Knives on Airplanes Question

Personally, I have NEVER had problems with serrated knives. I used to carry a fully serrated Spydie Endura, and checked it in the "Metal Thingies Here" bowl. Never had much problem. A few people would open it, maybe measure it (had to be under 4"), maybe ask their supervisor about it (always getting the nod), and then kick me loose. Nowadays, I usually clip my folder (usually an Emerson CQC-7 tanto with serration) inside my carry-on bag. Have never had anyone freak out over it there either.

------------------
"They sicken of the calm, who know the storm."
RFrost5746@excite.com or Robert_Frost@risknetworldwide.com
 
The feds specify 4" as the blade length limit for a folder, and further use the phrase "non-menacing appearance".
From there it gets very subjective.
Some airline security people measure the cutting edge; some the length from bolster to tip; and others measure from the pivot to the point.
As far as "non-menacing", consider yourself at the mercy of whomever.

I carry a standard Leatherman and a Spyderco non-serrated Native (3.5" from pivot to point).
I put them in the little bowl that bypasses the metal detector.
I have never had a security person even look at the contents of the bowl.
However, let them find the knife on you, as the result of the metal detector responding to your knife, and they will measure it and examine it for a menacing appearance.

I have had a miserable experience declaring a handgun, and I will never do it again.
Some airlines, in certain locations, will treat you abominably for contaminating their airport with your stinky, evil handgun.
Furthermore, some airlines still put stickers on luggage containing firearms which identifies the valuable luggage for the theives amongst the airport and airline employees.

I have not tried this, but I have wondered about the alternative of FedEx'ing a handgun to myself at the destination.
As a very small percentage of both the handgun replacement cost and the price of the airline ticket, it seems like a comparatively small price to pay for a hassle free trip.
It does grate on the sense of right and wrong, though, doesn't it?

------------------
Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11, Freedom

 
The original question was about checked luggage. I have NEVER had any trouble carrying large knives and carving equipment in checked luggage. I have even mentioned my tools to the check-in attendant several times. They don't care.

The enforcement of the 3-4 inch (seems to vary), non-serrated rule for carry-on is selective. If your knife LOOKS scary to the guard, you might have trouble. I even had a 2.5 inch straight blade Gerber LST questioned once. But my indignation made the guard back down pretty fast (no new toy for Him that day).

My personal rule about carry-on knives: if I have any doubt and don't want to lose the knife, CHECK IT. It will be there for you when the plane lands.

Amusing side note, I put a BM850, some change, and a lighter in the 'change bowl' at the metal detecting gate at BWI. No problems. But the metal detectors kept going off when I tried to pass. They escorted me go to a 'secure area'. An armed security officer came over and wanded me very carefully (as my six year went Back and Forth through the metal detector and Really annoyed the 'guards'). The Wand kept going off near my pocket. I finally managed to dig a fully loaded and dangerous quarter out of the bottom of the pocket. They let me have all of my stuff back and, I think, were glad to see me go. So remember, DO NOT TRY TO SNEAK QUARTERS ONTO A PLANE.

Paracelsus, I only get fired up and explode on the internet, never on planes.
 
Travelling tip:In the event your knife is confiscated or your luggage is stolen,upon arriving at your destination a trip to the local hardware store is in order.Buy a butcher knife,some duct tape and bum a cardboard box off the store.Fashion a sheath from the cardboard and duct tape and you now have an inexpensive but very servicable weapon or tool.When it's time to fly home,chuck it in the trash at the airport.
 
Burke,

I've carried a MicroTech MiniSOCOM M/A(3" non-serrated blade) on airplanes. It's VERY IMPORTANT that the blade be 3" or less and non-serrated. Apparently, airport security view serrated blades as dangerous. Go figure. If you have any doubts, call up airport security and ask.

Mabuhay ESKRIMA!

Adrian

------------------
"No matter how deadly you may be, you must contain your art within the sphere of good motives against a background of peaceful intentions."
G.M. Ramiro U. Estalilla
 
I travel alot. Before the big terrorist scares, I used to walk onto planes with loaded guns, carefully concealed of course
smile.gif
, and since have taken to carrying knives. Over the last couple years, knives have become almost as restricted as guns on planes. Drop your folder into your shaving kit, drop the shaving kit into your carry on. I've never even been asked about it, and I've had some pretty big folders in my shaving kit. As for check in luggage, I travel to alot of knife shows, and I've checked whole suitcases of knives onto airplanes. It helps if you slide a business card with your name on it into the id window on your luggage too. I think your demeanor and appearance (I know it isn't right, but it's true) have ALOT to do with weather or not you get onto a plane with a knife in your pocket. And remember, if worse comes to worst, you can always ask the stewardess for a steak knife with your meal, it'll probably be sharp and pointy too(go figure)!


Joe
 
I have traveled by airlines at least a dozen times in the last 18 months and I always carry my Spyderco Co-pilot on the plane. I always have a fold of paper money under the clip and I put it in the change bin as I walk through the detector. On two occasions the attendant opened the knife and saw the serrated blade. One was concerned about length only and the other said" thats neat looking, how much did it cost?" Other than that never a word otherwise. I purposely do not carry my BM Stryker Combo-edge for fear of confiscation even though the blade is less than 4 inches. I'm just not prepared to lose it, so I pack it in the suitcase. Bottom line if your concerned about possibly losing it, put in your suitcase. Later chieftd

------------------
chieftd Proudly serving my country since 1977.
Aim High-Air Force, 61 countries visited and still counting....
 
I'm with Chief - never had a problem with my combo edge afck - it has been through a lot of airports. I have always tossed it into the change bowl and 90% of the time they have opened it and measured the blade by pressing the front edge of the handle against something like a file cabinet that has a mark indicating the 4" limit. Seems to terrify the sheeple around me in line, you should hear some of the comments...My only worry has been whether or not the attendant is going to cut themself closing the liner lock. I'm thinking the small sebenza I am saving for might be just the ticket for "inspection free" flying.
 
Hey Paracelsus, whem was it that you flew out of BWI? I'm getting ready for my annual ice fishing trip and when we flew out of BWI last February they took the little change and key basket and ran it through the X-ray machine. I've got a clip on belt pouch that holds a Minimag, Leatherman Wave and a serrated Delica. I'm thinking of replacing the Wave with a Bucktool for the flight. I have a plain edge Delica II, a lightweight Jess Horn plain edge and a zytel Dragonfly plain edge. Any opinions as to what will cause the least hassle?

------------------
who dares, wins


 
I don't want to lose any expensive knives... or actually I don't even want to worry about it. I never take anything else on board than my SwissChamp - but that I will always have in my carry on luggage somewhere (not on me). SAKs don't have long blades (or big anyways), they are nor serrated (at least the serrations some have are not mean), the blades are not locking (well in some they are, but...) and most of all, they are common and therefore not very manacing I guess. No problems or worries ever.

Hugo.

[This message has been edited by Hugo (edited 01-20-2000).]
 
I just flew back from "Lost Wages" carrying a William Henry CF Lancet, two small Darrel Ralph Apogees, a Spyderco BladeForums Native (serrated), a Beretta Electra, a Benchmade 705BT, and a Leatherman Wave.

No problem.

Most of them were in the case with the laptop when it went through X-Ray, but I'd forgotten I was still carrying the 705 and the Wave. The security guard passed his wand over them, didn't even grunt when he saw they were pocket knives, and I passed on through and reloaded my pockets before boarding.

smile.gif



------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
Jim, I'll bet you weren't the first of the hundreds of people the security people have seen this week loaded with sharp pointy things. He probably thought to himself, "Oh, geez, here's another one..." LOL!

------------------
Don LeHue

The pen is mightier than the sword...outside of arm's reach. Modify radius accordingly for rifle.
 
Burke, concerning you butterfly knife.. it is no problem if you check it in.. however if you DO get caught make sure you open it with TWO hands.

two stories. I once forgot to take off my bm butterlfy and when i was patted down I was lucky that the guard bought the old multitool line.

a friend of mine recently forgot to take of his 45s and it got confiscated.. he was miserable for the whole hliday season.. but after a month it was returned to him by the authourities so he's a happy camper again.

------------------
<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
My experience has been similar to most of you, but if you fly to or from England - they will double check even the super tool in you handbag and hassle you on the way.

The brits are nuts when it comes to knives and don’t even THINK about having a gun there - this is a big NO NO over there.

As usual - tossing a folder in with your shaving stuff works - even there.

As for detectors - I did some research - devices vary allot and anything can be detected - ANYTHING! some devices find any irregularity - even a water filled plastic bag on your person will activate it.

My advice - don't mess with airport security - these guys have a very lousy sense of humor.

And yes - it does help to be wearing a suit and tie...


 
Blilious is right about the Brits.I watched a documentary about Heathrow airport recently.This American guy got caught at customs with several pistol rounds in his luggage.Seems he had brought the bag to the range with him,then later used it as luggage,not noticing the half dozen cartridges left in the bottom of the bag.Anyway,two cops show up,one carrying a submachine gun and grill the hell out of the guy,telling him he could go to prison just for posessing bullets! I haven't been to England in 25 years,by the look of it,I'm glad of it.
 
My suggestion would be to not take knives and put them on planes. They would blow off in the high wind unless you secure them properly. Try putting them in the planes
smile.gif


Sorry the title of this thread reminded me of a George Carlin joke and I just could not resist
smile.gif




------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW RIGHT NOW! YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/001202.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top