Ever feel bad travelling without a knife?

[demoncase]

At home, I've always got a knife on me- even about the house.

I flew 22 times last year- for work- to 10 airports, through 6 countries and 3 continents....75,000 miles.
Because the tangle of laws regarding knives, I can't pack any of my Spydercos even in hold luggage....Plus, I've had one nice leather belt go walkies from my hold luggage on the way back from Manilla, so chances are a decent folder would be 'confiscated' in the back pocket of some Customs guy.

Yes, I feel really bad when I do- naked almost.....Having to rely on a steel bodied pen as the fall-back self-defence solution is less than ideal.
Thankfully, I'm working in aerospace facilities and staying in 4 stars or better, but still....it's a worry.

 

[Bludgeon]

Rarely have I felt bad missing my knife but I have felt vulnerable without my handgun a time of two over the years.

 

[AreBeeBee]

In a hotel reading this thread. Checked my bag with american airlines. Had a SOG Twitch2 in there. STOLEN by AA. Employees stole the personal property of a paying customer. 😡

I'm sorry you lost your knife. Next time, either mail it ahead (and back when you return) or do as many here have suggested: buy a cheapie locally and discard or give away. Main rule based on much experience: never, ever check a knife that's more valuable than you're prepared to lose.

Actually, once the bag is handed in at the counter to an AA employee, it goes to TSA and then to a baggage cart, both being staffed by non-AA employees. Doesn't ease the sting, but AA is almost surely not to blame here.

 

[welsh]

While I know it happens, I think all this worrying about TSA stealing your knife out of your luggage is overstated. I travel 1000s of miles every year both in the U.S and outside and I have never lost a single knife. The only people personally know that have lost knives while flying were Ken Onion and an advanced collector now passed on. Both were traveling with cases filled with nothing but knives rather than a folder buried somewhere down in their socks and underwear. That probably makes for a lot bigger temptation to the sticky finger types.

+1 on this. I too fly frequently, and despite all the fuss about lost luggage and theft, I have never had anything stolen and have only had 2 bags lost in almost 20 years ... both of which made their way to me within 48 hrs.

I wouldn't put an expensive knife in my luggage if I could help it, but I always fly with an Opinel and an inexpensive locking folder in a checked bag.

 

[FordRanger]

Last time I flew somewhere I stopped at an Academy and got a camo Buck Bantam. It ended up being a good knife for the $16 I paid, and I just mailed it back. They're more like $20 now though. It now stays in my truck as a beater knife. Now that I know I like them, I will be doing the same next time I fly. Sure it isn't high quality but they feel good in my hand and its only for a few days of carry and light duty use. Normally I just drive though, so a knife isn't the only thing tagging along.

 

[manowar669]

I always check a bag when I fly. I hate lugging around a bunch of bags in the airport. Last time I flew I took a knife and a multitool with me, in checked luggage. No problems.

If for some reason I couldn't, and was going to be gone for a while, I would pop by the nearest sporting goods store and pick out a nice inexpensive SAK that I wouldn't mind owning, then put it a cardboard mailer and mail it back to myself before I left. Or some cheapo at the hardware store or a gas station, and just pitch it or give it to someone before I left. Otherwise I'd just do without for the duration of the trip.

Same here. My carry on is minimal, but I could live out of it indefinitely (other than the knife thing). I carry a stainless steel zebra pen when I fly as a "just in case". A style PS is ok by the TSA. Grab a SAK when you're feet dry, either ditch it, gift it, or send it home on the way back. One time after landing in Cali, hit a nearby place in Anaheim, and grabbed an Opinel for $8, spent the week along with my carry on Style PS, and mailed the Opinel home before leaving.