exceptions.
It's the grubberment that is pushing more and more draconian rules.
But......they seem to allow certain groups of people great leeway and virtually no punishment when caught with machete and huge knives.

The average Joe, is simply castigated and fined into oblivion.

Don't look for logic.