Flying with training knives

J

Joe Talmadge

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
4,842
Hi folks,

Have any of you flown with trainers? I have a class to go to, and won't have to check in baggage if I can take at least on trainer with me.

I'm thinking my endura trainer would be verboten -- no edge, but looks too much like a knife. Ditto my aluminum edges2 fixed-blade trainer, which also might look like it could be an impact weapon. And my homemade lollipop (dowel, pipe foam, and duct tape) looks a bit like a grenade.

That leaves something like my SofStix trainers or Nok's trainers.

Does anyone have any experience with getting any of the above on carry-on baggage on a flight?

thanks,

Joe
 
If you check your bag you will be fine.
this how I travel with my trainers.
I wouldn't try to carry them on board.
I recently flew from Jamaica with machete, and I had no problems
Because it was stowed away.
 
The usual good advice from BrotherD. I hear what you're saying. Hate checking bags (especially now in the "no lock" era), but you're asking for trouble if you try to carry ANY trainer on board.
 
The difficulty with carry-on is that both weapon and "weapon-like" objects are banned. You have seen cases of chocolate guns, toy guns, even some kid's GI Joe's gun that was 3" long being stopped. SO, even if you have a sof-stix trainer it is still "knife-like" and might get yanked.

As someone who does a lot of traveling to teach knife at seminars, I try to mail my gear ahead. It only costs a couple of bucks and you know it won't be a problem then or get ripped off. When I can't do this, I'll box it up, tape the box closed, and put in my checked bags. This has never been a problem.

Best of all,

Pete Kautz
http://modernknives.com
http://alliancemartialarts.com
 
Joe, I send expensive stuff via fed-ex on ahead - trainers and beaters get tossed in the checked bag. If you are so inclined, you may wish to inquire about checking your knife in a box that is addressed to you and taped shut with several layers of tape. The Transexual Authority goons can then x-ray your box, see it is full of knives, but is properly sealed and does not have a bomb in it, they will send the box onward with no hassle.

I have checked a bag multiple times recently with a Mad Dog Coyote and a Sebenza in it - no problems, though it is an unpleasant feeling when a few of your favorite blades are at the mercy of the baggage guys in easy access.
 
Kamusta Ka..I recently flew to Washington D.C. home of the paranoid americans. I had my complete stick bag with live blades , gununtings and trainers. I had no problems what so ever. Funny thing is when I went through the metal detectors at the gate they stopped me because I was wearing steele toe Hi -Techs. They took me in a room and asked me why I would wear these boots, LOL I was absolutely floored..so after 15 minutes of checking my carry on bag I was set free and aloud to go on my merry way.
 
I once flew, forgetting that i had a cardboard knife prototype in my carry-on. It occured to me when they all huddled around the screen pointing and talking that I had left it in there. They searched my bag until they found it and, upon determining that it was harmless, let me go (although I offered to let them take it). It was more embarassing than anything.
I have also flown with knife-length wooden dowels with duct-tape on one end and gotten no hassle. As the regulations get tighter, though, I wouldn't push it. Trainers are cheap and can be replaced in the unlikely event that they are dammaged or stolen in transit.

- Chris
 
Follow the advice that everyone gave you here...unless I missed one here is mine...DO NOT TAKE OR TRY TO TAKE ANYTHING LIKE THIS ON BOARD...trust me I KNOW.
 
Hello All!

Having flown and taught in Europe and the USA, I only pack my trainers in my check in luggage! So far I have not been hasseled, well except the quizzical looks I received leaving Warsaw, when they had me open my check in luggage!

Gumagalang
Guro Steve L.

www.Bujinkandojo.net
 
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