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Is it ok to transport small sebenza in checked luggages on International flights?
- Thread starter Bob Litt
- Start date
Bob-
I suspect that your international question would also depend on the destination of your flight so that may be a difficult question to get answered here.
As for domestic flights...I fly with my small, decorated Sebenza all of the time and have never had a problem. I just drop it in the change tray with my wallet and watch. Most of the time they do not even give it a second look. I have had one security person open the blade and then hand me the knife and wave me through. But to be on the safe side (since this is all at the discretion of the security guard) I always carry a self-addressed, padded envelope with sufficient postage. Worse case, I put my Sebenza in the envelope and mail it home.
-Steven
[This message has been edited by swong13 (edited 05-04-2001).]
I suspect that your international question would also depend on the destination of your flight so that may be a difficult question to get answered here.
As for domestic flights...I fly with my small, decorated Sebenza all of the time and have never had a problem. I just drop it in the change tray with my wallet and watch. Most of the time they do not even give it a second look. I have had one security person open the blade and then hand me the knife and wave me through. But to be on the safe side (since this is all at the discretion of the security guard) I always carry a self-addressed, padded envelope with sufficient postage. Worse case, I put my Sebenza in the envelope and mail it home.
-Steven
[This message has been edited by swong13 (edited 05-04-2001).]
So far I haven't had problems with checked luggage and customs. Knives are not on any list of items which have a limit to im/export like coffe, alcohol and tobacco. Especially a small sebenza shouldn't be a reason to raise suspicion. What you should be aware of is that luggage get's lost or stolen all the time. Over the years I had my bags misrouted with certain regularity. Fortunately I always got them back later.
With carry on you take a certain risk also. Some security people let you in, others won't. Seems to depend on the airport.
The "best" thing I've seen was on a Southwest flight. There was a guy walking around the cabin with a fixed blade on his belt. I couldn't believe it!
With carry on you take a certain risk also. Some security people let you in, others won't. Seems to depend on the airport.
The "best" thing I've seen was on a Southwest flight. There was a guy walking around the cabin with a fixed blade on his belt. I couldn't believe it!
bob_glassman
Banned
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2000
- Messages
- 414
US FAA Regulations specify that it is perfectly legal to carry on any manual opening knife with a blade length less then 4". That is the official FAA position on the matter. I have gone as far as to carry 20 expensive custom knives in a hard case Samsonite briefcase that was inspected at the security check point and all the customs guards uuhhed and ahhhed at for 5 minutes until I ran out of time. The biggest folder was 3.8" and all were let through.
For non-domestic travel, it would benefit you to contact the Customs office in the city that you are departing from to identify the destination countries' relationship as it relates to customs.
For non-domestic travel, it would benefit you to contact the Customs office in the city that you are departing from to identify the destination countries' relationship as it relates to customs.
Bob,
I asked the very same question to Chris Reeve two days ago. I called the company to ask a question regarding blade profiles and Bridget said that she would have someone call me right back. 15 minutes later the phone rang and a voice (with an obvious South African accent) said, "This is Chris Reeve". I was a little "blown away", but I asked my question. (I almost FORGOT my question!) Anyway, I also managed to ask what he carried and if he had any trouble getting the knife in and out of Europe. He said that he usually carries a "Small Classic 2000" and he does not try to hide it or put it in his checked luggage. Just puts it in the little tray as he goes throgh the X-ray booth. He said that he goes in and out of Europe all the time. He actually got a little angry about confiscation. He said that it's illegal for anyone to try and confiscate a Small Sebenza, and if they do, "Demand a name and a receipt"!
I enjoyed my conversation with Mr. Reeve. He made all the time in the world for me. It's always nice when you get to talk to the top person. It made me feel even better about my new Sebenza. (And I didn't THAT was possible!
)
Will
[This message has been edited by Will.223 (edited 05-04-2001).]
I asked the very same question to Chris Reeve two days ago. I called the company to ask a question regarding blade profiles and Bridget said that she would have someone call me right back. 15 minutes later the phone rang and a voice (with an obvious South African accent) said, "This is Chris Reeve". I was a little "blown away", but I asked my question. (I almost FORGOT my question!) Anyway, I also managed to ask what he carried and if he had any trouble getting the knife in and out of Europe. He said that he usually carries a "Small Classic 2000" and he does not try to hide it or put it in his checked luggage. Just puts it in the little tray as he goes throgh the X-ray booth. He said that he goes in and out of Europe all the time. He actually got a little angry about confiscation. He said that it's illegal for anyone to try and confiscate a Small Sebenza, and if they do, "Demand a name and a receipt"!
I enjoyed my conversation with Mr. Reeve. He made all the time in the world for me. It's always nice when you get to talk to the top person. It made me feel even better about my new Sebenza. (And I didn't THAT was possible!
Will
[This message has been edited by Will.223 (edited 05-04-2001).]
- Joined
- Jan 20, 1999
- Messages
- 738
Bob (Litt),
I see all good answers so far. I think, however, you need to distinguish between two issues. First, your profile does not specify where you are from. Your place of residence has an impact on customs questions. From reading here and general experience, one small Sebenza is not generally going to be a customs problem from the standpoint of duty. If you are from the United States, carrying one knife made in the U.S. is not a customs duty issue.
This would be contrasted with taking a trip from the U.S. to Japan and returning with a new expensive camera. If purchased in the U.S. you better have a U.S. receipt or have registered it with Customs before you leave. This is provided as an example and used to be true. I assume their may still be a duty issue, but do not know. I remember taking a trip with a lot of camera equipment, and I registered it before I left.
Secondly, I believe you are more likely to be trying to ask regarding weapon issues, which is how the answers are generally phrased. As far as the FAA seems to be concerned, in the U.S. a small Sebenza is OK. Airlines, however, can use their discretion. Prior answers have already discussed this, such as the padded answer suggestion. It is also a good excuse to buy and Umfaan, even smaller and more innocuous.
Two problem points, from reading the forum posts, seem to be England airports and the chunnel. England is apparently more violent than one would normally suppose and thus lawmakers there have apparently frowned, at least in a general way, on locking folders. This is apparently true, no matter how small the locking folder, treating them as forbidden fixed blades. I wonder if a blunt, Spydercard or similar would count? I also recall reading of one person passing through England on the way back from Italy (?) to the U.S. with a fixed blade, purchased in Italy as a souvenir, and having it confiscated. I suppose they are worried that gangs of foreigners, especially Americans, are going to escape from the airports and cause a problem, or that if in checked luggage ,that a baggage handler, or official might be tempted to take it thus introducing it to England. So if you have firmly fixed in your mind, a picnic in the bucolic English countryside, you may need to be careful in choosing your picnic implements.
At 2 7/8," blade length is probably not usually a problem, but there may be exceptions. A small Sebenza would generally not have serrations, so that would not be an issue.
I also wonder if the Leatherman Wave and similar tools would be frowned on because the blades lock. This might be a good use for that old model, original Leatherman tool.
I also read a post in one of the forums regarding the chunnel. They are apparently extremely afraid that someone is going to hijack the train, going through the tunnel between England and France, or have some other concern. ?? Further, there is no provision for checking ones luggage. In any event the post suggested that they forbid ALL knives. I hope that has changed, but that was the most extreme example of which I have read. I wonder if they would overlook a waiters corkscrew?
I see all good answers so far. I think, however, you need to distinguish between two issues. First, your profile does not specify where you are from. Your place of residence has an impact on customs questions. From reading here and general experience, one small Sebenza is not generally going to be a customs problem from the standpoint of duty. If you are from the United States, carrying one knife made in the U.S. is not a customs duty issue.
This would be contrasted with taking a trip from the U.S. to Japan and returning with a new expensive camera. If purchased in the U.S. you better have a U.S. receipt or have registered it with Customs before you leave. This is provided as an example and used to be true. I assume their may still be a duty issue, but do not know. I remember taking a trip with a lot of camera equipment, and I registered it before I left.
Secondly, I believe you are more likely to be trying to ask regarding weapon issues, which is how the answers are generally phrased. As far as the FAA seems to be concerned, in the U.S. a small Sebenza is OK. Airlines, however, can use their discretion. Prior answers have already discussed this, such as the padded answer suggestion. It is also a good excuse to buy and Umfaan, even smaller and more innocuous.
Two problem points, from reading the forum posts, seem to be England airports and the chunnel. England is apparently more violent than one would normally suppose and thus lawmakers there have apparently frowned, at least in a general way, on locking folders. This is apparently true, no matter how small the locking folder, treating them as forbidden fixed blades. I wonder if a blunt, Spydercard or similar would count? I also recall reading of one person passing through England on the way back from Italy (?) to the U.S. with a fixed blade, purchased in Italy as a souvenir, and having it confiscated. I suppose they are worried that gangs of foreigners, especially Americans, are going to escape from the airports and cause a problem, or that if in checked luggage ,that a baggage handler, or official might be tempted to take it thus introducing it to England. So if you have firmly fixed in your mind, a picnic in the bucolic English countryside, you may need to be careful in choosing your picnic implements.
At 2 7/8," blade length is probably not usually a problem, but there may be exceptions. A small Sebenza would generally not have serrations, so that would not be an issue.
I also wonder if the Leatherman Wave and similar tools would be frowned on because the blades lock. This might be a good use for that old model, original Leatherman tool.
I also read a post in one of the forums regarding the chunnel. They are apparently extremely afraid that someone is going to hijack the train, going through the tunnel between England and France, or have some other concern. ?? Further, there is no provision for checking ones luggage. In any event the post suggested that they forbid ALL knives. I hope that has changed, but that was the most extreme example of which I have read. I wonder if they would overlook a waiters corkscrew?
Bob,
I remembered another thing. On my first trip to Switzerland the airline lost my checked luggage. I ALWAYS travel with a small carry-on bag (LL Bean makes a good one) with three days worth of stuff plus all my medicine and toiletries. If I had placed my new Sebenza in luggage that got lost, well..I can't think of a nice way to say it other than I would have been "upset".
Will
I remembered another thing. On my first trip to Switzerland the airline lost my checked luggage. I ALWAYS travel with a small carry-on bag (LL Bean makes a good one) with three days worth of stuff plus all my medicine and toiletries. If I had placed my new Sebenza in luggage that got lost, well..I can't think of a nice way to say it other than I would have been "upset".
Will
Thanks for everyone's comments - I'm truly grateful for all the responses. Looks I'm ok with domestic flights. However, I didn't realize British laws were so strict with respect to lock back folders. I'll definitely bring along a Swiss army knife if I ever have to enter UK.
Thanks again,
Thanks again,
Carlo,
I went back and re-read my post a COUPLE of times. I'd like to know where you got the idea that I feel that my baggage might be "more likely to be lost on an international flight". If you re-read my post, you'll notice that what I said was that I ALWAYS travel with a carry-on bag. And I do the same whether on a domestic flight OR an International flight.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the
system we live in.
I went back and re-read my post a COUPLE of times. I'd like to know where you got the idea that I feel that my baggage might be "more likely to be lost on an international flight". If you re-read my post, you'll notice that what I said was that I ALWAYS travel with a carry-on bag. And I do the same whether on a domestic flight OR an International flight.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the
system we live in.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 1999
- Messages
- 2,052
Where's the "dangerous ground"?
Ok - I guess i misinterpreted your message...sounded like you were talking about international flights, as the topic suggested. I met Americans who thinks here things are somewhat better and more organized than abroad, and especially "worried" about traveling in a foreign country.Sorry if i misunderstood you.
Carlo
Carlo
Carlo,
That's OK, Bud!
I might get some flack for saying this, but as far as "abroad", I've found that some things are MUCH more organized abroad than the in US. However, I mostly travel in France and Switzerland. Things are EXCEPTIONALLY organized in Switzerland! Also, I've seen the Americans abroad who have obviously offended you. Sorry about that. There are many more horse's a$$ around than horses.
I try to be on my very best behavior when I'm in another country, and I've made some great friends. I really try to leave a good impression of Americans. However, I've seen this "we're better than you are" attitude and it really pi$$es me off. Right now I'm thinking of a couple of instances that I wish I hadn't seen. But I did, and I can easily understand how a person like you describe can ruin someone's opinion of an American. When you see something like that, just try to say to yourself..."Well, they aren't ALL like that... I've met some really great guy's on "Blade Forums"!
Traveling nice guy,
Will
[This message has been edited by Will.223 (edited 05-05-2001).]
That's OK, Bud!
I might get some flack for saying this, but as far as "abroad", I've found that some things are MUCH more organized abroad than the in US. However, I mostly travel in France and Switzerland. Things are EXCEPTIONALLY organized in Switzerland! Also, I've seen the Americans abroad who have obviously offended you. Sorry about that. There are many more horse's a$$ around than horses.
Traveling nice guy,
Will
[This message has been edited by Will.223 (edited 05-05-2001).]
Originally posted by Will.223:
Carlo,
..."Well, they aren't ALL like that... I've met some really great guy's on "Blade Forums"!
Will...hehe... that better be true...my wife's American...Naturally I met many more nice Americans than not, probably more so than nice italians...(such as myself, italian i mean)
Seeya later...
Carlo!
Hey Italy! Wow! One of the most picturesque train trips I've ever taken was from Lacarno, Switzerland through Domodossala, Italy. (Please excuse the spelling! I'm sure I got it wrong.) Beautiful little stone houses, it was just like a painting. I stopped off at Lugano to follow my nose to the best smelling bratwurst I've EVER smelled! And they were being cooked right out on grills on the street corners. Man! I wish I had one of those right now! I also bought a sack of hot Maronies (Chestnuts, probably spelled that wrong too.) and hopped back on the train before it departed. I bought a great bottle of wine on the train, too.--I'm hungry!!
Will
Hey Italy! Wow! One of the most picturesque train trips I've ever taken was from Lacarno, Switzerland through Domodossala, Italy. (Please excuse the spelling! I'm sure I got it wrong.) Beautiful little stone houses, it was just like a painting. I stopped off at Lugano to follow my nose to the best smelling bratwurst I've EVER smelled! And they were being cooked right out on grills on the street corners. Man! I wish I had one of those right now! I also bought a sack of hot Maronies (Chestnuts, probably spelled that wrong too.) and hopped back on the train before it departed. I bought a great bottle of wine on the train, too.--I'm hungry!!
Will
Hi guys!
This is a topic that comes up from time to time. A couple of things: It may indeed be legal for airport security to confiscate your knife - no matter what Chris Reeve says. At least as we are currently talking about any country. Laws differ quite a lot.
And an example about one European Airline, Finnair. (You'll need that if you want good puukkos
) I don't know the real official rules, but last time I heard, serrations were not too good, but at least sometimes allowed (non locking leathermans?), but locking blade was definite no-no! Original Leatherman was allowed, but SuperTool not. Victorinox (SAK) has always been ok.
When I travel, I put my larger or more expensive knives in checked luggage. I only have the SAK with me as carry on. I think I can manage one flight with just SAK! The other knives are waiting at the other end. No big deal. Why risk anything (if nothing more than bad feeling)? And the expensive ones, like Sebenza might even stay home all the time (depending on the trip). I have never brought any expensive knives home, but in that case I would probably consultate with the airline before checking the luggage. I'd rather take the collectors pieces with my camera to the cabin, but if it's not possible, then it's simply going into the luggage.
Hugo.
This is a topic that comes up from time to time. A couple of things: It may indeed be legal for airport security to confiscate your knife - no matter what Chris Reeve says. At least as we are currently talking about any country. Laws differ quite a lot.
And an example about one European Airline, Finnair. (You'll need that if you want good puukkos
When I travel, I put my larger or more expensive knives in checked luggage. I only have the SAK with me as carry on. I think I can manage one flight with just SAK! The other knives are waiting at the other end. No big deal. Why risk anything (if nothing more than bad feeling)? And the expensive ones, like Sebenza might even stay home all the time (depending on the trip). I have never brought any expensive knives home, but in that case I would probably consultate with the airline before checking the luggage. I'd rather take the collectors pieces with my camera to the cabin, but if it's not possible, then it's simply going into the luggage.
Hugo.
Hugo,
I've often thought of going to Finland, and one of the things I'd definitely purchase is one of those "good Puukkos". I've thought about them ever since I read a great article in a knife magazine. I'd love to experience Finland! However, I'd still hate to stow my Small Sebenza in the checked luggage. Do you really think someone would object to my Small Seb.?
Will
I've often thought of going to Finland, and one of the things I'd definitely purchase is one of those "good Puukkos". I've thought about them ever since I read a great article in a knife magazine. I'd love to experience Finland! However, I'd still hate to stow my Small Sebenza in the checked luggage. Do you really think someone would object to my Small Seb.?
Will