Lost 2 knives at airport

S

simioh

Joined
Jan 12, 2012
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I was flying from Austria to Switzerland and I was carrying a BM 550HG. Right before checking my bag I opened the zipper a little and slipped the Griptilian in there. When I arrive in Switzerland the Griptilian wasn't there! :mad:

I still had 2 weeks left in the trip, but luckily I had taken a backup knife; Leatherman c33. That one only lasted 2 days since I forgot to take it out of my backpack and into my checked luggage. It was taken by security on the next flight I had.

I didn't care about the Leatherman since it was my fault for forgetting to put it in my luggage, but the 550HG was one of my most carried knives :(

On a good note, I flew with a Leatherman Ps4 and out of 6 flights was only asked twice to show it, and once they suggested not to take it on the plane for my next flight.
 
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This scares me as I'm goin to Taiwan in a week and I was thinking of bringing a zt0301, Benchmade barrage or Emerson Cqc 7....
 
Honestly I don't trust the TSA, my grandmother has had little notes in luggage saying bag was search by them and things were missing. So I wouldn't bring a good knife, if you had to bring a good knife I would ship it. I think it's also what my sister used to do (and her friends) back when she was a competitive figure skater and had to fly over 15yr ago. Because there are incidents of theft such as that, lost bagage, etc. It's not worth the hassle as this happens too much, if you ship it you can get a tracking number and keep track of it, have insurance on it, seems to be more reliable, all around less stressful.

Though personally I consider that a hassle, I just pick up a backup knife and put it in there, probably in the $15-30 range. Or use one I already have which would probably be my Kershaw Tremor, Black Horse II, or Gerber Evo Jr. Something that if it is lost or stolen it's not going to upset you or break the bank.
 
I almost always just ship my knives ahead. Last trip I forgot until it was to late so I was forced to find a knife shop and buy 3 knives while I was in Cincinnati.It was horrible I tell you just horrible:D I just shipped them home the day I left.
simioh,I am sorry for your loss.
 
simioh... man that sucks about the griptillian

Seilu said:
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This scares me as I'm goin to Taiwan in a week and I was thinking of bringing a zt0301, Benchmade barrage or Emerson Cqc 7....
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I wouldn't take such nice knives... my usual carry is a beatup old leatherman that I found in a pawnshop for $15... If I find something nice at my destination it's normally shipped home....
 
I would strongly advise not to take any expensive knives with you on flights. For the most part the TSA is composed of a bunch of incompetent, unethical, thieves and criminals who abuse their authority.

Everywhere I go I always pack a knife. I don't care to what country or city I'm heading to a knife will always be in my luggage. However I leave my Emersons, Strider, Busse, and other expensive knives at home and usually take a sub $50.00 knife like a Rat 1. It's cheap and easily replaceable if it gets lost or stolen and an incredible knife for the ridiculously low price.
 
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I won't put anything more theft-worthy than a used toothbrush into checked luggage. The rate of theft is way too high. :thumbdn: It's very reassuring to know that these petty criminals are the people who are supposed to be keeping us "safe." :(
 
Seilu said:
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This scares me as I'm goin to Taiwan in a week and I was thinking of bringing a zt0301, Benchmade barrage or Emerson Cqc 7....
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Start with this question: do you know, really KNOW, that these are all legal in Taiwan? If you do, are you willing to lose them?

If not, solve both problems by buying a knife over there. You can make sure when you buy it that it's legal for your needs and purposes over there, and you can avoid losing relatively expensive knives in transit. :thumbup:
 
when going out of country i rarely take my better knives,


FlackBlackcapo, go get a cheapo knifes like a KaBar Dozer folder, they work in most places

or a friction folder under 3''
 
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ka-bar dozier or mini dozier is a good option actually it looks like a cheap $1 knife with the way the handle is designed but it definitely isn't and works quite well. So I doubt you tempt any TSA agent to take it if they search your bag.
 
The problem here is access--you made it very easy for someone to discretely and quickly take the knife out of your bag. If I'm traveling and want to bring a knife (which I do), I bury it deep in my luggage, usually wrapped in a sock and/or underwear and inside a shoe at the bottom of the bag. If they want it, they are going to really have to dig through everything to get there and repack it all. None of that can be done without other inspectors knowing what they are doing and raising suspicion (they can't just dig through bags, they must have a reason).

I just traveled to Borneo, spent 3 weeks there and traveled back. I took my TSF Beast and Spyderco Gayle Bradley. Both made the trip there, were carried and used in the rain forest, and traveled back just fine, without incident.

DJK
 
Bob6794 said:
Honestly I don't trust the TSA, my grandmother has had little notes in luggage saying bag was search by them and things were missing...
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Wise move...not trusting. My boy was a criminal justice major and, without going to grad school, TSA was one of the jobs he was qualified for (he's in law school now). They take college grads make them do some time searching stuff and then move them into administrative positions. They hire some very odd people and my boy was not the least bit impressed with the caliber of his peers or their cavalier behavior regarding the public's stuff. For example, if you're a female celebrity you dare not pack your underwear lest it be found on Craig's List! And thus, there is at least a fairly decent chance that if you see an add on Craig's list for <insert femail celeb here> soiled undergarments that it might actually be hers!

Can't imagine what they'd do with a nice knife. That said, I have packed some pretty decent things in checked luggage and come through it OK.
 
Ugh sorry man...

Same as the other guys, I wouldn't trust anyone. I had my knife "confiscated" from my person in Mexico by a crooked cop. Not the same thing, but after that I don't trust people to respect my property.
 
I turn my folding knife into a kit when I travel. Blade in one suitcase, handle in another, and screws in my pocket. Kits aren't as attractive as assembled knives.
 
Airports are just a terrible place. TSA and customs both have a license to steal whatever they want without punishment. I only bring an expensive knife with me I'm also bringing a gun. Both get locked in a hard case and I know they aren't going to risk stealing a gun with a serial number on it. I've never had something stolen from my luggage, but the baggage handlers routinely destroy our stuff. It's amazing to me that they can intentionally go out of their way to abuse people's luggage (I'm assuming out of bitterness) when the entire plane can see them, but not get fired.
 
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Sorry for your loss.:(

I use a small "Otterbox" type case with a little combo lock on it. Zip-tied to your shoes, or something bigger, or the frame of the luggage. I have a 15-cigar case that is pretty secure, and large enough for a small collection.

Is there a way to ask for a receipt for more expensive items? You are allowed to check in firearms, so why not knives?
 
My last flight, I was only going to take one or two "cheap" knives.

When I landed, I took the bag from baggage claim, and did a "headcount" before leaving the building. By the time I was done, I had 6 knives, and $800 plus counted (I realized I was OCD at that point, and brought too many!)
 
I have not flown since before 9-11 so haven't had to hassle with TSA. Unfortunately, I will have to this coming August. I will do just what I used to do - knives in a zip tie secured pelican case inside the checked bag. I always zip tie the main bag as well as a lock (this was prior to the requirement to have a TSA approved lock they can open at will. Well, when I fly, they will get their TSA approved lock, along with a zip tie :) so I will know if they opened my bags, even if they don't put a note in it that they opened my bag. I trust TSA :thumbdn: about as far as I can throw the airplane.
 
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