Knife Laws in Western Europe

H

heelflip_kid

Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
93
Hello all -

I am going to backpack through Europe from August to December. I will fly into London and move through France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Tunisia, Morocco, Spain, France then back to London and back home. Because we will be camping for most of the time, it will be necessary to bring a knife. I tried searching on the Internet for the local laws, but I didn't find anything. I do not want to get into any sort of trouble abroad - but what if I just kept the knife buried in my pack? I wouldn't take it along in my daypack. What do you guys think? Do you think it would be ok to bring something even as large as a fixed blade? Assuming it stays in my bag, is that ok? Thanks for your help


~Eric
 
You really should go for a slipjoint. Knives aren't a problem across all of the mainland, but customs and Britain are bth problems.
 
I think a large fixed blade may be pushing the limit.
Beware of the UK for certain. Britain and Scotland are both having knife hissyfits right now and these have been disgusted (!) on this forum recently. A knife buried in a pack may not work either as train and bus stations may have detectors.
Still sounds like a great time. Have fun.

Edited to add: There are several other related articles here besides the main story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/5002128.stm

A few threads here also:
http://forums.swordforum.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=124
 
Metal detectors are actually VERY rare in Europe. The UK is the only place that you have a remote chance of seeing them. Just beware in LARGE museums like the stuff at Trafalgar Square.
 
If you understand some German, look here: http://www.messermagazin.de/index.php3?loc=/infothek/index.php3

and here: http://www.messermagazin.de/infothek/messer_und_recht/messer_und_recht.pdf

These are quite thoroughly researched summaries of knife laws in Europe. One important update: In Belgium (as I read in another forum?!) it seems to be quite forbidden to carry knives.

In Germany you may carry more or less any knife you like (not switchblades over a certain length, gravity knives, balisongs), wherever you like except on demonstrations or political meetings &c. In Eastern Europe - as far as I know - they don't care.

Have fun.
 
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