Pick 4?

Seneca18

Seneca18

Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Messages
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After finally getting most of my knife collection to Germany from Colorado I will be heading out this weekend back to the states for 3 months for work. What four knives should accompany me on my trip? I work in construction security. The following are my most EDC'd knives. Just curious what others would choose. This may help me decide.....Spyderco Military, Spyderco Endura SS, Large Sebenza 21 w/Micarta, Benchmade Barrage, Spyderco PM2, Spyderco Manix 2, Spyderco Domino, Benchmade Mini Barrage, Boker Solo II, Spyderco Native, Small Sebenza 21, Spyderco Delica, Kershaw S30V Random Leek, Spyderco Chaparral, Boker Subcom. Thanks!!
Untitled by danny.nystrom, on Flickr
 
I can't really see a need for four folders.

I'd pick the Endura and a multitool or two. Maybe a Leatherman Wave and a Victorinox Tinker.

A folder and a multitool is a very handy combo. Not only does it give you a Philips driver but it allows you to use the multi tool blade for minor cutting in front of other people. No one looks twice at a Swiss Army knife.
 
Delica, Boker Subcom, Native. These are all inexpensive and can be easily replaced if the TSA try to relieve you of them, or a local police officer if you're going somewhere with strict knife laws.
 
Delica, sebenza 21, manix and PM. First two for edc when not working, second two for on the job.
 
That small 21 and the para 2 are all you would need.

But I suppose the chap and mini barrage would come along as well if you made me pick two more.
 
I probably wouldn't bring four; I'd most likely bring one big one and one small one. Generally, I'm somewhat hesitant to fly with expensive knives, so I'd personally leave the Sebenzas home. My choices would probably be the Military and the Domino, unless you'll be somewhere with a blade length restriction. In that case I'd bring the Chaparral instead of the Domino. Either combo would give you a big knife if you need one and a more "socially acceptable" option if you're amongst the overly squeamish.

I'd also bring a multitool or SAK. You never know when you're going to need a bottle opener!
 
I'd bring your two favorites. I would choose the Native 5 and small Sebenza 21 if I had that accumulation.
 
I suppose you go via FRA? Tell them guys at the airport a couple of days before you're checking in a "weapon" and you are totally clueless as what to do. They are gonna be happy to help you and less prone to cause any trouble. Just sayin...
 
Dallas83 said:
I suppose you go via FRA? Tell them guys at the airport a couple of days before you're checking in a "weapon" and you are totally clueless as what to do. They are gonna be happy to help you and less prone to cause any trouble. Just sayin...
Click to expand...

German knive law states you may carry any knife (7.5 cm max for folders, 12 cm max for fixed) in any way (open or concealed) unless the type of knife is explicitly forbidden. You cannot carry (readily accessible on your person in pocket, sheath or other method) a one handed opening and locking knife (Choose one or the other) unless you can prove a "valid interest". This would be sports, hunting, camping, religious purpose or job (Kitchen, leatherworking), sharpening service or from the store where you just bought it. (Note that self defense is NOT a valid interest) Not being able to show this purpose when carrying, it isn't a felony but more like a parking ticket - but you will loose the knife to the state. To transport these legally owned knives. they must be in a locked container and not readily accessible.

While in reality this isn't enforced unless you are acting like a total idiot, be aware of these laws.

Forbidden is carrying any knife in temporary social settings, like fairs, gatherings, sports events.

Certain knives are completely forbidden. These are knives explicitly designed and built as weapons. (entering felony territory here). These are balisongs, automatics and gravity knives where the blade flys out the front, stilettos or daggers of any sort, knives with two sharpened edges, throwing stars and "camouflaged" knives like cane or belt buckle knives. Some of these are illegal weapons and some you may own but not carry because there is no "valid interest". Example: A dagger is never a hunting knife.


Now the above is not the complete end all description for German knife law but we can figure the following: You are basically breaking the law edcing most of your knives for the purpose of edcing. This means if you transport them to the airport in a non-locked container (locked suitcase is fine) and check them and/or are having a very unlucky day, you WILL lose them.

Buy a container that you can lock (cheapest is fine) and a TSA approved lock (stateside issues) and you are good to go. You do not need to declare checked knifes because unless forbidden, they are legally classified as tools.


Examples of knives you can totally legally edc in Germany, open or concealed would be: Any fixed blades up to 12 cm (crk ps), slipjoints or nail nick folders (new mnandi, buck 110, sak, opinels). You can also remove thumb studs or fill spyderco holes to be "legal".

Just like stateside, depending on where you are, knives are seen as normal tools or "weapons". Stuttgart is not very critical in this regard and nobody "should" give you troubles. I'd carry any of your above knives as EDC there but I'd keep in mind that it "could" be some trouble.
 
Last edited:
ev13wt said:
German knive law states you may carry any knife (7.5 cm max for folders, 12 cm max for fixed) in any way (open or concealed) unless the type of knife is explicitly forbidden. You cannot carry (readily accessible on your person in pocket, sheath or other method) a one handed opening and locking knife (Choose one or the other) unless you can prove a "valid interest". This would be sports, hunting, camping, religious purpose or job (Kitchen, leatherworking), sharpening service or from the store where you just bought it. (Note that self defense is NOT a valid interest) Not being able to show this purpose when carrying, it isn't a felony but more like a parking ticket - but you will loose the knife to the state. To transport these legally owned knives. they must be in a locked container and not readily accessible.

While in reality this isn't enforced unless you are acting like a total idiot, be aware of these laws.

Forbidden is carrying any knife in temporary social settings, like fairs, gatherings, sports events.

Certain knives are completely forbidden. These are knives explicitly designed and built as weapons. (entering felony territory here). These are balisongs, automatics and gravity knives where the blade flys out the front, stilettos or daggers of any sort, knives with two sharpened edges, throwing stars and "camouflaged" knives like cane or belt buckle knives. Some of these are illegal weapons and some you may own but not carry because there is no "valid interest". Example: A dagger is never a hunting knife.


Now the above is not the complete end all description for German knife law but we can figure the following: You are basically breaking the law edcing most of your knives for the purpose of edcing. This means if you transport them to the airport in a non-locked container (locked suitcase is fine) and check them and/or are having a very unlucky day, you WILL lose them.

Buy a container that you can lock (cheapest is fine) and a TSA approved lock (stateside issues) and you are good to go. You do not need to declare checked knifes because unless forbidden, they are legally classified as tools.


Examples of knives you can totally legally edc in Germany, open or concealed would be: Any fixed blades up to 12 cm (crk ps), slipjoints or nail nick folders (new mnandi, buck 110, sak, opinels). You can also remove thumb studs or fill spyderco holes to be "legal".

Just like stateside, depending on where you are, knives are seen as normal tools or "weapons". Stuttgart is not very critical in this regard and nobody "should" give you troubles. I'd carry any of your above knives as EDC there but I'd keep in mind that it "could" be some trouble.
Click to expand...

That is really great information! While I'm in Germany I usually EDC one of my Boker 42 series slip joints off job site. On base and at work I bring my "normal" EDCs. Traveling to work I usually put them in my work bag that does have a lock.

Back in the States, South Carolina, I went with the Manix 2, Small Sebenza 21, and by popular demand my Leatherman Wave. Decided 3 would do the trick just fine. I'm told there is a rather nice knife store in a mall not far from me. :D Brought 3 with me but may have a few more going back.

Untitled by danny.nystrom, on Flickr
 
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