Knives to carry on an airplane.

I am looking for some current info from all fellow "knife-a-aholics". I am going to be flying on a commercial airplane and since this will be my first, I was wondering what they will let me get away with as far as carry on goes.
My daily carry usually consists of:
SAK-Tinker on my key chain
Buck stockman
Gerber multi-tool
One of many locking folders w/ pocket clip

I would really like to take a fixed blade if I could. But how big is too big to be in my duffel bag?

What can I expect at the X-ray and metal detectors?
Will I scare anyone into thinking I am a nut and not just the average "under" packed knife lover.
Will they hold them until my return if I am not allowed to take them?
confused.gif


Please help I don't want to be naked on my vacation.

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Improvise,adapt and overcome.
 
Well...good luck on your first flight! If youlook back and do a search on this topic, you will find that you are NOT the first to raise such a question. As far as carrying ON the plain with you in the cabin, SOME airlines will allowlarger knives than others. MOST will not allow serrations...go figure! I have "packed" larger fixed blade knives in my luggage that is checked and never had a problem with that. I recently bought a now Spyderco ALmite Cricket with the express purpose of flying with it. I pack my BM 910S for when I get there and carry my Spydie with me on the plane.

I am sure that there are other sout there that have their own opinions and suggestions. I am sure that the William Henry line will get mentioned, the Spydie Co-Pilot (which was made for this express purpose) many different SAK, smaller CRKT, etc.

Good luck with your flight and with your search for hte appropriate flying knife. BTW--I LOVE my new Almite plain edge Cricket...gorgeous and sharp. Gets alot of "ccol knife" comments.

David

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David P. Sproles
Eagle Scout Class of 1988
dps2970@hotmail.com
 
As a knifemaker, I have no problems flying with dozens of knives on the plane. They're in the locked, checked-in baggage!!!

NEVER carry a knife (or butane lighter) on your person or in your carry-on luggage if you don't want to take the chance of it being confiscated and NOT returned. Most airline personnel have a very dim view of anything that looks like a weapon, and no sense of humor with someone trying to justify why they need it for a flight that only takes several hours.

Believe me, you can handle the lunch they serve with the plasticware they give you!

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives

[This message has been edited by Tom Anderson (edited 01-17-2001).]
 
Take all metallic items, including knives, multitools, keys, and pens from your pockets and put them in your carry-on and send it through the X-ray machine.

Afterwards, I simply take my Victorinox Craftsman out and put it back in my pocket. I don't make a big deal out of it, but I'm not sneaky about it, either. I just do it. My Leatherman Wave stays in the carry-on.

Don't put anything in the little tray security gives you. Don't wear anything on your belt. That invites attention.

Dress, behave, and speak like a gentleman. People will treat you according to the image you project.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Tom Anderson:
Most airline personnel have a very dim view of anything that looks like a weapon, and no sense of humor with someone trying to justify why they need it for a flight that only takes several hours.
</font>
Click to expand...

That's the problem as I see it. No one has a sense of humor anymore.

 
Paracelsus

Paracelsus

Joined
Nov 6, 1999
Messages
2,639
You can bring anything you want as long as you put it into checked baggage. For carry-on items, fixed blades are No Go. The machine will see them, and they will be confiscated, and you may go to jail. You are allowed to carry small non-serrated folders on the plane.

Technically, the FAA allows folders with blades up to four inches in length. However, at many aiports, security personnel will question almost any knife going through security. Stick with folders less than three inches, dress appropriately, and you will probably not have any trouble. SAK's are pretty safe.

Any knife you carry through the xray machine may cause you trouble however. The securityt guards will stop anything that They think looks 'scary'. Do not carry anything through the xray machines that you are not prepared to lose.

If your intent is to have the knives of your choice on your vacation, put them into checked baggage. You won't have them on the plane, but they will be there for you when you arrive.

Paracelsus
 
Hi all! I am thinking about a weekend in NY this April...

Do you all think I can get away with an AFCK and Spyderco Military in my baggage? I will be flying from Manchester Airport.

Thanks all.

Can I carry these knives in NY? What about visitor attractions? What is the best size to carry in NY leagally?

Thanks all!

W.A.

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
 
I don't think you need anything more than a SAK on a plane anyways.

On the off-off chance of an unruly passenger, you might consider a Maglite. I heard an Asia-bound flight had to land in Alaska last year because of one drunken troublemaker. The pilot came out of the cabin and smacked him with a flashlight, problem solved.
 
General: I'm from the NY area. You'll have no problem with the knives you mentioned as long as they are packed in your baggage, not carried on the plane. In NYC, a folder must be under 4". If you are going to make the trip and need more specific info, feel free to e-mail me.
Dick
 
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