Knives when flying.

shaving sharp

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
3,005
Gonna get on a plane for the first time since 911. Want to pack a fixed and folder in my checked suitcase. Has anyone had their knives missing when they arrive or are the pretty much safe. Should I pack them in a hard guncase and check them separate and claim them at check in? I wasn't planning on packing any customs just some $50.00 factory knives.
 
I just check them. Nothing ever missing. Usually put them deep within other gear and put a TSA lock on the bag. Never had an issue.
 
You should have no issues with that.

There is always an outside chance that someone will breech your bags and steal stuff...or lose your bags completely, but if that happens, I doubt the knives will be your biggest concern;)

If you are really worried, ship them to your destination...but I have flown several times with 200-300 dollars in knives in checked bags and never had so much as a question asked of me.
 
I have flown numerous times since 2001. I normally pack a couple of knives in my checked bag, usually tucked into a balled up sock or in my shave kit. I've never had anything go missing. Like you, I don't take anything fancy.
 
I roll them up inside a pair of socks or dirty underwear. Don't take anything valuable but so far everything has made it. If I want custom knives to make it I FEDX it to my destination.
 
Ive never had a problem and I've flown with bunches of knives. I just check them and roll them up in seperate clothes. The only problem I've ever had was from a pen in my carry on that looked too pointy on Xray.
 
I've flown several times since 9/11 with no problem (even international to Israel). I never took anything expensive, though. I just packed in checked luggage in clothes and made sure the blade lengths weren't anything over what the places I was flying into would allow in the event that I had to go back out of the 'secure' area. There's been cases with guns where people with checked guns were forced to reclaim their luggage and where then immediately arrested for unlawful possesion. Here's and example case: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/18/traveling-mans-gun-arrest-appealed-supreme-court/. I don't think there's been any knife cases, but I'd prefer to not get in trouble far from home, much less close to it.

I remember in July 2000 that I flew from PHX to Vegas McCarran with a Buck lockback with a 3.5ish blade in carry-on. The metal detector person at PHX just measured it against a stick they had and said I was 'just' under the limit and passed me through. On the way back the security told me that I had a 'menacing knife', gave me a cut in line pass and made me check it. What a difference 11 years makes.
 
Ive traveled by air a few times since 9/11. No problems as long as they are checked, not carry on. No problems with any knives disappearing.
 
I travel a lot and have never flown without a knife in my checked bag. I've never had any problems before, just check the laws in the place your going. the only time i got stopped was flying from berlin to london, and i had a spyderco police in my checked bag which is a no no in london. they ended up letting me keep it, but i made sure not to carry it while i was there.
 
id be more concerned with the value of the knife and losing it, then having security taking it away from you. As long as you dont pack a suitcase with three hinderer xm 24s in it then i wouldnt worry haha. I have a friend who packed his sebenza when he flew a few times. things can get lost, its up to you what you want to pack in luggage and say 'ok if this gets lost i dont mind'.
 
Just roll it up in a pair of socks or something.
I've never had a problem with things going missing from checked baggage.

If you're really paranoid you can always mail it to yourself.
 
I've flown a number of times, both overseas and stateside. I roll my knives up in some socks and stuff them inside my shoes in my checked luggage. I've never had a problem. I do use TSA locks on my checked bags. I do on occasion check some pretty pricey knives. I'll admit I'm always nervous when I get to my destination and check my bags.
 
I fly back and forth to Nicaragua at least once of twice a year and have flown a few times to Moldava in eastern Europe. I always have a knife in my checked luggage (generally a SAK or Multitool). I have never had any problems at all. Last year I bought back an Imacasa machete in a checked bag and had no problems with that. Just FWIW, coming from a country to the south, Customs seems to be more worried about Cuban cigars than anything else.
 
I flew with a sword in my luggage from France to America a few years ago, just wrapped it up in a bunch o' newspaper and it was still there when I unpacked.
 
I fly a lot. I try not to check a bag (too much hassle for short trips) but when I do, I put a knife in there and have no issues. TSA searches my checked bag every third or fourth trip. They leave a little slip telling me and usually do a poor job of repacking my stuff, but they never take anything. If I was putting something breakable in there, I would worry more.
 
Why are you even worried if they are just some $50 knives? They will still be there when you arrive... most likely. If not then you are not out that much.
 
i fly internationally, haven't had a major issue or loss yet. i'll be flying out again next week. safe travels.
 
I have flown with pocket knives in checked bags a few times. Recently, I had a Benchmade mingriptilian in my bag. I just
pack the knife in a small nylon knife pouch in a side zipped pocket in the bag. No problems, ever. I wouldn't recommend
taking an expensive knife that you don't want to lose.
When flying to Europe, I never take a knife with me, even in a checked bag.
 
Back
Top