Can't decide

A

asdf12345

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Jul 4, 2014
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I'm not sure how I should ship my knives home. On one hand people have been telling horror stories of knives being stolen by TSA, and there is always the risk of loss of luggage. However, I have also heard stories of USPS losing packages and doing everything in their power to not pay insurance claims. Does anyone have any advice?
 
Get an adult diaper, wrap the knives in it so it looks used, put that in a ziploc bag and toss that in your checked luggage. Good padding so they won't get damaged and more than a little off-putting to would-be thieves.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Get an adult diaper, wrap the knives in it so it looks used, put that in a ziploc bag and toss that in your checked luggage. Good padding so they won't get damaged and more than a little off-putting to would-be thieves.
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Aren't bags x-rayed? Wouldn't TSA inspect the diaper if they see that it has a bunch of metallic objects in it?
 
If its a couple of knives that arent terribly expensive id consider putting them in checked luggage. If youre sending more than a couple and if theyre higher end then ship them insured.
 
A friend of mine ships his ahead. Once he gets to his destination, he picks them up at the local facility. He can't stand not having a knife with him ...
 
Just put them in your check in luggage..? I fly internationally a lot and I've never even been questioned about it, let alone had them confiscated. Maybe that's just my luck though

Touch wood
 
I take mine in my checked luggage if it's either a decent commercial airline or a plane where I see my bag get on and off the plane. That way if there's a problem I know it and can either trace it or make an insurance claim right away. Deliveries are a pain and an expense. But no method is perfect. I know my knives miss me as I miss them and we hate every moment we're apart. ;)
 
I ALWAYS use USPS Priority Flat Rate boxes. Find the box at the P.O. Each size has a rate. The small is $5.80 plus insurance costs. You could easily put ten folders in that one, or perhaps six in individual Spyderco or Benchmade boxes. I add some shipping tape on the lid and tabs.
You can stuff the small one or med or large full with as much weight as you can lift, and then insure it for value. I have NEVER lost a USPS Priority flat rate box, and I've mailed all over the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska several times each. The only way to go, IMO.
Sonny

You could ship them as baggage if you buy a cheap hard plastic gun case for five bucks, that can be pad-locked. Put knives in it. Carry up to ticket counter; tell girl that you are declaring concealed weapons as knives. She will look in the case, then she will ensure that the case is locked with your padlock on it. I've done this with many handguns. Perfectly secure.
 
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asdf12345 said:
Aren't bags x-rayed? Wouldn't TSA inspect the diaper if they see that it has a bunch of metallic objects in it?
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Bags are x-rayed but, from what I know of it, that's usually not where the theft occurs. It usually happens down the line. It's not a perfect security precaution by any means, but it helps keep the grubby mitts off your stuff.
 
never had an issue at all with USPS, I have shipped 5 hinderers, 2 Busses, and a custom Lambert. I received these knives through USPS also. I always used flat rate boxes
 
For USPS insurance, is photographing the items enough? I took photos of each knife and its box, and I will photograph the way I pack it in the flat rate box. However I do not have the receipts for the purchases and many of them were bought online with Paypal without an invoice, or with a MO. Will this be a problem if I have to file a claim?
 
Sonnydaze said:
You could ship them as baggage if you buy a cheap hard plastic gun case for five bucks, that can be pad-locked. Put knives in it. Carry up to ticket counter; tell girl that you are declaring concealed weapons as knives. She will look in the case, then she will insure that the case is locked with your padlock on it. I've done this with many handguns. Perfectly secure.
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This is a great idea, but don't use a "TSA Approved" padlock, us a good quality one.

For me, I would trust the USPS long before I would trust the TSA. USPS used to be pretty bad but ever since UPS and Fed Ex started hammering their market share because they were more trustworthy, the USPS has gotten far better.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I ALWAYS use USPS Priority Flat Rate boxes. Find the box at the P.O. Each size has a rate. The small is $5.80 plus insurance costs. You could easily put ten folders in that one, or perhaps six in individual Spyderco or Benchmade boxes. I add some shipping tape on the lid and tabs.
You can stuff the small one or med or large full with as much weight as you can lift, and then insure it for value. I have NEVER lost a USPS Priority flat rate box, and I've mailed all over the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska several times each. The only way to go, IMO.
Sonny

You could ship them as baggage if you buy a cheap hard plastic gun case for five bucks, that can be pad-locked. Put knives in it. Carry up to ticket counter; tell girl that you are declaring concealed weapons as knives. She will look in the case, then she will ensure that the case is locked with your padlock on it. I've done this with many handguns. Perfectly secure.
Click to expand...

When flying with guns you must padlock with locks that only you have the key to, so not tsa approved locks. All other bags must have tsa approved locks, and tsa has keys for those and will inspect them. If you think tsa employees are all honest,
Google tsa theft.
 
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