Knife collection: One down...

[Peter LC]

Permission to say * SOD * in an excruciatingly loud manner...

I live in Rotterdam. This city is one of about five in the NL's where random knife/weapon searches may/can be held. I just got "lucky" this evening. Having taken a turn I usually don't take - normally I turn right one street further at that particular spot in town - I drove towards about fifteen cops who waved me to the side of the road. I suspected alcohol-control - good thing - or identification/car-papers check - good thing as well. It turned out to be the worst case scenario though!

I'm now without my cherished, pampered, stupid-sharp-kept BM 690. Just slipped a Delica CF in the same pocket at home, and I'm truly planning on ordering a new Beemer 690 - the dollar is weak!

I'm actually lucky I got away with it so long. This was a night in which I took a very wrong turn for my most coveted EDC knife. Just had to share it - no-one I personally know would understand my feelings...

 

[shootist16]

That SUX!!!!!!

What are the knife limitations there? So in your city the police can pull you over for anything and search you? Paper or ID searches?

I don't believe I would want to live there.

 

[Peter LC]

Well, not in the entire city but in a few "problem-areas" the police can indeed pull you over, even when minding your own business; in a car, planning to visit a model-car shop of all peaceful places imaginable instead of setting out molesting/raping/murdering as they obviously expected me to.

In such a situation, anybody can get searched; whether you're in a wheelchair, or elderly, native, exotic, walking, riding, driving. Man, I slap myself for taking that wrong turn. I should have considered the possibility - indeed, that particular area is not one you'd want to live, plus it was friday-evening (shops open 'till 9 PM, BTW).

Since January the 1st, there is a mandatory ID-carry in the NL's. For this too, police can pull you over for no particular reason. I carried both passport and driving-license as I always do, so at least that wasn't a problem.

All this fits in an increasingly violent nation I guess. We've truly entered the real world! Stupid thing is, the Dutch knife-laws are very lenient and allow both locking knives as well as serious blade-lengths. Outside some areas in R'dam and a few other cities (I believe they include Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Utrecht among one or two others) I'm perfectly fine.

Just checked BM 690 prices. Pretty much OK, though shipping and customs will almost double the price for me. I'll consider... Meanwhile, I'm tempting fate going out today with a Spydie Impala!

 

[T. Erdelyi]

...I don't believe I would want to live there.

No worse then living in Jersey, and the country is beautiful.

Definitely worth at least a visit.