Mail Khuks via USPS?

HikingMano

HikingMano

Joined
Sep 2, 2008
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I'm trying to ship my khuk to another state to get a custom sheath made for it, does anyone know if I can ship the khuk (secured in it's sheath) via USPS? I went to my local post office this morning and was rudely told that I could not ship knives unless I am a licensed knife dealer. I don't think that's true at all and thought only the shipment of switchblades or pointy objects that can open on their own during transit were restricted items. So, has anyone shipped their khuk via usps?

Thanks!
 
I think they are wrong.

On the other hand it is always better to ask forgiveness than ask permission:thumbup:;)
 
Licensed knife dealer?


er....


don't think there is such a creature.

Try a triangular-shaped USPS shipping box, just like the one you received it in. No need to identify it, unless you are shipping it across international borders.
 
tedwca said:
Knives

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1098480

11.5.3 Wrapping
Sharp-pointed or sharp-edged instruments such as knives, tools, ice picks, and razor blades, that are otherwise mailable, must be wrapped to protect their points and edges from cutting through the outer carton in which they are mailed.
Click to expand...

It's a good idea to wrap the Khukuri and sheath in newspaper before you go to the post office. That way if you need to get the box from them, it's not identifiable, and the clerks that don't know the rules or are just not wanting to follow them can't bother you cause they don't know what you are mailing.

Heber
 
Kismet said:
Licensed knife dealer?


er....


don't think there is such a creature.
Click to expand...

yes, i don't think so either. :)


I found the same entry in the DMM that Ted found before I even set off for the post office. I wish I had thought to print it out, but I hadn't expected to be refused. The manual, or that section at least, is poorly written. The manual never explicitly states that one is allowed to ship knives; you can only glean that from the instructions on wrapping Ted pointed out. In fact, the clerk showed me the Quick Service Guide 601 print-out to justify herself, and that document makes no differentiation at all between switchblades and knifes in a secure close/protected state. So of course, she just goes the easy route to get rid of me and doesn't really thoroughly pursue the matter.

In hindsight, yes wildmanh :), I should have just wrapped it all in newspaper before taking it into the post office, that was stupid of me. I just didn't expect to run into difficulty since I thought the clerks know all the rules.....

I'm waiting on an email from usps customer service to settle the matter, but I'll probably just end wrapping it up and taking it to another post office....
 
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All good advice. Notice that Yangdu ships FedEx! Many times with packages over a pound, its just as cheap to send via FedEx.

I haven't done a price comparison, but there are those calculators on the net.

Besides, you are not shipping a knife, you are shipping a tool
 
Yeah, i was thinking about just jumping over to fedex or ups, unfortunately i think i only have a p.o. box and those two couriers don't deliver to po boxes. I'm trying to get a physical address as a backup just in case i can't go the usps route.
 
I've had the best luck sending knives of all sizes via Priority Mail. Package the knife well using a USPS triangular box. Insure the package for $200 or so. The PO has never failed me with insured Priority Mail.
 
Bill told me at one time to label them as "Nepali Steelcraft". Personally, I just label everything I send "used septic tools".

Nuff Said.
 
No need to identify it, unless you are shipping it across international borders.
Click to expand...
I've bought three (old) kukris from the USA -- and there were no problems with them being sent via USPS's First Class International.

If asked, say your package contains an "agricultural implement".
 
Roger Smith said:
Bill told me at one time to label them as "Nepali Steelcraft". Personally, I just label everything I send "used septic tools".

Nuff Said.
Click to expand...

HAHA, awesome.


I think I will follow uncle Bill's, shann's, and seaice's advice...it really is a tool and I will label it so. And as Art S. pointed out, I am most definitely going to insure it. Going to try usps again...wish me luck :)



Thanks to everyone who replied! I appreciate it!
 
When I ship them, I don't label them.
I use a large standard shape box, wrap the kukri well in newspaper, and then STUFF the box with newspaper so it's hard to close. That way, even with a large piece, the weight isn't unusual for that size box, and with all the packing, it doesn't shift and sound like something hard.

Also, to be deceptive, call everyone you send it to "Aunt" or "Uncle". So if I sent one to ilbruche for a sheath, I'd mail it to "Uncle Bruce".

I've never been asked anything but the standard "Is there anything dangerous, explosive or flammable in the container?"

Oh yes, and I insure it for double what I paid -- almost hoping they lose it so I can buy two more!
 
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Cpl Punishment said:
When I ship them, I don't label them.
I use a large standard shape box, wrap the kukri well in newspaper,a nd then STUFF the box with newspaper so it's hard to close. That way, even with a large piece, the weight isn't unusual for that size box, and witha llt he packing, it doesn't shift and sound like something hard.

Also, to be deceptive, call everyone you send it to "Aunt" or "Uncle". So if I sent one to ilbruche for a sheath, I'd mail it to "Uncle Bruce".

I've never been asked anything but the standard "Is there anything dangerous, explosive or flammable in the container?"

Oh yes, and I insure it for double what I paid -- almost hoping they lose it so I can buy two more!
Click to expand...


great tips man, i will follow your lead. :)
 
Everything I got from Yangdu was shipped with USPS (to Canada).

Also about EVERY knife I ever bought on the net got shipped with USPS.
 
cybrok said:
Everything I got from Yangdu was shipped with USPS (to Canada).

Also about EVERY knife I ever bought on the net got shipped with USPS.
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I know. I've gotten most of my knives via usps; the usps clerk was probably just lazy or didn't fully know the rules. I just said forget it and ups'ed it to the physical address when i got it. next time i'll follow the suggestions of others that appear here.
 
rksoon said:
I know. I've gotten most of my knives via usps; the usps clerk was probably just lazy or didn't fully know the rules. I just said forget it and ups'ed it to the physical address when i got it. next time i'll follow the suggestions of others that appear here.
Click to expand...

You might also want to clarify and report this to the postmaster of that office, i'm sure they care how usps employees are treating the general public.
 
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