Flying with knives in checked luggage - do you worry about theft?

I have crossed the US many times with thousands of Dollars worth of knives in my checked baggage with never a problem.
Last year after Blade the TSA opened my case that had my knives in it. They were interested in the big piece of micarta I had in there, the knives were untouched.

Personally I would fly in the US with knives in my checked case without any concern.

Steven
 
Terrible chance to take. I don't think it's the TSA you have to worry about, it's the baggage handlers. I wouldn't carry anything I couldn't afford to lose. (Easy for me to say. I don't ever plan on flying any more.)
 
Short answer... Yes, I do worry.

However, the few times I've flown with knives, I've taken several and lock them all in a locked (TSA lock) small zippered pouch bag with a bright red hard plastic baggage tag attached that plainly states that all knives contained within are legal to own in every state in the U.S., that every knife contained within has been photographed for ID purposes and those images are with me, and that I am willing to make a federal case out of it if any are missing. This locked bag and its attached red luggage tag are packed deep within my checked bag, and I never leave the destination airport without first checking this bag and its contents. While I have seen the TSA/HSA inspection card left in my checked bag a few times, it appears that the knife bag has never been opened during those inspections and I've yet to lose a knife (knock wood). I've traveled with Hinderer XM's, small Busse's, Murray Carter neckers, Kreins, SAK's, and Mosier knives, and usually take at least 4 of these on any trip...especially to BLADE. Although I do mail most of what I take to that show, I still have 3-5 small knives with me, including an XM-18.

Not sure if what I do works...but I am very willing to raise a major stink with TSA with both law enforcement and lawyers if anything ever goes missing from my bags. If the airlines and TSA expect us to put our lives and possessions in their hands, the least they can do is not steal from us.
 
I traveled both domestic and internaitonal for a number of years with a Cold Steel Recon Scout Carbon V, Buck Vantage, and Gerber Multi-tool in my check in bag. One flight around 2009, Tel-Aviv to New York to Detroit, both the CS and Buck went missing. I complained to American Airlines, told them the value of the knives, and they told me they'd look into it and I should file a claim with my travel insurance. Since I didn't have travel insurance (fool me), I was screwed, but they did offer $100 discount off my next flight.

Since then I've only traveled with knives in my checked baggage that were both expendable and easily to replace. I really miss that Cold Steel Recon Scout in Carbon V, and now that I live in Australia, it's practically impossible to get anymore.
 
Jmboz said:
I traveled both domestic and internaitonal for a number of years with a Cold Steel Recon Scout Carbon V, Buck Vantage, and Gerber Multi-tool in my check in bag. One flight around 2009, Tel-Aviv to New York to Detroit, both the CS and Buck went missing. I complained to American Airlines, told them the value of the knives, and they told me they'd look into it and I should file a claim with my travel insurance. Since I didn't have travel insurance (fool me), I was screwed, but they did offer $100 discount off my next flight.

Since then I've only traveled with knives in my checked baggage that were both expendable and easily to replace. I really miss that Cold Steel Recon Scout in Carbon V, and now that I live in Australia, it's practically impossible to get anymore.
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That's it, I'm never flying with my good knives again!
 
Do you all lock your bags? (I would have thought most people do this) If not...

Try locking your zipper pulls together with a TSA approved combo lock. You can lock any two zippers together with a combo lock but it's probably better to use zippers made for this purpose. Many companies make luggage where you can lock the zippers (like Eagle Creek duffels for example).

In the past I have also used those Army Surplus bags (forget what they're called) where they lock on the top. I put my small, expensive stuff on the bottom of the bag. Better yet, put the knives in socks stuffed in a coat in the bottom of the bag as BULL4242 suggests (maybe further stuff the coat in something else just to make it a PITA for the would be thief). Those things can haul tons of gear. Plus you look "down market".

Maybe those Samsonite suitcases are more secure but I have no idea what their products are these days (too expensive for me).

No matter what you can't lock the bags away from TSA but I think locks do help from prevent theft from someone else (like baggage handlers for example if it were sitting somewhere).

Locking a zipper is not super secure but I can't think of a reason NOT to do it. You can also lock your baggage while out of your hotel room or when the bags are with the reception.

I did lose a Sebenza once while travelling but it was at a bar after arriving at my destination. It must of fell out of my pocket but who knows...:confused: I still think about that (thinking about it is worse than the actual loss). The cerveza was too cheap and some local probably has no idea what a great knife he now has. So yeah drinking while carrying expensive stuff is not a good idea. Now I travel with a much cheaper Spyderco Tenacious. Confiscated, lost, stolen or sometimes given away to a friendly local it's easier to part with. I don't know if I could travel with a 500$ knife again.
 
thelastbestplace said:
Do you all lock your bags? (I would have thought most people do this) If not...

Try locking your zipper pulls together with a TSA approved combo lock. You can lock any two zippers together with a combo lock but it's probably better to use zippers made for this purpose. Many companies make luggage where you can lock the zippers (like Eagle Creek duffels for example).

In the past I have also used those Army Surplus bags (forget what they're called) where they lock on the top. I put my small, expensive stuff on the bottom of the bag. Better yet, put the knives in socks stuffed in a coat in the bottom of the bag as BULL4242 suggests (maybe further stuff the coat in something else just to make it a PITA for the would be thief). Those things can haul tons of gear. Plus you look "down market".

Maybe those Samsonite suitcases are more secure but I have no idea what their products are these days (too expensive for me).

No matter what you can't lock the bags away from TSA but I think locks do help from prevent theft from someone else (like baggage handlers for example if it were sitting somewhere).

Locking a zipper is not super secure but I can't think of a reason NOT to do it. You can also lock your baggage while out of your hotel room or when the bags are with the reception.

I did lose a Sebenza once while travelling but it was at a bar after arriving at my destination. It must of fell out of my pocket but who knows...:confused: I still think about that (thinking about it is worse than the actual loss). The cerveza was too cheap and some local probably has no idea what a great knife he now has. So yeah drinking while carrying expensive stuff is not a good idea. Now I travel with a much cheaper Spyderco Tenacious. Confiscated, lost, stolen or sometimes given away to a friendly local it's easier to part with. I don't know if I could travel with a 500$ knife again.
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I dont know about locking your bags. My friend tried that one time and they cut his locks, all 3 of them.
 
Dunny153 said:
I dont know about locking your bags. My friend tried that one time and they cut his locks, all 3 of them.
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If you use your own lock, you must provide TSA with a key (or copy), screeners are permitted to break your lock for inspection if you fail to do so.
It is usually best to use a TSA approved lock so that inspectors may get your luggage thru the process hassle free.
 
Yes, I worry. I don't fly with any knife I can't stand to loose or replace. Generally, that is a descent knife that cost less than $100.00. If it is stolen, I'll be POed, but I'll get over it.
 
I am at the moment in Lima Peru. Flew from San Francisco on 02/22 with a stop in Houston Texas. I brough my Spyderco Para 2 DC with black blade in my check in baggage. I did not have any problem at all. This is not the first time I do this. I did have problems in Houston though one time a couple of years ago when I was going back and I was ramdomly selected by a customs agent to throughly check my bags he found the knife and told me that he had to confiscate it because it was illegal to travel with a knife to which I reply asking him why it was illegal and ask him to show me where does it say that. He got really mad and I also noticed he knew about knives. He was checking out the sharpness, and knew the brand name of it too. I told him that the knife was in my checked in bag. And I had let him know before he opened it that I had a knife. So he had to let me go with my knife. Too bad he could not keep the knife for himself because I am pretty sure tha t was his intention!!!!
 
thelastbestplace said:
Do you all lock your bags? (I would have thought most people do this) If not...

Try locking your zipper pulls together with a TSA approved combo lock. You can lock any two zippers together with a combo lock but it's probably better to use zippers made for this purpose. Many companies make luggage where you can lock the zippers (like Eagle Creek duffels for example).
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From what I've seen, almost no one uses locks on their luggage. Doesn't matter anyway, "Everyone and their Grandma has a key," or so I've been told.

So I don't travel with anything that can't be easily replaced.
 
I am always reluctant to put knives in my bag because they could be stolen, but sometimes you have no choice if you are flying to a hunting/camping/kayaking trip or simply don't want to be in a sketchy place without a blade. So far so good and nothing has been stolen. I have a sealed bag made of wire mesh that I can lock and attach to the inside of my bag, but that wouldn't stop a determined thief.
You want to secure your lawful knives that you need for your trip? Too bad. We have no rights anymore.
 
So far so good as I havn't had any problems and I fly about 3 times a year on average with several knives in checked luggage. I use a sturdy ridgid suitcase with a good lock. Most thefts are ones of oportunity such as insecure or unlocked luggage. If they want it they will either have to take the whole suitcase or destroy it to gain access both of which can draw unwanted attention.
 
There isn't a day goes by that I don't carry a knife, if I wore pajamas - there'd be a knife in that pocket too BUT when I recently flew to Florida to get out of N/E Pa winter - I went a week without.
I was not taking a chance, I lost a knife to the "airport" years ago and have not forgotten how P.O. I was.
IF I lost a Hinderer or a CRK - I I I dunno if I'd make it out of the airport without a Zip-Tie.
Bottom Line: If you just can't be without an edge pack a throw-away or buy one there and mail it home (IMO)
 
If there's any chance at all of it being stolen, I take whatever will get me by till I get back, which means something that can be replaced easily if it gets lifted.
 
Most times I travel , I take hand guns,in locked case , inspected before locking the case , I put my knives in there,,also,yes a worry if thats stolen , but there not walking out with a gun case in there hands also..And I get a slip stating its in there and its info.. The times I do fly ,,without firearms , I take several knives with me and have had my bags searched almost every time ,theres a tag inside it was searched. Not yet has anything been missing ..And many Africa work and hunt trips , and none missing even the custom ones bought there...Lucky I guess...
I do worry about it ...Once they lost a gun case of mine 2 rifles several knives,, and my bags with ammo in them,,2 days nothing ,,Then a knock on my door almost 3 days went buy ,,there everything was ...Not a thing gone...Guns were locked.....I feel lucky.....Thought this is it.......
 
I fly four times a year. I carry whatever I want. I never had a problem yet. 5years running
 
I would suggestion putting nothing in "checked luggage" that is of any real value or anything that you really don't want stolen. It happens much more often then you would believe.
 
Bob W said:
From what I've seen, almost no one uses locks on their luggage. Doesn't matter anyway, "Everyone and their Grandma has a key," or so I've been told.

So I don't travel with anything that can't be easily replaced.
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I imagine you're right. Most people in USA don't lock their luggage but if I had something expensive in them I would strongly consider locking.

I often travel internationally and locking you bags is pretty common in some of the places I've been.

Also, it can be easy to open some locked zippers just by pulling on the bag. So it's no end all solution but it works for me.

I have had stuff taken from my checked bags twice at airports (abroad, not in USA). Both times the bags were unlocked.

So maybe my comments apply more to travel in the developing world but still I would use them for domestic flights in the USA if I had something expensive inside.
 
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