Question about knife in luggage@airport

J

justPAT

Joined
Feb 1, 2004
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29
My friend is coming over to Thailand this summer from the US and the thing is, I had my friend buy a Spyderco Endura and a 21" ASP expandable baton for me and he is wondering if he puts it in his luggage (not carry on) will there be a problem with security? i.e. on the PA, " Mr. K, please come to the nearest airport security check point concerning articles in your luggage" or will it get confiscated?

Thanks.
 
He shouldnt have a problem, as long as it's in checked luggage. I last flew internationally last November, and had no problems with the 2 Benchmades in my checked bag. Probably couldn't hurt to call the airport he's flying out of or the TSA.
 
spyken said:
knives should be ok, not sure about the ASP....
Click to expand...

I think the ASP you might have to claim. Similair to bringing firearms over right??

For knives there should be no problem. I went to Ireland and back last summer with a Spyderco Delica and a Victorinox Soldier.
-Kevin :)
 
You should check the TSA website for the prohibited items list:

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=090005198007e349

Check page 4 of 5 for info re: ASPs. Why anyone would feel you'd have to "declare" anything in your bags is really a sheeple mentatlity.

However, TSA is not taking responsibility for any valuable items packed in checked luggage and neither are any airlines. Bottom line is don't pack anything you can't afford to lose in your luggage.
 
imp,
I just didn't know if it was the law or not... not trying to be a part of "sheeple" mentality, LOL.
-Kevin
 
There is no problem with either the knife or the ASP in checked baggage.

TSA cares about what might happen in the airport and in-flight. In-flight, your checked baggage is not accessible to you. Knives, swords, even guns can go in checked baggage (though guns must be declared primarily so that they can be checked to be sure they're unloaded so that they don't pose an accidental-discharge hazard to the baggage handling people).

Customs in Thailand are the folks to be concerned with here.
 
my response was vis-a-vis customs in Thailand. knives should be ok, asp.....dunno...
 
The knives will for sure be fine. ASP is more a legality issue, but the TSA primarily cares about what is dangerous on a plane and not, they don't do customs-related things IIRC. I have flown many times with several knives in my baggage, and not once have had a problem.
 
Have never had problems travelling with firearms to a competition. Show the paperwork, have the bag x-rayed to make sure they're not loaded, then get an escort to the front of the security line. Easy.

No problems with knives in checked luggage either. The TSA people mostly just look at them and then return them to the zippered case where I keep them - often with a comment like, "Nice!". And I kind of like the fact that the TSA folks then "seal" your case and it stays that way until you take possession at your destination.
 
Good Morning spyken & justPAT-

Later this week I'll be flying from the United States into Singapore, where I'll transfer to a flight to Bangkok, where I'll meet Thai Customs officials. From there, a it's a quick flight to Chiang-Mai. We will make a stop at Phuket on the way back towards home.

Do you anticipate a problem with a plain 2.95" Benchmade 705 as seen at: http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.asp?model=705 ?

While it wouldn't be the end of the world, I would rather this $135.00 knife NOT be confiscated by the authorities. :cool: If it's any help, I'm a respectable, clean-cut individual visiting relatives working for the American government in conjunction with Thai law enforcement. My spouse will be joining me on this three-week trip and I don't wish to be without a blade for nearly a month! My last resort would be to just bring a tiny Spyderco Dragonfly! What do you think?

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Hi BLue Jays,

I've never had any problems carrying a knife on my persons around Bangkok. The only important thing is don't have it on you at the airport, and government buildings. Oh, and since you're gonna be traveling within Thailand, remember to put it in your luggage before checking in. But other than that, whether you're gonna be on the beach, or out shopping along Silom/Patpong its no problem. I even had my Endura clipped IWB of my broad shorts when i was on a jet ski on a trip in Samui! :D
If your are gonna go check out the pubs/clubs, its best to put the knife in your sock (a temporary sheath if you may) or IWB because some pubs/clubs here you have to go through loose 'pat-downs' where they usually are just searching for guns and 99% of the time they'll miss the knife. But if they (bouncers) do find it and try to take it, tell them you'll go back to your room and leave it considering you aren't far from your hotel.
You can never be too careful in Bangkok. One of my friends was mugged 3 times this past year and Thai delinqents here have a tendency of mugging in groups and are usually armed with the usual broken bottle and/or small kitchen knife. But of course, it depends which area you are going to be.

Have a great time in Thailand!
Cheers.
Pat S.
 
as far as i know, as long as they are not in "hand carry" items such as bags, or pockets, there won't be any problems. they should be in the luggage, and kept in the compartment of the plane
 
checked in luggage should be ok. please do not put it into checked luggage at all. Don't even try.

I carried a spyderco endura in checked luggage to phuket - no worries.

Packing a 3 inch blade on yourself in Phuket should be no problem. Do it discreetly. As a farang (assumption), if you're hanging around hotspots and there's some trouble and if you're frisked, then there's a risk that the authorities could hassle you. BTW, they sell alot of cheap knock-offs at roadside stalls, so knives are freely available.
 
Hi spyken, spyghost, & justPAT-

Thanks for the quick follow-up!

With this excellent bit of news, I might go slightly bigger with my Benchmade Mini-AFCK since it provides a bit more utility. When I saw the pictures posted by Samo in a different thread with the pistols, revolvers, rifles, and various Strider blades, my hopes soared!

Needless to say, the knife will be tethered to the inside of my checked bag with a ziplock tie. This bag will ride safe n' sound in the belly of the aircraft. In order for screeners or TSA to steal it, they'll have to cut the plastic tie which I will have photographed earlier with my airline tickets. :)

Thanks again for your advice, it's greatly appreciated as we count down the time for our departure.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
The problem is not security it it theft. Theft from baggage handlers and TSA. I have had knives stolen, my wife has had jewlerly stolen and we are only occasional travelers.
 
As others have said, as long as the knife / baton (ASP) is in checked baggage....there won't be any problem.
 
Don't forget Catch 22. Your knife and asp may not be disallowed by TSA, but if they are disallowed by local ordinance, they can and often will be confiscated by TSA. Your checked knife may be legal in your home jurisdiction, but it also has to be legal in the place you fly home from.
 
Just a follow up regarding the ASP and Endura since this old post of mine has been brought back to life, both arrived safe and sound no hassles on either side.
This X'Mas i'm having another friend that is visiting bring me back a Yojimbo :D

Cheers!
Pat S.
 
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