Air Travel Blade Length Limit?

The FAA requires airlines to deny entry to the area beyond the security check station to any folding knife that has a blade 4 inches or longer in length. The airline security personnel may also deny access to this area to anything "appearing to be menacing". That's not just knives, folks. The first is published in the FAA regulations, the second is not. The airline or airport authority can limit the blade length further. If the local government limits blade length then the airport authority may impose that restriction.

If you're headed outside the United States you should be aware of the host country's laws on knives. That's in the airport as well as on the street. This can save you a lot of trouble, especially in Britan. I think most of Europe allows 80 cm blade lengths. (Can one of our forumites on the other side of the Atlantic verify that please?)

I've carried folders all over the US and had to discuss a knife with screening personnel occasionally. I intentionally avoid carrying on anything that is designed as a fighter. Those go into the suitcase! It's been much easier to explain a <3.5 inch folder tossed into the basket with keys, change, wallet and sunglasses. I'm not going to attack a hijacker, but I may want to cut an apple.

Take care,

Mike

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TANSTAAFL


 
A year ago, I flew from JFK to LAX with my Leatherman Wave in my briefcase -- no problems. On the return, however, the guards saw it on the x-ray & took it out. Since the blades are a little more unusual than on other multi-tools, at first he couldn't even locate them; but since he was still searching, and another guard joined him, I thought it better to not get caught in a lie, and showed him where the blades were -- using 2 hands to open it very slowly. They didn't like the serations, but they absolutely flipped out over the fact that the blades locked.

My briefcase was my only luggage, the airport was packed to the rafters, and I got an immense headache from arguing with those idiots (who refused to show me any documentation or regulations). Almost missed that flight from having to deal with going back to the check-in counter.

From now on, I will also be carrying that self-addressed padded envelope. Good idea, thanks.
 
I would be very careful at LAX. As I mentioned in another thread, I read in Tactical Knives that Steven Dick was not allowed to board with a 2 and 7/8" plain-edged Spyderco Calypso Jr. because the blade locked open.
I would rather not carry on an expensive knife. Whether you can get it through or not is all due to the whims of the individual guard(s). I always just carry an SAK, and so far haven't been hassled. The familiar red handles and Swiss cross look benign and yet they're high-quality but inexpensive knives.
Jim
 
Ditto the concerns about LAX. I fly in/out of there pretty often. I've asked guards on many occasions re: blade length regulations (usu when they look at one of mine); while their answers have varied, most state 3" w/no serrations as their "guide." Why? I ask. Because, they answer...

My travel folder is either a Dragonfly or a Vnox Adventurer. The latter has longer than 3" but I haven't ever had it checked. Only thing I've had refused at LAX to date is a PST2 because -- you guessed it -- the blade has 1" serrations! Mailed it home in padded envelope. (Now I carry regular PST.)

Int'l travel is always risky. "When in Rome..." as mentioned above is best policy. Arguing w/guards NEVER goes in your favor. I carry an old non-folding SAK w/2.5" blade. But a suggestion made in a previous thread was simply to use the opportunity while traveling to buy a "local" knife if you'll be there for a few days -- usually pretty cheap, then if you like it, you can try to carry it on or simply mail it to yourself. Haven't tried it myself yet.

Glen
 
i have taken a socom with a four incher and the guy measured the blade with a card, told me it was 4.1 inches but i'll let you slide.
i have also smuggled several benchmade autos in my sisters purse they never give it a second look. careful risky though. dont do it any more.


 
Just had "no problems" with my SpeedTech knife. One guy didn't look, the other guard (a lady) measured it (and it came near the edge of her card) just said "What a pretty knife!"
PS, I have a wild finish on mine

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Dances with lemmings

 
hso

"If you're headed outside the United States you should be aware of the host country's laws on knives. That's in the airport as well as on the street. This can save you a lot of trouble, especially in Britan. I think most of Europe allows 80 cm blade lengths. (Can one of our forumites on the other side of the Atlantic verify that please?)"

I live in Britain and the legislation says that a folding knife with a *cutting edge* of 75mm (3") or less may be carried without a 'proper' reason, unless unlawful intent can be shown. I have heard that case law may now exclude locking blades from the above category, but I have no hard facts to this effect. Airport security, in my experience, hold to the 3" rule(and they have specified this to me ~2 years ago), but I don't know whether that caveat for lock blades applies. In the past, however, I have been allowed to check my 3"+ knife with security, who pass it on to the flight crew to be returned to you at your destination - although I have heard stories to the contrary.

I usually place my knife end on to the x-ray machine to avoid scrutiny as even if it fits the bill, they probably have discretion over whether to let you carry it on. I'll also be carrying the pre-addressed envelope with me in future.

Hope this is of use.

Dom
 
Little Claw:

I was told several years ago by a security guard in Heathrow that any locking knife was forbidden on a UK flight. He carefully checked a small SAK I had attached to my key ring for a locking mechanism. I found it ironic that once inside the security zone I saw all manner of SAKs being sold in the airport shops (at terribly inflated prices).

 
I would add that if you don't want security to confiscate your knife, then don't carry it with you. Put it in your checked-in luggage. It doesn't matter if it's legal. Lots of places go by their "discretion". Some security personnel will take your knife simply because they want it for their own.

-Greg
 
Each airline is different, in my experiences I have had my BM 870 with half serrations allowed thru one airline, and not thru another. 3"-4" seems to be the blade length variable. And everytime I have been refused, its been due to the knife having serrations. As if the same knife without serrations would be any less deadly?? Go figure the logic. My advice is, keep it to 3" and plain edge, if not leave it in your luggage or you might miss your flight.


Mutt
 
I think the legal limit in most Europe is less than 8 cm (3 inches). 80 cm is quite a bit. The easy way to count if it is legal is to see if the length of the blade is smaller than the length of camel box (told by a policeman friend 9 years ago)! That is for mediterranian countries though
 
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