Hi everyone. I am reasonably new to this forum and loving it. I always try to stay in tune with knife laws primarily in my own state but also in Europe for travel reasons. In Europe I can be found carrying a Fallkniven F2 3G locking folder. The best pocket knife in the world in my opinion. With a 3 inch blade it satisfies 'most' European countries.
Australia has some pretty ambiguous if not strict knife laws but they are not as bad as Britain, where you can't even have a locking folder, only slip joints are allowed. For those of you who are interested 'Downunder' our laws fall under 'The Weapons Control Act, 1973'. This means whatever weapon you are carrying that is legal must not be seen to be being used in an offensive manner and you must provide the police with a lawful and reasonable excuse when and if questioned by them and the situation/ circumstances you are in are often taken into account by the police. For example some of these are; you can carry a concealed knifes for food prepartion, you can carry belt knifes or pocket knifes for recognised sports and recreational purposes like fishing, hunting, hiking and camping. But your circumstances and situation is almost always interpreted by Police in considering wether you are using the knife offensively. For example you cant on you're way home from a fishing trip go shopping with your knife on you're belt. We believe this interpreatation of circumstances can sometimes be a breach of our rights, as you are basically left to the mercy and nature of the Police Officer, who can and does decide you're fate. For example wearing a knife around a camp sight vs being caught with it hiking in the middle of no where. Obviously the former example would be seen as being more detrimental than the latter. Horse vetinarians and chefs are allowed to carry knifes, but maunfacturers and ealers are not.
Other ambiguous laws here are our Customs laws. Its clear that we cannot import automatic, flicks and mechanical assisted openers but they say we cannot import assisted openers (knifes that can be opened with one hand using a fixture or thumb stud on the blade). BUT we can add this blade fixture and carry the knife legally!? Go figure! The other weird thing is some suppliers sell these here and other don't. Customs also somtimes lets them in as well, so you can see how our govenrment won't tell us thr truth and is ambiguous in its decision making at times. It is illegal here to both import and to own double sided edged knifes like daggers and swords. However is some states this is legal if you join a knife or preferably a militaria or collectors club. Note these knife types cannot be carried about unless its for the purposes they are own i.e. taking them to be restored, to a club meeting or for the purposes of sale.
Unlike the US butterfly knifes, automatics, flicks and mechanically sprung assisted openers or wrist flicks are totally restricted and classed as illegal weapons to even have in you're home (like if you were caught owning a machine gun in some US states I guess). Note we have no restictions on blade length and locking blades are allowed.
My EDC here is a Fallkniven U4. Why because it is small, unthreatening and is a decsent utility knife. I have it concealed and my reason is, 'because I use it for food purposes at work or holidaying (food purposes). When I am engaged in sport or recreation I carry my Fallkniven F2, excellent utility and personal security knife.
