My trip to America! What knife to bring?

I've been to Europe a few times. I took my Case damascus peanut along. I rolled it up in a pair of socks, stuffed into a shoe in my checked bag. It's made it there and back every time. It did everything I needed to do knife wise.
 
Bring a SAK (or the Opi) and leave the rest at home. Never travel with a knife you aren't willing to lose. You'll pick up one or more while here and that will be your "memento knife."

When I went to France the first time (mid-1990s), I bought a #6 Opi in carbon in a little tabac — aren't they all? — on the Rue Mouffetard. Bought it off a card on the counter. Perfect souvenir. It's the bottom knife here:

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For buying an American knife here, I'd suggest a Buck 110 or 112, a Stockman pattern, or even a 4-blade camper/scout/utility pattern. These are common patterns in use here, much as Opis are in France. (No doubt, other BFers will suggest additional patterns.) The Bucks are made in USA, but the Stockman and camper may not be — depends on the make. Check with the dealer if it's important, and be prepared to pay more.
 
I'm surprised more people haven't voted for the swayback jack. That knife will be legal in all of the cities you visit (I'm fairly certain of this--it's legal in Boston, so I assume it's legal anywhere else in the USA), and it should be able to perform any duties you need of it. As long as it's in your checked luggage, you'll have no trouble with the TSA--I don't know about it on the Aussie end but I'm sure you do.

Regarding clearing customs, any knife shop should be willing and able to ship to your home address.
 
I'd bring a classic leatherman and one single bladed knife, 3" long that locks. The leatherman was designed for traveling it's tools can fix many things and it has a blade you can use for nasty things. The single locked blade at 3" will be most helpful for snacks and should be legal anywhere except for maybe a few clubs, sporting events and concerts where knives may be banned.
 
my vote is leave them all at home and buy one when you get to LA - that just starts the process of making it memorable.
 
I've finally made a decision! (sort of... ;) ) I have opted to just take my leatherman squirt ps4! I got a message from Mike (LastRodeo) and he generously said he wanted to send me a gift when I get to LA!
He's given me a couple of options of knives to get, and use on my trip. As we say in Australia, Mike is a "Top Bloke!" :D

I hope the small blade on my leatherman can handle the 2 days of me waiting for the package! I would imagine it should do fine, unless I come across a wayward steak, or sandwich that needs cutting. :eek:
(I will try posting some pictures from my phone, if I can work out how),


A big thanks to Mike! And I am off to bed, for the last time in Australia in a while.
 
Ryan Sumner said:
I got a message from Mike (LastRodeo) and he generously said he wanted to send me a gift when I get to LA!
He's given me a couple of options of knives to get, and use on my trip. As we say in Australia, Mike is a "Top Bloke!" :D
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Legend! :D :thumbup: Well done Mike :thumbup:
 
That is a great gesture by Mike!

Ryan, your trip sounds epic! You are going to see some of the most fantastic scenery in all the world and Portland as you may already know is probably the knife capital of the US, although not as much for traditionals (although you could visit Derrick at KSF). Have a great trip, and be sure to post some pics when you return!
 
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Lots of good advice posted , never carry a sentimental knife when planes or customs are involved , see Knives Ship Free if Possible , and do not travel in a strange place with a blade longer than 3 inches long. I hope you enjoy our country as much as I enjoyed yours. The U.S.A. is just as large as Australia. There is a lot to see here too.


Harry
 
Ryan Sumner said:
I've finally made a decision! (sort of... ;) ) I have opted to just take my leatherman squirt ps4! I got a message from Mike (LastRodeo) and he generously said he wanted to send me a gift when I get to LA!
He's given me a couple of options of knives to get, and use on my trip. As we say in Australia, Mike is a "Top Bloke!" :D
...
A big thanks to Mike! And I am off to bed, for the last time in Australia in a while.
Click to expand...

I've had some dealings with Mike, and he is indeed a "Top Bloke"! Very thoughtful (and characteristic) of you, Mike!! :thumbup::thumbup::D:cool::cool:

I hope you have a spectacular trip, Ryan!! I'm sure we'd all enjoy seeing knife-related aspects of your visit to America! :D:D

- GT
 
I love Opinels. But you're coming to the U.S. California even.

Find a store with the word "mart" in it and get a Buck 110. Everybody needs to own one.
 
When you travel from California to Portland are you going up I5 or are you taking the scenic route up the Oregon Coast via Highway 101? If your coming up Highway 101 then hit me up as you'll be driving right through the town i live in.
 
I'm on the sunny side of Washington. If you head over the mountains, I might see ya!
 
Sorry for not updating for a while, I've been quite busy, and when I've not been busy I've been very tired.
My friend and I are getting ready to head to Portland, by train. (Thanks for the offer Jake, it was very kind. Sorry we can't make it past you)


These are the knives that Mike (Last Rodeo) sent me. Please excuse the spyderco, i had mentioned I had wanted one to use at work this winter, when I'll have gloves on, and he sent me a nice one to try out. (Let me know if it shouldn't be posted here, I just wanted to show how generous Mike was.)

The Buck 301 is the first Buck I have owned, and I can definitely see the appeal now! I didn't used to like the black delrin look, but I now like it a lot more than the brown delrin on the old timers. The blades are very thick but I have thinned out the edge on the sheepsfoot, and made it very keen. I have stropped off the roughness of the spey to use it as a scraper, and I'm going to keep the clip with a toothy edge. It's a very good combo.
The queen sodbuster is very nice, with a thin polished D2 blade, and a nice grippy micarta handle.
It's a GREAT slicer.
The cokebottle roughrider is the best finished RR I've seen, and has surprisingly nice bone handles.


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You got some nice ones there, Ryan. I was quite surprised with the Buck 301 and 303 knives when I got them a couple of years ago. Just great, sturdy knives that really have that "work tool" feel to them. You don't have to worry about babying them and they aren't so pretty that you worry about messing them up.

I guess yours is one of the new Queen Country Cousins with the more squared off handles. I have the older version in a darker solid color green micarta, 1st generation I believe, which is definitely a great knife. The blade is just enough pointier than most sod buster styles to make it more useful for all around work.

I had the same impression as you with the Rough Rider small coke bottle. It was my first RR knife, which I just got a week or two ago. Great little knife. I'm fond of the Case 6225 small swell center jack and wish they had not retired the pattern, so it was neat to find the RR version for such a great price.

If you have the time while you are in the Portland area, you should really stop in and see Derrick Bohn at Knives Ship Free. They are out in one of the western suburbs about a half hour drive. It would be a must-see stop for me if I were in that area!
 
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