Advice On Packing Knives For Air Travel

S

seventytwo

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Mar 6, 2008
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I'm getting ready to head to Utah for some camping and want to bring my Large Sebenza & Ontario Tak along. I am a bit afraid of having them picked out of my checked baggage by ground crew and ending up being out my almost $500 dollars in knives! I have had this happen to me once in the past with a hard drive, luckily it was new and empty. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this topic?


Thanks

J
 
I don't travel with expensive knives, but a couple of thoughts occur to me:

1) You might use a small diameter wire cable to "lock" the knives to the inner frame of your checked bag--running the cable through the frame of the Sebenza and the lanyard hole of the RTAK. You'd need to check on the legality of this, but if it's a checked bag, I don't know why it would be a problem. It also might involve modifying your suitcase a bit.

2) Use an approved TSA luggage lock on the zipper of your bag.

Also keep in mind that sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage screeners. Even with the TSA lock, your bag might be pulled aside for a screening.
 
I hide my smaller folder in with my toiletries. As for the bigger knife put in in with your clothes, inside folded pants or shirts. Again I don't travel with my most expensive knives.
 
Sometimes people will ship valuables insured by FedEx/UPS/USPS to avoid checking in luggage. I think I personally would take a lesser knife, but I understand wanting to use it if you have it.
 
After the incident in which Ken Onion had about $100,000 worth of knives stolen (presumably) by airport security, I remember that there was a letter printed that said you have the right to be present when your bag is searched, and after it's searched you can lock it.

That may or may not prove a huge hassle, but it would be the one virtually foolproof way to safeguard your expensive knive.
 
Ship on ahead or leave the Sebbie and take something of lesser value (Buck 119/SAK) to check in. Remember what happened to Ken Onion?
 
seventytwo said:
I'm getting ready to head to Utah for some camping and want to bring my Large Sebenza & Ontario Tak along. I am a bit afraid of having them picked out of my checked baggage by ground crew and ending up being out my almost $500 dollars in knives! I have had this happen to me once in the past with a hard drive, luckily it was new and empty. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this topic?


Thanks

J
Click to expand...


Take both knives and maybe a few more goodies like like camera , or compass , etc etc.

Take two of the thick freezer ziplock bags , mark in permanent ink the exact contents ( meaning , make and model of the knife , even serial number if applicable ) of the bag on both bags , put one inside the other , fill the bag , make a list of whats in the bag in notepad or whatever , mark it/date it/sign it , put it on top of your stuff , seal the bags , put in luggage.

This will scare all but the most intent TSA ( federal thug) thief from stealing your possessions.
 
My general policy is not to check anything that I can't afford to lose. I've shipped valuable knives in my bags before, but it is a crapshoot. Last time I did it my bag was fine, and a coworker had his Victorinox and another knife stolen.

I might try shipping it inside a box, or as others have said, place it with your toiletries, or inside a pair of socks. I really like Guyon's idea to chain it to the frame.
 
I have not had any problems with knife travel on the plane. Use a sturdy suitcase with a good lock to discourage thieves among the ramp workers. If your suitcase needs further screening you will be called and then can be present while security checks through it.

My fixed blades have thong holes, so I run a cord through the thong hole and tie the other end securely to the suitcase. That way if the suitcase should burst or break open, the knife has a better chance of staying inside the suitcase.

Smaller knives and folders can be left on the belt of your packed jeans, or stored inside a shaving kit.
 
wutitiz said:
After the incident in which Ken Onion had about $100,000 worth of knives stolen (presumably) by airport security, I remember that there was a letter printed that said you have the right to be present when your bag is searched, and after it's searched you can lock it.

That may or may not prove a huge hassle, but it would be the one virtually foolproof way to safeguard your expensive knive.
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced that this is foolproof either because then you run the risk of your entire bag "disappearing" when it contains contents that "airport security" has seen and then decides it would like to have.
 
rebeltf said:
Take both knives and maybe a few more goodies like like camera , or compass , etc etc.

Take two of the thick freezer ziplock bags , mark in permanent ink the exact contents ( meaning , make and model of the knife , even serial number if applicable ) of the bag on both bags , put one inside the other , fill the bag , make a list of whats in the bag in notepad or whatever , mark it/date it/sign it , put it on top of your stuff , seal the bags , put in luggage.

This will scare all but the most intent TSA ( federal thug) thief from stealing your possessions.
Click to expand...

But then how would you unequivocably prove that you actually had the items in the bag in the first place??
 
Use an approved TSA luggage lock on the zipper of your bag.

This takes extra 1/2 hour al least on your check in time.

I would not take expensive knives with all the stealing
 
Funny that this thread got posted today, I was just thinking about this last night since I am going to Hawaii next January. I suppose I will just take something that I will not be too pissed about losing.
 
+1 for the advice about not packing anything too expensive. I think the chances of someone stealing items from your luggage are pretty low. I do think that the chances of the entire bag going missing are much higher. It has happened to me several times, on both domestic and international flights. If you are that concerned, don't pack them. Simple as that. A SAK and a Mora will do the job equally well. My .02
 
I just got back from L.A. and brought back a Estwind leather stacked handle axe and my Leatherman Wave. best thing to do is to pack it in a flat cardboard makeshift sleeve but make it larger than your blades. the point is to discourage them from tucking it into their jackets or coveralls. the smaller it is , the easier it is. i like the cable lock idea posted forementioned but i dont own a cable lock. hope this helps.....have a safe trip.
 
My SAK soldier does airline duty, if it get's stolen I'm really not out that much money, and it is very capable for EDC duties once I get where I'm going. I guess it depends on your knife preferences, but there are budget knives of nearly every type to be found out there.
 
I pack mine in my socks.
I've not had any problems, but then I don't take expensive knives either.
 
With all my knives (that fit of course) I simply insert them in two socks then place them in the bottom of my shoes/boots that are packed.
 
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