best knife to take on trip to Europe?

Cardimon, you always can find some weird - at least for you - local laws in any country. Just check out the local laws at your homeplace. Is it a reason it should be not visited?
I think the original question was what knife to carry in a trip to Europe and not which countries to avoid at all.
I think the best suggestion would be a knife which will be acceptable to the largest number possible officials at most of the countries and in most imaginable situations. That I think rules out some of the Spydies mentioned. IMHO for self defense a locking SAK or any other knife will be less useful than other devices (e.g. walking cane). In some older posts here on the forums I have read about a guy purchasing locally a utility knife and keeping it together with some regularly replaced bread and cheese in a bag. This was suggested as a cheap 'self defense' knife, however I would not carry it myself.
I think nowadays a trip to Western Europe is quite safe, the main concern in some (few) locations could be theft or 'grab and run away' type of robbery. You do not want to encounter soccer hooligans, in this case any knife will be only igniting more violence.
In Eastern Europe you may face more problems, but here once again the main problems are those in wich a 'good self defence knife' puts you only in trouble. Nice knives could be confiscated by local officials. But here once again you will travel not in the jungle or on a battlefield. Belive me, your main concern will be to avoid to be cheated at hotels and restaurants. What will help you is not a tactical knife but calm, kind behavior. You always can find helpful local people.
Your main 'enemies' demanding the use of a knife on such a trip will be bread, pizzas, sausages, fruits, packages, envelopes, plastic bags, bottle caps, food cans, small screws, broken nails.
Go smart, not only tactical...
littleknife
 
Cardimon, I'm not offended at all! I didn't want to let this thread discourage the ones who might want to visit France. As I said, the ONLY problem are the customs. And France is a fine place to visit, especially in the summer (at least the Paris area, where it rains 5 days a week except may-to-august period when it rains 4 days a week
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)

The French consulate ain't the best place to ask for info. Imagine I phone the US consulate in Paris and ask them if I can take my knife in US. They'll say NO even if they're not sure. Nobody will bother you if you carry a SAK or even a folder or little fixed blade. I repeat, customs are an exception.

About the french people not beeing friendly to Americans visiting France... You see, as in any other country, we have here all kind of people. Educated, not educated, smart, stupid, those who understand english, those who don't... The people who meet the conditions no. 2,4 and 6, you bet they don't like turists at all, specially those who doesn't speek french. Fortunately, the people who meets those conditions forms a minority. At least I hope so. So, belive me, those things are VERY exagerated and based on legends and individual bad experiences.

In conclusion, come visit France and see for yourself.

P.S.
We might meet and I'll kick your yankee a$$ and show you we make better knives !
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[This message has been edited by flava (edited 01-17-2001).]
 
Litteknife, I agree completely. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by cardimon (edited 01-17-2001).]
 
I think I'll post a tiny story about the first time carrying a SAK got me into trouble. See if anyone has similar tales.



[This message has been edited by cardimon (edited 01-17-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by flava:
We might meet and I'll show you we make better knives !
[/B]</font>
Click to expand...

A little breakfast (on the Eiffel Tower if I can swing it) and a knife comparison. A nice way to start the day.

 
I just came back from a trip to Paris. All the French people I met were nice, not to mention good looking. I caried a fat Swiss champ on my side through the airports in France and Italy with no problem. The security always asked to see the knife, but they never gave me trouble over it. But Italy has really tight security in their airports, at least the one in Rome did. There were SWAT type police on sniper platforms above the main terminal, and their AK-47s were not at their sides but in their hands pointed down into the crowds of people at all times.
 
Generallobster,

I was quite encouraged by the beginning of your message. Nice people who are also good-looking. That's good.

I must admit, however, I gulped at the last portion of your message. I would be thoroughly unnerved by that sight. That's not so good.

Craig (knees knocking together)
 
When traveling to Europe I always take a Cold Steel medium clip point Voyager. Very PC, small, and still effective. I toss mine in the change bowl with my keys, etc. Also it doesn't cost much so if it gets confiscated you're not losing much. I have taken a larger folder like a Spyderco Military. What I did was keep it in the box, wrap it up like a present, and put it in my carry-on baggage. No problems. If you decide to carry an expensive knife, take along a padded envelope with plenty of postage to get it home. If they give you trouble, toss it in the envelope and find a mail drop. One of the non magnetic knives is an option, and I have carried them all over the U.S. and Europe with no problems, but if you do get caught with one you're in the s**t.

[This message has been edited by Clayton Hufford (edited 01-17-2001).]
 
FrancisB,
Taking your Delica or Native to Europe is a bad idea. My wife and I go every year and this is what I do. I keep a Victorinox Execuitive with a Photon Micro-Lite clipped to the little ring in my pocket. (Looks pretty harmless.) In my checked bag, I take a large Opinel folder which I place in my jacket pocket after I unpack. They take a keen edge and many Europeans use them to cut food items when eating lunch. (Cheese, bread, etc...) People don't think twice about seeing a large, razor sharp Opinel because they're so common. (It would make a hell of a defensive weapon!) If you take your Native someone is going to say something about it in the airport. As Americans, we have to keep a low profile in LOTS of places. Oh, and when I re-pack to come home, the large Opinel goes back in the checked bag. Never had a problem.

Good luck,
Will

------------------
Mendacity is the
system we live in.


[This message has been edited by Will.223 (edited 01-17-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by flava:
You are right, Generallobster. We're good looking. Check me out, I'm the skiny classy guy with the pudel.
</font>
Click to expand...

That is one big, beautiful dog, flava. May ask what his or her name is?

Craig

 
FrancisB, I second the idea to buy some nice traditional folders while on trip in Europe.
Laguioles are beautiful, aren't they?
Cardimon, you are welcome. I just finished reading your post about getting in trouble because of your SAK. Sad stories.
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I hope I don't have to live in a world where the only legal cutting tools are some ugly and useless plastic "knives". Isn't it interesting that from all the existing plastic utensils only the so called "knives" are useless? I am not against the idea of providing plastic knives in a fast food restaurant or an airplane IF they could make them cut at least a little bit. However I definitely will enjoy much more the meal if I can use my own REAL knife.
Sorry for the sidetrack.
littleknife
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Will.223:
I keep a Victorinox Execuitive with a Photon Micro-Lite clipped to the little ring in my pocket.
</font>
Click to expand...

I recently acquired an Executive myself. I like it. Classy, functional, and understated. I attached my red and white Photon II's to its keyring.

When traveling by air, I think I'll follow your example and put my Leatherman Wave in my carry-on. The Executive and Photon II's will sit very nicely in my jacket pocket.

Craig

 
No7 from Opinel

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
 
Cardimon,
I didn't mention that my white beam Photon is a "2" also. It's unbelievably bright! Also, when it's on the little keyring of the Execuitive, it's so small and light, it doesn't get in the way. I keep another white Photon 2 attached to the small, razor sharp, carbon fiber SOG "Gent" that rests in the passport compartment of my hip pouch. (My wife and I travel a lot and we've got it down to a science!)
Another thing. I have one of those small Leatherman Tools (wonderful gadget!) that folds out to a full size needle nose pliars in my carry on bag also. It's gone to Europe in my carry on bag six times. Nobody has said a word at the X-ray belt. However, the large Opinel would be another story! Best to check that one!

Will

------------------
Mendacity is the
system we live in.


[This message has been edited by Will.223 (edited 01-22-2001).]
 
Cardimon:

please don't avoid France and Paris just because of the bad reputation of some of the locals. My experience there (contrary to the legend) was that many people are very helpful if you just try a little bit. (I was also sorry to see that a lot of what they say about us is also kind of true, like the pushy broad in Notre Dame who asked if she could pay with a $20 bill...actually, they permit it, although they gave her a bad exchange rate of course!)

You can get some decent electronic translators for pretty cheap now. There's a good selection at www.travlang.com but they may not have the best prices (my computer is having trouble with their page).
There's also a series of "cheat guides" that have a bunch of useful phrases in English, then the same phrase in Foreign in large letters so that you can point to it. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the company that sells them.
For the price of a nice knife, you can even get a handheld scanning translator -- that's right, just run it over a line in a menu and it will translate for you! I think I saw that at travlang.
You can probably also memorize 10-20 phrases in French by copying a tape. Don't try to master the language or build a huge vocabulary; just pick 10 or 20 good phrases and take ten sessions, a few minutes each, of listening and repeating. This will go a long way.
Lastly, don't stick to the "usual places Americans go" like McDonalds, the Eiffel Tower, etc. Wander aimlessly along the river. Walk around and get lost. You can always take a taxi back to the hotel if you need to.
 
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