Carrying a laplander saw in public?

[Aliwren]

I was just packing up my rucksack to head off into the woods this morning (public access) to collect some wood to practice fire by friction. I was going to throw in my laplander saw as usual and suddenly wondered if I can carry it in my rucksack legally?

The blade is way over 3 inches and locks, does a saw therfore fall within the same rules as a fixed or locking knife and shouldnt be carried?

Interested on your views on this as this hasn't occured to me before now

 

[woodwalker]

but surely as you have a legitimate reason, i.e, bushcraft and bow drill practice, both of which can require a saw, then you are covered. However someone more legally minded will hopefully come along and give you a more in depth answer than mine.

woodwalker

 

[ozymandias]

i think legitimate reason is the crux of the issue- carrying a laplander round town is pointless, but in the country in a wood, no-one would give you a second glance.

same with the police, they would probably have an issue with some pikey walking round town with one, but would have no issue with someone carrying it in a backpack on the way to the woods. the other gear you are carrying/clothes you are wearing would show the police you were harmless.

 

[chewie]

Stickie ... nice to see another post where all was as it should be during a police stop.

My personal opinion is that a folding saw may not be a 'bladed or sharply pointed' instrument under s139CJA88 - it's a saw, not a knife or ice-pick, and it's potential for misuse as a weapon is lower. However, the reverse is also true - it may be construed as a bladed instrument, and a reason would be needed - I'm not aware of relevant caselaw so the chances are no-one has been charged under these circumstances to date.

In any case, it's much easier for a copper to be happy with a saw than with a knife or axe, IMHO. Might not please everyone, but that's the way it is.