Air travel & Switzerland with knife?

H

hologon

Joined
Nov 7, 2001
Messages
7
Hi, all.

I'm probably going to be travelling to Switzerland on business in the next few weeks.

What's the current situation with carrying a knife on a plane, but in checked suitcases, not concealed carry or in carry-on?

Also, anyone know what concealed carry laws are like in Switzerland?

I would like to bring my Emerson Mini CQC7b, 2.9" blade, no serrations, black coating, or a Benchmade Dark Star, 3.25", satin blade, with serrations, but not as "scary and black".

I'm also planning on bringing my Leatherman Micra.

Thanks! :D

-Jon:
 
I wouldnt know what is or isnt allowed but just a word of warning. DONT BRING ANYTHING YOU CANT BARE LOSING!!! Good luck.

DB
 
Go with the Micra and nothing else. Then, since you're in Europe already, use your knifelessness as an excuse to pick up a great Swiss Army Knife! You might get to handle some models we don't see over here. Or get a Laguiole or an Opinel, a good Spanish navaja or a German automatic.

(I almost said "a German auto" but I didn't want you trying to buy a tactical Mercedes :D )
 
< (I almost said "a German auto" but I didn't want you trying to buy a tactical Mercedes :) )

Ah, that would be bad indeed. The Jeep-like Mercedes´es you get to drive in the German army are horribly under-engined.


Kristofer
 
Hi there, I heard that carrying a one-hander is forbidden. But You are allowed to own it. Also carrying fixed fighting knives like the Fairbairn-Sykes is forbidden, if the blade is smaller (!) than about 6 inches.
A bit crazy, isn´t it?

I would prefer the tactical mercedes...
 
Autos, balis and one-hand opening knives are forbiden there (at least in theory). Go with a cheap whatever knife so you don't miss it if it gets confiscated.
 
Thanks for all the quick responses!

You're right -- I won't bring anything that I'd mind losing. That means no chance for the security folk to "confiscate" my Emerson.

(When I went to Disneyland a LONG time ago, I remember just how blatantly they would "confiscate" any Coke cans in our bags and carry it into their little security huts...)

I'd hope the Micra in check-in luggage should be ok, right? I'll also remember to pack my nail clippers in check-in, too. :rolleyes:

As people on TFL are fond of reminding... I suspect a "tactical Mercedes" would be a better self-defense weapon in many situations than a knife, anyhow. Too bad I couldn't carry concealed. :D

Thanks again, all. Love this board!

-Jon
 
Well, I have visited Switzerland quite recently and here is my experience.

Theory first: the are banning each knife what can be opened with one hand if it has the blade longer than 2 inches. Pretty strange for the country there almost each adult male has modern assault rifle at home :) However Swiss friends have advised me to have the knife in my photo bag if I like to carry it. This shouldn't cause any problem but I had no opportunity to check it out.

Practices second: returning from Swiss Knife Show with airplane I have brought to passenger cabin two H. P. Klötzli knives - folder and fixed blade. I have put them into my photo bag among the lenses positioning them strictly vertically. The operator of X-ray machine saw them as small spots which he couldn't identify.

I did it at Zurich airport 23.09.2001, only 12 days after terrorist attack against America!!!

Let someone tell me now that these terrorists attacked airplane crews with disposable plastic forks they got for dinner...
 
the last version of the law in Switzerlantd tells you that you cannot carry a one hander with a locking blade. his rules out every conceivable knife,but knives are not illegal per se.It's unconstitutional searching for a knife on your person without a reason, so if you stay away from troubles it should be no problem.
I always travel to Switzerland for my work and i did not have any trouble carrying with me even "illegal" knives.Just don't flick them around.the people is usually nice and quiet and polite,if you blend with the environment you will simply disappear.The only place where i wouldn't carry a knife are discos or bars.By the way,maybe i can give you the address of a knifeshop or two....feel free to write at my email address.
 
My wife and I travelled there 2 years ago on vacation, and had a blast! I carried my Leatherman with no problems at all. Used it for slicing apples, cheese, etc., no raised eyebrows or anything like that.

Every store on every main street has more SAK's than you can shake a stick at. Go figure. :D I would probably agree with going knifeless and buying a SAK while you are there. When in Rome...

Have a great time, Switzerland is a wonderful place to visit!
 
I've been to Switzerland. No problem with my Spyderco mouse on me attached to my key chain, even though a locking one-hander. Of course now the problem is getting it out of the U.S. in the first place if you are not checking luggage...
 
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