Hi Tobias,
Here is a link (
http://www.ukpoliceonline.co.uk/ind...441107__hl__knife__fromsearch__1&#entry441107) to a thread I started on the UKPoliceOnline forum as I was after clarification myself. I looked up the relevant legislation and reviewed relevant threads on the forum and put together a plain English summary for the Officers to comment on.
In your case it is legal to transport the kukri and have it on you in a public place as long as you have a reasonable excuse. The law does not specify HOW you transport or carry the knife, just that you may have a legal right to carry it in the right circumstances.
But now for the difficult bit.
If you are stopped by a Police Officer it is initially down to the Officer’s discretion whether or not to accept your reasonable excuse. Unfortunately, a number of the Officers who have commented on various threads on UKPoliceOnline have a "all knives are bad" opinion and as some have stated "arrest first and let the CPS sort it out". At one point there was a very long and argumentative thread where Officers who knew nothing about the intended use of the knife (in that case it was bushcraft in the Brecon Beacons!) were making uninformed judgment calls on whether or not a particular type of knife was appropriate. While the majority of Officers do have common sense you may be unlucky enough to come across one who has a personal agenda or just doesn't understand the law!
If using public transport your best options are;
- keep it out of sight. If it can't be seen then you are unlikely to have to explain why you are carrying it.
- don't have it readily available. While you don't have to keep it in a locked hardcase at least have it somewhere where you require time and effort to gain access. Bottom of the rucksack is the usual advice.
- know the law. Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 covers the carrying of a fixed blade over 3" cutting edge in public. Look it up and have a passing familiarity.
- if stopped by the Police don't be stroppy. While you may have read Sect.139 more recently than them, don't rub it in their face! At the end of the day they have the same human frailties as you and I. If you're arsey with them they'll be arsey with you. The difference is they have the Law, batons and CS spray!
At the end of the day if you have a big knife in the right context then you should be OK. Don’t draw attention to it and especially don’t wave it in anyone’s face! Other than that go out and have fun.
Hope this helps (and hasn’t sent you to sleep!).
Nigel.
