Off on my travels. What knives/ multitools do people like to take?

I

Iblametheparents

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Mar 13, 2015
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I am off to the airport, flying to Turkey for a few weeks.

This trip I am taking my usual SAK, a Huntsman and instead of a Spyderco Resilience, which has travelled with me the last five years, I am trying out a Cold Steel Recon 1. Clip point, part serrated, aus 8.

No multitool this time. On occasions, its been a cheapy generic, nowdays a Swisstool X. Too heavy for this trip.

The last decade have always taken the SAK and another much larger folder for food prep. Before that just the SAK.

I would like to learn what others take and use and why.

Especially interested to hear from seasoned travellers.
Thanks for any replies.
 
Since being retired, the better half and I are doing some traveling. When flying, I send a SAK ahead to where I am staying, and use it while there, then gift it off on the day we leave. I try to find the right person who will appreciate it, like the grounds keeper, Bait boy on the fishing boat, the kid helping out at the river raft rental, whatever.

We like to travel light, and don't check bags. I usually use a Vic spartan or recruit.
 
I don't travel much by air anymore. But if I were flying out of the country, there is no question that I would take a Vic Tinker or Pioneer (maybe a spare like the Bantam also), a set of camping eating utensils, and a small pliers based multi-tool. I am just starting to realize the convenience of even the smallest Leatherman type mulit-tools. It also depends on what I am likely to be doing at the destination as to choices made.
 
Since wayyy back my air-travel EDC core has been a Benchmade Panther, a SAK Champion and a Tekna flashlight. Kept it pretty minimalist but never lacked for anything. At one time it was carry-on. Now it's in baggage.
 
Hi RCB2000. This particular trip is a travel coach tour to various historic sites, a different hotel each night then a week at a 5 star and taking taxis, local transport to places of interest. Bit of a change for me. I usually buy a flight and then sort accom when I arrive. Or bivvy.

I'm not after advice. Just interested in what people take and why.

I thought it might make an interesting topic. :-)

Jack knife. I have never posted too. Just back home. Whether I am travelling with carry on or baggage in the hold, I usually buy a local knife as a addition to the collection and post it home when I leave.

I
 
SAK is the universal traveling tool ;)

My most recent vacation I took my SAK traveler and my CS Spartan. SAK for the versatility, and the Spartan because its a giant folder that if something were to happen to it, I wouldn't be overly upset about.

Also as mentioned, I always try to get something local while I'm there as a vacation memento.
 
Most of my concern travelling with knives and tools is what the locals will think when I produce them. I like to make connections with people, not put them off. Rural areas handle these things better than cities, but many city folk have fond memories of their rural cousins using sharp tools. And like us, an Istanbul or Ankara gent will often carry a pocket tool of some sort. A lot of motorcyclists in those cities and they will often have a multitool or pliers in their back pocket!

I think the standard red scaled SAK is your best bet. Bright colors offend less in knife-averse environments and the SAK is the Coca-Cola of pocketknives. Everyone recognizes it and it often brings a smile. If you go multitool like Leatherman, the shinier and chromier the better. My SOG Paratool just looks like a pair of pliers with the blades as an afterthought.

The largest blade I've travelled with internationally (excluding Canada) was a Hackmann puukko, blade about 4" long. But it looks to most folks like a fishing knife so I never worried about appearances. My next overseas trip will probably see me carrying an Opinel N°9 or 10. Bigger blade makes food prep easier and if I lose it or it's confiscated at customs I won't worrry. If I take my SAK Trekker, I'll replace the scales with red ones for that international "this is not a weapon" look.

Have fun! Pics when you return?

Zieg
 
TBL said:
SAK is the universal traveling tool ;)

My most recent vacation I took my SAK traveler and my CS Spartan. SAK for the versatility, and the Spartan because its a giant folder that if something were to happen to it, I wouldn't be overly upset about.
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I was out of the country on one trip and my SAK turned up missing at the hotel. I was really feeling like something was missing in terms of necessary gear. Spent the biggest part of a day to replace it. Cost was not a consideration.
 
Ah I see. Honestly for most travel I bring a cheaper knife I wouldn't be too upset if it got taken or lost. Especially in another country where you're at the mercy of the local (often crooked) authorities I.e Mexico
 
I don't do hardly any travel by air so my options are only limited by legality. I do travel all up and down the eastern seaboard on mostly family vacations. We often have a lot of kids on family getaways. With kids come water. Ocean, lake, reservoir, river, or pool. For this reason a Spyderco Salt knife is a must have on my travels.
 
If I were traveling by air, I would probably only carry a Victorinox Classic SAK in my check-in. But I haven't traveled by air in 13 years, and prior to that not for several years as well. Now I'm usually driving, usually in-state, so it would mainly depend on local laws. In general, I'll carry whatever I want. If it were to the beach, it would be a Spyderco Salt, probably my SE Pacific. Also my Victorinox Spirit multi-tool. Plus, I always have my Victorinox Executive and probably also my Spartan SAK. If not to the beach, then my one-hand opener is open to whatever I feel like toting for that occasion.

Jim
 
jackknife said:
Since being retired, the better half and I are doing some traveling. When flying, I send a SAK ahead to where I am staying, and use it while there, then gift it off on the day we leave. I try to find the right person who will appreciate it, like the grounds keeper, Bait boy on the fishing boat, the kid helping out at the river raft rental, whatever.

We like to travel light, and don't check bags. I usually use a Vic spartan or recruit.
Click to expand...
I have to say I really like this philosophy a lot
 
Depends on the country Im going, sometimes just a leatherman wave with pocket clip, or throw my SAK Cadet in the mix, no folders for me
 
Lately, it is usually a CQC-5K or 6K plus a SAK Super Tinker. I'll often toss a Leatherman Wave into my luggage as well, but I usually don't actually carry it around.
 
The last time I traveled overseas, I didn't bring anything in the way of blades or multis. I soon found out I needed something, and picked up a German sodbuster in Amsterdam.

Now, my travels are usually by motorcycle. I will pack a SAK, an Opinel or small Anza, and sometimes a puukko, plus an old Leatherman. That is in addition to my motorcycle tools, which will vary from bike to bike. If I will be off-road a lot, I will pare back on the tools, and may only carry a couple of knives.
 
I air travel with a SAK Jetsetter. If I'm not checking a bag, that's all I travel with. If I check a bag I pick out four varied folders, or three folders and a multitool, and secure them in a Maxpedition pouch. I zip tie the pouch shut and then zip tie the pouch to a tie down in my suitcase. It's a meager attempt to keep TSA honest, lol.

I'm traveling right now and I have my XM-18, a Mah Warrior 1, a custom Skyline and a custom ZT0450. Gotta have a knife!
 
In many countries lock blade knives are now illegal to carry. Something to think about.

Personally, I really like all metal frame locks because they are so easy to clean food out of, compared to a closed spine knife. But a Wenger sized SAK with openers, tweezer and cork screw are really, really useful when you are enjoying yourself. The Waiter model is perfect, too.


Or, you could buy the largest Busse fixed blade they make.
 
Hickory n steel said:
What about a leatherman squirt, it should be tsa approved so you won't have to leave it anywhere.
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I searched TSA guidelines, and the website says that anything sharp aside from a disposable razor is not allowed for carry-on, but pretty much anything is allowed in the checked baggage. You wouldn't need to worry about what you're carrying unless you absolutely need it on your body. Leatherman's Travel Friendly page has items listed, none of which have blades, for that reason.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/prohibited-items
http://www.leatherman.com/travel-friendly
 
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